KJIPUKTUK (Halifax) – Despite the climate emergency the three main federal parties aren’t clearly in favour of ending oil and gas activities in the Nova Scotia offshore by the end of 2022.

That’s the disappointing message contained in the parties’ responses to a questionnaire sent out by the Offshore Alliance, a coalition of 18 fisheries and environmental groups active in the province.

The Conservative Party didn’t respond, and neither the Liberals nor the NDP provided a clear yes when asked about their intentions if elected.   

“In government, New Democrats would work with stakeholders to develop policies that would best meet the needs and concerns of all those who share the offshore waters,” the NDP states in response. 

The Liberal and NDP parties’ commitment to end all oil and gas subsidies appears to be a bit more firm, although the two parties’ responses are still dressed in ambiguity, particularly around dates.

In contrast, both the Greens and the Communist Party respond to both questions with a clear Yes.

“It was disappointing to see these partial responses from the Liberals and the NDP, quite frankly,” says John Davis, a spokesperson for the coalition, and director of the Clean Ocean Action Committee, a fisheries organization representing 9000 vessel owners, captains, crew members and fish plant owners.  

“I don’t know what more it’s going to take. The western part of our country is in flames or in flood or in drought, take your pick. Our oceans are being stressed dramatically, oxygen levels in the Gulf of St. Lawrence are way depressed, mainly because of the amount of carbon that’s been entering our oceans from the atmosphere,” Davis says. 

“Meanwhile, 84% of Nova Scotian said we should be getting off carbon and working toward a green economy. How can our elected officials be so far behind that important public sentiment?”

A questionnaire sent to the provincial parties in August shows the same ambiguity in the response from the provincial Liberals, but the position of the provincial NDP is much more firmly in favour of ending offshore exploration than its federal counterpart. 

Climate change is the main driver behind ending subsidies and offshore oil and gas activities, but not the only one, Davis says.

Despite their claims to the contrary, the oil industry does not have any capacity to clean up an oil spill in our waters. The waters are too rough and the tides and currents are too high, says Davis. 

“In Nova Scotia we have an unbelievable resource of protein energy in our oceans. The Nova Scotia fishery provides over $2 billion in export value, provides 25,000 jobs and makes substantial contributions to the provincial GDP. To put that resource, which the world really requires, at risk in order to extract more hydrocarbons, which the world does not need, and which endangers our planet just doesn’t make sense,” Davis says.

Open letter to the new provincial government

Earlier this month the Offshore Alliance sent an open letter to Premier Tim Houston, calling for all oil and gas subsidies to be terminated by the end of 2022, and for a moratorium on all offshore activities while a full public inquiry is being held on the ecological risks and impacts of continued offshore oil and gas development .

The letter also calls for support for affected oil and gas workers.

There are actually many things we don’t know about the offshore oil and gas exploration, says Noreen Mabiza, energy coordinator with the Ecology Action Centre, explaining the call for the public enquiry.

“We want to see a cost benefit analysis, considering all the investments that are going into our offshore, and determine if that’s really worth the cost  in terms of pollution and harm to the environment. It is actually really hard to find any transparency around the numbers,” Mabiza says.

We must never forget that the benefits of the clean economy that we’re working towards should be shared by all. The people who today make a living in the fossil fuel industry need to be part of the discussion. And when we talk about benefits being shared, Indigenous and Black communities, women, immigrants, and other traditionally underrepresented groups need to be brought into the conversations and be part of the solutions, Mabiza says. 

See also: “A captured bureaucracy“ – John Davis of the Clean Ocean Action Committee on Nova Scotia’s cozy relationship with Big Oil

The post News brief: “I don’t know what more it’s going to take” – Federal parties vague on ending oil and gas activities in Nova Scotia’s offshore appeared first on Nova Scotia Advocate.

K’jpuktuk/ Halifax, Nova Scotia

The Offshore Alliance, a consortium of 18 fisheries and environmental groups concerned about the wellbeing of our fishery and tourism industries in the face of offshore oil and gas development off Nova Scotia, asked leading political parties contending for the eleven Nova Scotia seats in the federal election campaign three questions about their commitment to protect the offshore. The questions focus on extending the moratorium on oil and gas activities on Georges Bank, ending oil and gas subsidies and supports, and ending all offshore Nova Scotia oil and gas activities by the end of 2022. 

Today, the Alliance releases the parties’ responses. 

