N.B. codes of conduct allow for degree of council secrecy not possible under N.S. rules
Neighbouring province goes further in requiring public transparency for investigations
Under New Brunswick rules, the public can be kept in the dark when their local officials face discipline — an approach far less open than one adopted next door in Nova Scotia.
In Strait Shores, in eastern New Brunswick, a councillor was temporarily suspended after an investigation that was kept from the public and was later found to have violated due process.
In the northern municipality of Heron Bay, which includes Dalhousie and Charlo, council suspended Mayor Normand Pelletier and, as Radio-Canada reported, has refused to publicly say why.
And in Sunbury-York South, the municipality has not publicly shared details of why Mayor David Hayward was suspended at a recent meeting.
Questions about due process have also arisen in Grand Lake, where a councillor was suspended in April following an investigation that never let her respond to the allegations she faced.
But if those four municipalities had been in Nova Scotia, recent legislation would have required details to be made public, following a clearly outlined due process for everyone involved in the investigations.
N.B. code has ambiguity, expert says
Last October, Nova Scotia adopted a new code of conduct for municipal elected officials, which acts as a blanket policy for all 49 municipalities in the province.
That's different from New Brunswick, where the Local Governance Act gives municipalities some guidelines that must be in their code of conduct but leaves it up to each council to create and implement their own version.
"The Nova Scotia code is clearer and avoids ambiguity like the one we have in New Brunswick," said André Daigle, a municipal law lawyer in Dieppe who's been working with municipalities and local planning commissions for more than 30 years.
Daigle said municipalities are left "in a vulnerable state because of the void that they have to fill themselves with the code of conduct."
The Nova Scotia code of conduct, bottom, is 3,971 words long while New Brunswick's, top, is 898 words. (Sam Farley/CBC)
Because of this, there are minor variations among the codes of New Brunswick councils.
The Nova Scotia code clocks in at 3,971 words, New Brunswick's has 898 words. Nova Scotia also mandates regular training on the new code for all elected officials, which is something the New Brunswick Union of Municipalities had called for.
For procedural fairness, the Nova Scotia code requires that a council member who is the subject of the complaint be given an opportunity to review and respond to information in an investigator's report. Details about who the investigator is and their contact must also be public.
And when imposing a sanction on a councillor, council must consider whether the member's contravention was intentional, a first-time offence, and whether the member has taken any steps to remedy the issue.
"And if they turn their mind to those factors, the hope, from what I can see, is that the sanctions will flow better," Daigle said. "And they'll be more measured if you take those things under consideration."
N.S. code includes clear outlines for transparency
Transparency is also a key focus of the Nova Scotia code. Once a council has acted on a complaint, it must publicly share what specific rule was broken, the investigator's recommendations and what sanctions were imposed.
In New Brunswick, a council must only make a report available to the complainant and the affected member of council. The council must review the report at a meeting and vote on a next step, but the meeting is allowed to be closed to the public if council deems the matter confidential.
"We're not really sure how to handle those investigations and at what point it becomes public and what details come out in public," Daigle said.
Heron Bay Mayor Normand Pelletier was suspended by council, which has not publicly stated the reason he was disciplined. (Radio-Canada)
By comparison, he described the Nova Scotia regulation as having "a fantastic framework."
He said the New Brunswick code should speak more to the process of a code of conduct investigation. Currently, the code says that there must be "a fair and impartial process for investigation."
"What is a fair and impartial process for an investigation? Don't leave municipalities guessing how to draft these. We have 72 municipalities, you're going to have 72 versions of the bylaw."
CBC News requested an interview with the Department of Local Government but one was not provided.
When asked why New Brunswick doesn't have requirements similar to Nova Scotia's, a spokesperson did not answer the question and instead said it is up to the discretion of each province and territory to establish regulations "as they best see fit."
Local Government Minister Aaron Kennedy told CBC News in April that it's best for councils to handle their disciplinary process with little interference from Fredericton.
'We need to be held to a certain standard,' N.S. official says
Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood, the president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities, said the association spent two years helping draft the new legislation.
She said it was important the code of conduct be the same across the province because it was confusing to have something be outlawed in one municipality but allowed in a neighbouring municipality.
"We're here to serve the public," Mood said.
"And so sometimes we need help, not because everybody's dishonest, but because we need to know what the rules are and where we can go."
Before the new policy was enacted, Mood said, she would hear about councils having code of conduct violations "all the time."
Yarmouth
Mayor Pam wood, the president of the Nova Scotia Federation of
Municipalities, says it's important to have a code of conduct that's the
same across the province. (Paul Poirier/CBC)
"You have people screaming at each other … at a table where they were elected together to be a team, treating each other like they're the enemy," she said.
"It's childish and there's no need for it. You know, that type of behaviour is not power. It's exactly the opposite."
As for the transparency provisions of the new code, Mood said the public deserves to know what their elected officials are doing.
"Tell us if somebody's misbehaving, did I elect that person?" she said.
"It's not about making somebody look bad or punishing someone. We need to be held to a certain standard."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Droit JURIS Law
Dieppe, E1A 1P5, CA
T: (506) 830-2526
F: (506) 852-4264
Mayor Pam Mood
In Office: 2012 – present
Pam is now serving her fourth term as the Mayor of what she describes as the best piece of real estate on earth – Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. In 1984, after graduating from Acadia University with a Political Science Degree, Pam joined the RCMP as a Civilian Member and did training in Regina for her position with the Yarmouth Drug Section. She left in 2001 after 18 years of service and opened her company, Mood Consulting. Pam began her Masters of Divinity at Asbury Theological Seminary out of Kentucky and spent many years as women's ministries leader in her hometown church. Pam is a professional speaker and leadership expert who delivers workshops and keynotes internationally on topics such as leadership, communications, community engagement and more. A firm believer in the power of positive leadership in turning things around, Pam stepped up to run for the Mayor’s seat in 2012 and is humbled and honoured to serve the community she believes so much in. Pam is married to Joe and they have three grown children.
Current Committee Appointments
100 Women Who Care, Founding Member
Board of Directors, Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
Committee of the Whole
FCM Municipal Finance & Intergovernmental Arrangements
FCM Municipal Infrastructure & Transportation Policy
Mariners Centre Expansion
Mayor’s Task Team, Chair
MIT-REAP (Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program), Team Lead
One Nova Scotia – 2nd Five Years
Planning Advisory
Police Advisory
REMO Executive Committee
Rural Innovation District, Chair
Sister City Advisory Committee
Yarmouth & Area Chamber of Commerce (Honorary Member)
Yarmouth & Area Industrial Commission
Yarmouth Recreation
Expenses
Contact Information
Cell: (902) 749-6442
Office: (902) 742-8565
Email: mayor.mood@townofyarmouth.ca
Facebook: Mayor Pam Mood
Twitter: @PamMood
Mayor at centre of mining spat relieved of duties for explosive comments
Normand Pelletier has been relieved of his duties following comments he made in an interview with The Logic earlier this year
MONTREAL — The town council of Heron Bay, New Brunswick, voted unanimously to relieve Mayor Normand Pelletier of his duties for a code of conduct violation after he told The Logic that members of the council “don’t have a fucking clue what they’re doing.”
Heron Bay, formerly known as Dalhousie, has been embroiled in a years-long debate over the mining of pozzolan, a silica-rich deposit that reduces the carbon footprint of cement when used in the curing process. Pelletier, who has served as Heron Bay’s mayor since 2016, made the comments in reference to members of the town council who opposed the mine project.
A mining project that would tap the estimated $300-million deposit in Heron Bay has split the town of roughly 3,200 people into pro- and anti-mine camps. In March, The Logic published a story detailing the at times violent clashes between the two sides, with jobs and potential harmful effects on the environment in the balance.
Councillor Ken Chartrand, who opposes the mine, filed an official complaint in March based on Pelletier’s comments, according to two sources who requested anonymity in order to speak freely. In a council meeting Wednesday, councillor Lisa Pelletier, who is not related to the mayor, introduced a motion saying a member had breached the town’s code-of-conduct bylaw and that the town had “agreed upon appropriate sanctions in response to the breach.”
Both Chartrand and Pelletier recused themselves when the code of conduct complaint was tabled. The remaining councillors voted in favour. Chartrand returned to the meeting following the vote; Pelletier didn’t.
