I’m a Haligonian. And like most Haligonians, I’ve had to work pretty darn hard to find a way to stay here.
For me, that meant going away for several years to learn new skills and then come home. When employment in my field wasn’t available when I returned, it meant creating my own opportunities.
For others, it may mean leaving to find work while the rest of your family stays behind, or choosing to stay but committing to a 5,000-kilometre commute every few weeks. Or working two, or even three jobs, to cobble together enough until something more stable comes along. Long hours of studying. Long hours of working. That’s the norm.
We all have our stories. But I guess my question is this. Why do we do it? Why do we stick it out here despite the challenges? It’s tough everywhere, but there are certainly more opportunities in places like Toronto, or New York or London.
We all have our own reasons, but I think at least part of the answer lies with Nova Scotia itself. Let’s face it: This is a pretty spectacular part of the planet that we all share. It’s the sort of place that gets into your veins and makes you want to stay, despite the challenges.
Who isn’t moved by the splendour of the Cape Breton Highlands, or the ruggedness of the Eastern Shore, or the crazy tides of the Bay of Fundy or the vast lakes of the forested interior?
The landscape itself pulls us in and holds us. It infiltrates our lives; our culture; our way of life. Even when we despise those icy cold winds or dreary fog coming off the ocean, we still long for the sea. What we have here is special, and we all know it.
So, when the Mining Association of Nova Scotia comes along and starts lobbying for access to our protected wilderness areas, we should all be very alarmed. They are pitching a proposal to the provincial government that would use a land swap mechanism to access the very areas that the public has already decided should be prioritized for conservation and for the enjoyment of the people.
The mining interests are not just asking for access to one or two sites. They are asking for a broad change to the legislation that could essentially open up all protected wilderness areas in Nova Scotia to their industry.
That would mean potentially opening-up places like Blue Mountain–Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Area and Five Bridge Lakes Wilderness Area near Halifax. It would apply to protected places in the Margaree River watershed, Wentworth Valley and Tobeatic Wilderness Area adjacent to Kejimkujik National Park.
If successful, it would give the mining industry access to the protected wilderness area on Kluskap Mountain in Cape Breton—land that’s sacred to the Mi’kmaq.
It could also mean that places with some of the rarest species in Canada are suddenly made vulnerable to mining and the industrial footprint that goes along with it.
Hopefully, the provincial government will not succumb to those lobbying efforts. So far, it looks like there is very little uptake with key decision-makers in government. That’s a good thing.
But the threat is real and what’s needed right now is for the provincial government to make it absolutely clear that the most treasured natural areas of Nova Scotia will always be protected and never handed over to private interests.
Voice of the City is a platform for any and all Halifax individuals to share their diverse opinions and writings. The Coast does not necessarily endorse the views of those published. Our editors reserve the right to alter submissions for clarity, length, content and style. Want to appear in this section? Submissions can be sent to voice@thecoast.ca.
Related Stories
Burning need for Environmental Bill of Rights in Nova Scotia
Questions about senator’s Fall River quarry conflict
Swimming in Halifax Harbour
City buys 200 acres of land for Blue Mountain-Birch Cove Lakes park
Protest potpourri scheduled for Province House
This article appears in Nov 23-29, 2017.
http://www.backcountryhunters.org
https://www.backcountryhunters.org
If you are interested in protecting public lands for future generations to enjoy,
regardless of how you choose to recreate on them, consider joining BHA. They are an organization shedding light on the rising issue of public land transfers throughout North America, and are a strong voice in the fight for protecting what every Canadian taxpayer has a birthright too. Educate your selves on the history of public land in North America, and cherish it. The idea to set aside swaths of land for every person to enjoy and benifet from is a uniquely North American concept, and a luxury that few nations can claim.
As out population continues to rise these lands will only become more valuable in every way. These lands belong to everyone. Whether you Hunt, fish, snowboard, ski, camp, forage or birdwatch.
However it is presented, the sale of public land is always a short term financial solution that benefits the few.
They aren’t making new land..
I agree with your premise, but disagree with your broad statements. If Nova Scotia took the slightest bit of interest in any sort of industry, Nova Scotians wouldn’t have to travel across the country to find work. Maybe if NS was open to the slightest bit of business instead of blindly plugging it’s ears and yelling at the very mention of “mining”, more of our talented young professionals could stay in the place they love working in industry and for environmental assessment firms alike. If NS looked at each mining bid with an open mind, weighed the pros and cons and didn’t ignorantly claim all mining operations as inherently destructive and evil, this province would be in a more comfortable financial situation. We all benefit from the fruits of mining (we are using computers right now after all). Remember, if you can’t grow it, you have to mine it. I find it a little alarming that not one instance of the arguably more destructive practice of forestry here in NS was mentioned.
Allowing industry to take place on public land in balance with other users and the environment is acceptable in my opinion. Selling it or “Transferring” it out of the publics hands is not.
At the end of the day, Nova Scotia should take note of what has happened to Appalachia over the last 50 years.. Mountaintop removal for coal extraction promised quality of life. Instead, the mining execs made there cash, and now the industry is in decline. What there left with is a region just as poor as before, but with higher rates of cancer from run off, and some massive grey holes where multi million year old mountains once stood.
Of what should we be “alarmed”? Should we be alarmed when our kids ask to try a sip of beer? OH NO – MY CHILD IS AN ALCOHOLIC!
There is absolutely no evidence that the provincial government will give way to protected lands – none.
Stop the scare tactics – remember the story of the Boy Who Cried Wolf?