Hundreds come out to oppose Irving forestry deal

legislature lawn with spray Irving sign — The lawn of NB Legislature was dotted with tree stumps to protest the Alward government forestry pact with J.D. Irving on May 13. Photo by Asaf Rashid.

Fredericton – The lawn of the New Brunswick Legislature was full of people and mock tree stumps yesterday, May 13th. Hundreds from across the province showed up to oppose the recently revealed backroom forestry deal between JD Irving and the NB Government. The rally was organized by the Conservation Council of New Brunswick and the New Brunswick Federation of Woodlot Owners .

Speakers at the rally included representatives from the Conservation Council, the NB Federation of Woodlot Owners, biologists, social scientists and an economist from the province’s different universities. Judie Acquin-Miksovsky read a statement on behalf of St. Mary’s Chief Candice Paul. Chief Paul, who won the St. Mary’s election later that night, made it clear that the province had not consulted her First Nation on the plan. The rally was endorsed by 34 groups across the province.

Listen to the raw audio from the rally here.