Reached by phone, Chartrand declined to comment. Pelletier didn’t respond to an interview request.
Deputy Mayor Denis McIntyre wouldn’t comment on the substance of the complaint against Pelletier or the length of the mayor’s suspension. “The only comment I can make is that I will take on the mayor’s functions for an indeterminate period,” McIntyre said.
A town bylaw prohibits council members from using “indecent, abusive or insulting words or expressions toward another member.” Anyone found guilty of violating the bylaw is subject to a three-month suspension for the first offence.
Quebec-based EcoRock Dalhousie is behind the 30-year, $300-million mining project, which would see the extraction, transformation and shipping of pozzolan out of Heron Bay. The project would create 300 direct and indirect well-paying jobs, according to EcoRock general manager Francis Forlini.
Yet many Heron Bay locals are wary of the project, saying the mine would cause air pollution and other environmental degradation. Much of the debate has taken place online via Facebook groups, though it has also spilled into the streets.
Last fall, the mine site was vandalized, while a mine opponent was assaulted months later. In December, Pelletier cancelled town council meetings for the month of January 2025, blaming alleged “bitching and complaining” by the anti-mine contingent.
The $300-million discovery that tore a small Canadian town apart
Guy Rousseau was sitting in his home office in Rimouski, Que., when he made a $300-million discovery. It was December 2019 and Rousseau was in the third act of a career that had taken him from working in his father’s tombstone shop to spearheading the construction of one of the largest cement factories in North America a half-century later.
Les sanctions envers les élus municipaux doivent être publiques, dit un avocat
André Daigle est avocat en droit municipal.
Photo : Radio-Canada
On
devrait trouver trois choses : [premièrement] que l’enquête est finie
et que le conseil doit considérer le rapport sur lequel se fonde
l’enquête.
On
va y retrouver le nom de l’élu : c’est la deuxième chose. La troisième
chose, c’est que la sanction ou les sanctions que le conseil peut
imposer doivent être passées par le conseil.
Il explique également que certaines municipalités n'ont pas encore ajusté leur code de déontologie à la suite de changements adoptés en 2024.
Plusieurs municipalités fonctionnent sur le vieux régime, c’est-à-dire celui adopté en 2017-18.
Baie-des-Hérons respecte-t-elle la loi?
Le conseil municipal de Baie-des-Hérons a donné très peu de détails sur la suspension de son maire.
Le 20 mai, le conseil a adopté une résolution qui annonçait qu'il allait sanctionner un de ses membres après avoir déterminé à huis clos qu’une infraction au code de déontologie avait été commise.
Le maire Normand Pelletier a été suspendu par le conseil municipal.
Photo : Radio-Canada
Le conseil a convenu de sanctions appropriées en réponse à cette infraction
sans les définir, peut-on lire dans la motion.
Interpellé par une citoyenne lors de la séance municipale suivante, le 16 juin, le maire adjoint n’a pas voulu dire si la suspension était avec ou sans salaire ni pour combien de temps.
Vous allez être au courant plus tard, quand le maire Normand Pelletier va revenir
, a-t-il ensuite indiqué en entrevue. Selon lui, ce dossier est confidentiel
.
Le maire suppléant Denis McIntyre.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Réal Fradette
Le maire par intérim, Denis McIntyre, donne pour la première fois un peu plus d'informations sur ce qui s'est passé. Il explique que la suspension est arrivée après une enquête interne déclenchée à la suite d'une plainte formulée début mai.
Il justifie le mutisme de la Municipalité en assurant qu'il faut faire attention à ne pas divulguer trop d'informations publiques
.
Interrogé
pour savoir si la Municipalité respecte la loi, Denis McIntyre assure
que la Municipalité a observé son code de conduite adopté en 2022. On
suit notre code, on suit notre recommandation de notre avocat. Si y a
eu des changements et qu’on n'était pas au courant, on va vérifier.
Il se dit prêt à révéler plus d'informations si la loi le requiert.
Sanction sévère
Le code de déontologie du conseil municipal de Baie-des-Hérons étaye les différents niveaux de sanctions possibles envers un élu.
Elles peuvent aller de la lettre de réprimande à la suspension de son rôle, avec ou sans salaire.
L'hôtel de ville de Baie-des-Hérons.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Réal Fradette
En choisissant de suspendre le maire Normand Pelletier, les conseillers ont jugé qu’il fallait imposer une des sanctions les plus sévères en réponse à la faute déontologique qui demeure inconnue du public.
Baie-des-Hérons a indiqué ne pas pouvoir dire la durée de la suspension. Toutefois, celle-ci ne peut pas dépasser trois mois, selon la Loi sur la Commission de la gouvernance locale.
Silence radio du reste de la classe politique
Personne ne veut s'avancer dans ce dossier, que ce soit la province ou les associations municipales, qui évitent de dire si elles sont préoccupées par la suspension du maire Normand Pelletier.
Il est préférable de s'adresser au gouvernement local
, répond le ministère des Gouvernements locaux.
De son côté, la Commission de la gouvernance locale indique qu'elle ne commente pas des situations particulières ou des scénarios hypothétiques
.
À lire aussi :
On ne peut pas commenter de cas précis
, enchaîne l’Association des municipalités francophones du Nouveau-Brunswick.
L’Union des municipalités du Nouveau-Brunswick explique que son directeur général n’est pas disponible avant la semaine prochaine pour discuter de cette question.
Cette situation relève d’un enjeu purement municipal
, affirme pour sa part l’équipe de Guy Arseneault, le député libéral local.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Alix Villeneuve
Le Téléjournal Atlantique
Mayor shouted down as residents voice loud disapproval of mine project.
No sooner had Heron Bay Mayor Normand Pelletier cast a deciding vote Monday evening on a proposed mine in Dalhousie, the dozens of people who had been in attendance to oppose the project voiced their disapproval.
“You’re a traitor,” yelled one attendee while another called him a coward, while many waved cardboard signs saying “no mine.
Council chambers were packed for the meeting, where council deliberated on a proposed quarry to mine pozzolan – volcanic rock that is used in making cement.
While only six people had formally requested to speak, all voicing their disapproval for the project, others in the gallery shouted over top of the proceedings.
“We don’t want this mine here, it’s not worth it,” yelled one woman.
Former town councillor Gail Fearon, who unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Heron Bay in the November 2022 election, was one of those who spoke formally. She said council has not been forthcoming with details of the project.
“This has been done with no public input whatsoever,” she said. “Ever since this project was announced and people came forward with concerns earlier this year, council has done little to inform us what the status is … a project of this magnitude should not be undertaken without public consultation.”
Others who spoke brought up concerns the proposed development could have on the environment, tourism, the local economy and the health of nearby residents.
“Yes, this project could bring in some jobs, but at what price?” said a lifelong Dalhousie resident Nicole Robicaud, a nurse of more than 30 years. “Social security and jobs should not come at the cost of the health of our residents.”
Councillors Ken Chartrand, Cynthia Good-Cormier and Lisa Pelletier voted against the development in the western end of Dalhousie, while councillors Jean-Robert Hache, Denis McIntyre and Leigh Walsh voted in favour, meaning Mayor Pelletier had to cast a tie-breaking vote.
Council will now ask the planners from the Restigouche Regional Service Commission for its views in advance of a public hearing set for Sept. 23, where residents are invited to bring their questions and voice opinions on the proposed development. It will take place at the LER Theatre.
Previously, a spokesperson for the project said there are few risks involved in mining pozzolan.
“The Dalhousie quarry has been in operation for over 75 years and there is no visible sign that this type of operation could contaminate the area or pose a risk to the people who work there or around,” said Réjean Carrier, the president of Carboniq Inc. “The entire town of Dalhousie (Heron Bay) up to Dalhousie Junction is built on this rock formation, and several wells take their water from it and no community health problems linked to this rock formation have been reported.”
Part of the land on which the mine could be based is currently used as a quarry operated by LCL Excavation.
“I understand the importance of tourism to many here,” said LCL’s CEO Jean-Philippe Levesque. “However, I believe a project, if done correctly, will not harm tourism. Tourism and industry can coexist.”
He said since he became CEO more than four years ago, he is unaware of any complaints about the quarry’s operation, which is on the western edge of the former Dalhousie town limits and has been there for years.
“As it was stated many times, the Dalhousie Mountain peak trail is, and will be, accessible with no negative visual impact. The quarry part of the project would not be visible, unless you are within the site.”
