Reporter Brooklyn Connolly takes a closer look at the attorney general’s finding that after four years the province still has not acted on several recommendations to strengthen the protection of endangered species.
Half hour west of Halifax, spanning 32,000 acres between the Panuke and Indian lakes immediately north of Highway 103, there waits a wilderness, simmering with potential and public use, aspiring to protection from our provincial government, all the while being slowly disassembled by people with chainsaws. Zack Metcalfe reports on the Ingram River Wilderness Area, an idea that’s just won’t quit.
Sometimes a picture is worth a 1000 words. Nova Scotia artist Virve Whiteway created this wonderfully intricate editorial cartoon on the issues raised by Jacob Fillmore and the response by Lands and Forestry minister Chuck Porter.
“And then the free-for all began, harvesting this last great wood basket in the most biodiversity rich and carbon storage rich area of Nova Scotia…” Biologist David Patriquin gives anti-clearcutting protesters at Province House a concise history lesson on the last 15 years of plunder and the forestry policies that supported it.
After 23 days Jacob Fillmore is ending his hunger strike in support of a temporary clearcutting moratorium. But it ended with a bang, with rallies and government office occupations across Nova Scotia, with organizers warning the government that there is much more to come.
“Mr. Porter, my son has not eaten for 18 days. It is ludicrous that it takes these extreme measures to (not) even get a meeting. I hope you will forgive me for my language; surely you can imagine that I am feeling quite emotional about this.”
(As the NS Advocate reported yesterday) Press release: The Minister of Lands and Forestry, Chuck Porter, has agreed to meet with hunger striker Jacob Fillmore. Deputy Minister Paul LaFleche gave Jacob Fillmore and Janet McLeod the news yesterday in the lobby of the DLF just as, a block away, the Stop Clearcutting Our Future rally in support of Jacob was getting underway in front of Province House.
There were some 150 people at today’s anti-clearcut protest at Province House, much more than double the number of people who showed up for last week’s rally. Momentum is growing, but maddeningly, on this 16th day into Jacob Fillmore’s hunger strike, the stakes are getting much higher as well. 16 days is a very long time not to eat solid food.
Nina Newington: “Jacob Fillmore is on the 15th day of his hunger strike. He has said he will keep going until he is hospitalized OR until our government puts in place an immediate moratorium on the clearcutting of Crown lands. I tried to talk him out of this hunger strike. Lots of other people have too.”
Letter: There is an empty plate at this table and an honoured guest , a youth, has been left out in the cold and he is hungry for change. Jacob Fillmore’s name and cause and courage have flashed around the world. The world is listening and he has been heard and now it is your turn to invite him in, to listen and meet the challenge of climate change.