Dear Supporters,

Thank you for standing with us in 2023 to successfully oppose Victoria County’s proposed Local Improvement Charge Bylaw. Together, we sent a clear message: our community deserves fair, transparent, and sustainable solutions—not financial burdens or threats to our homes. Today, we need your help once again to keep that momentum going.

We’ve launched a new petition to call for a pause on the Ingonish Wastewater Project—a development that, as currently planned, could have significant risks to our environment, fisheries, and local economy, while appearing to prioritize the interests of a private developer(s) over those of our community. Only 18% of surveyed residents support the project, key stakeholders like Victoria Co-op Fisheries have been ignored, and no Environmental Risk Assessment has been conducted. Worse, the project is moving forward without proper approvals or transparency, echoing the same issues we fought against last time.

To make matters worse, we received a letter on March 4th, 2025, from the Department of Environment & Climate Change confirming that no project has been registered with their office. Yet, the Municipality published in their February 5th, 2025, “News & Views” newsletter stating that “A tender has been awarded for plant components, and work is expected to begin early spring in a phased approach.” This raises serious concerns about the legality and transparency of this project.

According to the Citizens’ Guide to Environmental Assessment, after a project is registered with the Department of Environment & Climate Change, there is supposed to be a 30-day public consultation period, followed by a Minister’s decision. These steps are required before any project can be approved. Clearly, this process has not been followed, and we must act to ensure our voices are heard before it’s too late.

This is not about stopping progress—it’s about ensuring development works for us, not against us. Just as we rejected an unjust bylaw before, we are now calling for a pause until realistic studies, public consultations, and environmental protections are in place.

We are advocating for the proper public and environmental procedures to be followed, ensuring that all aspects of this project are subject to the necessary reviews, public consultation, in line with regulatory requirements and in the best interest of the entire community.

Please sign our new petition here: https://chng.it/vrmxtJkbnj and share it with friends and family. Your support stopped an unjust bylaw once—together, we can demand responsible development now. Let’s protect Victoria County’s future!

Gratefully,
The Ingonish Arts & Cultural Society