Open Letter: Say No to Bill C-49(44-1)
An Act to amend the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act

Also referred to as the, 'No more Newfoundland Fishery Act'.

Preamble

Since 1949, when Newfoundland first joined the confederation and became a member of Canada, Newfoundlander's have faced the loss of and lack of control over our natural resources. Our province has a blessing of abundant resources such as fisheries, forestry, agriculture, water, and green-energy, surrounded by rich and diverse ecosystems hosting some of the world’s rarest species, plants, and animals.

In the 1970s, the discovery of oil off the coast of Newfoundland ignited a 15-year battle. Finally, in 1985, with the enactment of the Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Act, the province of Newfoundland and Labrador rightfully secured 100% ownership, management, and development of our natural resources. It took an additional two years for amendments to this act to pass through Parliament in 1987. This event held historic significance, not only for our province but also set a precedent for the rest of the Confederation. It established the right to control our natural resources.

Now, 75 years later, we still fight to preserve control and ownership of these invaluable gifts. Global depletion of resources due to industrialization and greed only heightens the urgency of our cause.

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We, the undersigned, represent numerous leading Canadian industries, citizens of Canada and residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. We are united in calling on the Government of Canada to say NO to Bill C-49 (44-1 and keep the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act as it stands.

Reasons for our Open Letter

#1 - The absence of consultation with critical industry stakeholders before introducing the bill has fostered mistrust and raised significant concerns about the motives behind the rapid advancement of Bill C-49.

#2 - The province of Newfoundland and Labrador failed to inform or consult its citizens regarding the impacts of Bill C-49 on their communities, environment, and culture. This deprived them of the opportunity to voice their opinions, which is their human right.

#3 - The province seeks complete jurisdiction and autonomy to manage, develop, and maintain ownership of its natural resources, a right previously upheld under the Atlantic Accord but undermined by the provisions of Bill C-49.

#4 - Studies show that wind turbines and farms present a substantial threat to national security, disrupting military radar, GPS, and cellular communications. This interference adversely affects defense operations, search and rescue missions, and various maritime activities.

#5 - Section 56 of the bill imposes a reign of fear of the unknown on traditional energy developments. Driving away jobs and tax revenues the petroleum industries energy developments creates. There were zero bids for offshore petroleum exploration in Newfoundland in 2023.

#6 - The proposed section 56.1 gives you the unilateral power, with the unconstitutional Bill C-69, to create marine protected areas, so that you can pull development and exploration permits without an environmental impact study.

#7 - Section 8 of the bill states that 'the Atlantic Accord does not apply to offshore energy renewable resources', which jeopardizes Newfoundland and Labrador's principal beneficiary status.

#8 - Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Jonathan Wilkinson publicly admitted during the Standing Committee of Natural Resources, the true reason for this bill is to build offshore wind farms.

#9 - The bill has generated fear and uncertainty in the petroleum sector, as demonstrated by the absence of lease bids in 2023. This could result in a significant decline of 25% in economic revenue for our province.

#10 - The proposed changes to the bill are heavily skewed towards renewable energy, neglecting the comprehensive approach of the original Atlantic Accord Act, which encompassed all of Newfoundland and Labrador's natural resources and related industries.

#11 - While the bill is touted as a climate change solution, it's important to recognize potential implications beyond offshore wind farms, raising concerns about transparency and long-term impacts. It is masking its true intention of fast-tracking and deceiving people into believing it's solely about offshore wind farms.

#12 - This allocation comes at the cost of depleting our province's natural beauty and resources.

#13 - The primary aim of the bill is to facilitate the construction of wind turbines and promote industrialization, Canada is allocating over $20.6 billion in tax credits. 

#14 - More than 30 elements of Bill C-69, including the Impact Assessment Act, have been integrated into Bill C-49, despite the Supreme Court's declaration of its unconstitutionality. This flawed framework is being utilized to conduct unconstitutional Regional Impact Assessments. Less than 6% of Bill C-69 is constitutional.

Impact of wind energy projects from national and international regions: 

• Committee Hearing Opening Statements - Rep. Smith’s opening remarks at hearing on the harmful effects of offshore wind industrialization along the East Coast - https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=411826
• Australian Fishing Trade Association - Offshore Wind Farms – The Impacts - https://afta.net.au/offshore-wind-farms-the-impacts/
• Biden admin under fire for offshore wind impacts on military operations - https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-admin-under-fire-offshore-wind-impacts-military-operations
   

Standing Committee Minister's Comments
Jonathan Wilkinson, Federal Minister of Energy & Natural Resources statements:
1. “Yes. This measure is designed precisely to create an offshore wind industry.”

2. “At the present time, there is no regulatory structure for the development of offshore wind, so you cannot have projects proceeding at the present time without this bill being passed.”

Research & Reference

US Hearing on Offshore Wind Projects - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4ycVEcuEa4
International Review of the Natural Resource Institute of Finnish Study: Several groups of birds and mammals avoid wind turbines
Down Wind Canadian Documentary - https://youtu.be/55-jBCjtJ88?si=KlJ9w4MQFNtujpJU
 

In alignment with all our signatories, including the citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as industry stakeholders such as the fishery, forestry, oil and gas, lumber, mining, environment, and other community stakeholders, we urge the House of Commons to terminate Bill C-49 (44-1).