Green Party of Nova Scotia

Building a Sustainable Future Together

Green Party Supports Citizen Groups Opposing Open-Pen Aquaculture

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“A government that rejects legitimate, critical public input, by using bureaucratic technicalities   is abusing its authority.  

 The decision to extend leases to Cooke Aquaculture under these circumstances, against overwhelming public objection, is at best arrogant, at worst anti-democratic.”

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, May 27

The Green Party of Nova Scotia strongly supports the statements made by the Protect Liverpool Bay Association in a recent “open letter” to premier Stephen McNeil, in which the citizens group admonished the Liberal government for its blatant disregard of widespread community opposition to the proliferation of large, industrial open net pen salmon farms in the province. “There is direct evidence that open pen aquaculture poisons ocean waters. Fish waste, disease, and contamination from medicines destroys traditional fisheries, on which South Shore families depend.” says Thomas Trappenberg, leader of the Green Party of Nova Scotia. “Worst of all, Cooke Aquaculture has cost Nova Scotia taxpayers tens of millions dollars, threatening jobs and livelihoods of traditional fishers.”

As the first federal political candidate calling for a national ban on this dangerous and economically unsustainable practice, Trappenberg stood side-by-side with the Protect Liverpool Bay Association as they pushed hard to stop massive salmon feedlots that were being forced on Nova Scotians by Cooke Aquaculture, the Dexter NDP and later Liberal governments, mobilizing a massive outcry from residents of St. Margarets Bay and other South Shore communities. In coordination with citizen groups like Twin Bays Coalition, they sent Cooke and farmed salmon giant Cermaq a message: “The community has spoken: no open pen fish farms here.”

Cooke eagerly sought a $25 million loan package from the Dexter NDP government, then failed to make debt payments, and produced only a small percentage of the jobs promised. The company was charged with poisoning lobsters withy illegal pesticide dumping in New Brunswick in 2013, seriously affecting traditional fisheries in the Bay of Fundy. With the recent sudden extension of leases by the McNeil Liberals despite strong public opposition, it is clear that South Shore residents will have to sacrifice even more.

South Shore communities have been strong in their opposition to open-pen aquaculture in Nova Scotia waters. Thomas Trappenberg joined Nova Scotians who made their feelings clear on this issue in many public consultations in 2019 and this year to push back against foreign-owned aquaculture giant Cermaq. “The community has spoken: no open pen fish farms here.” After a meeting at the Tantallon public library filled beyond capacity, where hundreds of members of the community told Cermaq no one wanted them here, the corporation withdrew their bid.

The Green Party of Nova Scotia supports the fisheries and expanding job opportunities in the province, but not at any expense. The recent government approval of unprecedented 20-year leases to Cooke Aquaculture, and the obscure manner in which the process took place is something Trappenberg finds disturbing. “The government rejected an unacceptable number of public submissions against the proposal on trivial, bureaucratic grounds, including from local harbour authorities. A government that rejects legitimate, critical public input, by using bureaucratic technicalities is abusing its authority.”

In addition to authoring the open letter to premier McNeil, Protect Liverpool Bay Association chair Brian Muldoon announced the formation of the Healthy Bay Network this week, designed to network resources and events by all of the citizen-led groups that have organized opposition to open-pen aquaculture. The Network includes: The St. Mary’s Bay Protectors, Protect Liverpool Bay, the Twin Bays Coalition representing Mahone and St. Margaret’s Bays, the Association for the Preservation of the Eastern Shore, with support from the Ecology Action Centre, the Atlantic Salmon Federation, and the Nova Scotia Salmon Association.

“The Green Party stands in complete solidarity with Healthy Bays Network. We will continue to support them to ensure that citizens are heard, and to keep the government accountable for its handling of this industry,” concluded Trappenberg. “The future of Nova Scotia can be bright if we use common sense and expand aquaculture on land, inside contained systems. We can be world leaders in this industry, create jobs and not destroy our oceans.”

 

Green Party of Nova Scotia principles include:

++  Sustainability

Move all open-net pen finfish aquaculture facilities into closed containment systems on land. As with land farmers transitioning from conventional production, provide financial and extension support will be ensure to fish farm workers to make this transition.

++  Ecological Wisdom

Stop to the proliferation of damaging business practices that demand public money to survive, and only invest in businesses that can operate sustainably without degrading Nova Scotia’s natural resources. 

