N.S. government asked municipalities to support more resource development. It hasn't happened

Most Nova Scotia municipalities have not followed the province's request to publicly support more resource development in the province, with some calling the appeal "vague" and "inappropriate."

Municipal Affairs Minister John Lohr wrote to all 49 municipalities on Feb. 11, asking them to signal their support for "greater resource development within our province" by letter or press release. 

Lohr offered no details about what kinds of resources he meant, but the PC government had by that time discussed lifting the ban on uranium mining and fracking for onshore gas. That eventually happened when Bill 6 passed in late March.

Many municipal councils discussed Lohr's letter in recent weeks, while others have simply accepted the letter without comment. 

Warden Penny Smith of the District of Shelburne attended a meeting of mayors, wardens and CAOs in late February to talk about issues like the resource letter.

"The feel around the table was, 'What are you thinking?' Smith said during a Feb. 26 council session.

"I think a lot felt it was disrespectful and inappropriate to ask for carte blanche for resource extraction."

Coun. Keith Rhyno of East Hants said he had heard from residents worried about the return of fracking. People in Noel and Kennetcook have long complained of test wells in those areas, and fracking wastewater in holding ponds left behind.

Rhyno said he might be able to consider new resource or fracking projects if the province can provide evidence they won't harm groundwater, drinking wells, or contaminate the land.

"But they haven't done that.… They just want to open 'er up. And without those assurances, how can anybody support this letter?" Rhyno said on Feb. 26.

"It doesn't say how, when, where, what are the plans, what are the details. We don't know any of that stuff, so it is vague," said Colchester Mayor Christine Blair on Feb. 27.

The PC government has said it is working to update regulations around natural resource development, and is mindful of modern environmental protections.

The Municipality of the County of Cumberland approved a letter on March 26 that said while resource development may help the provincial economy, it cannot come with "at all costs."

"Cumberland municipal council is saying neither 'yes' nor 'no,' in each and every case of resource development. Rather, we say 'maybe-maybe not.' We say 'show us the details, let us examine the risks and benefits and consult on each project,'" said the letter from Mayor Rod Gilroy.

In Mahone Bay, Coun. Kelly Wilson said on Feb. 27 that while he might personally agree with the PC government's resource approach, "I don't think it's our place to support a particular party's position on a particular issue."

Various municipalities also have had residents and advocacy groups write to their councillors with environmental concerns, asking them to not support Lohr's request.

Resident Leitha Haysom, a former councillor with the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, said she found it odd that the provincial government was asking for municipal support on resources when they have dismissed their concerns in the past over issues like the decision to abandon the Coastal Protection Act.

"You shouldn't dirty your hands by doing the province's dirty work. They weren't elected on the platform of resource extraction … but they do want you to give them the credibility," Haysom said at a Feb. 25 council meeting.

Instead of signalling support for Lohr's request, many municipalities have agreed to have the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities speak for all 49 units on the issue.

"We've had a number of members just say clearly like 'we're not going there. We need NSFM to lead this with the province,'" Pam Mood, federation president and mayor of the Town of Yarmouth, said last week.

In light of recent PC bills stepping into municipal territory, like on Halifax development and transportation decisions across the province, Mood said municipalities are always concerned that the province will push through resource projects without local consultation.

The District of Yarmouth is one of the only municipalities who have taken a different approach. 

On March 5, council passed a letter drafted by Deputy Warden Trevor Cunningham that told Lohr it supported the province's efforts to "promote responsible resource development" in Nova Scotia.

"These initiatives are crucial pieces to strengthening our economy, creating jobs, and ensuring long-term prosperity for our communities," the letter said.

It also referenced the importance of the Yarmouth district's port and airport, which councillors said require overdue upgrades.

"It also puts a little onus on the back of the Department of Municipal Affairs, and [Lohr] as he's also the minister of finance — touching upon the wharfs and the airport is a great opportunity for us to do a little quid pro quo, and get something back in return," said Coun. Phil Mooney.

Mood said she wasn't aware of any municipalities who had supported Lohr's request, but even if one wanted to take that step "that doesn't mean the other 48 municipalities are ready to go."

When asked about the lack of explicit municipal support for resource development, Premier Tim Houston said his government has reached out to community and elected leaders. He said the response has been encouraging.

"There'll be full consultation," Houston told reporters last Thursday. "It's OK to proceed cautiously, but we have to proceed — and we will."

CBC asked to interview Lohr about the response to his letter, but that request was declined.

Province says 'collaboration' will happen 

A statement from the Department of Municipal Affairs said work on natural resources "will require close collaboration" with municipal partners and the federation of municipalities to "determine how to move forward in a sustainable way, while supporting our economy for the benefit of all Nova Scotians."

Mood said she has spoken with the province about municipal concerns, and the federation has a strong relationship with the PC government that she is hopeful will continue.

The NSFM is now speaking with its members and drafting a formal response around resource development. Mood said that should go to the province in the next few weeks.