The Environment in Canada Podcast

Nova Scotia Government U.S.-Style Authoritarianism in Favour of Fracking

Apr 2, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Ken Summers, a passionate anti-fracking activist from Nova Scotia, joins Gretchen Fitzgerald, Executive Director of Sierra Club Canada Foundation, to unpack the alarming tactics of the provincial government. They delve into how recent measures resemble U.S. authoritarianism, including limiting media access and bypassing public consultation on fracking. They highlight a rally for democracy in Halifax, showcasing community resilience against these policies. Their conversation emphasizes the urgent need for transparency, renewable energy advocacy, and grassroots solidarity.

47:41

Episode guests

Gretchen Fitzgerald

Ken Summers

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The Nova Scotia Government's attempts to centralize power undermine democracy by restricting media access and limiting public consultations.

Strong public opposition to fracking emphasizes a shift towards sustainable energy solutions, prioritizing community health and environmental stewardship over fossil fuels.

Deep dives

Opposition to Fracking in Nova Scotia

Fracking remains a contentious issue in Nova Scotia, with a strong public sentiment against its introduction, particularly after years of community education and activism concerning environmental impacts. The government’s attempts to lift the fracking moratorium are seen as a direct challenge to the values and priorities established by citizens over the past decade. The public outcry was evident in a recent rally in Halifax, where over 500 people gathered to express their opposition, demonstrating overwhelming concern about the potential harm to clean water and community health. Many presentations during legislative discussions highlighted the dangerous impacts of fracking, reflecting a solid consensus against returning to practices that had previously been deemed unsafe and unwanted.

Intro

2min

Resisting Authoritarian Measures in Nova Scotia: A Rally for Democracy

4min

Fracking Controversy in Nova Scotia

26min

Public Sentiment Shifts Against Fracking Amid Climate Concerns

1min

Community Solidarity Against Fracking and Political Accountability

3min

Community Resistance to Fracking in Nova Scotia

7min

Public Advocacy Against Fracking and Energy Policy Engagement

5min

NS, under Premier Tim Houston, is trying to enact measures such as: - Limiting media access to elected leaders. - Giving the government the power to fire civil servants without cause.

- Making it harder to find out what the government is up to via access to information requests.

- Making it impossible to propose amendments at a government committee formerly called Law Amendments.

- Lifting bans on fracking and uranium mining (without consulting the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs), protections adopted after consultation and engagement with Nova Scotians and backed by health and economic research.

- Giving the government the power to appoint 50% of the Board of Governors of Nova Scotia universities and requiring universities to align their funding priorities with that of the government: a threat to the independence of academic institutions in the province.

The interview also comes after moves to enable the government to fire the Auditor General without cause and to hide the Auditor’s findings from the public were yanked recently.

It’s the same approach we are seeing in the U.S. itself to centralizing power and is reminiscent of the approach of the Government in Alberta as well.

But resistance to this approach by the provincial government is strong. Over 500 people subsequently joined a rally for democracy, organized by various groups from labour organizations and unions to environmental groups including Sierra Club Canada, that was held in Halifax to push back.

Conor talks with Ken Summers & Gretchen Fitzgerald.

There is also still time to tell the Nova Scotia Provincial Government to keep the bans on fracking & uranium. You can send your short letter with what you want (i.e. Drop Bill 6 - keep the bans on fracking and uranium) and why to: legc.office@novascotia.ca

Be sure to send us your questions at info@sierraclub.ca and sign up for email updates from us here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/subscribe-for-updates/

And don't forget to take action!

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