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e-4804 (Environment)

E-petition
Initiated by Sandra Martin from Den Helder,

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the Government of Canada

Whereas:
  • The Department of National Defence (DND) intends to build a land-based testing facility at Hartlen Point, Nova Scotia;
  • 300+ bird species have been observed at Hartlen Point;
  • Environment and Climate Change Canada claims to be “an international leader in bird science, monitoring and conservation";
  • The Canada-NS Nature Agreement promised $28.5 million to protect biodiversity, habitat and species at risk in Nova Scotia;
  • Hartlen Point is Nova Scotia’s top bird observation site, in Canada’s top ten and the only site in Canada’s top 49 not protected;
  • Construction of the facility will destroy important protection, feeding and resting grounds for thousands of migratory birds;
  • Site selection took place before public consultation was initiated, utilized outdated and incomplete studies, ignored independent expert bird studies, and did not consider the impact on lobster fisheries; and
  • Access to information requests have been ignored.
We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to pause all construction and further development of the land-based testing facility at Hartlen Point until the following are completed:
(a) an independent impact assessment, including:
(i) consideration of the impacts on wildlife, migratory bird populations and traffic,
(ii) full, transparent community consultation and outreach;
(b) proper consideration of alternative sites including re-purposing of existing DND facilities;
(c) public access to all documents affecting the decision to develop Hartlen Point; and
(d) permanent protections for habitat and staging areas at Hartlen Point.
Open for signature
February 14, 2024, at 10:50 a.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
April 14, 2024, at 10:50 a.m. (EDT)
Photo - Elizabeth May
Saanich—Gulf Islands
Green Party Caucus
British Columbia