The Government of Canada Accepts Panel Conclusion for the Whites Point Quarry and Marine Terminal

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 18, 2007) - The Government of Canada today announced that it accepts the joint review panel's conclusions on the environmental assessment of the proposed Whites Point Quarry and Marine Terminal Project in Digby County, Nova Scotia.

"The Government of Canada will not be moving forward with any authorizations as the proposed project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects that cannot be justified under the circumstances," said the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.



The Joint Review Panel was mandated by the federal and provincial ministers of the Environment in November 2004 to assess the environmental effects of the proposed project.

The Government of Canada accepts the joint review panel's October 2007 findings that the negative effects of this project outweigh the benefits and it is not in the public interest to proceed.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada were the lead federal departments and provided expert advice at the panel hearings.

"The decision to accept the panel's findings is consistent with the Government of Canada's commitment to protect the environment to ensure the quality of life for Canadians, now and in the future," said the Honourable Laurence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.

The Joint Panel received more than two hundred oral and written submissions from June 16 to 30, 2007 in Digby, Nova Scotia and received more than three hundred written comments on the Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed project.


http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca



CONTACT INFORMATION:
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa
Phil Jenkins
Strategic Media Relations
613-990-7537

or

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa
Office of the Minister
Steve Outhouse
Director of Communications
613-992-3474

or

Transport Canada
Maurice Landry
506-851-7562