For those passionate about SSNB’s campaign:
PLEASE READ our summary of the Feb.4-6, 2020 meetings attached in this post. (downloadable PDF and JPEGs at bottom of this post)
Thanks to a volunteer’s detailed notes, we are able to give you these details pertaining to SSNB’s mandate. The link to the audio webcasts has nothing available at this time: the webcasts were up on Friday, but now they have disappeared:
https://www1.gnb.ca/legis/webcasts/archive/index-e.asp
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PRESENTING TO THE COMMITTEE:
“FREDERICTON (GNB) – The standing committee on climate change and environmental stewardship, an all-party permanent committee of the legislative assembly, has finalized key areas of focus and is inviting New Brunswickers to comment on the use of pesticides and herbicides, including glyphosate, in the province.”
(SSNB has been invited to make a presentation and hopes that many citizen stake holder groups who support our mandate decide to do the same ( outdoor activity groups, affected communities, indigenous community groups).
“The committee is responsible for examining the province’s progress towards the objectives outlined in New Brunswick’s Climate Change Action Plan by calling upon specific departments, agencies and key stakeholders to provide updates. The committee will also gather information on climate change, environmental stewardship and other related issues from stakeholders and subject-matter experts and prepare reports with recommendations to the legislative assembly.
“We believe as a committee that the issue of climate change is urgent and that action needs to be timely,” said Riverview MLA Bruce Fitch, committee chair. “We also want to be proactive about environmental concerns and look for long-term solutions to issues that impact us all.”
This week, the committee is receiving its first round of updates from the departments of Environment and Local Government; Natural Resources and Energy Development; Transportation and Infrastructure; Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries; Public Safety, as well as from Service New Brunswick and NB Power. The hearings are open to the public and take place at the legislative assembly building in Fredericton. The audio of the hearings is also available on the assembly’s website.
Public hearings on pesticide and herbicide use, including glyphosate, are scheduled for March 24 to 27 at the legislative assembly. Additional dates may be added if necessary.
“We want to be transparent about progress on environmental issues that matter to the public,” said Fitch.
Glyphosate is an herbicide used for a wide variety of purposes in forestry and agriculture, and for weed control in industrial, commercial and domestic settings. While certain studies have indicated that glyphosate may not pose a cancer risk to humans at current exposure rates, many New Brunswickers remain concerned about its use.
Individuals, organizations, subject-matter experts and stakeholders who wish to make a presentation to the committee on the use of pesticides and herbicides, including glyphosate, should notify the Office of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly by phone (506-453-2506) or by sending an email to leg-consultations@gnb.ca by Friday, March 13. Those who are unable to make a presentation and prefer to submit a written brief on the subject should do so by Friday, March 20.
In addition to Fitch, members of the committee include vice-chair and Kent North MLA Kevin Arseneau; Environment and Local Government Minister Jeff Carr; Natural Resources and Energy Development Minister Mike Holland; Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Ross Wetmore; Moncton South MLA Cathy Rogers; Carleton-Victoria MLA Andrew Harvey; Victoria-La Vallée MLA Chuck Chiasson; Shediac-Beaubassin-Cap-Pelé MLA Jacques LeBlanc; and Fredericton York MLA Rick DeSaulniers.”
