citizens reverse plan to burn used tires 2006/07 nova scotia

How Can a Small Group of People Have Their Voices

Heard?What One Experience Has Taught

Essentials

• Form a committee• Clearly define purpose.• Scientifically based research • A spokesperson • Strategy• Show that a large group of people support

the premise• Don’t give up!

Clearly Defined Purpose

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THE NOVA SCOTIA GOVERNMENT

TAKE ALL NECESSARY MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT

TIRES ARE NOT INCINERATED IN THE PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA

Strategy: Identify levels of government involved

• Identify provincial departments involved.– Who is in charge of the project?The Premier is ultimately responsible for any

decisionYour local MLA is a key person. Arm this

person with all the information that you can.Ask for a meeting with the Department and

MinisterContact your Member of Parliament.

Strategy: Petition

Hard Copy Petition-Have a return address on it

-Better for presenting in the Legislature-Photocopy petitions-Present in segments; as more signatures are obtained, present again

Online petition – Gives easy access for the internet savvy– Comments are excellent to show the politicians how

people really feel

Scientifically Based Research

Strategy: Call for help from others who have faced similar problems and who have done research on

your issue.• Eco Justice (Sierra Legal)• Ecology Action Center• NSEN (Nova Scotia Environmental

Network)• Other groups or individuals that have

faced similar problems

Strategy: Public Meeting

• Present facts• Invite politicians and industry • Prepare press releases on issues• Video tape for future reference • Invite media

– Local newspaper– Local radio station– Provincial paper

Aim for Provincial Coverage:

Chronicle Herald, CBC Radio, Canadian Press

Strategy: Presenting a Petition to the Legislature

• Contact the critics for the Opposition Parties for the Departments involved.– Wednesday is opposition day in the Legislature– The Opposition critics will split the petitions and

present them to the Legislature– Working in advance, the opposition will prepare

questions for the government on the topic when the petition is presented.

– As well, critics will see that papers are presented on the topic. (Provide research to help them)

Strategy: Protest or Rally

• Protest or RallyIf at the NS Legislature, register the protestSet a time for the Minister to come to the stepsPrepare booklets for each MLA and each media representativeAlert media contacts Good to combine this with presentation of Petition to the Legislature

February 26th, 2007 RRFB news release: Contract

awarded to Lafarge

Strategy: Meet with the Editorial Board of the Halifax Chronicle Herald.

» Meeting with the Editorial Board of the Chronicle Herald» Dal Review Fred Blois» -Cabot Press Release» Supporting Documents:» -Dal Review» -Cabot Press Release» Keith’s letter to Mark Parent. » Health Issue- Fine Particulate Emily Keirstead» -Supporting documents……..» New England Study.» Emily’s Press Release» Fine Particles: Dangers of Incineration» Cabot Science Review_____________Allan Sorflaten» Supporting documents……..» Cabot Study including Executive Summary» 4. RRFB

Don Murray» Supporting documents……..» Letter to the Editor» RRFB Report» Emissions-Cement Kiln Dust (CKD) Lydia Sorflaten» Supporting documents» Correspondance with Jay Brenton» NPRI » Pictures of Cement Kiln Dust Storage

Strategy: Guest Editorial

Strategy: Write Letters to the Editor

Strategy: Town and City Councils, County Councils

Strategy: Display Booth (Petitions)

Strategy: Arm writers with information: Hope for an article…..

Strategy: Arm the opposition critics with information.

Strategy: Plan unusual events. Invite the media

Develop a web site, have a separate email

www.citizensagainstburningoftires.ca

• Nov 6th, 2006. Truro Daily News announces that Lafarge wants to burn tires.• Nov. 29th, 2006. Meeting at Alton. Dal Review announced by Hon. Brooke Taylor. • Jan.11, 2007. CABOT protest N.S. Legislature, Petition Presented • Jan 16, 2007. Protest RRFB in Truro• Jan. 18th, 2007. Meeting at Marigold Center in Truro.• Jan 22 Meeting with Jamie Muir• February 2, 2007 CABOT Bibliography to Dal Review Committee• February 6, 2007 CABOT meeting with Dr. Pegg, Dal Review Committee. 10 binders of research left with the Dal Review Committee.• February 8th Knox United Church presentation to Presbytery• February 25 Presentation to County Council• February 26th, 2007 RRFB news release: Contract awarded to Lafarge to collect and process Nova Scotia’s used tires.

RRFB brings Terry Grey, Conestoga Rovers and Global Trox• March 21 Petitions presented in the Legislature• March 28 Meeting with Shortts Lake Residents Association• April 3 Meeting with Sierra Legal in Toronto• April 4 Meeting with Ontario Tire Recycling Toronto• April 4, 2007 Public Meeting in Halifax • April 20th, 2007. Dal Review Study Released• Announcement made to form a committee to study tire recycling to report July 1st.• May 1st, 2007 James Kirkpatrick tells the Rotary Club of Truro that Lafarge will soon be putting an application in to burn tires.• May 7th, 2007. Letter from Mark Parent to Fred Blois. ‘Committee members will be chosen shortly’.• July 9th, 2007. Town of Truro Council votes to forward a letter to the Premier opposing tire burning and in a second resolution, requests

Environmental Assessment if tire burning is to be considered.• August 7th, 2007. Meeting with Nova Scotia Used Tire Advisory Committee (UTAC)• September 4th, 2007. Meeting with Hon Mark Parent, Jay Brenton, Deputy Minister of DOEL et al• October 3rd, 2007. Meetng with Mark Butler, Ecology Action Center.• November 19, 2007 Used Tire Advisory Committee Report Released. Tires will not be incinerated in the near future

in Nova Scotia.

CABOT’s Evolving Story

Strategy: Keep working at it.

• Big business and government have their ways. They work together.

• Public support voiced is important.

• …….’not in the foreseeable future’ …….that’s where we are with tire incineration in the province of Nova Scotia!