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December 1st, 2014

NDP urges government to reject Cacouna oil port project

In response to the beluga whale’s new status as an endangered species, the NDP is upping the pressure on the Conservative government to reject the oil port in Cacouna.

“The Conservatives will eventually have to look at the facts. The Cacouna oil port will seriously endanger the survival of beluga whales,” said NDP Deputy Environment critic François Choquette.

The St. Lawrence beluga’s status as an endangered species guarantees protection under the law. Therefore, the NDP is urging the government to reject the Gros-Cacouna Oil Port project without delay, as it lies in the heart of the whales’ breeding grounds.

“A majority of Quebeckers and Cacouna residents are against this project, as it does not meet the requirements of sustainable development,” added François Lapointe (Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup). “Prior to this new status, there was already a social consensus in this region against building the oil port. Now, it will not only imperil a species that is threatened, but one that is in danger of extinction. The government can’t go on ignoring our requests – it must put an end to this project.”

In October, the NDP tabled a motion urging the government to abandon the Gros-Cacouna Oil Port project. The Conservatives and Liberals voted against the motion, which was designed to protect the belugas’ habitat.