In casting the deciding vote, Mayor Pelletier said it will benefit the town to see the project through.
“I am doing this for the economic future of our town,” he said. “We need more good-paying jobs.”
Town Hall
Meet the town council members
Councillor Ward 1
Finance and General Government
Cynthia Good Cormier
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Aug 29, 2024 at 1:16 PM
Subject: Fwd: I tried to talk to you folks corret???
To: <kim.chamberlain@bathurst.ca>, Rene.Legacy <Rene.Legacy@gnb.ca>, <normandpelletierpc@outlook.com>, guy.arseneault <guy.arseneault@gnb.ca>
Cc: Jacques.Poitras <Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca>
Northern mayors say they'd be strong voices in a PC government
Higgs, PC candidates say election a chance for region to wield more influence on road decisions, other issues
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Dec 4, 2021 at 2:06 PM
Subject: I tried to talk to you folks corret???
To: <kim.chamberlain@bathurst.ca>, <rickey.hondas@bathurst.ca>, <Stephen.Legacy@bathurst.ca>, <Jean-Francois.Leblanc@
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
https://www.bathurst.ca/city-
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2017 08:02:43 -0400
Subject: Well Mr Stever we spoke once again long ago Now I will argue
your City Solicitor Johanne Theriault and her buddies working for the
Crown
To: paolo.fongemie@bathurst.ca, lee.stever@bathurst.ca,
johanne.theriault@bathurst.ca, bernard.cormier@bathurst.ca,
shawn.delong@rci.rogers.com, michael.diotte@rci.rogers.com,
"Larry.Tremblay" <Larry.Tremblay@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
<jan.jensen@justice.gc.ca>, "mike.obrienfred"
<mike.obrienfred@gmail.com>, oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>, nmoore
<nmoore@bellmedia.ca>, gopublic <gopublic@cbc.ca>,
rjgillis@gmglaw.com, curtis <curtis@marinerpartners.com>,
"leanne.murray" <leanne.murray@mcinnescooper.
<Leanne.Fitch@fredericton.ca>, david <david@lutz.nb.ca>,
francis.sonier@acadienouvelle.
<Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>, city@bathurst.ca, city.police@bathurst.ca,
PREMIER@gov.ns.ca, jamiebaillie@gov.ns.ca, justmin@gov.ns.ca,
StephenMcNeil@ns.aliantzinc.ca
"Jacques.Poitras" <Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca>, "steve.murphy"
<steve.murphy@ctv.ca>, premier <premier@gnb.ca>, briangallant10
<briangallant10@gmail.com>, "brian.gallant" <brian.gallant@gnb.ca>,
"David.Coon" <David.Coon@gnb.ca>, "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
mcgratst@gov.ns.ca, craigpj@gov.ns.ca, hansence@gov.ns.ca,
Jennifer.MacLellan@novascotia.
Lynne.Watt@gowlings.com
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2017 17:00:53 -0400
Subject: Fwd: YO Mr Gillis You are too funny and far and away too greedy
To: paolo.fongemie@bathurst.ca, lee.stever@bathurst.ca
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2017 17:30:32 -0400
Subject: YO Mr Gillis You are too funny and far and away too greedy
To: rjgillis@gmglaw.com, curtis <curtis@marinerpartners.com>,
"leanne.murray" <leanne.murray@mcinnescooper.
<Leanne.Fitch@fredericton.ca>, david <david@lutz.nb.ca>,
francis.sonier@acadienouvelle.
<Robert.Jones@cbc.ca>, city@bathurst.ca, city.police@bathurst.ca,
"steve.murphy" <steve.murphy@ctv.ca>, nmoore <nmoore@bellmedia.ca>,
oldmaison <oldmaison@yahoo.com>
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
"mike.obrienfred" <mike.obrienfred@gmail.com>
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/
Rod Gillis sues 2 cities and 2 officers over 'wrongful' obstruction conviction
Saint John lawyer seeks damages in lawsuit against Bathurst,
Fredericton, Andre Comeau and Mark Lord
CBC News Posted: Feb 20, 2017 6:06 PM AT
rominent Saint John lawyer Rod Gillis is suing two police officers and
two municipalities, alleging he was wrongfully convicted of
obstruction of justice in 2013, because of their negligence.
Gillis filed a notice of action and statement of claim against
Bathurst Police Force officer Andre Comeau, Fredericton Police Force
officer Mark Lord, and the City of Bathurst and the City of
Fredericton as their employers.
Gillis is seeking special damages for loss of income and legal costs,
as well as general damages for future loss of income, "including loss
of reputation and loss of clients," and for emotional distress,
according to the notice filed Jan. 31 with the Court of Queen's Bench
in Saint John.
Rod Gillis freed in obstruction of justice case
The lawsuit stems from an obstruction of justice allegation against
Gillis, dating back to 2009.
The veteran lawyer with Gilbert McGloan Gillis was accused of
attempting to stop a witness from testifying against one of his
clients.
Gillis was representing former Liberal MLA Frank Branch in a civil
lawsuit against the North Shore Forest Products Marketing Board, as
well as on criminal charges of fraud and extortion.
The manager of the marketing board, Alain Landry, alleged Gillis
approached him during a break in proceedings at the Bathurst
courthouse and offered a deal. He alleged Gillis had said to him,
"They're your witnesses, make sure they don't testify and the Crown
won't have a case."
'Being charged, arrested, and wrongfully convicted of obstruction
of justice have caused him damage and loss.'
- Rod Gillis, statement of claim
Gillis was charged with obstruction on Nov. 25, 2011, found guilty on
Jan. 31, 2013, and sentenced to 22 months in jail.
But the New Brunswick Court of Appeal quashed his conviction on Sept.
9, 2014, and ordered a new trial, citing errors of fact and law by
trial Judge Irwin Lampert that "combined to deprive [Gillis] of a fair
trial," and "resulted in a miscarriage of justice."
The Crown sought to have that decision reviewed by the Supreme Court
of Canada but was denied.
In November 2015, when the retrial was set to begin, the charge
against Gillis was dropped. Crown prosecutor Peter Craig told the
court new evidence had come forward and there was no reasonable
prospect of a conviction.
Improper investigation alleged
"Had the defendant Comeau and the defendant Lord conducted a proper
investigation, the charges against [Gillis] would either never have
been brought or would have been dropped prior to trial," Gillis argues
in his statement of claim.
"In the alternative, if the charges against [Gillis] had been brought
to trial after a proper investigation, the charges would have been
resolved in his favour."
Gillis contends the City of Bathurst is "vicariously liable" for
failing to properly supervise Comeau and the City of Fredericton is
"vicariously liable" for failing ot properly supervise Lord or appoint
a more experienced investigator.
"Being charged, arrested, and wrongfully convicted of obstruction of
justice have caused him damage and loss," he wrote.
None of Gillis's claims have been proven in court.
No statements of defence have yet been filed.
Case transferred to Fredericton
In the statement of claim, Gillis says Comeau handled the initial
complaint by Landry and failed to obtain a recorded statement.
The Bathurst Police Force later transferred the complaint to the
Fredericton Police Force because of Bathurst's involvement with the
prosecution of Branch.
Lord was assigned as lead investigator on or about Feb. 2, 2010.
Gillis claims Lord was a polygraphist, who "lacked the investigative
experience or skills" to handle the case and that there were material
errors in the information Comeau gave to Lord and/or in Lord's
understanding of the information.
He also alleges when Lord took a statement from Landry on Feb. 23,
2010, he failed to ask him "obvious and critical follow-up questions,"
which would "be essential to assessing Landry's credibility and
reliability and establishing what really happened."
Similarly, Gillis alleges Lord failed to ask the marketing board's
lawyer, David Young, "obvious follow-up questions" about his
conversation with Landry regarding the alleged deal, and failed to ask
Linda Gould-MacDonald, the executive director of the New Brunswick
Forest Products Commission, about her observations of the meeting
between Gillis and Landry.
Settlement offer 'completely proper and legal'
Gillis contends he handed Landry a handwritten note titled "Offer to
Settle" in the Bathurst courthouse hallway, and explained to Landry a
possible settlement of the civil matter.
He says he also indicated that if the civil matter could be settled,
he would attempt to negotiate with prosecutors to have them offer no
evidence at Branch's criminal trial, the court document states.
