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Cynical political manoeuvring? Frack that.

2018-02-12 By gpnsadmin Leave a Comment

Frack Free Future
Western Australia’s protest campaign against fracking is called Frack Free Future.

Last week, Stephen McNeil told the Halifax Chamber of Commerce that he is willing to consider lifting the ban on hydraulic fracturing if a community builds local support for it. His comments are strategic political manoeuvring.

The Liberal party, which introduced the ban on fracking, now wants to make it clear to everyone that maintaining the public will to support the ban is everyone’s responsibility, except perhaps its own.

Justin Trudeau used this approach to justify abandoning electoral reform: blaming the population for not miraculously developing a unified voice. McNeil wants to weaken the ban without taking responsibility.

Let’s not dwell on how cynical it is to propose downloading the costs of a referendum or appropriate public consultation to municipalities, especially as McNeil’s own government has already paid for the Wheeler Report. Or, how fracking can release uranium and other radioactive minerals currently in our bedrock, Into our water supply,  possibly contributing to our province’s already high bladder and kidney cancer rates.

Let’s instead consider why anyone might want to frack.

Fracking can contaminate groundwater and deplete our freshwater supply.  Like coal mining, it is an industry that is dangerous, removes valuable resources from our province and can adversely affect the health of our population. Like coal mining (along with pulp and paper and cod fishing, and briefly, in Halifax, attracting Amazon), it is being positioned as our Last Chance to Get Rich!™

The number “60 billion dollars”, which has been proposed as a value on the natural gas that is embedded in our ground, may sound like a very juicy amount indeed, but that number is extrapolated, and is suggested to be a high estimate. Assume we start by finding a partner through our usual process of offering low to no taxes, payroll rebates, low- to no-interest, often forgivable loans, other subsidies, very favourable locations, plus an offer that we’ll take care of any ‘externalities’ like pollution. That partner will likely be some giant conglomerate with shareholders far afield. The timespan of the project will necessarily be short, as the price of alternative energies drops and the gas gets harder to extract. By the end, the amount generated in revenue to the province dwindles to a much smaller number, if any.  

Frick and Frack
Frick and Frack were funny, but fracking is no laughing matter.

In 2014, the Globe & Mail reported that the number of green energy jobs surpassed jobs in the oilsands. We need to invest our province’s resources into building jobs that are long term and forward facing, instead of propping up dying industries.

 

Nova Scotia has tremendous natural resources and as we cultivate diverse new industries (like biomedical devices, ocean technology, video game development and nutriceuticals), our rich resources really only help us by staying here.

There are many Nova Scotians looking for natural resources labour jobs like those that fracking might supply. People want to stay in rural Nova Scotia and earn a living. If we assign ap

propriate value to sustainable forestry, organic and sustainable agriculture and animal husbandry, those jobs will be there for more than just a few years. If we build the right infrastructure, more opportunities will open up in these areas. We will find ourselves much better off in the long run. Nova Scotians will be healthier, and the odds are, both our health system and tourism operators will benefit.

As voters, every time you go to the polls, you can choose a same-old cynical party, or a hopeful, healthier future. Expect better of your elected officials. Tell Premier McNeil, frack that.  

 

Filed Under: General, Leader's Blog Tagged With: Carbon Economy, fracking, Green Jobs

On the Promise of Wealth and Selling our Environmental Riches

2018-02-05 By gpnsadmin Leave a Comment

By Thomas Trappenberg, PhD, Leader, Green Party of Nova Scotia

I listened to Premier Rachel Notley’s strong words yesterday on the radio, and I agree with her that we need a strong leadership. I also understand that the oil industry is currently a strong component of Alberta’s (and hence Canada’s) industry. Where I don’t agree is that this should be the status quo. I do believe it is now time to turn to our future industry in which our kids will thrive; I do believe we should stop making a quick buck on the future of our planet; I do believe that we should listen to the wisdom of our native elders; and I do believe that it is time to give our young entrepreneurs a chance instead of feeding the rich.

