• About
  • Join/Donate
  • Contact
Saturday, April 17, 2021
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
The Brief
NB MEDIA CO-OP
Share a story
  • New Brunswick
  • Canada
  • World
  • Environment
  • Indigenous
  • Labour
  • Gender
  • Politics
  • Arts & Culture
  • Videos
  • COVID-19
  • New Brunswick
  • Canada
  • World
  • Environment
  • Indigenous
  • Labour
  • Gender
  • Politics
  • Arts & Culture
  • Videos
  • COVID-19
No Result
View All Result
NB MEDIA CO-OP
No Result
View All Result
Home *Opinion*

Win! Judge overturns Alton Gas approval

by Robin Tress
March 28, 2020
Reading Time: 2min read
Win! Judge overturns Alton Gas approval

Mi'kmaq water protectors and allies against Alton Gas. Photo from the Council of Canadians.

Finally, some good news! After six years of Mi’kmaq-led resistance to the Alton Gas natural gas storage project, yesterday marked a major victory in the effort to stop the project and defend Mi’kmaq treaty rights.

The Supreme Court of Nova Scotia determined that the province did not adequately consult with Sipekne’katik First Nation. The ruling overturned the provincial approval for the project and ordered 120 days of consultation to begin after the COVID crisis has eased.

This court decision, paired with damning new evidence showing that this project would violate the Fisheries Act and infringe on treaty rights, is a major blow for this natural gas storage project and a big win for Indigenous rights.

Justice Frank Edwards said in his decision, “While there had been extensive consultations regarding the potential environmental impacts of the project, the core issue of Aboriginal title and treaty rights was never specifically engaged.”

He also said Nova Scotia’s Minister of Environment “committed palpable and overriding error when she concluded that the level of consultation was appropriate.”

Thanks to the tireless work of Mi’kmaq water protectors and people like you who supported them by visiting the Treaty Truckhouse on the Shubenacadie River, contacting your MLAs, and attending demonstrations, this is a major step forward in the work to stop this project.

While we’re not quite there yet, we are closer than ever to protecting sacred places and Indigenous rights and saying goodbye to Alton Gas forever. The Supreme Court has affirmed that treaty rights cannot be overlooked. Governments cannot proceed without the prior informed consent of Indigenous Peoples.

Robin Tress is a climate and social justice campaigner with the Council of Canadians.

Tags: Aboriginal titleAboriginal title and treaty rightsAlton GasCouncil of CanadiansMi'kmaqMi'kmaq water protectorsnatural gasRobin TressShubenacadie RiverSipekne’katiktreatyTreaty Truckhouse
Share167TweetSend

Related Posts

The city of Saint John was not meant to be shared. Are we sharing now?
New Brunswick

The city of Saint John was not meant to be shared. Are we sharing now?

April 8, 2021

A few weeks ago, I spoke with Julia Wright on CBC’s Information Morning about how the city of Saint John...

Gilbert Sewell: Miꞌkmaꞌki’s best kept secret
Indigenous

Gilbert Sewell: Miꞌkmaꞌki’s best kept secret

March 23, 2021

Editor's note: Gilbert Sewell, a Mi'kmaw elder from Pabineau First Nation who worked to preserve Mi'kmaw stories, language and culture,...

Mi’kmaq artist Tara Francis “transforming the traditions of the past into the voice of the future”
Arts & Culture

Mi’kmaq artist Tara Francis “transforming the traditions of the past into the voice of the future”

December 16, 2020

Tara Francis is a Mi'kmaq artist from Elsipogtog First Nation. She considers herself a contemporary artist, influenced by traditional techniques...

“We are caretakers of the land”: Blueberry harvest about more than income
Arts & Culture

“We are caretakers of the land”: Blueberry harvest about more than income

December 2, 2020

Indigenous participants in Maine's blueberry harvest might see the end of a longtime tradition with lasting impacts for Indigenous culture....

Load More

Recommended

Is there an erosion of refugee rights in Canada? [video]

Is there an erosion of refugee rights in Canada? [video]

12 hours ago
Who will be our mayor? Fredericton groups host public question session with mayoral candidates

Who will be our mayor? Fredericton groups host public question session with mayoral candidates

5 days ago
40 ways to increase food sovereignty this season

40 ways to increase food sovereignty this season

2 days ago

A trial begins, but Berta Cáceres’ murder remains in impunity in the Honduran narco-state

4 days ago
NB Media Co-op

© 2019 NB Media Co-op. All rights reserved.

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Join/Donate
  • Contact
  • Share a Story
  • Calendar
  • Archives

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • Join/Donate
  • Contact
  • Share a Story
  • COVID-19
  • Videos
  • New Brunswick
  • Canada
  • World
  • Arts & Culture
  • Environment
  • Indigenous
  • Labour
  • Politics
  • Rural

© 2019 NB Media Co-op. All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In