Voice of the People

TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE

To not challenge the racist statement that the Black Lives Matter movement is terrorist is unacceptable for an elected political leader.

Clicking on a Facebook icon is simply not enough, nor is an apology. MLA Barbara Adams (Jan. 12 story) had an opportunity to make her position known, to speak out against racism, to say we need to teach our children Black people are not the terrorists in our society. She wants her “mistake” to go away; Black, brown and Indigenous people want white supremacy and racism to go away.

From the privileged position of being an elected official, our MLAS have the power to dismantle structural racism. They can start by finding out what the Black Lives Matter initiatives are in their riding and find ways to support their efforts.

Black and Indigenous Nova Scotians have been fighting for their freedom and equal rights for hundreds of years. White people — white political leaders, in particular — need to step up. Educate yourself. Take action. As elected officials, you have the power to dismantle structural racism. Clicking an unhappy emoji is never going to accomplish that goal.

Carol Millett, New Ross

FISH FARM FLIM FLAM

The very day Ecojustice and members of the Healthy Bays Network launch legal action against the provincial government — specifically the departments of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Environment — for not regulating or enforcing the law regarding open net-pen fish farms, surprise, surprise, we see an attempt to eclipse and distract from the matter at hand: another smoke-andmirrors announcement, this time for a glorious $58-million salmon hatchery on Digby Neck.

Nothing to do with the looming Aquaculture Review Board hearing on a massive fish farm proposed for Liverpool Bay — oh, no, perish the thought.

Are Nova Scotians going to get bamboozled again? Will we never learn?

Thanks to Francis Campbell for his excellent Jan. 14 article, “Letter calls on two N.S. Liberal cabinet ministers to enforce salmon farm leases.” The truth about open-net pens is there for all to see.

Geoff Leboutillier, Glen Haven

MUTUAL RESPECT

Ralph Surette’s Jan. 9 column has been needed for months. I have a few apolitical, complementary thoughts based on fundamental ethics and sustainable fisheries principles:

The Golden Rule, otherwise known as treating others as you’d like to be treated, is a universal ethic, essential to achieving mutual respect, trust, and friendship. Unnecessarily putting the welfare of innocent others at risk is neither respectful nor ethical, particularly without prior discussion. If I decide to threaten the livelihood of others, don’t they have a right to express their concerns, and don’t I have an obligation to listen respectfully?

Decades of work with real people in less-favoured countries has confirmed to me that we are all equally human. We need to learn from one another. Each of us deserves equal rights and equal responsibilities and each of us has the obligation to exercise our rights responsibly and respectfully. We in privileged Canada can forget that obligation too easily.

Around the world, decades of mistakes by governments and scientists have led to the realization that local fishing communities have the most comprehensive understanding of the circumstances affecting the stocks upon which they depend. They also have the biggest stake in sustainable management of those stocks. Their and their kids’ welfare depend on that. Not to be guided by their knowledge and their concerns is folly.

The Mi’kmaw concept of two-eyed seeing makes enormous sense in this regard. Conventional science matters; so does traditional and local knowledge. When managers consider both, management is strengthened and systems are maintained.

Managers and decision-makers need to keep the precautionary principle in mind: If a proposed activity may cause serious harm, the burden of proof should be on the proponent (i.e., likely beneficiary) to prove an absence of harm rather than on affected communities to prove likely harm. Ignoring this principle has led to disasters like the mess in Boat Harbour and contributed to the collapse of cod stocks around Newfoundland 33odd years ago.

Folks need to talk, and listen, away from the microphones. Otherwise, all we’ll get is more posturing, which leads to entrenchment. Then, everyone loses.

John Sollows, Yarmouth

BROADEN THE CIRCLE

I trust that Ralph Surette’s Jan. 9 column, “Fishery trapped between rudderless feds, reckless band,” and the extended “conversation” plans of LOVE Nova Scotia — “Series aims to bring positive change” (Jan. 11 story) — catch the attention of Fisheries, Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard Minister Bernadette Jordan and senior staff.

Surette notes “Ottawa’s drift” on the Indigenous moderate livelihood fishery issue and that not much is being said “in the open,” including who is discussing what with the minister.

At the same time, the youth organization is working to bridge the disconnect between people from different backgrounds who have opposing views to “spark wider public discourse (conversations)” on various issues.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s mandate letter to all his ministers states: “There is no more important relationship to me and to Canada than the one with Indigenous Peoples.” At the same time, he stresses openness and transparency and advises ministers, including Jordan, “… you must be proactive in ensuring that a broad array of voices provide you with advice.”

We trust Jordan is receptive to a “broad array of voices” in reaching an equitable arrangement for all parties in the fishery issue.

However, this appears not to be the case regarding her earlier announcement to rename the CCGS Edward Cornwallis (completing an extended refit at Shelburne) at the urging of the Mi’kmaw leadership.

The rationale for renaming the 36-year-old multi-role vessel centered on Cornwallis’s confrontation with the Mi’kmaq during his time as Nova Scotia governor (1749-1752) and “to right the wrongs of our past.” The limited historic context contained in the announcement reflected the Mi’kmaw interpretation of events, with little or no consultation with other community stakeholders to seek different perspectives regarding the founder of Halifax and the turbulent times.

In this regard, Jordan should consider further consultation/ conversations regarding renaming CCGS Edward Cornwallis.

Len Canfield, Halifax