In Nova Scotia there is now a new campaign to imply the potential for carbon riches. The federal government approved new drilling off our coast, and we are told that there is lots of potential for fracking here. I do understand how people get excited by this dream of wealth; also, it is easy to be taken by the scare that losing this industry would kill our economy. It is difficult to argue against the powerful lobbies in our society. However, I believe that a government is there to watch out for all of us. I know know the other parties believe that they do their best by helping the big industry. However, and quite frankly, I question their abilities to see the bigger picture.

I believe we should not just think about the current jobs of a dying industry; instead, we need to think about the new jobs they prevent and the opportunities for people outside the lucky 1%. Other economies, specifically in the north of Europe which have climates and population densities similar to Canada, have been turning around their fortunes by moving away from the carbon economy and embracing a vision of a healthy society. Selling out our environmental riches for a bargain price to the pulp industry while poisoning our citizens is wrong. I came to Nova Scotia because I believe it is one of the best places to live, and I will not give up the fight for this to continue to be true for all.

Filed Under: General, Leader's Blog Tagged With: Carbon Economy, fracking, Green Jobs, vision

Green Party Leader Says “No Fracking Way!”

2018-01-12 By gpnsadmin Leave a Comment

Green Party leader Thomas Trappenberg commends the government’s ongoing commitment to the moratorium on fracking.
Trappenberg adds that he will fight any future decision to allow fracking in the province: “I have three words for anyone who would gamble Nova Scotia’s groundwater on such a pipeline dream: no fracking way.”
With fracking put to bed, Trappenberg would like to see the province focus on building alternative industries to boost the number of green jobs. “Our carbon economy is dying. It is time to move forward. Nova Scotia should not be left behind.”

Filed Under: General, Media Releases Tagged With: fracking

Two Big Misses in Cannabis Announcement, Says Green Leader

2017-12-12 By gpnsadmin Leave a Comment

For Immediate Release – December 11, 2017

“There were two big misses in the provincial government’s announcement of cannabis regulations last week,” says Green Party of Nova Scotia Leader Thomas Trappenberg.

Firstly, “Nova Scotians we have heard from are frustrated that a monopoly was given, and to a government corporation. This was an ideal opportunity to support entrepreneurship, and they blew it.”

Social media reaction on Thursday and Friday indicated there are already many local entrepreneurs who have been developing business models based on the coming legalisation. BC, PEI, and other jurisdictions are working to provide opportunities for private retail sellers of recreational cannabis. Nova Scotia has a robust entrepreneurial spirit, and this was a prime opportunity for grassroots job creation.

The second error is one of omission.

Neither the federal government nor any provincial government have indicated a willingness to address the racial injustices committed during the so-called war on drugs. An overwhelming number of those targeted and incarcerated for possession-related infractions have been First Nations or Black Canadians. Many families have been torn apart and many lives have been ruined by incarceration for marijuana possessions charges.

“At the very least pardons could be offered to Nova Scotians charged with cannabis possession offences since medicinal marijuana was approved,” notes Trappenberg. “We have a lot of work to do to ensure a fair and equitable treatment of minority groups in our province. This could be a huge step.”

Opportunities to build local agriculture also seem to be slipping away as large, centralized companies purchase smaller ones. Toronto brokerage Catalyst Cultivator Corps recently announced their purchase of Antigonish’s THC Dispensaries Inc.

“Regulating legal cannabis sales is a great way to build a stronger economy and improve social justice while weakening organized criminal groups. It’s too bad the government chose to create their regulations without really listening to Nova Scotians.”

Filed Under: In the News, Media Releases

Statement on the passing of Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy

2017-12-01 By gpnsadmin Leave a Comment

Dr. Thomas Trappenberg, leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia, would like to share this statement on the passing of Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy:

—
The Green Party of Nova Scotia would like to express our deepest condolences to family, friends and the Mi’kmaq nation on the passing of Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy. This is a loss for all Nova Scotians. As we heal from this loss, together, both indigenous and non-indigenous citizens must move forward with reconciliation and develop, with mutual goodwill, a value system that deeply respects our mother earth.

Filed Under: General, Leader's Blog

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