With just 12 days left in the campaign, voters in NS need to decide how they will vote. According to a public opinion poll released by Alliance members in June, 85% of Nova Scotians agree that COVID-19 pandemic recovery plans should prioritize a move away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy and efficiency systems, including training and income support for affected workers. 

In light of recent landmark international reports highlighting the climate crisis and the urgent need to achieve net-zero emissions, the Offshore Alliance is calling on federal parties to commit to formally ending offshore exploration and drilling, and subsidies that support these activities.

In stark contrast to this vision, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) is promoting “exploration incentives,” “predictable regulation,” and removing “barriers for companies wanting to invest in exploration activities.” 

Which future is the preferred one for Nova Scotia? — one that addresses the climate crisis head on, or one that makes the climate crisis worse? 

A poll of Nova Scotians conducted by Narrative Research on behalf of the Offshore Alliance members shows there is an overwhelming mandate to shift away from fossil fuels and to support a just transition.

The Alliance is publishing the following parties’ responses in order to help Nova Scotians decide which parties and candidates to support this election.  

Responses to Offshore Alliance questions: 2021 federal election campaign

Questions: 

1. Will you extend the moratorium on oil and gas activities on Georges Bank as soon as possible, and certainly before December 31, 2022, when the current moratorium expires? 

2. Will you end all subsidies and supports for oil and gas exploration and development in Nova Scotian waters by no later than the end of 2022? 

3. Will you end all oil and gas activities in Nova Scotian waters by no later than the end of 2022?  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Conservative Party of Canada: 

No response was received by Monday, September 6. 

Green Party of Canada: 

“Yes” to all three questions. 

1. Extending the moratorium off George’s Bank is definitely GPC policy and has been for some time. 

2. Ending subsidies to fossil fuel exploration off NS and elsewhere has been GPC policy since 2015 and continues to be now more than ever. 

3. And finally, YES, we will end oil and gas activities in Nova Scotia waters by 2022. 

We are the only party with a policy to place a moratorium on any exploration or development of fossil fuels in the Gulf of St Lawrence, including cancelling any activity at “Old Harry.”

Liberal Party of Canada: 

Yes. The Liberal Party recognizes the importance and environmental sensitivity of the Georges Bank area, and, together with Nova Scotia, we have taken steps to protect this valuable ecosystem. A re-elected Liberal government will continue to work in collaboration with Nova Scotia to ensure that the ecological health of this vital and unique area is maintained for the benefit of generations of Canadians to come, which includes exercising the ability under the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act to further extend the moratorium in increments of 10 years.
 The Liberal government has consistently been phasing out fossil fuel subsidies since 2015. A re-elected Liberal government will:
Accelerate our G20 commitment to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies from 2025 to 2023.
Develop a plan to phase-out public financing of the fossil fuel sector, including from Crown corporations, consistent with our commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
End any new direct government support for international carbon-intensive fossil fuel energy immediately.
Work with G20 partners to complete a peer review of Canada’s accelerated plan to phase out federal fossil fuel subsidies.
Require Canadian crown corporations to publicly disclose climate-related financial risks.
A re-elected Liberal government, working with Nova Scotia in accordance with the principles of joint management of the offshore, would focus its efforts on the safe and responsible decommissioning of abandoned projects including Deep Panuke and Sable and commit to furthering the deployment of offshore renewable technologies like tidal and wind energy. 

New Democratic Party of Canada: 

Yes. New Democrats understand the vital role Georges Bank plays in maintaining Nova Scotia’s fishery. With its elevated ocean floor and wide variety of sea life, scientists have underscored its importance as a spawning spot for many fish species. We cannot overstate its importance to the economy of our coastal communities. In government, New Democrats would work with all those who share these waters to determine how best to build a sustainable economy.   

New Democrats will pursue a Nature agenda, anchored by our commitment to safeguarding ecosystems and biodiversity by protecting 30% of our land, freshwater and oceans by 2030. We will protect our oceans and our freshwater, by reducing emissions from shipping and fishing, expanding marine protected areas, reducing key threats to ocean ecosystems and implementing a national freshwater strategy.

Yes. New Democrats are committed to helping stabilize the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. To that end we will set a target of reducing Canada’s emissions by at least 50% from 2005 levels by 2030, reaching further wherever possible to account for Canada’s fair share. We know that reaching net-zero by 2050 means taking action now, during the term of this next Parliament.