"The Crown offering no evidence is a common and proper method for
resolving criminal charges in favour of an accused and is similar to
dropping charges but prevents the Crown from recharging the offence,"
Gillis argues in the statement of claim.
He says he never suggested that Landry or the board would have any
role in resolving the criminal charges.
"The settlement proposal was, in fact, completely proper and legal,"
Gillis contends.
"If the defendant Lord had sought informed opinions on the matter, he
would have realized that the plaintiff's written and verbal offers to
Landry were an accepted way of resolving, or attempting to resolve,
the proceedings."
Gillis alleges the first opportunity he was given to provide his
version of events was when he was arrested on Sept. 9, 2011 — about 21
months after the alleged offence.
"In his mind, the discussion in the hallway with Landry on Dec. 10,
2009 had been a routine and unremarkable settlement offer and he had
thought little of it since it was never mentioned again until his
arrest," according to the statement of claim.
http://gmglaw.com/service/
Rodney J. Gillis, Q.C.
Title Counsel
22 King Street,
Saint John, NB
rjgillis@gmglaw.com
(506) 634-3600 ext. 302
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2017 15:30:48 -0400
Subject: Re RCMP class action lawsuits about the cops harassing each
other Perhaps I should Intervene EH Bill Pentney?
To: wjk@kimorr.ca, cetter@powerlaw.ca, gina.scarcella@justice.gc.ca,
Victoria.Yankou@justice.gc.ca, susanne.pereira@justice.gc.ca,
"bill.pentney" <bill.pentney@justice.gc.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>,
abespflug@callkleinlawyers.com
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
http://www.kimorr.ca/pdf/
Won J. Kim
Kim Orr Barristers P.C.
4th Flr. 19 Mercer St.
Toronto, Ontario M5V 1H2
Phone: 416-349-6570
Fax: 416-598-0601
Email: wjk@kimorr.ca
Gina M. Scarcella Senior Counsel
Justice Canada
Public Safety & Defence Div., PO Box 36
3400-130 King St. W.
Toronto, Ontario M5X 1K6
Phone: 416-954-8111
Fax: 416-973-5004
Email: gina.scarcella@justice.gc.ca
Victoria C. Yankou
Phone: 416-952-7105
Susanne G. Pereira
Senior Counsel
Called to the bar: 1999 (ON); 2005 (BC)
Justice Canada
Public Safety, Defence & Immigration
900-840 Howe St.
Vancouver, British Columbia V6Z 2S9
Phone: 604-666-7710
Fax: 604-666-4399
Email: susanne.pereira@justice.gc.ca
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.
Intervention
Marginal note:Leave to intervene
109 (1) The Court may, on motion, grant leave to any person to
intervene in a proceeding.
Marginal note:Contents of notice of motion
(2) Notice of a motion under subsection (1) shall
(a) set out the full name and address of the proposed
intervener and of any solicitor acting for the proposed intervener;
and
(b) describe how the proposed intervener wishes to participate
in the proceeding and how that participation will assist the
determination of a factual or legal issue related to the proceeding.
Marginal note:Directions
(3) In granting a motion under subsection (1), the Court shall
give directions regarding
(a) the service of documents; and
(b) the role of the intervener, including costs, rights of
appeal and any other matters relating to the procedure to be followed
by the intervener.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2017 13:39:17 -0400
Subject: Re RCMP class action lawsuits about the cops harassing each other
To: mbm@kimorr.ca
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
http://www.kimorr.ca/index.
RCMP Class Action
January 17, 2017
On January 13, Justice McDonald of the Federal Court released reasons
certifying the action for settlement purposes. A copy of those reasons
can be read here. The Federal Court has scheduled the hearing of the
settlement approval motion for May 24, 2017 at 9:30 in Toronto. The
Notice of Certification and Settlement approval hearing is here. The
Notice in French is here. The opt out form is here.
On October 6, 2016, an historic settlement was reached in the systemic
harassment class actions brought against the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police by female RCMP employees. Under the proposed national
settlement, every single living current and former female regular
member, civilian member, and public service employee of the RCMP who
worked within the RCMP since 1974, and who experienced gender and/or
sexual orientation-based harassment and discrimination, will be
eligible to claim compensation, without fear of disclosing her
identity to the RCMP or of reprisals. The settlement is not effective
until approved by the Federal Court. Here is our press release from
today regarding this historic Settlement. To view the Federal Court
claim, click here.
To read more about this proposed Settlement, please go to
rcmpclassactionsettlement.ca.
On December 22, 2015, Justice Perell released reasons dismissing the
Crown’s motion to strike the statement of claim and confirming that
the pleading meets the s. 5(1)(a) cause of action criterion for
certification. To read a copy of the decision, please click here. The
balance of the certification motion, which was scheduled to be heard
May 26-27, 2016, has been adjourned.
Kim Orr Barristers is prosecuting a class action against the Attorney
General of Canada involving allegations of gender- and
sexual-orientation-based discrimination, bullying and harassment of
female Royal Canadian Mounted Police (the "RCMP") employees. The
action has been commenced in Ontario on behalf of all current or
former female regular members, civilian members and public service
employees of the RCMP in Canada, excluding persons resident in Quebec.
The claim alleges that men and women were, and are, treated
differently within the RCMP, and that female RCMP employees have been
subject to systemic discrimination, bullying and harassment on the
basis of their gender and/or sexual orientation. It also alleges that
the RCMP has failed to investigate, adjudicate and resolve conduct and
complaints about these issues, despite repeated reports over the years
about the problems within the organization.
The plaintiff is a former senior-level RCMP member who alleges that
she suffered discrimination, bullying and harassment throughout her
26-year RCMP career. The plaintiff alleges that as a result of this
treatment, she, as well as the other class members, suffered serious
injuries physical and emotional injuries, including post-traumatic
stress disorder, diminished self-worth, depression, and anxiety. The
claim also alleges that as a result of these systemic issues, female
RCMP employees have been denied training and promotions, and have even
taken early retirement or have left the organization.
The action seeks general, punitive and special damages for the
defendant's alleged failure to fulfill its statutory, common law and
contractual duties to provide female RCMP employees with a work
environment free of gender- and sexual-orientation-based
discrimination, bullying and harassment. The action also seeks damages
on behalf of family members of female RCMP employees who are entitled
to assert a claim under provincial legislation.
For more information on this case, please contact Megan B. McPhee at
mbm@kimorr.ca.
© 2017, Kim Orr Barristers P.C.
Suite 400, 19 Mercer Street Toronto, Ontario M5V 1H2 T 416.596.1414 F
416.598.0601
info@kimorr.ca Copyright Information & Disclaimer Privacy Policy
http://www.cbc.ca/news/
RCMP to face new class-action harassment lawsuit, this time on behalf
of male employees
Current and former members allege they were physically intimidated,
denied promotions, belittled and bullied
By Alison Crawford, CBC News Posted: Oct 25, 2016 8:35 PM ET
The RCMP will soon face another class-action harassment lawsuit — this
time on behalf of male Mounties and civilian employees of the force.
Earlier this month, the federal government and the RCMP set aside $100
million to settle an estimated 1,000 cases of female employees being
harassed and bullied at work.
CBC News has learned that one of the law firms that represented those
women is preparing to bring another suit for men — which could
potentially be much bigger given that men make up roughly 80 per cent
of the RCMP's workforce.
Mounties offer apology and $100M compensation for harassment,
abuse against female members
'This is a way for everybody to heal': ex-Mountie on RCMP compensation
External body needed to probe workplace complaints, senior Mountie says
"We've spoken with hundreds of members, and we're contacted by new
members every day," said lawyer Megan McPhee of Kim Orr Barristers in
Toronto, who has been working on the case for years. "The stories are
very consistent. We're told that there is a culture of bullying and
harassment within the force, and one of the regular issues that we
hear is a fear of speaking out, a fear of reprisals."
Cpl. Michael Mansoor, who's due to be medically discharged in January,
says he was diagnosed with PTSD after what he alleges was years of
harassment at the hands of his colleagues and superiors.
He says it started in 2001, when he was posted to his hometown of
Richmond, B.C., where his brother was in conflict with the law. It
wasn't long before Mansoor said he found his duties restricted.
"I was banned from any work section in the detachment except for
general duty and traffic because they acknowledged that there might be
a conflict," said Mansoor.