 

         FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE GREEN PARTY of NOVA SCOTIA or THOMAS TRAPPENBERG

              Contact : 

 

   

  Communications Director              

  Michael Uhlarik   

              media@greenpartyns.ca                        

 

  Leader, GPNS

  Thomas Trappenberg

              leader@greenpartyns.ca                         

              telephone : 902 414 3960  

              www.greenpartyns.ca

Green Party Leader Thomas Trappenberg calls for a ban on open pen aquaculture.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 2
The Green Party of Nova Scotia calls for a ban on open pen aquaculture.  South Shore communities are clear, demanding protection for their coastal waters.  Thomas Trappenberg, the leader of the provincial Green Party say constituents must be respected.

 

“There is direct evidence that open pen aquaculture poisons ocean waters.  Fish waste, disease, and contamination from medicines destroys traditional fisheries, on which South Shore families depend.” said Trappenberg.  “The community has spoken: no open pen fish farms here.”

 

Thomas has an inside operational perspective on the industry.  An internationally trained scientist and professor at Dalhousie University, he helped startup Reel Data AI develop artificial intelligence (AI) systems for the much safer land based aquaculture industry.  “Doing the right thing for the environment does not mean saying no to strong economic development.” says Thomas.  “A safe, regulated, land based aquaculture industry creates quality food and jobs.  Nova Scotia has what it takes to be the world leader in this.”

 

Trappenberg has worked with South Shore community-led initiatives for years, supporting local groups like the Protect Liverpool Bay Association as the first federal political candidate calling for a national ban on open-pen aquaculture.  Together they pushed hard to stop massive salmon feedlots that were being forced on Nova Scotians by Cooke Aquaculture and the Federal Liberal government.

 

Another important issue with the industry is that it takes in more in that it provides.  “The evidence is clear: open pen fish farms struggle to produce as much food energy as they absorb in operation.” says Thomas, “Often they resort to just scraping our ocean bottoms of sea life to get enough fish food.  That is a price Nova Scotia and our environment cannot afford.”

 

Green Party of Nova Scotia principles include:

 

++  Sustainability
Move all open-net pen finfish aquaculture facilities into closed containment systems on land. As with land farmers transitioning from conventional production, provide financial and extension support will be ensure to fish farm workers to make this transition.

 

++  Ecological Wisdom
Stop to the proliferation of these damaging business practices like open net pen operations, and protect the most valuable resource in Nova Scotia : our seas and the people who depend on them.

 

FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE GREEN PARTY of NOVA SCOTIA or THOMAS : 
telephone  902 414 3960

Reflections on 2019 and Directions for 2020

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Dear Green Friends,

While reflecting on the last year and preparing for the new year, there is an issue on my mind that I would like to mention before the year comes to a draw. It is wonderful to see the increasing number of thoughtful members in our party, and I know that many want to get more active to fight for a future for our kids. I am now often asked how we prepare for the next election. Therefore, here are a few notes on my current thoughts.

We built over the last three years a strong internal organization, which I like to think is collaborative and inclusive. Many of us thought this necessary before jumping into more of a spotlight. Now I feel strongly that it is time to burst onto the scene.

While reflecting with some members on our general approach, it became increasingly apparent to us that we must be able to explain and demonstrate how we are a different party. This starts with our internal culture, which must reflect an honest respect for each other and time for community building. Furthermore, I think that a strong emphasis on a collaborative approach is important. This covers internal working groups, the strong appreciation of input from special interest groups and specialists, and an open mind to other parties with whom we want to find solutions. Lastly, we need to articulate and visualize better our vision for a green Nova Scotia with a strong green economy in which we all share the wealth of our `have province’.

In more pragmatic terms, we now need to get a team and its support in place for the next election. This starts, of course, with finding candidates for every riding. As grassroots party, this is primarily in the hands of each regional district. In principle, this should come from each electoral district, but given that our membership can still be thin in each electoral district, we created regional structures so that you can share resources. Thus, it is now important that the regions become active in identifying candidates and ideas for the local campaigns. If you are a member who wants to get more active, please contact your regional convenors now. You can find the contacts on our web page or just drop me a line.

Of course, the central party will try to support local campaigns. I view the role of the central party as a general support organization and to help with the overall messaging and highlighting our principles. We provide campaign training and templates for material such as signs and brochures. We are working on a platform that shows our values and our vision. We are also always grateful for suggestions and feedback.