One thing we won’t do is continue down the path that Liberal and Conservative governments have chosen when it comes to spending public money on oil and gas subsidies. Under Prime Minister Trudeau, the federal government spent $18 billion to support oil and gas exploration, production, refining, transportation and more in 2020 alone – and that’s on top of purchasing the Kinder-Morgan oil pipeline. New Democrats know that public funds are best spent supporting the transition to renewable energy, rather than on profitable oil and gas companies. We will fulfill Canada’s G-20 commitment to eliminate these fossil fuel subsidies and redirect these funds to low carbon initiatives, and make sure that future governments can’t reverse this by putting in place legislation to ban any future oil, gas and pipeline subsidies.

Given our commitment to reduce Canada’s emissions by at least 50% from 2005 levels by 2030, an NDP government will begin discussions immediately with all stakeholders. Environmental sustainability and stewardship must be at the heart of everything we do. 

In government, New Democrats would work with stakeholders to develop policies that would best meet the needs and concerns of all those who share the offshore waters. Unlike Liberals who profess a commitment to combatting the climate crisis but take no meaningful action, and the Conservatives who are willfully blind to the crisis that is unfolding before us, New Democrats will explore options and share perspectives with all whose livelihood depends on our offshore.

The Alliance was also contacted by the Communist Party of Canada, which had heard about the questions sent to the four other parties, and requested an opportunity to respond. 

Communist Party of Canada: 

1. Will you extend the moratorium on oil and gas activities on Georges Bank as soon as possible, and certainly before December 31, 2022, when the current moratorium expires? 

The Communist Party of Canada believes that the world is at a tipping point of irreversible climate change, requiring emergency measures and action by all governments. We see the issue of drilling on Georges Bank as a climate justice, working class, and an Indigenous sovereignty issue due to its impact on fisheries and tourism in the region. We all not only for a moratorium on oil and gas activities on Georges Bank, but on all Nova Scotian waters.

In fact, our platform calls for a halt to all fracking operations and phase out of tar sands extraction and coal-fired plants starting immediately. We also call for a moratorium on the exploration and development of shale gas resources. Among our policy proposals are the cancellation of all pipeline projects based on expansion of tar sands extraction, like the Energy Saguenay LNG project in Quebec, the Coastal Gaslink, Trans Mountain Expansion, Line 9 and Line 5.

2. Will you end all subsidies and supports for oil and gas exploration and development in Nova Scotian waters by no later than the end of 2022? 

Absolutely. Not only we call for the termination of all subsidies and supports for oil and gas exploration, which we consider a de facto wealth transfer from working people to corporations and the ruling class, but we propose to replace cap-and-trade and carbon tax schemes with strict legal limits for pollution and hard caps on emissions, especially from industrial sources, to reduce net emissions to zero by 2050.

We need a fundamental change on how energy and natural resources are administered in this country. That is why our platform calls for a People’s Energy Plan, which includes public ownership and real democratic control of all energy and natural resources, including extraction, production, and distribution. 

3. Will you end all oil and gas activities in Nova Scotian waters by no later than the end of 2022? 

Yes, ending oil and gas activities in Nova Scotian waters is in line with our proposed People’s Energy Plan and transitioning Canada out of a fossil fuel-dependent economy, with a goal to reduce net emissions to zero by 2050. 

While we transition out of a fossil fuel economy, we need to guarantee jobs for energy industry workers in the renewable energy sector and in other sectors of the economy, and to do that we should invest heavily to create jobs through renewable energy and conservation programs.

— 30 —

The Offshore Alliance is a consortium of 18 fisheries and environmental groups concerned about the wellbeing of our fishery and tourism industries and the environment in the face of offshore oil and gas development off Nova Scotia. Our Group has been in discussion with many Nova Scotian municipal units on this critically important issue. Twelve Nova Scotian towns and municipalities have now called on our provincial and federal governments to hold a full public inquiry on the risks and impacts of offshore oil and gas exploration and extraction so that fully informed and rational decisions can be made. 

The post News release: Federal parties respond to questions about their commitment to protect the Nova Scotia offshore appeared first on Nova Scotia Advocate.

(K’jpuktuk/ Halifax, NS) — On August 9th the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Sixth Assessment Report calling for immediate, rapid, and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.  In May of this year the International Energy Agency said no new oil and gas fields should be developed in order to reach net zero by 2050.

In light of these international reports, and the commitments from all federal parties to address the climate emergency, the Offshore Alliance is calling on all federal candidates in this election to commit to formally ending offshore exploration and drilling and subsidies that support these activities. The Alliance has sent questions to all federal candidates and plans to make the responses public.

