Indigenous leaders in Nova Scotia are urging Premier Tim Houston to sit down with them and share the green energy and natural resource plan he issued in a memo to caucus members on Wednesday.
The memo outlined Houston’s priorities for growing the green economy and expanding the development of natural and the mining of critical minerals like lithium.
John Paul, executive director for the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs, emphasized the contributions Indigenous businesses make to the economy, suggesting Indigenous companies contribute $6 billion to the Atlantic Canadian economy each year. In Nova Scotia that includes more than 700 Indigenous-owned businesses.
Paul stressed the importance of collaboration and for the Houston government to include First Nations communities in all economic pursuits that involve developing natural resources and economic opportunities.
“The province and the premier did commit to our chiefs, as part of the election campaign, to hear from our chiefs directly and get their feedback and insight on the way forward,” said Paul. “I would hope in his announcement relative to energy and new resources that he actually sits down with the chiefs and has a wholesome and full discussion about that direction.”
Many Mi’kmaw communities are already partnering with businesses in developing green energy, said Membertou First Nation Chief Terry Paul, whose community has partnered with wind energy company EverWind to create the Nova Scotia green fuels hub, which uses wind power to develop hydrogen that could be exported to European markets.
Chief Paul said any plans that help Nova Scotia meet its green energy targets is a step in the right direction but the collaboration with Indigenous people has to be part of that plan.
“Today the power that we get, we still rely on 50 per cent of that coming from coal and we need to get that down,” said Chief Paul, who noted he needed to get more information regarding the plan from the Houston government before talking specifics.
“As Mi’kmaw in this province, we have certain rights that need to be dealt with and the province very much needs to talk with us about future plans in that area,” he said.
Houston told reporters on Wednesday there opportunities to grow the economy and develop natural resources like hydrogen, onshore and offshore wind and mining for critical minerals, and said his government will always consult and follow environmental processes.
“It’s not the premier who signs off on projects, there’s a process,” said Houston. “We have strong environmental processes, but my policy is to grow the economy in a safe way.”
Mining industry backs Houston’s push for critical minerals
Nova Scotia’s mining industry says there’s untapped potential in mining for critical minerals like lithium, which is part of Houston’s plan as he said it could spur jobs and economic opportunities.
Sean Kirby, executive director with the Mining Association of Nova Scotia, says mining for critical minerals is essential to achieving climate goals.
“Things like electric vehicles, wind turbines and solar panels are largely made of critical minerals and things like lithium and copper,” said Kirby.
Kirby highlighted the global demand for these minerals, which presents an economic opportunity for the province and the mining industry.
“We can create more jobs and opportunities for Nova Scotians and more government revenues to help pay for the programs that are so important and that is the point I think the premier is getting at,” said Kirby.
Environmental agency pushes back
The Ecology Action Centre criticized Houston’s new plan, saying it’s a step backwards.
“This is not something we expected,” said Marla MacLeod, executive director with the Ecology Action Centre. “There was an election a mere two months ago and none of this was in the platform.”
Growing economic opportunities in the green economy is smart, said MacLeod, but the government shouldn’t be looking at plans that focus on fossil fuel development.
“We don’t need to go back to industries that are part of what we decided we don’t want in Nova Scotia,” said MacLeod. “We need a clear, measured, forward-thinking response to the future and energy resources here. Now is not the time to go backwards.”
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