I will try to lead with more communications. At this time, I have been conscious not to flood your emails or Facebook with my rants, but I hope I find a way to communicate regularly, at least to let you know what is going on. For now, I will continue to use the facebook page `Thomas Trappenberg: Leader for the Green Party of Nova Scotia’ for these communications until we find a better form of communication. I hope you will reach out with other ideas.

I would like to wish everyone a happy holiday with your families.

In solidarity and with much hope for the future, Thomas

Green Party Leadership: Enforcing Boat Harbour Act Respects First Nation and Environment

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December 20, 2019

The Green Party of Nova Scotia congratulates Premier McNeil on making this historical move after 50+ years of ineffective measures and wishful thinking on the part of past governments. “The government is now following their own law”, says Thomas Trappenberg.

Green Party Leader Thomas Trappenberg points out that, “The real failure of this issue was the lack of vision for a change to a modern industry. This is why we need a more visionary government. While changes in the forestry industry will likely create hardships in the short term, I am confident that the forestry industry will emerge even stronger in the long run.”

Premier Stephen McNeil’s recent announcement, of not extending the deadline for the Northern Pulp mill effluent in Pictou and that $50 million will be put towards the transition fund to help forestry sector workers affected by the mill closure, is met with great relief by the Green Party of Nova Scotia.

“Closing the mill is the right thing to do and the only course of action that leads to justice for the Pictou Landing First Nation.” says Deputy Leader Jessica Alexander, “Nova Scotia forests should be purposed for higher-value products than kraft pulp. Taxpayer money is better spent investing in local human capital than on subsidizing international companies.”

“It is very important that we kept our word to Pictou Landing First Nation”, leader Thomas Trappenberg explained, “They have suffered for so many years.” He adds, “Nobody wants people to lose their jobs and we recognize that there are challenges for workers and the forestry industry. Help for their transition is therefore also the right thing to do.”

The Green Party is looking forward to seeing more details of what the transition will look like and hopes that protecting the mill workers’ pensions is part of the plan.

– 30 –

Media Contact:  Dr. Thomas Trappenberg

Leader, Green Party of Nova Scotia

leader@greenpartyns.ca

902-414-3960

 

Jessica Alexander

Leader, Green Party of Nova Scotia

deputy.leader@greenpartyns.ca

902-225-9130

Climate Strike – by Keith Towse

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The Green Party of Nova Scotia marches with the young people on the streets of Halifax and communities across Nova Scotia today.  Climate change is a threat to Nova Scotians – its impacts will include sea level rise and increasing coastal erosion, more frequent extreme weather events, and altered weather and rainfall patterns. We applaud the Ecology Action Centre for publishing two reports recently showing that Nova Scotians can take action and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 60% from 2005 levels. We can do this through changing how we generate our electricity and heat our homes, increasing the energy efficiency of all the buildings we live and work in and using more electric vehicles.  But, as our leader, Thomas Trappenberg, and deputy leader, Jessica Alexander, agree, “We must make sure that introducing these changes protects those Nova Scotian’s who can’t afford to heat their homes now. More than 20% of Nova Scotians experience energy poverty, and we must ensure that the benefits of clean renewable energy are shared by everyone”,

The Green Party calls for all political parties to cooperate to make sure that the changes which are needed are implemented now – we can’t wait for more studies or debates. We must listen to the young people who march and whose futures are most at risk from climate change. We can take action now.

Changes we can make right now include:

  • Pass legislation setting targets for increasing the percentage of our electricity which comes from renewables to 60% in 2023, 80% in 2026 and 95% in 2030. This should not increase the price of electricity significantly – the cheapest form of new power generation now is onshore wind, which will soon be cheaper than existing coal or gas fired generation:
  • Scrap the ineffective Cap and Trade regulations introduced by the Liberal Government and introduce a Carbon Tax of $50 per tonne CO2e (increasing at $10 per tonne CO2e per year), requiring that proceeds from the Carbon Tax are returned to Nova Scotians who are most impacted by the additional costs, in the form of quarterly cash distributions and subsidized energy efficiency programs. “Implementing this Carbon Tax will be less expensive than dealing with the climate crisis that results if we miss the IPCC target”, says Thomas Trappenberg.
  • Requiring that all new housing meets stringent energy efficiency standards and introducing programs to retrofit existing housing to the same energy efficiency standards.

The Ecology Action Centre report indicates the financial savings from reduced fuel use in buildings and personal vehicles, and reduced fossil fuel purchases for power generation could largely pay for the annualized investments in deep energy retrofits, electric vehicles, and renewable electricity generation.

We can afford it; the future of our Province requires it and our young people demand it.