“This is a measure of the sincerity of a party’s pledge to address the climate emergency,” says Gretchen Fitzgerald, Director, Sierra Club Canada Foundation. “It will be a challenge to reduce our emissions, but further offshore oil and gas development will make it impossible.”

Although no oil and gas exploration or drilling is taking place right now in Nova Scotian waters, the provincial and federal governments continue to fund and foster offshore oil and gas development. The provincial government is a “mega sponsor” of an oil and gas conference in Morocco in 2022, the purpose of which is to better understand potential oil bearing formations off Canada’s East Coast. 

The fishing industry has led the way in protecting ocean areas from offshore drilling and seismic blasting, including the first moratorium on oil and gas drilling on Georges Bank, beginning in 1986. The current moratorium on Georges Bank expires on December 31, 2022, and the provincial and federal government have yet to extend that moratorium and protect the valuable Georges Bank fishing grounds. 

“The extension of the Georges Bank moratorium should be a no-brainer,” states John Davis of the Clean Ocean Action Committee representing over 9000 fishery owners, operators and workers. ”And with our planet experiencing catastrophic fires and flooding, it is time to protect all of Nova Scotian ocean waters by extending the moratorium on Georges Bank, and formally ending exploration in other parts of Nova Scotia’s oceans. The world needs the high quality protein energy our oceans can provide, we do not need more hydrocarbons to burn. We have a responsibility to future generations.’

“Ending oil and gas exploration and extraction in favour of major job creation in renewable development and energy efficiency is not a fringe idea – international scientists, economists, and 85% of people in Nova Scotia support it,” says Marilyn Keddy of the Campaign to Protect Offshore Nova Scotia “Members of the Offshore Alliance recently commissioned a poll that shows 4 out of 5 people in Nova Scotia support a huge move away from fossil fuels. If parties want people to take them seriously, they need to meet the public where we’re at, and start putting forward real climate action plans that include winding down the fossil fuel industry.”

####The Offshore Alliance is a consortium of 18 fisheries groups and environmental NGOs concerned about the wellbeing of our fishery and tourism industries, environment, and healthy coastal communities in the face of offshore oil and gas development off Nova Scotia. Our group has been in discussion with many Nova Scotian municipal units on this critically important issue. Twelve Nova Scotia towns and municipalities have now called on our provincial and federal governments to hold a full public inquiry on the risks and impacts of offshore oil and gas exploration and extraction so that fully informed and rational decisions can be made.

The post Media release: Offshore Alliance calls on all parties to commit to no further fossil fuel development, will report on candidates’ answers appeared first on Nova Scotia Advocate.

Media Contacts: 

Gretchen Fitzgerald, Sierra Club Canada Foundation, gretchenf@sierraclub.ca

John Davis, Clean Ocean Action Committee, jbdavis@eco-nova.com 

Offshore Alliance applauds NDP and Green commitments – Other Parties Need to Step Up for Climate

In response to calls by the Offshore Alliance to end offshore oil and gas expansion and subsidies, both the Nova Scotia NDP and Green Parties have now stated that they oppose the expansion and subsidies for offshore oil and gas. 

The NS Progressive Conservative and Liberals have yet to acknowledge last week’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s “Code Red” on climate. All parties need to commit to safeguarding a safe and healthy future for coastal communities, our province and our planet. 

The Offshore Alliance is a consortium of 18 fisheries groups and environmental NGO’s concerned about the wellbeing of our fishery and tourism industries in the face of offshore oil and gas development off Nova Scotia. Our Group has been in discussion with many Nova Scotian municipal units on this critically important issue. There are now twelve Nova Scotian towns and municipalities that have called on our provincial and federal governments to hold a full public inquiry on the risks and impacts of offshore oil and gas exploration and extraction so that fully informed and rational decisions can be made.

####

Major Party Positions Provided in response to Offshore Alliance Call for Commitments:

NS Green Party 

Immediately declare a climate emergency focusing all government departments on climate change as a priority. This will include educating the public and our children

about climate change, its impacts, and strategies to address…

● End all provincial subsidies to fossil fuel sectors

● End exploration, drilling, and extraction of fossil fuels (including exploratory fracking) in Nova Scotia

NS NDP

The NDP is committed to the action that is required to tackle the climate emergency. 

An NDP government will end provincial subsidies and promotional activities in support of fossil fuel development and exploration. For example, you can see in our fiscal framework here where we would divert funding from Energy and Mines’ Petroleum Resources Unit. Fossil fuel subsidies and promotion are not compatible with our plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 50 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.

