babble is rabble.ca's discussion board but it's much more than that: it's an online community for folks who just won't shut up. It's a place to tell each other — and the world — what's up with our work and campaigns.
Protesters broke into the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric site in Labrador and formed a blockade around it, Nalcor Energy confirmed Saturday.
Nalcor spokeswoman Karen O'Neill said protesters and vehicles entered the work site near Happy Valley-Goose Bay Saturday afternoon, and a blockade of around 150 people formed outside the main entrance.
Mayor of Cartwright Dwight Lethbridge said demonstrators gained access to the site by cutting a chain off one of the gates. Lethbridge said he drove a "truckload" of people onto the site, but some protesters asked to be taken back as the situation grew "tense."
"There was the threat of RCMP coming to arrest people and there was a helicopter flying very low over our heads," he said. "It was a heart-pounding kind of moment."
Lethbridge described the demonstration as "extremely peaceful." Police were concerned that "things might escalate" between protesters and workers on the site, he said in an interview, but that has not been the case....
An order has been issued by a Newfoundland court, at the request of the Crown corporation Nalcor, to arrest 21 land protectors peacefully occupying the Muskrat Falls site. The order also directs the RCMP to arrest journalist Justin Brake of the Independent. On both counts, this is intolerable.
By ordering the arrest of a working journalist, the court has launched a frontal assault on freedom of the press in this country. This unprecedented order requires an immediate and categorical denunciation from all media outlets.
Justin Brake is the editor of the Independent in Newfoundland. Founded in 2003 as a print publication, the Independent now publishes local news, opinion, letters and feature content for a Newfoundland and Labrador audience on its website. In the context of massive cuts to legacy media outlets, the Independent is no “alternative” to mainstream outlets. Rather, it is often the only outlet to send journalists to cover events, like the Muskrat Falls occupation, which the legacy media lack the resources to cover....
“When the court order was served I was quite shocked to see my name on there,” said Brake when reached by phone at the Muskrat Falls site. “I couldn’t have imagined that in 2016 a crown energy corporation would come down so heavy-handed as to infringe on the constitutionally protected right of freedom of the press.
“On Saturday there was a rally at the main gate for the Muskrat Falls project, and all of the sudden the bolt was cut on the front gate and about sixty people entered. I knew at that moment without hesitation that it was a story that needed to be told, whatever was about to unfold. People in Labrador have been resisting this project increasingly in recent weeks and months and up to that point the Muskrat Falls narrative as presented by media had largely omitted the human rights and Indigenous rights story that was unfolding. With members of all three Indigenous groups as well as settler Labradorians storming through the gates I knew this was a historical moment in Labrador’s history, and regardless of whether or not Nalcor wanted that story to be told I had an obligation as a journalist to follow them and tell that story.
“In the four days that I was embedded with the land protectors at the Muskrat Falls camp I’ve been able to tell a part of the story that is crucial to any full understanding of the impact that Muskrat Falls will have on the people of our province.
The review panel recommended a new, independent analysis based on economic, energy and environmental considerations.
That new analysis recommended by the panel would take into consideration domestic energy demand projections, as well as alternate energy sources, such as using offshore gas as a fuel for the Holyrood thermal generating facility.
But the two levels of government rejected that panel recommendation.
Quebec Innu are asking the Federal Court to reverse approval given by the federal government for the construction of new hydroelectric dams on the Lower Churchill River in Labrador.
"A federal-provincial review panel concluded, after an environmental assessment that the project proposed by Nalcor Energy would have several significant adverse environmental effects on the aquatic and terrestrial environments, culture and heritage," said a news release from the Innu of Ekuanitshit.
According to the panel, "the project would be unlikely to deliver benefits to aboriginal communities in Quebec and the project’s impact on their current use of land and resources for traditional purposes would be adverse."
A deal has been reached between the government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the governments of Labrador’s three Indigenous groups over the contentious Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project. The deal follows all day negotiations with premier Dwight Ball at the provincial legislature in St. John’s.
Described by all parties as “progress” in a press conference held after midnight at the provincial legislature, and as “new and significant commitments” in a statement, the deal commits the government to change elements of the planned project to mitigate risks to human health.
Most significantly, an “Independent Expert Advisory Committee” will be established, composed of representatives of the Innu Nation, Nunatsiavut Government, the NunatuKavut Community Council, and federal, provincial, and municipal governments.
“It is a good day,” exclaimed Todd Russell, president of NunatuKavut Community Council. “It is a good morning, and this done right will certainly make Muskrat right.”
“The decisions that will be made going forward, will not be at the whim of government. They will be made by science, and will incorporate the traditional knowledge of our people. This is a huge step forward.”
I'd heard they'd come to an agreement. Good news indeed. Why is it so hard for Nalcor (and, well, the entire energy industry) to understand that meaningful consultation means a seat at the table, real participation in the conversation.
There are some great updates on Muskrat Falls in an existing thread in the indigenous forum.
..time for it's own thread i think as well. txs ndpp!
Protesters break into Muskrat Falls site, more form blockade outside
Protesters broke into the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric site in Labrador and formed a blockade around it, Nalcor Energy confirmed Saturday.
