The Need for Community Acceptance
Social license refers to the informal approval and ongoing acceptance of a project by the community and stakeholders. It is built on trust, transparency, and meaningful engagement with the public.
No Social License to Operate
When decisions are made and approvals are given for a mega-scale, largely experimental development project in rural communities across the province without the consent of the most impacted local citizens, the social license is significantly undermined. Here's how:
1. Erosion of Trust: Trust between the community and decision-makers is foundational to social license. When projects are approved without local consent, it breeds distrust and skepticism about the intentions and integrity of the developers and authorities. Residents may feel that their voices and concerns are disregarded, leading to a breakdown in trust.
2. Lack of Community Support: Social license relies on the active support and acceptance of the community. Without engaging the local population and obtaining their consent, there is no grassroots support for the project. This can lead to opposition, protests, and other forms of resistance, hindering the project's progress and reputation.
3. Perceived Injustice: When local citizens are excluded from decision-making processes, it creates a sense of injustice and marginalization. People feel that they are being subjected to the negative impacts of the project without having had a fair chance to voice their opinions or influence outcomes. This can lead to strong feelings of resentment and opposition.
4. Environmental and Social Concerns: Mega-scale, experimental projects often carry significant risks and uncertainties, particularly in terms of environmental and social impacts. If these concerns are not addressed through comprehensive community consultation and consent, the project may face heightened scrutiny and criticism. The lack of local consent can amplify fears about the potential for environmental degradation, health risks, and disruption to local industries and lifestyles.
5. Long-Term Sustainability: Projects lacking social license are less likely to be sustainable in the long term. Continuous community opposition and lack of local cooperation can lead to operational challenges, legal battles, and additional costs. In contrast, projects that secure social license benefit from community goodwill, cooperation, and shared goals, contributing to their long-term success and sustainability.
6. Damage to Developer's Reputation: Companies and developers who proceed without local consent risk damaging their reputation not only in the affected community but also on a broader scale. Negative publicity, both locally and globally, can affect the company's brand and its relationships with other communities and stakeholders.
Obtaining social license means that a project not only meets regulatory requirements but also has the community's support and aligns with their values and expectations.
To achieve social license, developers and decision-makers must go beyond mere compliance with regulations. They must engage with the community early and often, addressing concerns, incorporating feedback, and demonstrating a genuine commitment to the community's well-being.
This includes transparent communication about potential impacts on the environment, local industries, cost of living, health and safety, protected habitats, land values, and natural resource use.
Dismissal of Residents' Concerns
September 2022 - Letters of support were given without the consent of local residents.
2022-2023 - Disinformation and propaganda campaigns were launched to mislead residents.
January 13, 2024 - During the public information session on January 13, 2024, not one question was answered.
March 11, 2024 - Letter to the Mayors of the Burin Peninsula expressing community concerns ignored.
March 22, 2024 - Letter from CAWE mocked by Brian Keating during Town of Marystown's public meeting.
June 12-16, 2024 - Public consultations held from June 12-16, 2024, were simplistic and disorganized.
July 9, 2024 - Appeals for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on July 9, 2024, were ignored.
July 2024 - A community vote (98%) and town plebiscite (76%) showed a majority of local residents in Lawn are against the proposed wind-solar hydrogen-ammonia projects on the Burin Peninsula.
2023/2024 - Letters to MHAs received no reply and were ignored.
2023/2024 - Calls to the open line received no response, only lies.
By integrating both democratic decision-making processes and the concept of social license, communities can ensure that development projects are undertaken responsibly and ethically. This approach not only protects the interests of residents but also fosters a sense of ownership and trust, leading to more sustainable and accepted outcomes for all involved.
In conclusion, the absence of social license for mega-scale, experimental projects in rural communities leads to significant challenges, including distrust, lack of support, perceived injustice, environmental and social concerns, sustainability issues, and reputational damage. To ensure successful and responsible development, it is crucial to engage local citizens, address their concerns, and secure their consent from the outset.
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