Wrongly accused of sexual assault
Despite pleas for a transfer, he says his superiors stuck to the local
convention that a member must serve five years in the detachment
before being moved.
Documents obtained under the Access to Information Act suggest
officers were suspicious of his family ties. Eventually, Mansoor found
himself suspended with pay and under investigation for what he alleges
are two trumped-up internal disciplinary charges.
Furthermore, due to a clerical error, Mansoor was also initially
accused of sexual assault.
"There was a minor glitch with [Mansoor's] security suspension
document service this morning," reads an internal email about
Mansoor's disciplinary charges. "There is a reference to a 'sexual
assault'.... It was our conclusion that HQ Ottawa had screwed up the
paperwork. Seems likely that they took a previous form letter,
re-tooled it for [Mansoor's] case and did not remove a phrase that did
not apply in this case."
As for the two other allegations, they later proved unfounded.
Whisper campaign
Over time, Mansoor says the ongoing whisper campaign and harassment
made him ill.
"There comes actually a point where you start to look at yourself and
go, 'Am I bringing this on myself? Because surely it's not this
widespread in an organization,'" Mansoor said.
Retired sergeant Hugo Desrochers says he knows exactly how that feels.
Retired Sgt. Hugo Desrochers
Retired sergeant Hugo Desrochers alleges that during his employment
with the RCMP he was stripped of responsibility, belittled in front of
colleagues and denied opportunities to develop his career. (Provided
by Desrochers)
He left the force last year after 26 years in a job he says, for the
most part, he loved. He was making his way up the ranks and working
towards another promotion, he says, but that came to a halt near the
end of his career when management changed at the RCMP detachment in
Cornwall, Ont.
"[I] started covering my back. Started taking notes to make sure I was
not going to be hung out to dry," Desrochers said.
Years of meticulous notes document allegations of being micromanaged,
stripped of his responsibilities, belittled in front of colleagues for
taking initiative and denied opportunities to further develop his
career.
The worst incident, according to Desrochers, was when the inspector
refused to sign off on his application to serve in Kosovo due to
shortcomings with his performance. Yet Desrochers says all his boss
managed to come up with, after repeated requests for specifics, was a
late overtime claim.
Retired Sgt. Hugo Desrochers
Desrochers, right, seen here on a marijuana bust in British Columbia
early in his career. (Provided by Desrochers)
"It takes a toll on you because you start questioning yourself...and
then you're not good," an emotional Desrochers told CBC News.
Desrochers welcomes the lawsuit.
"If nobody comes forward to say there's a problem, how are they going
to know there's a problem. Is it just me sitting here? No."
Belittled, physically intimidated
It's not just men in uniform who allege they've been harassed.
Garth Caron worked as a public servant from 2005 to 2015, doing
administrative work in detachments in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Caron
says his first experience with harassment was when a few Mounties took
issue with him being gay and subjected him to a number of pranks.
"I came in one morning to my workstation and I noticed a number of
female items on my desk — boxes of tampons and things like that — and
it kind of struck me as odd as to why they would have been left
there," he said.
At another detachment, Caron said a sergeant questioned his Métis
status, belittled him in front of colleagues and tried to physically
intimidate him. The union got involved and Caron says he agreed, while
under a great deal of duress, to retire before he was ready to leave
the workforce.
It's no secret the RCMP has a bullying problem. Commissioner Bob
Paulson has said so himself. In a 2012 interview with CBC News,
Paulson conceded that he too had been harassed at work.
"I think in the day, if you weren't sort of in line with your
officer's expectations or consistent with his or her vision of where
the organization was going, then you were pushed aside," he said. "And
it's a very uncomfortable feeling and a very destructive feeling, and
it doesn't speak to a transparent, ethical, organization."
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2017 08:00:47 -0400
Subject: Re Federal Court File No. T-1557-15 and the QMPMA application
for a class action lawsuit against the RCMP byway of the CROWN
To: assoc.mpmq@gmail.com, fsimedia@videotron.ca,
charles.mancer@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, james@dugganavocats.ca,
Serge.Bilodeau@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Cc: David Amos <david.raymond.amos@gmail.com>
<Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "Gilles.Blinn"
<Gilles.Blinn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "dale.drummond"
<dale.drummond@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>
<bernadine.chapman@rcmp-grc.
<Paulette.Delaney-Smith@rcmp-
<Dale.Morgan@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>
Perhaps we should talk ASAP?
Veritas Vincit
David Raymond Amos
902 800 0369
https://ampmq.ca/class-action-
https://mancer.
The Application for certification of a class action on behalf of all
members of the RCMP (past and present) arose from the many members
coming forward with their long-standing stories of harassment, abuse
and discrimination experienced while working in the RCMP. These are
stories that span many decades and point to a culture of bullying,
harassment and discrimination in the RCMP.
https://mancer.
https://ampmq.ca/en/
President Serge Bilodeau
Vice-President Charles Mancer
Quebec Mounted Police Members’ Association (QMPMA)
Post Office Box 154
Westmount, Quebec, Canada
H3Z 2T2
Phone: (450) 291-4458
assoc.mpmq@gmail.com
1699 Rue Principale,
Saint-Blaise-sur-Richelieu,
Quebec, J0J 1W0
Media relations
Frederic Serre
Media relations officer
Phone: (438) 875-4217
fsimedia@videotron.ca
http://www.dugganavocats.ca/
James Duggan:
Windsor Station
1100 Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montreal (West)
Suite 900
Montreal, QC, Canada, H3B 2S2
Phone: (514) 879-1459
Fax: (514) 879-5648
Email james@dugganavocats.ca
http://thedavidamosrant.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Lisa Porteous <lporteous@kleinlyons.com>
Date: Thu, 6 Jun 2013 14:46:22 +0000
Subject: RCMP
To: David Amos <motomaniac333@gmail.com>
David,
Thank you for your email inquiring about our class action against the
RCMP. As you may know, the Notice of Claim was filed in the British
Columbia Supreme Court on March 27, 2012. The lawsuit has been
brought by former RCMP constable Janet Merlo on behalf of female RCMP
members. Unfortunately, we cannot assist you with your claim.
We recommend that you contact Mr. Barry Carter of Mair Jensen Blair
LLP to discuss any claim you may have against the RCMP for harassment.
His contact information is as follows:
Mr. Barry Carter
Mair Jensen Blair LLP
1380-885 W. Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 3E8
Phone: 604-682-6299
Fax 1-604-374-6992
This is not intended to be an opinion concerning the merits of your
case. In declining to represent you, we are not expressing an opinion
as to whether you should take further action in this matter.
You should be aware that there may be strict time limitations within
which you must act in order to protect your rights. Failure to begin
your lawsuit by filing an action within the required time may mean
that you could be barred forever from pursuing a claim. Therefore, you
should immediately contact another lawyer ( as indicated above) to
obtain legal advice/representation.
Thank you again for considering our firm.
Yours truly,
Lisa Porteous
Case Manager/Paralegal
lporteous@kleinlyons.com
www.kleinlyons.com
KLEIN ∙ LYONS
Suite 400-1385 West 8th Avenue
Vancouver BC V6H 3V9 Canada
Office 604.874.7171
Fax 604.874.7180
Direct 604.714.6533
This email is confidential and may be protected by solicitor-client
privilege. It is intended only for the use of the person to whom it is
addressed. Any distribution, copying or other use by anyone else is
strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please
telephone us immediately and destroy this e-mail.
Please consider the environment before printing this email.
https://carboniq.com/en/The leadership team
At our helm is a leadership team with a wealth of experience in R&D management, technology assessment, and the development and delivery of major industrial projects.
Réjean Carrier
Strategic Development
In almost four decades as a professional engineer, Réjean has carried out many large-scale industrial projects, gaining experience in both corporate and project management.
A large part of his career has been spent developing and delivering megaprojects, often involving sensitive social and environmental issues. He has acquired extensive expertise working on aluminum smelters, mining projects and the associated ore-processing plants, and hydropower facilities, both as proponent and implementation consultant.
His wide-ranging professional experience in key management positions, as well as his excellent grasp of business case drivers, allows him to make good use of his broad array of skills, which are especially well suited to project settings.
Réjean earned his bachelor’s degree in geological engineering at Université Laval.
