Province House Protesters - QP
CLAUDIA CHENDER: Yesterday, hundreds of Nova Scotians filled the street in front of Province House to protest this government's surprise agenda: their attempts to undermine the Auditor General and the Privacy Commissioner, the policies that let them fire public servants without cause and intrude on the autonomy of our province's universities and municipalities, and their blatant disregard for consultation. Nova Scotians are fed up. Will the Premier listen to the outcry of everyday Nova Scotians and address their concerns?
THE PREMIER « » : We listen carefully to Nova Scotians. These are definitely troubling times. There's no question about that. To see the NDP and its network of allies lining up to scare people even further - it's disappointing. First, we had the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour scaring people about interprovincial trade. Then we had a former NDP candidate, Alec Stratford, trying to scare people. Why is it that the Leader of the NDP is using her network of activists to try to keep Nova Scotia dependent on natural gas from the United States when we have every opportunity to become independent in this province?
CLAUDIA CHENDER: It sounds like the Premier will only listen to the people who agree with him. On Wednesday I asked the Premier about the letter from the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Chiefs condemning his plan to unilaterally remove the bans on fracking and uranium. It sounds like that meeting is now taking place, and it's better late than never, but there are many other groups of Nova Scotians who are concerned. The Colchester County Council is already having a rigorous debate about the government's plan that is creating more discord than opportunity. Was it not worth a conversation - even a phone call - with the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities, councils, and other interested parties before moving forward?
THE PREMIER « » : Bans like the ones the NDP put in place - that's lazy public policy. We're going to lift the bans, and they will have serious discussion on a project-by-project basis. That's what we should do, but let's accept the reality. The NDP wants homes, but they don't want trees cut down. The NDP wants solar panels, but they don't want a mine. You can't have both of these things. They are dragging their heels. They want more committees. We are a part of action. Nova Scotians know we're taking action. We will continue taking action even as the Leader of the NDP tries to hold Nova Scotia back and keep Nova Scotia reliant on the United States for things that it doesn't have to be.
CLAUDIA CHENDER: The Premier has insinuated that there are no real issues to discuss around fracking; we're wasting time. This is despite concerns from physicians, property owners, municipalities, First Nations, and many others. This week, media reported that human-induced earthquakes in British Columbia could be felt 105 kilometres from the fracking site. Nearby farms are seeing their water sources disappear. The B.C. energy regulator confirmed that these were caused by fracking-related earthquakes. Is the Premier still convinced that there is no need for debate before this ban is removed?
THE PREMIER « » : Once again, a complete mischaracterization by the NDP - scare tactics. There will be extensive debate. There is a process on individual projects. We are not saying no to discussion. That's what the NDP wants. We will have the discussions. There will be consultation. That's what's important.
We can have a resilient economy in this province. We can have energy security. We can have economic security. It's happening elsewhere; it can happen here. The sad reality is - it's shocking to me - the Leader of the NDP made her money in mining, but she doesn't want Nova Scotians to have the opportunity to have jobs in mining. The Leader of the NDP wants us to stay reliant on the United States for their energy. We can have energy security here. We will make sure we do.