Councillor plans motion to reaffirm municipal opposition following physicians’ presentation
Hear the story below:
A group of local physicians have added their voices to the opposition surrounding the proposed Centre Village gas plant planned for an extremely important wildlife corridor in Tantramar, urging provincial leaders to reconsider the project over environmental and health concerns.
The physicians’ concerns were presented during Tantramar council’s first regular meeting of the new term on Tuesday night.
Dr. Graeme Stewart appeared before council on behalf of the Sackville hospital’s physicians and said a letter had been sent earlier that day to Premier Susan Holt, Health Minister John Dornan, Deputy Premier René Legacy, Tantramar MLA Megan Mitton, and New Brunswick Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Yves Léger.
Below is a small sample of that letter, read to council:
“We, the undersigned staff physicians of the Sackville Memorial Hospital, wish to register our deep concern and trepidation relating to the proposed Tantramar gas plant planned for the Centre Village area of Tantramar.”
The presentation prompted a response from Ward 3 councillor Allison Butcher, who said she could not recall another instance during her decade on council where local physicians had spoken collectively on an issue.
“I’ve been on council for 10 years now, and this, correct me if I’m wrong, feels unprecedented. I don’t ever recall a group of doctors standing up and against something in the time that I’ve been here.”
Stewart replied that reaching consensus among physicians is often difficult.
“If you put 10 doctors into one room and hope to get out of there within five or six hours with any sort of consensus on anything, it’s pretty difficult. So yeah, we have a consensus here, no question.”
Climate and health concerns
Stewart said the physicians’ concerns extend beyond the plant itself and include the vulnerability of the Tantramar region to climate change.
“The Tantramar area is a sensitive area ecologically with extensive, near sea level marshes that are already the subject of higher risks of flooding due to more intense weather systems caused by climate change.”
The letter also raised concerns about emissions from the proposed methane-powered, jet-turbine facility.
“In terms of particulate and noxious gas emissions, these are demonstrated to worsen cardiopulmonary conditions and represent an immediate threat to the citizens of Tantramar and beyond.”
Stewart concluded the letter by strongly criticizing descriptions of the project as environmentally friendly.
“It is farcical to promote a fossil fuel burning facility as somehow green.”
The presentation and comments came less than two weeks after the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board approved NB Power’s proposal for the plant, marking one major hurdle for NB Power’s plan.
Medical professionals have spoken publicly on the issue before, including retired Sackville physician Dr. Harold Popma. Environmental health organizations and hundreds of physicians and dentists across New Brunswick have also expressed concerns about the project.
Council opposition could return
Ward 2 councillor Kristen LeBlanc said she has been following both the Energy and Utilities Board decision and the Auditor General’s recent report on NB Power.
“I’ve been following the gas plant issue closely, including the EUB decision, as well as the recent Auditor General’s report, which wasn’t so surprising.”
LeBlanc said she believes municipalities should pursue alternatives.
“I believe that we need to advocate for renewable energy solutions as well as projects that we have more of a control over in our municipality.”
Council also heard from Penny Mott from Seniors for Climate – Tantramar, who criticized the Energy and Utilities Board’s recent decision approving the project.
“It was a weak ruling in that, although they rebuked NB Power for their lack of analysis and process, they felt sufficient evidence was given for them to give the go-ahead to RIGS at an estimated cost of $3.5 billion.”
Before the meeting ended, LeBlanc gave notice that she intends to introduce a motion at the next regular council meeting, seeking council’s adoption of a resolution reaffirming its opposition to the proposed Tantramar gas plant.
About the reporter
Clinton Davis is a PT journalist/producer with CHMA News covering Tantramar (including Sackville, Dorchester, Port Elgin, Midgic and surrounding communities). He reports on municipal government, public safety, community events, local business, regional issues and ideas across Tantramar.
