Nova Scotia government ministers, including Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs Twila Grosse and Environment Minister Tim Halman, confirmed they will meet with a panel that submitted a report on environmental racism a year ago, but they remain tight-lipped about its findings and recommendations, drawing criticism from opposition parties.
Nova Scotia ministers silent on environmental racism report, to meet with authors
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Nova Scotia government ministers, including Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs Twila Grosse and Environment Minister Tim Halman, confirmed they will meet with a panel that submitted a report on environmental racism a year ago, but they remain tight-lipped about its findings and recommendations, drawing criticism from opposition parties.
Trending- 1 An eight-member panel was appointed in June 2023 to examine environmental racism.
- 2 The panel's report was delivered to the province about a year ago.
- 3 The idea for the panel came from an amendment to climate change legislation passed in the fall of 2023.
- 4 Justice Minister Becky Druhan refused to give details about the report last month.
- 5 Following a cabinet meeting Thursday, Minister Twila Grosse confirmed a meeting with the panel will be scheduled soon.
- 6 Environment Minister Tim Halman also confirmed he would be one of the ministers meeting with the panel.
- Lack of transparency regarding the findings and recommendations on environmental racism.
- Criticism from opposition parties (NDP and Liberals) regarding government secrecy and priorities.
- Continued impact of environmental racism on communities of colour, Indigenous territories, and the working poor.
What: Nova Scotia government ministers' refusal to publicly disclose the findings of an environmental racism report, despite agreeing to meet with the panel authors.
When: Thursday (cabinet meeting, ministers' statements); a year ago (report submitted); June 2023 (panel appointed); last month (Justice Minister refused details); fall of 2023 (legislation passed); 2021 (anti-racism office created); in the weeks ahead (planned meeting).
Where: Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Why: Ministers are not prepared to comment on the report's content, stating that a public report was not part of the panel's mandate and that the findings are the responsibility of the anti-racism office. Opposition parties criticize the secrecy, suggesting potential cost implications or a lack of government priority.
How: Ministers held a cabinet meeting, made statements to reporters, and plan to schedule a meeting with the panel members.