© Conservation Council of New Brunswick 2025
In this edition of EcoNews, we bring you the rundown on J.D. Irving co-CEO Jim Irving’s comments to the Standing Committee examining glyphosate use in our woods; we share a summary of a new report looking at how governments and corporations pushing large-scale industrial projects in Atlantic Canada have treated Indigenous land defenders; we remember how far New Brunswick lags behind its neighbours on supporting citizens to become more energy efficient at home; and we invite you to our 2021 Virtual Annual General Meeting happening next month.
J.D. Irving Gets Last Word At Glyphosate Hearings
New Brunswick’s largest forestry company, including co-CEO Jim Irving, appeared before the Standing Committee examining glyphosate use in our woods on the final day of public hearings. Jim Irving repeatedly stressed that New Brunswick is his company’s home, but a member of his team still compared the 74 per cent of New Brunswickers opposed to glyphosate spraying to “Karen on Facebook,” and Irving himself presented figures showing the company’s primary concern is the export market, not the province or its citizens.
Standing Committee Hears From Indigenous Foresters And Leaders
Earlier in September, First Nations leaders and foresters spoke out against glyphosate spraying and the Crown’s failure to uphold their rights under the Peace and Friendship Treaties. All land in New Brunswick is unsurrendered Wolastoqiyik, Mi’kmaq and Passamaquoddy territory. Our team is working on an article about the presentations from Indigenous leaders for the next edition of EcoNews. Right now, you can watch the video of the Sept. 7 hearing here, which included presentations from Wolastoq Grand Council Grand Chief Ron Trembley and Grandmother Alma Brooks, Pabineau First Nation Chief Terry Richardson, Kingsclear First Nation’s Gordon Grey, St. Mary’s First Nation’s Cecelia Brooks, and Tobique First Nation’s Jamie Gorman. You can watch the video of the Sept. 10 hearing here, which included presentations from Eel Ground First Nation’s Steve Ginnish (who also appeared on June 25), and Fort Folly First Nation Chief Rebecca Knockwood.
Report: N.B. and N.S. Governments' Handling Of Indigenous Grandmothers Exposes Discrimination In Push For Large Energy And Mining Projects
A new report, released just two days before Canada’s first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, studied the way New Brunswick and Nova Scotia handles consultations with Indigenous communities on development projects to reveal ongoing systemic discrimination and harm against Indigenous land defenders. The ‘Grandmothers report’ uses first-person accounts by Wolastoqiyik Grandmother/Defenders against the Sisson Mine in New Brunswick and Mi’kmaq Grandmothers against the Alton Gas project in Nova Scotia to offer unique insight into how governments and corporations use the Indian Act to ignore the concerns of local Indigenous peoples and grassroot organizations.
Energy Efficiency Day Highlights Higgs Government's Ongoing Failure To Help New Brunswickers Live More Comfortably And Act On Climate Change
Yesterday (Wednesday, Oct. 6) was Energy Efficiency Day. Increasing the energy efficiency of our homes, businesses and public buildings is an important part of lowering the carbon pollution that is driving the climate crisis. But on this day, we harken back to the November 2020 report showing how the Higgs Government is leaving low-income New Brunswickers such as seniors and single-parent households behind when it comes to living comfortably and saving on energy costs at home.
Register For Our 2021 Virtual AGM
The Conservation Council is pleased to invite you to attend our 2021 Virtual Annual General Meeting on Saturday, Nov. 21. Get an overview of our work during the past year from our program staff, find out the winner of the Annual Beth McLaughlin Environmental Journalism Award, and hear from fantastic guest speakers. The AGM is welcome to all, but a reminder that only members in good standing are able to vote in the business portion of the meeting. See the link at the end of this newsletter to become a member!