Letters to the Editor

Letter: Take Serious Step

In view of Premier Iain Rankin’s recent statement to Steve Murphy in CTV News interview that “I would not be for a project that would have long-term adverse impact to a sensitive ecosystem,” it is astonishing that under his direction Owls Head Provincial Park would have been delisted as a protected area and that development of golf courses on the property, surely causing the aforementioned “adverse impact to a sensitive ecosystem,” would have been approved. 

(more…)
By Save Owls Head, ago

Letter: Golf overkill

Re: “Secret Owls Head deal could haunt Rankin” (March 6 column by Jim Vibert). Nova Scotians need another golf course like a hole in the head! It appears we have approximately 65 golf courses in our province and one would think that would be enough, given our small land mass and population.

The people of Nova Scotia own Owls Head Provincial Park and we all have a stake in what happens to our Crown lands! I am extremely disappointed that Premier Iain Rankin, as former Minister of Lands and Forestry, delisted and planned to sell our asset without consultation with Nova Scotians. So much for transparency! Is this going to be his modus operandi?

(more…)
By Save Owls Head, ago

LTE: Cheap parks for sale!

Dear Premier Iain Rankin,

Thank you for paving the way for wealthy visitors, and perhaps even some Nova Scotians of modest means, to own ocean-front property at very affordable prices. The sales agreement you signed as Lands & Forestry minister with Lighthouse Links to sell Owls Head Provincial Park for $336 per acre is truly groundbreaking. Wow, 744 acres of lovely Nova Scotia coastal land for just $250,000. And the way you managed to keep the transaction away from prying eyes for nine months was wonderfully innovative. Too bad that nosy CBC reporter had to stick his oar in and blow your cover.

(more…)
By Save Owls Head, ago

Letter: Enviro-epiphany?

Contributed by Fred F. Blois and Clifton & JimHarpell
The Chronicle Herald
March 13, 2021

Read on the Chronicle Herald’s Website>

Iain Rankin says he’ll make respect for the environment a pillar of his policy-making as premier. Did a heavenly vision trigger this remarkable change of heart? 

As a cabinet minister in Stephen McNeil’s government, Rankin’s record in environment and lands and forestry was troubling. He rubber-stamped Lafarge’s plan to burn used tires at its plant in Shortts Lake. He quietly delisted protected lands like Owls Head and opened them to private development. He failed to follow his department’s own laws to protect endangered species. He dragged his feet implementing the Lahey report’s recommendations on forestry. 

(more…)
By Save Owls Head, ago

Letter: Firm up the plan

Re: “Climate action, prosperity promised,” March 10 story. I read with great interest your report on Premier Iain Rankin’s first throne speech. There are many exciting promises with respect to climate change and the environment. 

But whatever happened to his intention to complete the designation of the remaining properties still languishing on the “Our Parks and Protected Areas: A Plan for Nova Scotia” of 2013? He promised to complete the plan when he ran for leadership of his party.

(more…)
By Save Owls Head, ago

Letter: Golf Links not Green

Our government was trying to secretly sell an intended provincial public park to Mr. Gilbert in order to support the creation of private infrastructure and wealth. In addition, private golf course development has been proven to be environmentally destructive as a result of its construction, herbicide and pesticide use, contaminated runoff, and local water consumption. Contrary to current government messaging, golf courses are neither “innovative” nor “sustainable” infrastructure, especially considering the current circumstances we face: a global pandemic and the effects of climate change.

(more…)
By Save Owls Head, ago

Letter: Elitism & ecocide

Originally published here

Bob Rosborough’s piece attacking the opponents of an American golf venture at Owls Head is a sustained act of misdirection. Let’s leave aside that a golf course is a social and ecological catastrophe, providing ecosystem services nothing comparable to those it destroys, and only meagre, low-wage jobs: it’s too basic to merit debate. 

Let’s state facts, and underline Rosborough’s hypocrisy. Apparently, he supports the secret sale of protected land. He wants one of our few remaining pieces of public coastline in the private hands of a foreign billionaire. We who stand opposed are sheeplike “social media followers,” with no legitimate interest in our own province, influenced by “questionable, unsuccessful government employees.”

(more…)
By Save Owls Head, ago