PICTOU LANDING FIRST NATION SHOCKED BY GOVERNMENT BACKTRACKING ON BOAT HARBOUR CLEANUP

Comments attributed to NDP Minister, Bill Estabrooks that Nova Scotia’s new NDP government will not recognize a commitment made by the previous Conservative government to clean-up Boat Harbour has come as a shock to Pictou Landing First Nation.

The 2008 letter from former Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, Murray Scott, committed to finding another location for the mill’s effluent and to clean up the pollution in the harbour. This has been a long-standing and highly charged issue with many in Pictou Landing First Nation deeply concerned about their health and the environmental degradation associated with the effluent stream from the Northern Pulp Mill. There had been relief in the community when the agreement with the previous government had been concluded and the process initiated.

With Minister Estabrooks’ comments, that relief has turned to frustration and anger.

Chief Aileen Francis said, ``Our community is shocked that the NDP government appears to be back-tracking on the written commitment of the former government. We believed that we had a deal, it was in writing and we believed that such a commitment would be honoured by any future governments. To have our new government back track on this commitment is completely unacceptable. It is about the honour of the Crown``

Chief Francis noted that ``the implications of this go beyond Pictou Landing’s interest. If the new government is not prepared to honour written commitments made by previous governments on a matter of the importance and profile of the Boat Harbour situation, where does it leave First Nations on other issues that have been reached in good faith. This is a fundamental breach of trust``, the Chief said.

Chief Francis has reached out to other Chiefs to seek their advice and support on this important community issue. ``My fellow Chiefs are as unhappy with this situation as I am. It is especially ironic that the NDP government has reneged on one long-standing commitment to cleanup the environmental disaster at Boat harbour, while, during the same week, and only 10 km away, claiming a commitment to the environment evidenced by its investment in the DSME at the former Trenton Works,” said Chief Francis.

The Chief has pledged that her Council and advisers are presently examining the full range of options to effectively respond to this matter. She noted that a meeting is being sought with Premier Dexter as the Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Relations for purposes of confirming his government’s intentions in this matter.

Contact:
Chief Aileen Francis
Pictou Landing First Nation
RR# 2
Trenton, NS, B0K 1X0
Phone: (902) 752-4912
Fax: (902) 755-4715