Nalcor spokeswoman Karen O'Neill said protesters and vehicles entered the work site near Happy Valley-Goose Bay Saturday afternoon, and a blockade of around 150 people formed outside the main entrance.
Mayor of Cartwright Dwight Lethbridge said demonstrators gained access to the site by cutting a chain off one of the gates. Lethbridge said he drove a "truckload" of people onto the site, but some protesters asked to be taken back as the situation grew "tense."
"There was the threat of RCMP coming to arrest people and there was a helicopter flying very low over our heads," he said. "It was a heart-pounding kind of moment."
Lethbridge described the demonstration as "extremely peaceful." Police were concerned that "things might escalate" between protesters and workers on the site, he said in an interview, but that has not been the case....
Court order to arrest reporter covering Muskrat Falls is unacceptable
An order has been issued by a Newfoundland court, at the request of the Crown corporation Nalcor, to arrest 21 land protectors peacefully occupying the Muskrat Falls site. The order also directs the RCMP to arrest journalist Justin Brake of the Independent. On both counts, this is intolerable.
By ordering the arrest of a working journalist, the court has launched a frontal assault on freedom of the press in this country. This unprecedented order requires an immediate and categorical denunciation from all media outlets.
Justin Brake is the editor of the Independent in Newfoundland. Founded in 2003 as a print publication, the Independent now publishes local news, opinion, letters and feature content for a Newfoundland and Labrador audience on its website. In the context of massive cuts to legacy media outlets, the Independent is no “alternative” to mainstream outlets. Rather, it is often the only outlet to send journalists to cover events, like the Muskrat Falls occupation, which the legacy media lack the resources to cover....
...
Court order issued for arrest of land protectors, journalist
quote:
“When the court order was served I was quite shocked to see my name on there,” said Brake when reached by phone at the Muskrat Falls site. “I couldn’t have imagined that in 2016 a crown energy corporation would come down so heavy-handed as to infringe on the constitutionally protected right of freedom of the press.
“On Saturday there was a rally at the main gate for the Muskrat Falls project, and all of the sudden the bolt was cut on the front gate and about sixty people entered. I knew at that moment without hesitation that it was a story that needed to be told, whatever was about to unfold. People in Labrador have been resisting this project increasingly in recent weeks and months and up to that point the Muskrat Falls narrative as presented by media had largely omitted the human rights and Indigenous rights story that was unfolding. With members of all three Indigenous groups as well as settler Labradorians storming through the gates I knew this was a historical moment in Labrador’s history, and regardless of whether or not Nalcor wanted that story to be told I had an obligation as a journalist to follow them and tell that story.
“In the four days that I was embedded with the land protectors at the Muskrat Falls camp I’ve been able to tell a part of the story that is crucial to any full understanding of the impact that Muskrat Falls will have on the people of our province.
..some recent history.
March 2012
Lower Churchill project gets environmental green light
quote:
'Inadequate' analysis
Last summer, the joint federal-provincial environmental review panel called Nalcor Energy's analysis of the project "inadequate," while also asking for more information from the Crown-owned company.
The review panel recommended a new, independent analysis based on economic, energy and environmental considerations.
That new analysis recommended by the panel would take into consideration domestic energy demand projections, as well as alternate energy sources, such as using offshore gas as a fuel for the Holyrood thermal generating facility.
But the two levels of government rejected that panel recommendation.
April 2012
Quebec Innu want to stop Muskrat Falls hydro
Quebec Innu are asking the Federal Court to reverse approval given by the federal government for the construction of new hydroelectric dams on the Lower Churchill River in Labrador.
The group says the federal government largely ignored the August 2011 advice of a review panel.
"A federal-provincial review panel concluded, after an environmental assessment that the project proposed by Nalcor Energy would have several significant adverse environmental effects on the aquatic and terrestrial environments, culture and heritage," said a news release from the Innu of Ekuanitshit.
According to the panel, "the project would be unlikely to deliver benefits to aboriginal communities in Quebec and the project’s impact on their current use of land and resources for traditional purposes would be adverse."
..great news. my bold.
Government, Indigenous leaders agree on changes to Muskrat Falls project
A deal has been reached between the government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the governments of Labrador’s three Indigenous groups over the contentious Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project. The deal follows all day negotiations with premier Dwight Ball at the provincial legislature in St. John’s.
Described by all parties as “progress” in a press conference held after midnight at the provincial legislature, and as “new and significant commitments” in a statement, the deal commits the government to change elements of the planned project to mitigate risks to human health.
Most significantly, an “Independent Expert Advisory Committee” will be established, composed of representatives of the Innu Nation, Nunatsiavut Government, the NunatuKavut Community Council, and federal, provincial, and municipal governments.
“It is a good day,” exclaimed Todd Russell, president of NunatuKavut Community Council. “It is a good morning, and this done right will certainly make Muskrat right.”
“The decisions that will be made going forward, will not be at the whim of government. They will be made by science, and will incorporate the traditional knowledge of our people. This is a huge step forward.”
I'd heard they'd come to an agreement. Good news indeed. Why is it so hard for Nalcor (and, well, the entire energy industry) to understand that meaningful consultation means a seat at the table, real participation in the conversation.