Citizens’ rights must be protected

Dear Premier Mcneil, and Ministers Wilson, Mombourquette, and Rankin:

I’m writing to you today to complain about the appalling incident which occurred last week in Sherbrooke, N. S., where a peaceful citizen and resident of Colchester County ( John Perkins) was removed and arrested in a public building at a public information session about a proposed gold mine. This is hardly what I would call “consultation.”

I have met Mr. Perkins on a number of occasions and attended meetings wherein he has spoken and/or asked pertinent, intelligent questions – always in a peaceful and respectful manner.

In light of this recent shocking incident I’d like to request that each minister take a look at Atlantic Gold’s “stakeholder engagement plan” and investigate the incident and determine whether Atlantic Gold overstepped their bounds and violated the terms.

The “One Window” consultation process consists of representatives from Environment, Aboriginal Affairs, Labour and Advanced Education and Natural Resources. It “facilitates communication between industry proponents and government. Depending on the project, other provincial, federal and municipal government agencies are also consulted.”

I’m therefore calling on Government for a stop order if Atlantic Gold is in violation of the terms.

Sections 44 and 77 of the Mineral Resources Act talk about this.

I’m sure the violent removal and arrest of peaceful Nova Scotian citizens at public meetings is not something of which you approve or want to see happening in our province. We have all read about the violence, including murder, enacted by extraction corporations on other continents which is disgusting.

But who would ever imagine something like this would happen in rural Nova Scotia? This is not the kind of publicity our province needs or deserves, and I would like Govt to send a message to this company and any others wishing to do business in Nova Scotia.

I urge you to act now to make sure this type of shocking incident is never repeated by Atlantic Gold or any other company.

“Open for business” should not mean “at any cost” or “at the expense of our citizens’ rights and freedoms” – or, for that matter, their mental or physical wellbeing as I have met with Mr. Perkins since the incident and have personally seen the bruises, and his swollen wrists.

This is not the Nova Scotia I believe in. And I will not stand by quietly to see our citizens’ rights and freedoms abused in such a manner.

Not on my watch.

Lenore Zann, MLA Truro-bible Hill-Millbrook-salmon River