Letters to the mayors of the Burin Peninsula
Since sending out our initial letters on March 11, 2024, to the mayors of the Burin Peninsula requesting them to rescind their letters of support for the proposed EverWind wind energy projects or resign, much has transpired.
While many municipalities did not respond to our initial outreach, we followed up with another email on March 18, 2024. In the meantime, we received a few responses and confirmation of read receipts from several municipal email servers.
Door to Door Volunteer Campaigns
Recognizing the importance of community involvement, we organized door-to-door campaigns through our community organization, Concerns About Wind Energy (CAWE). We created and purchased volunteer kits and coordinated efforts to engage local residents in collecting signatures in various regions of the Burin Peninsula and Isthmus to gauge support for or opposition to the proposed wind hydrogen solar energy projects. These initiatives also aimed to raise funds to maintain our website, email, other resources and for a legal challenge against the projects.
Over the summer, other groups initiated similar door-to-door campaigns across the peninsula. While diverse efforts can strengthen a cause, a unified and strategic approach often yields better results. Unfortunately, some of these initiatives did not receive council recognition or acceptance of the collected signatures, and no further plebiscites have been announced. This highlights the importance of due diligence, coordination and cooperation of our collective efforts.
Recent Developments Have Added Urgency to Our Cause
On October 1, 2024, Bill C-49 (44-1), an act to amend the Atlantic Accord, completed its final reading in the Senate and is about to become law. The purpose of this new legislation is to allow for offshore wind farms that don't benefit us as a province and only harm our fishery and tourism industries—not to mention other harmful impacts on our national security, culture, and identity. There are concerns about potential devastating effects on the environment, marine mammals, and marine biodiversity, which are integral parts of our Newfoundland's ecosystems, many of which have been granted protected status and UNESCO World Heritage recognition.
Our online, Change.org petition to say "No" to Bill C-49 received over 1,000 signatures, surpassing our initial goal of 500 signatures. This overwhelming support underscores the community's shared concerns about the devastating impacts of this legislation.
Secondly, we received confirmation that the Town of Grand Bank deleted our email dated March 18, 2024, instead of responding and holding a community vote to determine residents' positions on the proposed projects. The actions described not only hinder community trust but may also contravene provincial legislation and federal law.
Neglect of Duty: Legal Ramifications Under Municipal and Federal Law
This lack of response and the deletion of official correspondence may have legal ramifications under the Municipalities Act of Newfoundland and Labrador (1999); Chapter M-24 and Part V, Records and Meetings, the Criminal Code of Canada, Section 139 and Section 141, and the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 2015 (ATIPPA); Section 13, Section 115(1), Section 64(1). Ignoring official documents and failing to address constituents' concerns could be seen as a neglect of duty by elected officials. The actions described not only hinder community trust but may also contravene provincial legislation and federal law.
Recognize the Towns that Withdrawn or Declined to Provide a Letter of Support
In a positive development, we would like to express our gratitude to the towns of Lawn and Frenchman's Cove for considering the community's feedback and withdrawing their endorsement for the proposed wind hydrogen energy initiatives. Additionally, we applaud Swift Current for refraining from endorsing the projects initially. These decisions reflect a dedication to advocating for the concerns of their constituents and a proactive approach in acknowledging the potentially harmful consequences these projects could bring to our area.
United We Stand: Charting a Positive Path Forward
In order to achieve success, it is essential that we unite, offer each other support, and concentrate on our common objectives. Effective communication and cooperation play a crucial role. We invite all local residents to reach out and join us in a coordinated and strategic effort to ensure the success of our shared goals and protect the future of our community. Let's direct our efforts towards constructive initiatives that promote our mission and safeguard the well-being of our communities throughout the Burin Peninsula.
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