By: South Shore Council of Canadians
Let’s be clear: the Uranium Exploration and Mining Prohibition Act was not “lazy policy,” as Premier Houston claimed. It was the result of decades of environmental advocacy, grassroots organizing, and public pressure. The 2009 ban wasn’t a relic; it was a deliberate, protective measure that reflected the clear will of Nova Scotians.
Earlier this year, without public consultation or a campaign mandate, the Houston government repealed this protection through the omnibus Bill 6. This wasn’t just an environmental setback; it was a betrayal of the democratic processes that should guide decisions about our shared future.
The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs denounced the move, citing the province’s failure to uphold the right to free, prior, and informed consent. This decision ignored both constitutional obligations and the spirit of reconciliation.
Health professionals, including the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, have warned of long-term health risks linked to uranium exploration and mining. These concerns are grounded in science, not fearmongering.
Environmental groups, including the Ecology Action Centre, have raised similar concerns, not only about human health and ecosystem damage, but about the potential risks to industries like tourism, forestry, and farming. Nova Scotians want green jobs and a just energy transition, not a high-risk, low-reward gamble.
The government’s call for uranium exploration proposals received no bids, but this fight is far from over. Just weeks ago, the province quietly relaxed environmental permitting for metal mining (shockingly in consultation with the Mining Association of Nova Scotia), making it easier for companies to break ground. The door on uranium exploration and mining remains open, and our government appears determined to push it wider.
This isn’t just about uranium. It’s about how decisions are made, who they’re made for, and who gets left behind. We deserve leadership that values the people living here, not just the companies watching from afar.
Nova Scotians deserve better. We said no. And we still mean it.
Visit canadians.org/uranium to learn more. Or reach out to us at southshore.coc@gmail.com if you would like a sign, button, bumper sticker, or copies of petition sheets to gather signatures.
