Carbon tax protest at Nova Scotia-New Brunswick border | SaltWire #newbrunswick #novascotia #rallyAndrew Parsons is hoping a federal committee of MPs will change their minds about an amendment to proposed offshore wind legislation — an amendment that was put forward by federal Conservatives to protect the fishing industry.
It said respect for the natural environment and existing ocean users should be included in the legislation as guiding principles, and that it could be easily achieved with an amendment. “Ensuring the sustainability of the fishing industry involves a comprehensive understanding of the environmental factors shaping it, extending beyond the purview of the Accord Acts and encompassing considerations beyond interactions with energy projects.”
“A key objective of the regulatory system will be to identify potential impacts on fishers, and to minimize and mitigate any issues to the extent possible while promoting coexistence. Where feasible, fishing activities will be able to continue to take place in areas that also have offshore renewable energy activity,” he wrote.
“We did hear several witnesses talk about the importance of the fishing industry and the need to be consulted, and we heard repeatedly that they were not. I think it's about making sure that any project will substantially consider the plight of the fishing industry, which is the main industry in these provinces,” he said.