Update on Wednesday, Jan. 29: Following an outcry of concerns from the public and members of the fishing industry, on Monday, Jan. 27 Premier Houston walked back his earlier comments that his government would be open to revisiting the oil and gas moratorium on Georges Bank. This clarity on the province’s stance is welcome news to the many Nova Scotians who rely on these valuable fishing grounds for their livelihoods. We now call on the Premier to abandon his stated desire to reopen other harmful resource extraction projects — in particular fracking and uranium mining. To get further updates and ways to take action, sign up here.
Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025 — Yesterday, Premier Houston sent a shocking letter to all PC caucus members, signalling his intention to expedite an array of resource extraction projects – even though it would mean lifting long-standing and hard-won bans on fracking and uranium mining, ending a moratorium on offshore drilling in the important and highly sensitive fishing grounds of Georges Bank and reviving the proposed Energy East pipeline.
A panicked, short-sighted response to political and economic uncertainty
With growing political instability in the United States and numerous converging crises facing Nova Scotians and their families, our province deserves measured, thoughtful and forward-thinking solutions from our leaders. Instead, the Houston government is defaulting to a panicked, short-sighted response – one that paves the way for corporate interests at the expense of the people of Nova Scotia.
Who benefits?
Nova Scotia is the second smallest province in Canada, with the highest density of rural populations. New mines and fracking sites won’t be hidden away out of reach, they will be in our backyards. They risk polluting the spaces we love, poisoning the water we drink and will put unfair pressure on our rural communities.
Nova Scotians have repeatedly rejected these industries because they worsen climate change and the destruction of nature, while leaving taxpayers with a toxic and expensive mess to clean up.
Betraying the trust of Nova Scotians
Nova Scotians didn't vote for this. During the recent election, none of these plans were discussed, debated or put forward in the PC’s election platform. They also explicitly contradict recent pledges from sitting ministers to permanently protect fishing grounds on Georges Bank.
For years, communities across our province have clearly and repeatedly said no to risky, polluting resource extraction like fracking, uranium mining and offshore drilling in critical fishing grounds. These destructive industries threaten the health of future generations while posing an unacceptable threat to livelihoods in fishing, farming and more.
We deserve better.