The former cabinet minister released his environmental platform Monday
Taryn Grant
CBC News
December 7, 2020
Full article here>
Nova Scotia Liberal leadership hopeful Iain Rankin is making far-reaching promises that he says will help the province make a difference on climate change.
… Further to his conservation goals, Rankin said he would designate remaining sites in the province’s parks and protected areas plan, which at one point included Owls Head — a 285-hectare area on the Eastern Shore.
As lands and forestry minister, Rankin fielded much of the criticism for the government’s decision to delist Owls Head for possible protection, which freed it up to be considered for a golf course development.
Rankin said he never took a position on Owls Head when he was minister, and maintains that neutrality now as a leadership candidate.
“I wanted the process to go forward to find out what the public support was, and as well if a development would be viable and not have adverse impacts on the environment,” he said in an interview last month.
Opponents to the proposed development are seeking a judicial review of the decision to delist Owls Head. Meanwhile, the would-be developers have yet to put together a community consultation plan, which must be submitted to the Lands and Forestry Department.
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