Council of Canadians denounces oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

The Council of Canadians is a key member of the Save Our Seas and Shores Coalition.

Angela Giles, Atlantic organizer, Council of Canadians (Photo: Council of Canadians)

Atlantic organizer Angela Giles spoke at our joint press conference on October 11th, 2012 in Sydney, NS.

The press conference denounced the plans to drill exploratory wells in the Old Harry area of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, called on the Harper government to reinstate federal marine protection in the Gulf, highlighted concerns about the unelected Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, and voiced opposition about the lack of real public consultations on this issue.

The Council of Canadians has opposed oil exploration in the Gulf of St. Lawrence for several years now. From Brent Patterson’s blog:

– On September 11, 2012, CBC reported, “About 50 people from environmental groups, labour unions and the Council of Canadians staged a silent march in protest of oil and gas development and called for a moratorium on oil exploration in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (during a) federal and provincial energy ministers (meeting) in Charlottetown, P.E.I.” – On March 1, 2012, Council of Canadians energy campaigner Andrea Harden-Donahue wrote, “We support the call for a moratorium on all projects and requests for permits for offshore drilling in the Gulf of St Lawrence. Unlike Environment Minister Peter Kent, we believe an open, democratic process will allow Atlantic Canadians to have their voices heard, leading to right decision – no offshore drilling.”

– On April 7, 2011, “Atlantic Council of Canadians chapter delegates, gathered in Tatamagouche, united in concern with the proposed drilling in the ‘Old Harry’ area of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. (They said) the lack of public consultation and the information void around the proposed drilling has created more questions than answers.”

– On March 28, 2011, Council of Canadians vice-chairperson Leo Broderick wrote the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board expressing concern that Corridor Resources could be granted a permit to drill an exploration well. Broderick wrote, “The Council of Canadians is requesting that you stop this project. We ask that you declare a moratorium on oil drilling inside the Gulf.”

– On November 17, 2010, the Council of Canadians joined the call from Save Our Seas and Shores, Attention Fragile (Magdalen Islands), Sierra Club Atlantic, and the Ecology Action Centre, for a moratorium on oil and gas development in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.