AG report highlights need for more environmental oversight and planning

Half of approved projects not being monitored

Halifax – The Auditor General’s report out today shows the Liberals are not doing enough to protect the environment.

“This report confirms what our caucus has been saying. The Liberal government is failing to oversee the projects it approves through environmental assessments,” said Lenore Zann, NDP spokesperson for Environment. “How can the Department guarantee that the environment is being protected when they don’t even enforce their own conditions?”

Of the 54 projects that went through environmental assessments, 53 were approved with 675 terms and conditions in place. However, the report found that around half of those projects were not being monitored. The Auditor General also found issues with the current government’s vision for the environment going forward.

“There was not one mention of the words environment or climate change in the Liberal’s Throne Speech, and today’s report shows that this is indicative of the government’s whole approach,” said NDP Leader Gary Burrill. “The report raises real alarm about the competence of environmental oversight in Nova Scotia.”

During the recent legislative session, the NDP Caucus introduced a bill that would have created anEnvironmental Bill of Rights. It would empower citizens in the decision-making process for activities that would affect their communities. It would also create a dedicated Environmental Commissioner which would ensure timely review of these important issues.

• 30 -