National coast to coast protest

Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 14:12:57 -0500
To: sust-mar@chebucto.ns.ca
From: nspirg@is2.dal.ca (NS PIRG)
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Return-Path: <sust-mar-mml-owner@chebucto.ns.ca>

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Hi there,

The Nova Scotia Public Interest Research Group is helping to organize a
national coast to coast protest against the proposed building of a mega
convention centre on the shores of Lake Louise in Banff National Park by CP
Hotels. The protest across the country is being organized by the Bow Valley
Naturalists and the Banff Environmental Action and Research (BEAR) Society.
They asked for our help.
The protest will be on Monday October 5th at 1pm in front of the  Halifax
Hotel ( a CP Hotel), l990 Barrington Street.

We really hope you can come out for an hour and stand with us to express
concern over the mega-development on the shores Lake Louise.  One has to
wonder..."is Lake Louise for Canadians or for CP Hotels' Profits?"

The following is a brief summary of what is going on:

Parks Canada documents reveal that Parks Canada's quiet approval in May,
l998 of the conference centre at Lake Louise runs contrary to the Banff
National Park management plan and Canada's environmental laws. Conservation
groups point the l997 Park Management plan which restricts development in
Lake Louise to ones that are "basic and essential," banning even a school
or a hospital. "How can the government say this towering conference centre
is basic and essential?," asks Peter Poole, a director of the BEAR society.
Highly regarded scientists have warned that this development would harm
wildlife such as wolverine, grizzly bears, and lynx. The additional impact
of this development will further harm the national park's stressed
ecosystem. Crowds and noise will impair visitors' experience at this
mountain lake.

The protest is only the most recent step in the groups' effort to protect
Lake Louise. In July the Bow Valley Naturalists and the BEAR Society
announced a lawsuit against Parks Canada and CP Hotels for violating
Canada's park policies and environmental laws. Canada's Sierra Legal
Defence Fund is volunteering legal service. A January court date is
expected.

For more info: www.bearsociety.org or BEAR Society (403) 762-0361

for local info about the Halifax demonstration contact nspirg @ 494-6662

nspirg
nova scotia public interest research group
6136 university ave
halifax, ns
b3h 4j2
902-494-6662
nspirg@is2.dal.ca
executive director : linda pannozzo
MAI info. contact : antoni wysocki, 423-2365



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