Christian Carrier
Technology and Innovation
Christian, a scientist and engineer, brings close to 40 years of experience in the fields of defence and security R&D, including 25 years in strategic and operational program direction.
His broad skill set extends from managing large multidisciplinary teams of scientists to innovation management.
In facing numerous challenges throughout his professional career, he has developed a unique expertise in program planning and management, often involving international cooperation or collaboration with industry, academia and institutions. Moreover, his know-how encompasses innovation and technology transfer.
Christian holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Université Laval.
Nicole Guay
Corporate Affairs
Nicole has over 35 years of experience in not only the delivery of major industrial projects, but in information technology and consulting services.
Her solid expertise in management, as well as starting up and organizing new business units, was acquired both in Canada and abroad. In addition to her involvement in major aluminum smelters and hydropower projects, she has also been active in IT sales and in the analysis and improvement of business processes.
Nicole has the ability to see the whole picture and uses her communication skills to inspire and rally stakeholders around a common goal.
Nicole is a graduate of Université Laval, with a bachelor’s degree in information technology.
Photo prise devant la chaufferie à la biomasse de Carbonaxion Bioénergies
De gauche à droite: Réjean Carrier, Président de Carbonaxion Bioénergies; Claude Lebel, Maire de Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury; Dominique Deschênes, Directrice générale des opérations, TEQ; Hugues Lavoie, Propriétaire, Le Nordique spa Stoneham; Jonatan Julien, Ministre de l’Énergie et des Ressources naturelles du Québec et ministre responsable de la région de la Côte-Nord; Sylvain Lévesque, Député de Chauveau; Michel Beaulieu, Préfet de la MRC de La Jacques-Cartier et maire de Lac-Beauport - Photo: Carbonaxion Bioénergies.
Source:
Nicole Guay, Affaires corporatives et communications
Carbonaxion Bioénergies Inc.
nicole.guay@carbonaxion.com
Tél: (514) 781-1797
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Oct 2, 2024 at 4:41 PM
Subject: Mr Carrier we just talked Correct?
To: <rejean.carrier@carboniq.com>
Cc: <guy.rousseau@cimbec.ca>
Wednesday 2 October 2024
Mine expansion would give Dalhousie community a 'black eye,' residents fear
Mine expansion would give Dalhousie community a 'black eye,' residents fear
Company behind pozzolan mine says project is in 'conceptual' stage, but it has already bought land
Hundreds of residents of Heron Bay in northern New Brunswick are worried about plans to turn a quarry into a massive mining operation within municipal boundaries just 200 metres from a school.
It was standing room only at two public meetings recently as people asked a mining company questions such as: "Does this create dust … that would spread in the bay or in the town of Dalhousie?" and "Have you ever thought about the people who have wells up there?"
Quebec-based companies Carboniq Inc. and Cimbec Canada Inc. have come together to form EcoRock, which hopes to greatly expand a quarry already in the Dalhousie community into an open mine.
The material being extracted is pozzolan, a low-carbon alternative to the cement now used in the creation of concrete. The company's goal is to process the material at a local plant, then export it around the world, using the nearby port and rail lines.
A
resident of the Dalhousie area asks a question to general manager
Francis Forlini at a recent public meeting about the proposed mine
expansion. (Victoria Walton/CBC)
With a population of about 3,000, Dalhousie amalgamated with nearby Charlo in 2023 to form Heron Bay.
The community has faced economic hardship in recent years after the closure of three major industries — a paper mill, a chemical plant and a power generating station.
Francis Forlini, the EcoRock Dalhousie general manager, said the project would create up to 168 permanent jobs.
Proposed mine expansion raises tension in northern N.B. community
"We're really at the start of the project," he said. "Right now the project is very conceptual."
Pozzolan is a 400-million-year-old volcanic ash now being considered as a way to lower emissions in the production of the binder needed for concrete. For the cement now being used, a mixture of limestone and clay goes into a kiln, where it decomposes under high heat. The process produces greenhouse gas emissions, but with pozzolan, this step is avoided.
EcoRock has purchased the quarry and surrounding land, along with the West Wharf and nearby railway.
Pozzolan
is a type of volcanic rock formed by layers of ash. Four hundred
million years ago, Sugarloaf Mountain in nearby Campbellton was a
volcano. (Alexandre Silberman/CBC)
Forlini said he believes the expansion of the quarry could see the amount of pozzolan extracted go from 55,000 tonnes each year to three million tonnes.
"Maybe in December or November 2025, maybe sooner if everything goes really, really well, maybe later if it takes longer," he said.
"So it's really hard to say, but we're in no rush. We want to do things right to make sure that we become a good neighbour."
Never zoned for a mine
Federal and provincial approvals will be needed at different stages of the project.
At the municipal level, Heron Bay Mayor Norman Pelletier said the existing rock quarry has operated as a non-conforming use within Dalhousie town boundaries but an expansion can't move ahead without the area being rezoned.
The Heron Bay municipality recently passed first reading of a zoning bylaw amendment that would give it the authority to allow, deny or put stipulations on a mine or quarry in the area. Pelletier voted to break the tie vote of 3-3. Council decided to delay the second and third reading until 2025.
"It gives us a voice," Pelletier said. "We could say that the company who wants to establish a mine in our town, you're going to have to follow all the criteria."
"We as a municipality can say, well, you're not going to be driving on our roads with your trucks. We want a conveyor system, we want silos. We don't want no dust."
EcoRock said the next steps include a feasibility study and an environmental impact study on top of the environmental "survey" that's already been completed.
Pelletier, who's also the provincial Progressive Conservative candidate in Restigouche East, has not yet decided whether to support the mine.
"There's still a lot of obstacles in the way. I'm not going to say yes or no until we hear all the facts," Pelletier said.
"I'm pro whatever development's going to come to our region. I'm not going to deny that. But I want to see the whole package laid out in front of me."
Norman
Pelletier, the mayor of Heron Bay and a Progressive Conservative
election candidate, hasn't made up his mind about the project. (Victoria Walton/CBC)
If the mine does expand, it would go from its current 11 hectares to 80 hectares.
EcoRock promised residents at meetings that the mine would be buffered by 200 metres of forest on all sides, and the popular Dalhousie Mountain Trail would be a "conservation" site.
Concerns about dredging the ocean floor to allow for ships to load pozzolan at West Wharf were also raised.
A
map shows the current size of the pozzolan mine in yellow, compared to
the proposed size of the mine after expansion, marked with a dotted
yellow line. The federal government says on its website that the
expanded mine could mean 168 permanent jobs. (EcoRock Dalhousie)
Across the Bay of Chaleur, Miguasha, Que., resident Jean-Marc Beaulieu worried the expansion would hurt his community.
"The bottom of the bay is heavily polluted," he said. "And with the mine, if they dredge the port or they dredge the bay to get bigger ships to the port, they will just put back all this sediment that are contaminated in circulation."
David (Tapit) Slagger, a member of Woodstock First Nation who lives in Dalhousie, said he too worries the project could harm the Bay of Chaleur and its inhabitants.
"What they're proposing here is going to affect our way of life, the fishery and, and overall the environment," he said. "The reverberations of blasting would have a devastating effect on the fishery."
Residents fear for environment
None of the residents who asked questions at the recent meetings spoke in favour of the project, and many signs along Victoria Road, which leads to the area, reflect opposition to the project.
Miguasha,
Que., resident Jean-Mark Beaulieu says he can often hear loud cars or
boats on the Dalhousie side of the Chaleur Bay and worries about the
noise levels and pollution if the mine expands. (Victoria Walton/CBC)
"We want to turn the page on industry," said resident Gail Fearon, who served on Dalhousie's town council for more than a decade, until 2022.
She worries the company isn't consulting enough with the community.
"You see [the company] moving ahead and going 100 per cent with this project, and getting the rail lines and getting the ports put in place and everything. And we haven't even dealt with the bylaw."
Gail Fearon says she wants to see Dalhousie move beyond its industrial past. (Victoria Walton/CBC)
Slagger wants to see the community lean into tourism, instead of returning to its industrial past.
"It's going to hurt the town and the people, the tourism industry, it will give Dalhousie such a black eye that no one will want to come here," he said.
The
developers have completed a geological analysis of core samples
extracted from the existing quarry in Dalhousie. They expect to have a
detailed plan for the project by the end of the year. (Michael Heenan/CBC)
Fearon said there's now a group of over 1,500 residents from both sides of the bay, and surrounding areas, who are opposed to the mine expansion.
