Communities impacted by racism deserve answers, not more Conservative secrecy: NDP

HALIFAX— The Leader of the Official Opposition, Claudia Chender, is again calling on the government to release the recommendations of the Environmental Racism Panel report following a week of silence from Tim Houston’s government.

When questioned by media last week, Justice Minister Becky Druhan couldn’t confirm that she had even read the recommendations, repeatedly claiming she was not the minister responsible when the panel began its work, and noted that government was not ready to act on the recommendations.

“Communities who have been living with the consequences and the legacy of environmental devastation of neighborhoods and communities because toxic or harmful projects were sited nearby without consent or compensation—from Pictou Landing, to Guysborough, from Whitney Pier to Africville toShelburne—don’t care which minister is responsible. They just want answers,” said Chender. “In light of this government’s focus on new mining and infrastructure projects, Nova Scotians deserve to understand our environmental legacy and recommendations for how to go forward.”

NDP MLA for Halifax Needham Suzy Hansen put forward the amendment which initiated the panel’s important work and is also urging the government to release the report’s findings.

“It’s incredibly insulting to the people who worked on this panel and to the people and communities engaged. Examining the harms that have been done to African Nova Scotians and Mi’kmaq people is emotionally draining work but it’s essential if things are going to change,” said Hansen. “What are people supposed to think when they’re looking for answers and they’re met with silence and secrecy? Nova Scotians who have had their health and their communities impacted for generations by government decisions deserve better.”

New Democrats say that the secrecy around the environmental racism panel’s report is especially troubling, considering the Houston government’s ongoing failure to consult Mi’kmaq leadership, local communities, and property owners with valid concerns about their right to stop uranium mining exploration activities on their land.

Yesterday, the NDP wrote to the Minister of Natural Resources imploring him to pause his request for proposals until community members are properly consulted.

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