In the cases where there are joint federal-provincial statutes that govern offshore activities (CNSOPB, for example), an NDP government will be a forceful actor in Ottawa for divesting from fossil fuel exploration and development and extending the current moratorium in George’s Bank. 

NS Liberals

The Liberal Party can confirm that if re-elected would extend the moratorium on oil and gas drilling on George’s Bank.

The Liberal Government recently put out a RFP for 350MW worth of renewable energy projects. This will attract low-cost and innovative solutions to supply 10 % of the province’s electricity from renewables, such as wind and solar. This call for proposals will also help the province get closer to the new Renewable Energy Standard of 80 per cent target and support the province’s goal of achieving a 53 % reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net-zero by 2050.

The Liberal Government is also making real progress on the Sustainable Development Goals Act and the Climate Action Plan. We are committed to bring in regulations and a Climate Action Plan by the end of the year.

NS Progressive Conservative Party

No Response on Offshore Oil and Gas Expansion, Subsidies, or Georges Bank Moratorium

The post Media release: Offshore Alliance applauds NDP and Green commitments, other parties need to step up for climate appeared first on Nova Scotia Advocate.

In light of these international reports, and the commitments from all provincial parties to address the climate emergency, the Offshore Alliance is calling on provincial parties in this election to commit to formally ending offshore exploration and drilling and subsidies that support these activities.

“This is a measure of the sincerity of a party’s pledge to address the climate emergency,” says Gretchen Fitzgerald, Director, Sierra Club Canada Foundation. “It will be a challenge to reduce our emissions, but further offshore oil and gas development will make it impossible.”

There is currently no oil and gas exploration or drilling in Nova Scotian waters, however the provincial government continues to fund and foster the development of offshore oil and gas. The provincial government is a “mega sponsor” of an oil and gas conference in Morocco in 2022, the purpose of which is to better understand petroleum prospects in the Atlantic Ocean. 

The fishing industry has led the way in protecting ocean areas from offshore drilling and seismic blasting including the first moratorium on oil and gas drilling protecting  the valuable fishing grounds of Georges Bank. The current moratorium on Georges Bank expires on December 31, 2022, and the provincial and federal government have yet to extend that moratorium. 

“The extension of the Georges Bank moratorium should be a no-brainer,” states John Davis, Clean Ocean Action Committee representing over 9000 fishery owners, operators and workers.  ”And with our planet experiencing catastrophic fires and flooding  it is time to protect all of Nova Scotian ocean waters by extending the moratorium on Georges Bank, and formally ending exploration in other parts of Nova Scotia’s oceans. The world needs the high quality protein energy our oceans can provide, we do not need more hydrocarbons to burn. We have a responsibility to future generations.’

“Ending oil and gas exploration and extraction in favour of major job creation in renewable development and energy efficiency is not a fringe idea – international scientists, economists, and 85% of people in Nova Scotia support it,” says Marilyn Keddy,. “Members of the Offshore Alliance recently commissioned a poll that shows 4 out of 5 people in Nova Scotia support a huge move away from fossil fuels. If parties want people to take them seriously, they need to meet the public where we’re at, and start putting forward real climate action plans that include winding down the fossil fuel industry.”

####
The Offshore Alliance a consortium of 18 fisheries groups and environmental NGO’s concerned about the wellbeing of our fishery and tourism industries in the face of offshore oil and gas development off Nova Scotia. Our Group has been in discussion with many Nova Scotian municipal units on this critically important issue. There are now twelve Nova Scotian towns and municipalities that have called on our provincial and federal governments to hold a full public inquiry on the risks and impacts of offshore oil and gas exploration and extraction so that fully informed and rational decisions can be made.

The post Media release: Offshore Alliance calls on all parties to commit to no further fossil fuel development appeared first on Nova Scotia Advocate.

KJIPUKTUK (Halifax) – Earlier this month Chuck Porter, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Energy and Mines, announced that he intends to extend the moratorium on oil and gas exploration and drilling on Georges Bank off Southwest Nova Scotia. 

That’s a step in the right direction, says the Offshore Alliance, a coalition of fishery and environmental organizations that are calling for a full moratorium on offshore drilling in all of Nova Scotia’s waters, and a full public inquiry into the social, economic, climate, and environmental impacts of offshore drilling and exploration.

See also: Open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau re public inquiry on offshore drilling

“Georges Bank is probably the most valuable multi-species fishing ground in North America. It’s the backbone of Nova Scotia’s fisheries and very important for our coastal communities,” says Jordy Thomson, the Senior Marine Coordinator at the Ecology Action Centre.