And as for whether the company behind the project can convince her it's a good idea?
"Not in my lifetime, no."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Associate Producer
Victoria Walton is a reporter at CBC P.E.I. and New Brunswick. She is originally from Nova Scotia, and has a bachelor of journalism from the University of King's College. You can reach her at victoria.walton@cbc.ca.
My My Wasn't that a predictable answer?
Good Day
Tuesday 7 May 2024
Proposed volcanic-rock mine divides northern New Brunswick town
Proposed volcanic-rock mine divides northern New Brunswick town
Some Dalhousie residents welcome prospect of jobs, others fear environmental impact
Two
Quebec-based companies hope to turn this existing quarry into a large
mine near Dalhousie in northern New Brunswick. The area is home to a
vast deposit of pozzolan, a volcanic rock that can be used by the cement
industry to lower emissions. (Michael Heenan/CBC)In a vast quarry on New Brunswick's north shore, Réjean Carrier looks up at towering walls of ashen-grey rock, cut deep into the landscape.
"We have this presence of volcanic ashes in a zone around Dalhousie," he explains in French, pointing out a rock called pozzolan. "It will bring good jobs to the area."
Carrier, president of Quebec-based Carboniq Inc., hopes to turn an existing quarry into an open mine to extract the material as a low-carbon alternative for the cement industry.
His vision is to take the pozzolan from a small mountain, process it at a plant in the area, and export it globally using nearby port and rail lines.
Could a volcanic-rock mine change life in northern New Brunswick?
The existing rock quarry has operated as a non-conforming use within Dalhousie town boundaries but is much smaller than the project Carboniq imagines.
In the community of Dalhousie, the prospect of a new mine is raising questions over how to balance the economic benefits with potential impacts on the environment.
The community has faced economic struggles in recent years, struggling to reinvent itself after the loss of three major industries. The closure of a paper mill, a chemical plant and a power generation station has led to shuttered businesses and a declining population.
The idea of a new mine is being embraced by some residents, with talk of hundreds of jobs during construction and as many as 168 once the processing plant is in operation. But others fear an open pit mine, near a school and residential areas, could impact their quality of life and harm the environment.
Réjean
Carrier, president of Carboniq Inc., stands in a quarry he hopes to
convert into a mine for the cement industry. 'It will bring good jobs to
the area,' he said. (Alexandre Silberman/CBC)
Mayor Normand Pelletier said residents have lots of questions and the developers will have to make their case to the community. He said people are divided on the issue.
"We have a lot of people that are interested and would like to see a project as such take place," he said. "For one, it's going to create good-paying jobs.
"We're kind of anxious to hear the company and how they're going to promote it and make those public consultations to ease the pressure on the citizens."
Volcanic rock
The natural resource is the result of the region's prehistoric past. Four hundred million years ago, Sugarloaf Mountain in nearby Campbellton was a volcano. As it spewed ash across the landscape, it created layers of pozzolan rock.
At the Dalhousie site, studies have revealed the deposit of rock is deep enough to last at least 100 years, according to the developers.
Pozzolan is now being looked at as a potential solution to drastically lower emissions in cement manufacturing. In current mixtures, limestone is added to a kiln and decomposes under high heat, which produces greenhouse gas emissions. But with pozzolan, that step in the process is avoided entirely.
Pozzolan
is formed by layers of volcanic ash. Four hundred million years ago,
Sugarloaf Mountain in nearby Campbellton was a volcano. (Alexandre Silberman/CBC)
The material is currently being extracted at some sites in the western United States and around the Mediterranean Sea.
The project has received backing from the federal government. In 2022, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency made a conditionally repayable contribution of $1.2 million to cover geological and environmental surveys.
Carrier is working on the project with Guy Rousseau, president of cement company Cimbec Canada. The pair launched their venture in 2022.
Guy
Rousseau, left, and Réjean Carrie explain the deposit of pozzolan
they've identified through geological analysis in the Dalhousie area. (Alexandre Silberman/CBC)
Carrier said the geological analysis of the deposit has been completed and the project is now focused on how pozzolan might need to be processed to meet the needs of the industry. The rock is being tested in a laboratory.
"The demand will increase because we're searching for products to decarbonize the production of cement," he said.
'It's going to leave a scar in the landscape'
The municipality of Heron Bay held a public meeting last month to discuss new zoning, including changes that would allow quarries and mines to operate in parts of the community of Dalhousie.
Residents filled the room to question councillors about the project, raising concerns about noise, dust, truck traffic and pollution. Many demanded more information about the mine, questioning why they haven't heard directly from the developers.
Gail Fearon, who spoke at the meeting, said she wants to see greater transparency so her community can make an informed decision.
"My problem is yes it's jobs, but a job at what expense?" she said in an interview, overlooking post-industrial brownfields on the community's waterfront.
Gail
Fearon, a former town councillor, spoke at a recent meeting about
proposed zoning changes to allow quarries and mines to operate in the
community. She said residents need more transparency to be able to make
an informed decision about the project. (Alexandre Silberman/CBC)
Fearon said the project could lead to a permanent impact on the environment and the potential consequences need to be seriously considered. Growing up in the community, she remembers seeing waste from the paper plant being released into the bay.
"The industries that left, they left at least a flat piece of property. Whereas this project, it's going to leave a scar in the landscape," she said.
Carrier said he is listening to residents and recognizes some have questions and concerns. But he said it's too early to bring plans to the public for feedback. The project is still in a planning stage.
The
developers have completed geological analysis of core samples extracted
from the existing quarry in Dalhousie. They expect to have a detailed
plan for the project by the end of the year. (Michael Heenan/CBC)
"We don't want to design a project in public, but we are taking these concerns into account, from an environmental survey, a social acceptance survey," he said.
Carrier said a walking trail near the top of Dalhousie Mountain will not be affected, since the geological deposit stops well before that point in the landscape. He said possible impacts to neighbours could be controlled and mitigated.
"We're making the plan taking into account the different constraints imposed, that citizens impose, the environment imposes, laws impose," he said.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Video journalist
Alexandre Silberman is a video journalist with CBC News based in Moncton. He has previously worked at CBC Fredericton, Power & Politics, and Marketplace. You can reach him by email at: alexandre.silberman@cbc.ca
And the second, for that matter.
Corporations exist to earn shareholders money.
(By law), corporations are beholden to their shareholders. Not "the environment", the collective, or feelings.
I'm not the one getting hysterical about how "environmentally friendly" (just) green energy projects are.
BTW: the most common liberal mentality to developing our resources is fake "conservativism" which involved giving tax pay dollars to "private" businesses, rather than letting the free market work.
It's not real conservatism - it's an attack on it while wearing a disguise.
Growth of GDP/capita, Canada: 2003 - 16.68%, 2004 - 13.58%, 2005 - 13.19%, 2006 - 11.33%, 2007 - 10.26%, 2008 - 4.59%, 2009 - minus 12.49%, 2010 - 16.36%, 2011 - 9.800%, 2012 - 0.85%, 2013 - minus 0.06%, 2014 - minus 3.19%, 2015 - minus 14.44%, 2016 - minus2.94%, 2017 - 6.65%, 2018 - 3.14%, 2019 - minus 0.37%, 2020 - minus 6.06%, 2021 - 20.55%, 2022 - 5.73%.
Year over year increases in total GDP do not necessarily translate to an increase in rate of growth in GDP/capita.
In the above time span, the rate of growth in GDP/capita was only on the increase in 2010, 2016, 2017 and 2021.
Furthermore, our GDP per capita (inflation adjusted) has grown by only 1.9% since the current federal government took office in 2015. During the same period, for comparison's sake, the United States growth has been a whopping 8 times higher.
And, looking ahead, from now to 2030 Canada is projected to have the slowest rate of GDP per capita growth among the 38 developed countries in the OECD.
Simply put, our economy is stalling relative to past performance and all other comparable countries around the world.
It's time to stop pretending that all is well.
Your socialist leanings are quite obvious, and you need to realize that there are (thank goodness) many who disagree with you.
Though I had read that early Romans used volcanic ash in their cement formula.
