Letters to the Editor

Owls Head to become Nova Scotia’s next provincial park” (June 15 story). Kudos to Natural Resources and Renewables Minister Tory Rushton on this announcement. This magnificent 266-hectare section of the province’s coastline certainly deserves protection and provincial park status.

But what is the status of the 12 properties, many of them proposed new provincial parks or their expansions, for which public consultations were announced on Feb. 4, 2021? Or the eight parcels for which consultations were advertised on July 27, 2021? Or the 49 sites publicized as “also intended for protection” on Earth Day (April 22) in 2021? The public is waiting.

Bill 19 did go to a vote at second reading and was voted down by the Tory MLAs. It sought to forever remove the use of the “minute letter loophole” by any future government, no matter what its stripe. The need may arise to change the status of a provincial park, but if so, then it must be subject to a wide and inclusive public consultation in full view of all Nova Scotians.

This highly scenic and ecologically sensitive parcel of coastal land, close to the population centre of the province, urgently requires not only protection but also cautious development of infrastructure for eco-tourism and outdoor recreation. 

The statement quoted from the company Lighthouse Links conveniently neglects to mention that, while over 700 people were in favour of the project, thousands were against it. Over 30,000 signed the online petition. I wonder why?