It will take some effort to formalize the announcement. The federal and provincial governments will have to work together to ratify legislation extending the moratorium, and in order to do that consultation must occur. 

But the good news is that when all is said and done the moratorium will continue.  

“It’s really important to preserve those renewable resources over non-renewable fossil fuel extraction, which has all kinds of biodiversity risks, and of course, the big climate risks that everybody’s concerned about,” he says.

Nova Scotia, it’s Canada’s Ocean Playground, yet we hear and know very little about what’s really going on there. Thomson is well aware of the challenge.

“The ocean is so remote to people, it’s not something most people think about a lot. But there’s such a strong connection between our offshore ecosystems and our day to day lives. There’s the jobs and the revenue from our fisheries, and also the key role of sea bottom habitats in providing space for our key species. And then of course there is the crucial role healthy oceans play in mitigating climate change,” Thomson says. 

Despite what’s happening with Georges Bank, the main threat to our offshore remains oil and gas exploration and drilling, Thomsom says. It’s been quiet lately, but that can change quickly.

“There hasn’t been a call for bids in Nova Scotia’s offshore since 2018, mostly because of COVID and the low price of oil, but also because there haven’t been any significant discoveries here in quite some time. Nonetheless, the province continues to invest in offshore expansion, he says.

Instead we should shift our spending to renewables and into transition policies to help affected workers move into other fields, Thomson says. 

“A captured bureaucracy“ – John Davis of the Clean Ocean Action Committee on Nova Scotia’s cozy relationship with Big Oil

The post News brief: Nova Scotia to extend Georges Bank oil and gas moratorium appeared first on Nova Scotia Advocate.

KJIPUKTUK (Halifax) – The Canada – Newfoundland & Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (CNLOPB) has granted  BP Canada an exploratory license to drill for oil in the Northeast Newfoundland Slope Marine Refuge, Atlantic Canada’s largest protected marine area.

That doesn’t sit well with Jordy Thomson, Senior Marine Coordinator (Ecosystems) with the Ecology Action Centre. 

“It’s quite a large area of about 55,000 square kilometers off the northeast coast of Newfoundland. And it’s important because it’s home to high densities of cold water corals and sponges. These species are the foundation of deep sea ecosystems, they create the habitat that fish and other invertebrates use. And they’re quite sensitive to disturbance because they grow slowly. It takes them a long time to recover, says Thomson. 

Marine refuges are established under the Fisheries Act and only regulate the fishing activity, the site is not protected from oil and gas development. Between the newly announced area and those from previous years, exploratory oil and gas leases will now cover roughly one-quarter of the refuge.

“The area is closed off for those fisheries that contact the bottom, damaging corals and sponges. But that’s exactly why it makes no sense to then turn around and allow drilling. There are a variety of other risks associated with that industry, as well. It doesn’t make any sense from a conservation perspective,” Thomson says.

Exploratory drilling will lead to production. Other issues, such as seismic testing, have also been shown to be damaging to wildlife, says Thomson.

Earlier this year, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada, Jonathan Wilkinson, created a regulation that exempts exploratory drilling projects in the offshore region east of Newfoundland from federal impact assessment because a large-scale Regional Assessment had been completed. 

Thomson believes that such an exemption should not have been granted.

“We participated in that regional assessment process from start to finish, and in our opinion, it was deeply flawed and incomplete. It should not serve as the basis for this kind of exemption regulation. That’s why we, together with the Sierra Club Canada Foundation and WWF-Canada, are challenging both of those things in court,” Thomson says.  

See also: BP may leave for now, but it’s too early to celebrate, says offshore activist

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The post License to drill: BP allowed to explore for oil and gas in Atlantic Canada’s largest marine refuge appeared first on Nova Scotia Advocate.

The application, filed by Ecojustice lawyers on behalf of Ecology Action Centre, Sierra Club Canada Foundation and WWF-Canada, alleges that the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada relied on a deficient assessment report to accelerate exploratory drilling in the region. The organizations aim to prevent the government from exempting similar activity from future impact assessments and setting a dangerous precedent for future RAs in the country.

In February 2018, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced a plan to increase oil production and allow more than 100 new exploratory wells to be drilled in the offshore by 2030. Some of these wells are proposed in areas set aside to protect marine biodiversity. A Regional Assessment — which aims to assess the cumulative effects (combined effects of all past, present and potential future activities in the same area) — was conducted on exploratory drilling in the area. Despite significant data deficiencies, the federal government decided to create regulations that will exempt future exploratory drilling in the region from project-specific environmental impact assessments.