Government of Canada supports a net‑zero industry transformation
News release
November 8, 2022 · Dalhousie, New Brunswick · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
By investing in strategic projects that leverage regional assets and target greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, we can create a healthier environment and new economic opportunities. This will foster a strong, sustainable recovery and build a greener economy for all Canadians. The Government of Canada is investing to help Carboniq Inc. and Cimbec Canada Inc., the codevelopers of the Dalhousie Pozzolan project, conduct studies to produce a cementitious material to help decarbonize the cement industry, which is alone responsible for 7%–8% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Diversifying for the future
Today, René Arseneault, Member of Parliament for Madawaska‑Restigouche, announced a conditionally repayable contribution of $1,223,361 to Carboniq Inc. and Cimbec Canada Inc. as part of the Canada Coal Transition Initiative – Infrastructure Fund. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA.
This investment will help Carboniq Inc. and Cimbec Canada Inc. complete the initial steps of a project to extract a natural pozzolan deposit, a rock of volcanic origin. These steps include assessing deposit size and quality and conducting environmental surveys in the work area in preparation for a future environmental impact study. The extraction and processing of this pozzolan have the potential to create up to 500 jobs during the construction phase, as well as 168 permanent jobs once the processing plant is in operation.
Dalhousie’s natural pozzolan deposit, the result of an accumulation of volcanic ashes over 400 million years ago, may play a significant role in reducing the carbon footprint of cement manufacturers by providing a material that does not need to be calcined to offer cementitious properties.
This project must be completed before any major mining developments can take place. The codevelopers also recognize the importance of engaging in dialogue with First Nations for any subsequent projects.
Today’s announcement further demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to focus on economic diversification to ensure the creation of good jobs and wealth, both now and for the future.
Quotes
“Transitioning to a low carbon economy is a priority for our government. The economy and the government go hand in hand, which is why we are committing to working with partners to create new opportunities as we transition to a greener, more sustainable economy.”
– Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA
“As New Brunswick moves away from coal, we are working with partners to help make this transition. This investment will help the proponents of the Dalhousie Pozzolan project and neighbouring communities diversify the economy, create jobs and prepare for the future.”
– René Arseneault, Member of Parliament for Madawaska-Restigouche
“We are especially pleased that the Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, has agreed to support this project. This support will help us accelerate the development of this project, and therefore the decarbonization of our economy.”
– Réjean Carrier, President, Carboniq Inc.
Quick facts
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Incorporated in 2014, Carboniq Inc. provides expertise to identify and deploy solutions aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting companies.
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After founding what would become McInnis Cement in the Gaspé Peninsula, the largest cement plant in Canada, Cimbec Canada Inc. is continuing to develop initiatives that complement the cement and concrete industry.
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The Canada Coal Transition Initiative (CCTI) – Infrastructure Fund is a $150 million fund that aims to help communities move away from coal by investing in infrastructure.
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In Atlantic Canada, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is delivering $55 million under the CCTI initiatives to support investments in infrastructure and economic diversification within communities preparing to transition away from coal.
Associated links
Contacts
Marianne Blondin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Official Languages and of the
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Marianne.blondin@acoa-apeca.
Dominique Bouchard
Director of Communications
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Dominique.Bouchard@acoa-apeca.
Réjean Carrier
President
Carboniq Inc.
Rejean.Carrier@carboniq.com
pozzolana
pozzolana, hydraulic cement perfected by the Romans and still used in some countries, traditionally made by grinding a material of volcanic origin (the pozzolan) with powdered hydrated lime. Roman engineers used two parts by weight of pozzolan mixed with one part of lime to give strength to mortar and concrete in bridges and other masonry and brickwork. During the 3rd century bce the Romans used pozzolana instead of sand in concrete and mortared rubblework, giving extraordinary strength. Used with an aggregate of broken tuff, travertine, brick, or marble, the material contributed to the evolution of new architectural forms in such monumental constructions as the Pantheon and the Baths of Caracalla at Rome.
Pozzolana was first found at Puteoli (modern Pozzuoli), near Naples, where there are still extensive beds, and also around Rome. Natural pozzolana is often composed mainly of a fine chocolate-red volcanic earth. Industrial, artificial pozzolans are produced in furnaces where organic materials, such as coal, are burned and the ash is reclaimed. Fly ash is the most common form of industrial pozzolan.
Contacts
Address
Dalhousie Office
419 D Adelaide St.
Dalhousie, New Brunswick
Canada E8C 1B7
PROJECT PRESENTATION
Dalhousie Pozzolan
WHAT IS POZZOLAN?
Dalhousie pozzolan is a rock made of volcanic ash ejected about 400 million years ago by the active volcano of Mount Sugarloaf. This rock can partially replace a substance used in the production of cement called “clinker” (calcined limestone). It would only need to be finely ground.
Purpose of the project
The objective of the project is to provide the cement industry with a very low carbon footprint cementitious material that will reduce the clinker-cement ratio and thus reduce the need for clinker, the production of which is the source of significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
When limestone is heated in a cement plant kiln, its decomposition under the effect of the heat leads to the production of carbon dioxide (CO2). Since the ground pozzolan does not need to be heated, all emissions related to the decomposition of the limestone as well as those related to the use of fossil fuels for heat production will be avoided.
The Dalhousie Pozzolan Project has the potential to reduce GHG emissions from the Canadian cement industry by up to 3 million tons per year. That's the equivalent of taking 1 million medium-sized cars off the road every year.
A large deposit and the necessary infrastructure
There is a large deposit of pozzolan at the project site in Dalhousie.
In addition, all the necessary infrastructure for the project is already in place: the quarry, the railway, a high voltage power line, and the port.
Benefits for individuals and communities
The project would bring several benefits to the community:
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The project would create jobs, both directly and indirectly.
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A royalty would be paid to the municipality
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The municipal taxes on the site would increase, providing additional revenue to the municipality.
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Infrastructure that was no longer in use would be revitalized.
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We would also like to develop a partnership with the Ugpi’ganjig First Nation.
A project in 2 phases
The quarry
A quarry is already operating on the site. It has been there since 1932. For the first two years, the plan would be to continue operating this quarry and sell the construction stone.
These operations would be the same as those currently taking place at the quarry.
Meanwhile, a feasibility study on the extraction of pozzolan would be conducted. This study would include an environmental impact assessment.
Phase 1
Phase 2
The pozzolan mine
If the project is approved, pozzolan extraction would begin. The project's classification would change, and the quarry would become a mine.
Provisional timeline
Pozzolan production: a simple process
To produce pozzolan, we would take the stone from the quarry and grind it more finely.
Even the rejected stone that is unsuitable for construction could be processed in this way. Because of this, there would be no waste. Everything extracted from the quarry would be used.
Valuable dust that would be captured
The rock would be ground in a closed building since we would want to minimize the amount of dust released into the air as much as possible, for two reasons:
-
To comply with regulations and promote good relations with the community.
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To capture and sell the dust as a product.
Few new infrastructures to build
New infrastructures would be needed at the port to load the ships.
To transport the products from the quarry to the port, a few scenarios are possible. These scenarios will be evaluated in the environmental impact study.
Quarry expansion and creation of a conservation area
Currently, the quarry’s production is 55,000 tons per year. By 2027, the goal would be to reach a production of 3 million tons per year, including:
• 2 million tons per year of pozzolan
• 1 million tons per year of construction aggregates
To do this, the quarry would need to be expanded. A conservation area would also be created.
On the map, the solid yellow rectangle represents the current approximate area of the quarry. The dotted yellow line represents the projected expansion. The purple rectangle represents the conservation area.
Please note:
-
The land within the conservation area (in purple) would be protected.
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The project would not touch the hiking trail on the mountain (Dalhousie Mountain Peak Trail). There would be 200 m of wooded area between the quarry and the trail.
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There would also be 200 m of wooded area between the quarry and the École Aux Quatre Vents.
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The project would not create any new industrial sites.
The views from the trail would not change
The views of the landscape from the Dalhousie Mountain Trail would not change.
The view from the trail looking south
The view from the trail looking north, towards the quarry
A crucial step : studying the project’s environmental impacts
An
environmental assessment will need to be conducted to understand the
potential impacts of the project on air, water, wildlife, vegetation,
and the local population.
We are also preparing a proposal for a citizen consultation process.
This would involve meetings and activities that would allow people who
live in the area to actively contribute to the environmental assessment
and determine the conditions under which the project could move forward.
anny Doucet
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