Government of Canada

Government of Nova Scotia

News Release

Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia Release Findings of the Joint Review Panel for the Whites Point Quarry and Marine Terminal Project

OTTAWA/HALIFAX, October 23, 2007 - The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and the Honourable Mark Parent, Nova Scotia Minister of Environment and Labour, today released the findings of the Joint Review Panel's report on the Whites Point Quarry and Marine Terminal Project in Digby County.

The ministers thank the Joint Review Panel and congratulate the chair and members for conducting a thorough, open and transparent review of the project. The Joint Review Panel was mandated by the federal and provincial ministers to assess the environmental effects of the proposed project.

Both governments will now take the time required to carefully review the Joint Review Panel's findings. The Government of Canada, under the lead of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada, will prepare a response to the report and submit it to the Governor in Council for approval. The response will then be made public.

Minister Parent will consider the panel's conclusion and recommendations and will make public his decision on the project pursuant to the Nova Scotia Environment Act.

An executive summary of the report can be found in both official languages on the Web site of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. The joint panel report is available on the Nova Scotia Environment and Labour Web site.

Media may contact:

• Lucille Jamault
  Senior Communications Advisor
  Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
  Tel.: 613-957-0434
• Bruce Nunn
  Communications Advisor
  Nova Scotia Environment and Labour
  Tel.: 902-424-6427