An increase in offshore oil and gas exploration poses a direct threat to marine ecosystems and could shatter Canada’s commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Nevertheless, the RA Committee declined to analyze the risk to the local ecology and the cumulative effects of offshore drilling and recommended that the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board complete it. The government has also refused to hit pause on exploratory drilling projects in an area of ocean larger than the province of Alberta, before ensuring deficiencies in the report are resolved.

The government has signalled that it plans to use the flawed RA process to exempt future exploratory drilling projects from the more fulsome federal impact assessment process required by the Impact Assessment Act without understanding the risks of doing so. This could put all of Canada at risk of using this flawed example in future RAs.

James Gunvaldsen-Klaassen, Ecojustice lawyer said:

“The new Impact Assessment Act was introduced to protect the environment, improve the assessment process, and make decisions more transparent. One of the federal government’s first actions under the Act was to exempt from assessment a significant increase in oil exploration in Newfoundland and Labrador’s ecologically important offshore waters in a time of climate emergency. Exempting exploratory drilling from environmental review flies in the face of environmental stewardship and responsible decision-making.

“We’re taking legal action because Canadians across the country should be able to trust that their government is capable of following their own regulations to ensure that projects, including exploratory offshore oil drilling, will only proceed if they pass a proper assessment and their effects on the environment are properly accounted for.”

Jordy Thomson, Ecology Action Centre Marine Science and Conservation Coordinator said:

“In a time of climate and biodiversity crises, it’s unacceptable for our federal government to be creating regulations based on a rushed and deeply flawed assessment in order to fast-track harmful extractive projects. As the first of its kind, this regional assessment sets an extremely dangerous precedent for the country and risks lasting damage to marine biodiversity in our productive Atlantic waters by, for example, allowing drilling in sensitive and protected areas. We’re taking legal steps to ensure the government takes the time necessary and re-focuses on providing strong environmental protection.”

Gretchen Fitzgerald, Sierra Club Canada Foundation National Programs Director said:

“This regulation and rush to drill takes us completely in the opposite direction from the government’s stated commitments on climate change. Given the recent history of spills and accidents off Newfoundland, the risk of spills and even a blowout is simply too high to roll the dice for the over a hundred new wells on the books right now.  Seismic blasting and noise from drilling threatens rich habitat for whales and other ocean life. The stakes were simply too high to let this regulation and the incomplete assessment upon which it relies to stand.

Sigrid Kuehnemund, VP Ocean conservation WWF-Canada said:

“It’s absolutely concerning that the RA committee recommends proceeding with exploration in areas set aside for protecting marine biodiversity and those that are deficient in data — areas that WWF-Canada has long advocated be off limits to oil and gas activity. A history of frequent spills in offshore areas shows the necessity of protecting sensitive habitats and the species that live there. This decision sets a dangerous precedent for both Newfoundland and Labrador as well as the rest of Canada. Sensitive and data-deficient areas need site-specific impact assessments, and protected areas must remain off limits to industrial development.” 

RESOURCES

Notice of Application

Map of exploration drilling scenarios in protected areas

ABOUT

Ecojustice goes to court and uses the power of the law to defend nature, combat climate change, and fight for a healthy environment. Its strategic, innovative public interest lawsuits lead to legal precedents that deliver lasting solutions to Canada’s most urgent environmental problems. As Canada’s largest environmental law charity, Ecojustice operates offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, and Halifax.

Ecology Action Centre takes leadership on critical environmental issues from biodiversity protection to climate change to environmental justice. The EAC is an independent organization that strives to catalyze change through policy advocacy, community development and as a watch-dog for the environment. It takes a holistic approach to the environment and our economy to create a just and sustainable society. EAC is a strong proponent for marine protection and pollution reduction, advocating for marine protected areas and preserving biodiversity both in Canadian waters and on the high seas.

Sierra Club Canada Foundation empowers people to be leaders in protecting, restoring and enjoying healthy and safe ecosystems. At its heart, Sierra Club Canada Foundation is a grassroots organization with a “think globally, act locally” philosophy. Members are encouraged to actively contribute to environmental causes that engage or inspire them, in a capacity that best suits their capabilities.

WWF-Canada creates solutions to the environmental challenges that matter most for Canadians. We work in places that are unique and ecologically important, so that nature, wildlife and people thrive together. Because we are all wildlife. For more information, visit wwf.ca. 

