Lorneville residents speak out against industrial park expansion at marathon public hearing [video]

A public hearing over controversial plans to expand an industrial park near Saint John spanned five hours, as city councillors heard passionate opposition from area residents. 

The NB Media Co-op combed through hours of footage of the public hearing to produce a reel of highlights. 

People from the “Save Lorneville” campaign say the project will cause environmental damage including the destruction of forests and wetlands and threaten their residential well water.

The City of Saint John has said the project will create jobs in a city vulnerable to American tariffs, and has stated that it’s focussing on “green and clean economic” sectors.

The city has introduced changes to the plan including larger setbacks from homes. But those changes failed to satisfy the overflow crowd that showed up on Monday to oppose the project. 

Residents voice opposition

Lorneville resident Ashley Anthony suggested that the expansion will turn Lorneville into a “sacrifice zone.” 

“What about seven years from now?” Anthony asked. “What about the children that are going to grow up in Lorneville? How is this not setting Lorneville up to be a sacrifice zone?”

Another resident, Sherri Colwell-McCavour, rejected assurances that most of the occupants won’t involve heavy industrial uses. 

City staff have indicated that some heavy industry will be allowed, but certain activities will be banned, such as oil refineries or cement plants. That was cold comfort to Colwell-McCavour.

“I’m sorry, but the door is wide open for heavy industrial use,” she said. 

Don Alexander spoke “from the heart,” telling councillors “you’re the only hope for saving these wetlands.”

Another resident said that “living in Lorneville should not be a generational fight for survival,” a reference to earlier struggles over industrial development in the area. 

“What other community has to fight generation after generation just to secure clean air, water, and a safe place to live?“

The hearing was adjourned at 11 p.m. and will continue on Tuesday. 

Since then, a flurry of activity has taken place ahead of the contentious vote, which is expected to take place following the second part of the public hearing.

Councillor cites environmental planning, jobs

At least one city councillor indicated that he was leaning towards approving the project but that he was undecided. 

Councillor-at-large Brent Harris wrote in a blog post that concerns of Lorneville residents are valid but he also cited what he called “unprecedented levels of zoning restrictions and environmental planning” for the project.

He also pointed to the need for jobs. “I believe that meaningful work—secure, well-paid, future-focused work — matters. It uplifts families. It restores dignity. And it gives us the means to build the green, equitable, sustainable society we all want,” he wrote. 

Still, the co-founder of the Saint John Tool Library said he hadn’t made a final decision. “I remain open to being convinced,” he said. 

Wolostoq Grand Chief opposes project

Wolastoq Grand Chief Ron Tremblay — also known as Spasaqit Possesom or morningstar burning — issued an open letter on Friday opposing the project, citing Indigenous title. 

“First and foremost, the area in which the proposed extension is on our original Homeland near Menahqesk (St. John), and we as original citizens were never consulted or even advised of the proposed work,” he wrote.

Free, prior and informed consent is required under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, he added. 

He also noted the importance of wetlands as “a natural source to prevent flooding and an ecological sponge to filter anything that might harm the land and waterways.” He urged the mayor and council to reject the project. 

Integrity of hearing questioned

One Lorneville resident issued an open letter throwing into question the integrity of the hearing. Chris Watson, a researcher at the University of New Brunswick, wrote that the mayor and staff discouraged discussion of environmental matters. 

For example, he pointed to comments by Mayor Donna Reardon as the hearing kicked off. She told the crowd that “we won’t be dealing with the environment,” citing limits on the city’s jurisdiction. 

“While I understand that environmental approvals are the jurisdiction of the provincial Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, I am alarmed that the mayor and staff explicitly discouraged residents from raising environmental concerns that are grounded in the city of Saint John’s Municipal Plan,” he wrote.  

“This is not only procedurally questionable — I view it as legally and ethically inappropriate.”

The City of Saint John declined to comment. “Until the conclusion of the public hearing related to this item, the City will not be providing interviews or comment,” a spokesperson told the NB Media Co-op in an email. 

David Gordon Koch is a staff reporter with the NB Media Co-op.  Lucas Reynolds is a student at Mount Allison University and a summer intern at the NB Media Co-op. This reporting has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada, administered by the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS).