Blog

friends of the.png

Recent Posts

Archive

Tags

The cost of pollution is much higher than we think

Glen Hodgson is senior fellow at the Conference Board of Canada. Brent Dowdall is senior manager at the Conference Board of Canada. Economists measure the performance of the overall economy through the level of and changes to gross domestic product (GDP), which is the sum of all spending and output generated. However, GDP doesn't adequately measure all the impacts of economic activity, notably things that erode our nation's long-term wealth – such as pollution. The United Nat

'This issue constantly divides the community': Nova Scotia pulp mill accused of 'bullyin

'This issue constantly divides the community': Nova Scotia pulp mill accused of 'bullyin

Industry strong-arm tactics are nothing new in Nova Scotia, but Northern Pulp is being accused of going too far in a battle that is pitting neighbour against neighbour For years, Wes Surrett had to deal with guests’ complaints about the stench from a nearby pulp mill. The smell improved when the mill introduced new technology in 2015, but now the general manager of Pictou Lodge in Nova Scotia is bracing for the mill’s next plan — to pipe treated effluent into the Northumberla

What happened when The Mill protested the book “The Mill – Fifty Years of Pulp and Protest”

What happened when The Mill protested the book “The Mill – Fifty Years of Pulp and Protest”

Six weeks ago, when I held the first copy of “The Mill – Fifty Years of Pulp and Protest” in my hands, I would never have believed that the book would ever make any headlines, let alone national ones. But it has. And what’s more astounding is that it went from almost total obscurity to the national media because of the actions of the very people who tried to suppress its promotion, ensure it remained obscure. Just deserts? FOR FULL STORY.... http://www.joanbaxter.ca/2017/12/1

P.E.I. fisherman says meeting increased concerns over effluent dump in Northumberland Strait

P.E.I. fisherman says meeting increased concerns over effluent dump in Northumberland Strait

A meeting meant to curtail fishermen’s fears over a replacement effluent-treatment facility had the opposite effect, says a P.E.I. fisherman. Charlie McGeoghegan, a former MLA who fishes out of Point Prim, was one of approximately 300 fishermen from P.E.I., Nova Scotia and New Brunswick attending an open house in Pictou County Monday. He and the other fishermen did not like what they did – and did not – hear as representatives explained the technical details of the proposed p

Pictou Lodge loses booking after GM criticizes Northern Pulp mill over environmental concerns

Pictou Lodge loses booking after GM criticizes Northern Pulp mill over environmental concerns

The Pictou Lodge has been penalized for not toeing Northern Pulp’s party line, says the resort’s general manager. “I stood up in front of a large crowd and I spoke to the poor record that our local pulp mill has when it comes to environmental standards and their record of non-compliance,” Wes Surrett said of his comments at a Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia summit in Halifax in late November. “It didn’t take any time and my phone was ringing with a representative

First Nation, fishermen distrust Northern Pulp treatment plan

First Nation, fishermen distrust Northern Pulp treatment plan

Risk and trust. There’s too much risk and not nearly enough trust to bring Northern Pulp’s plan for a new wastewater treatment facility to fruition, according to Andrea Paul, the chief of the Pictou Landing First Nation, and scores of fishermen and residents in Pictou County. “I know that they keep saying they are meeting the regulations,” Paul said of the proposed treatment facility which includes a pipe that will extend into the Northumberland Strait to discharge treated ef

Pulp non-fiction: Why a book about a Nova Scotia pulp mill has set off a firestorm

Pulp non-fiction: Why a book about a Nova Scotia pulp mill has set off a firestorm

In the days leading up to the event, the book signing was cancelled. The decision has set off a firestorm among locals who have concerns about freedom of expression and the power wielded by a controversial business in the rural community. "Now we've gone from an appalling environmental issue to a freedom-of-expression issue," said Mary Gorman, a long-time oceans activist who was interviewed by Ms. Baxter for her book. When Ms. Gorman showed up for the signing to buy her own c

Northern Pulp meeting with fishermen to discuss proposed pipelineUntitled