Linkletter sees Water Act as a delaying tactic

Title

Abstract

Gary Linkletter, Chair of the PEI Potato Board, maintains that the provincial government is delaying a decision on lifting a moratorium on deep water wells by developing a new water act and regulations, and he suggests that the delay is intentional so that the Ghiz government can avoid addressing the issue until after the next election. He questioned why the scientific evidence already submitted is not sent for peer review by an out-of-province company, if there is a question as to the quality or validity of its data. Linkletter expressed his concern that the delays may prompt Cavendish Farms to follow through on its threat to move its operations out of the Province. Environment Minister Janice Sherry responded that the proposed new legislation and regulations will deal with groundwater allocation, discharges into fresh and marine water environments, and mandate targets for water quality, and she indicated that the moratorium would not be lifted prior to the new legislation being put in place. Sherry stated that the new water act will address a wide range of matters relating to the supply and quality of water and that the department will release a white paper, with public consultations carried out by an arms-length group. A comparative review of legislation in other jurisdictions will also take place.

Date

2014-06-25

Issue

6

Title	Linkletter sees Water Act as a delaying tactic
Authors	A. Walker
Abstract	Gary Linkletter, Chair of the PEI Potato Board, maintains that the provincial government is delaying a decision on lifting a moratorium on deep water wells by developing a new water act and regulations, and he suggests that the delay is intentional so that the Ghiz government can avoid addressing the issue until after the next election. He questioned why the scientific evidence already submitted is not sent for peer review by an out-of-province company, if there is a question as to the quality or validity of its data. Linkletter expressed his concern that the delays may prompt Cavendish Farms to follow through on its threat to move its operations out of the Province. Environment Minister Janice Sherry responded that the proposed new legislation and regulations will deal with groundwater allocation, discharges into fresh and marine water environments, and mandate targets for water quality, and she indicated that the moratorium would not be lifted prior to the new legislation being put in place. Sherry stated that the new water act will address a wide range of matters relating to the supply and quality of water and that the department will release a white paper, with public consultations carried out by an arms-length group. A comparative review of legislation in other jurisdictions will also take place.
Journal	Island farmer
Date	2014-06-25
Volume	41
Issue	6
ISSN	0823-7735