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KJIPUKTUK (Halifax) – “You can’t eat oil and you can’t eat money,” said Mahone Bay mayor David Devenne to explain why the town is asking for a moratorium on offshore oil and gas exploration until an independent inquiry establishes the risks. 

The picturesque town of Mahone Bay depends to a large extent on tourism and would be devastated if a spill were to occur, Devenne said. 

“Right now we don’t have good information,” said Digby County deputy warden Linda Gregory. “People in my district mostly make a living of the fisheries. I am a fisherman’s daughter and a fisherman’s wife. Fisheries in Nova Scotia provide 26,000 direct jobs, and another 26,000 indirect jobs.” 

Devenne and Gregory, who are attending a Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities (NSFM) conference here, spoke earlier this afternoon at a press conference in downtown Halifax. 

The event was organized by the Nova Scotia Offshore Alliance, a coalition of concerned fisher, social justice and environmental organizations, communities, and individuals. 

In all, 12 Nova Scotia municipalities have called on the provincial and federal governments to launch a public inquiry into the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of offshore drilling and exploration off our coast. Pending the inquiry’s conclusion there should be a moratorium on any offshore exploration, they say.

The call of the municipalities reflects the failure of the province and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board to establish that exploration under current conditions is safe.

This despite efforts by the CNSOPB to convince councillors in Southern Nova Scotia that there is nothing to worry about.

See also: News brief: Offshore oil regulator feeling the heat

More municipalities are sure to follow, John Davis, who is with the Clean Ocean Action Committee, tells the Nova Scotia Advocate. The coalition intends to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the municipal conference to network, and has organized several events to explain to councillors why it is so concerned. 

370 US east coast communities from Virginia to New Jersey have said no to offshore drilling and exploration, Davis said. 

Last year a motion at Halifax Council to stop offshore drilling and exploration unconditionally was rejected, and subsequent efforts to table a less radical request that Council call for a moratorium and inquiry was essentially shrugged off. 

See also: Open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau re public inquiry on offshore drilling

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KJIPUKTUK (Halifax) – One of the most crucial roles aboard a vessel conducting seismic testing in Nova Scotia’s offshore is that of the Marine Mammal Observer (MMO). 

They’re the folks who look out for whales, turtles, and other sensitive species, using their eyes and sensors that pick up sounds made by whales below the ocean surface.

Turns out there are no specific requirements you must meet to do that job, qualifications are high level and pretty generic.

MMOs are paid and hired by the company conducting the survey, but are independent. Work is supposed to stop immediately when there is any sign that such ocean wildlife is present.

Anybody who has been on the Halifax harbour ferry on a really foggy day can imagine how difficult a job that must be. Thick fog and big waves can make it very difficult to see a tail flick somewhere in that vast expanse of ocean.

You don’t want MMOs to make mistakes. 

The firing of arrays of air guns below sea level every 20 seconds or so increases ocean background noise levels 1000-fold over areas the size of New Brunswick. It’s very disruptive to ocean dwelling creatures who frequently rely on hearing to communicate.

Seismic blasts fired in close proximity of these ocean dwellers are incredibly loud and can physically damage their hearing.

Yet according to the Canada – Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB) there are no specific qualifications to work as a MMO. 

“As part of our review, we look to ensure proper use of monitoring equipment, correct ID of acoustic calls on the passive acoustic monitor, working knowledge of shut down criteria and working knowledge of local species,” writes CNSOPB spokesperson Stacy O’Rourke..

“Part of the CNSOPB review is also to seek advice from DFO marine mammal acoustic experts,” O’Rourke adds.

Recently the CNLOPB, the Newfoundland and Labrador counterpart of the CNSOPB, was criticized by both experienced MMOs and biologists for a similar lack of clarity and rigour surrounding observer qualifications.

CBC’s Patrick Butler reported that in the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore context experienced observers saw novice observers regularly miss and misidentify species.

Butler writes that in other countries, notably New Zealand and Australia, much stricter policies regarding wildlife observer qualifications are in place.

“In New Zealand, for instance, people looking to become marine observers must complete a government-certified training program. Afterward, candidates must shadow an experienced observer for at least 12 weeks before being deemed qualified,” the CBC reports.

See also: Documentary tackles effect of deafening seismic blasts on whales and other sea life in Nova Scotia’s offshore

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The post Training and qualification requirements are vague for Nova Scotia’s offshore wildlife observers during seismic surveys appeared first on Nova Scotia Advocate.