Friends of Antigonish Harbour
380 Seabright Rd. B2G 2L2 Antigonish, NS, Canada

Some communications from TPCI indicate that its Community Liaison Committee (CLC) is neither arm's length nor inclusive. An email to a local citizen who expressed some interest in joining the CLC included some "behind the curtain" comments about how TPCI and the CLC really work. Recently, a community member was asked whether he would like to be a member of the CLC. He agreed. An email correspondence revealed, however, that he would not be welcome on the grounds that he is of ...no use to Ernie Porter, the President of TPCI. This community member has been a vocal critic of the potential development. In particular, an email from Ernie Porter, which cc'd the community member stated; "Frankly I have no such hope for any progress with [community member] and I have better uses for my time." The community member's reply was: "Since Ernie has prejudged my contribution, and not very positively, and since Ernie has no use for me, there is no point in my serving on that committee. He clearly is interested in stacking the committee with people entirely favourable to his position. Interestingly, I would have come with an open mind or I wouldn’t have agreed to serve. But perhaps he doesn’t want that kind of input. I am left to wonder why." The information CLC is providing on their social media and website might be seen as more accurate if they allowed members who have been strongly opposed to the project to be on the committee. For example, their website indicates that FOAH was invited, but, in fact none of our members have received an invitation! In light of these revelations, the CLC looks less like an unbiased source for information about the development, and something nearer to a publicity stunt for the company. It is unfortunate that TPCI is dismissive (contemptuous, actually) of local community members who may not be in agreement with this project, but are willing to make an effort to understand.

An alternative to harvesting oysters without the use of traps and anchors. According to harvester, Jeff Lee, it's beneficial in shallow waters with lots of eel grass, similar to the Antigonish Harbour. Currently, there are three oyster harvesting leases in Antigonish harbour using this method.

Town Point Consulting Inc (TPCI) confirmed that it operated its oyster nursery this fall using high capacity pipes laid in Antigonish Harbour last May and a facility it constructed over the summer. FOAH and many individuals have sent multiple requests to the NS Departments of Lands and Forestry, Fishery and Aquaculture and Environment seeking confirmation that TPCI had a permit at the time of construction, had been issued the missing permit retroactively, been given a waiver... of the requirement to secure the missing permit, or is still in violation for conducting construction activities without a permit. Unfortunately, none of these departments have responded. Members of FOAH filed FOIPOP requests in May in an attempt to understand how TPCI could proceed with its project without permits it was explicitly required to obtain. We have yet to receive any of the information requested in the FOIPOP submission. How can the NS government which has dealt so effectively with the complex and deadly threat of COVID-19 refuse to deal with a straightforward enforcement of law and regulation regarding construction and environmental protection? Why have concerned citizens of Antigonish County been deprived of basic access to information? What does all this suggest about how closely TPCI's would be monitored for compliance if it is granted aquaculture leases and permission to place 23,000 oyster cages and 52kms of rope in Antigonish Harbour?

Two days to comment: Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) needs to hear from you!

A letter in today's Chronicle Herald: An Alarming Pattern "I read with interest and, I must admit, alarm your article regarding the Owls Head proposal. Juxtaposing this development with the major concerns around the Town Point Consulting (TPC) project in Antigonish Harbour, it appears clear that a pattern is emerging. In both instances, developers proceeded with projects harmful to the environment, without adequate prior public notification or consultation, but with the full ...knowledge of the Department of Lands and Forestry. In the case of (TPC), the company laid pipes in the harbour without required permits. In the case of Owls Head, Lands and Forestry Minister Iain Rankin delisted 285 hectares of protected Crown property and then entered into very private negotiations with the Gilbert family to purchase this land with a view to building two or three 18-hole golf courses. More egregiously, the minister has allowed TPC to apply for the necessary permits after the work had been conducted and may grant retroactive approval. As I indicated in a previous letter, this is like a minister allowing an individual, perhaps a wealthy, well-connected one, caught driving without a valid driver’s licence to retroactively apply for one to mitigate any penalties. We see the same pattern with Owls Head. The property was delisted from protected status, sold, and again, after the fact, the province will conduct the full public review. It is becoming abundantly clear that Rankin has favoured the interests of wealthy private investors over the public interest he has sworn to serve. This man wants to be the leader of the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia? We need leaders to serve the public interests and we need these projects halted." Edward L. Pencer, Lanark