I strongly believe that all…

I strongly believe that all mining projects and major mining-related infrastructure should be subjected to a comprehensive environmental assessment. The Environmental Assessment Act should be applied to all major public and private sector undertakings, and not just a select few.

The public has a right to have their say in all environmentally significant projects, whether they are public or private. In order to determine whether a project is environmentally significant, it is necessary to carry out a comprehensive assessment.

Processes that ensure environmental safety and Indigenous rights are not red tape. I want to live in a province that has robust, clear, predictable, participatory environmental assessment processes! If any project is taking place on the traditional territory of an Indigenous nation, the proponent should be required to obtain free, prior, and informed consent from this community before moving forward. This process should be part of any good environmental assessment.

I am outraged that Bill 197 was passed with no opportunity for meaningful public input, and would like to remind the government of their obligations under the Environmental Bill of Rights!