Every day is Earth Day
for the Port of Belledune
April 21, 2023 • Andrea Frascione
Director, Marketing and Communications
“The Trudeau government’s 2023 federal budget is backing nuclear power in a big way, unleashing a new $80-billion arsenal of tax changes that also offer incentives for hydropower, critical minerals, hydrogen, carbon capture and renewables.”
In 2018, the Port of Belledune entered into a historic agreement with First Nations communities, Pabineau, Eel River Bar and Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn Inc. (MTI) – the organization representing all Mi’gmaq First Nations in the province. The first of its kind in Canada, the Relationship, Engagement and Consultation Protocol ensures a meaningful and ongoing mutual transparency and respect among all parties regarding matters concerning Port activities, adjacent unceded and Crown lands, and the surrounding environment. As equal and contributing joint owners of the Protocol, this initiative supports Section 35 (Aboriginal and Treaty Rights) of the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDIP) and upholds the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call-to-Action 92 which addresses industry, the business community and providing First Nations people with equitable access to jobs and education.
In addition to this measure, the Port of Belledune strictly adheres to environmental management systems, is subject to the Impact Assessment Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, and undergoes annual certification by Green Marine, an organization that empowers its members to improve their environmental performance, meeting and often exceeding, regulated standards for air, water and soil quality as well as community relations.
Caring for our environment can start with the individual: composting, recycling and reducing our carbon footprint by making greener choices; but it can also stem from local and regional businesses and Federal Government authorities who have the budget, the backing and the breadth of experience to make waves in industry.
So, this Earth Day, the Port of Belledune invites you to have a look at our website and learn more about the green initiatives taking place right in our own backyard! You might be surprised by how forward-thinking and innovative our collective approach can be when communities, businesses and government work together, and we allow ourselves to think big.