More than 20 protesters gathered outside Nalcor Energy in St. John’s Friday to voice their opposition to the Muskrat Falls project.
Chanting “make Muskrat right” Protesters are blockading the Nalcor Bldg. now #cbcnl pic.twitter.com/RCRKIhhPTh
Coordinated Approach NL organized the demonstration to “stand with the people of Labrador” and “bring the concerns of the people directly to Nalcor.”
Protest of Muskrat Falls at Nalcor HQ #cbcnl pic.twitter.com/HZtC858wXW
The group held a blockade and picket line outside the provincial energy corporation’s headquarters after 8 a.m.
Worried about Methylmercury poisoning
Members of Labrador’s Nunatsiavut government took part in the protest. They are calling for removal of all the trees, vegetation and soil in the area that will be flooded to create a reservoir for the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric dam.
They’re concerned that methylmercury – which naturally accumulates in trees and soil – will poison wildlife in the area if it’s allowed to leach into the reservoir’s water.
Patricia Kemuksigak, a member of the Nunatsiavut Government, lives in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. (Mark Quinn/ CBC)
“It will have a major impact on our people because there will be methylmercury in our fish and in our seals,” said Patricia Kemuksigak, Nunatsiavut government’s minister of education and economic development.
“It’s our traditional ways and we won’t be able to hunt and fish anymore. It’s very important for food security, our way of life and our culture.”
MUN students support protest
Members of Memorial University’s student union were also at the protest. They say they share the concerns of people in Labrador.
“We have students in Labrador, We have indigenous people and we feel it is important to support those students and take a stance on this issue,” said Lindsay Batt, director of finance and services with the MUN students’ union and the aboriginal students representative with the Canadian Federation of Students, N.L.
Linsay Batt is with Memorial University’s student Union. (Mark Quinn/ CBC)
Batt said the province’s plan to begin flooding the reservoir in mid-October without removing soil and vegetation is unacceptable.
“We want them to completely clear the reservoir and mitigate the risk of methylmercury poisoning because you can’t willingly poison people and then expect to compensate them later,” she said.
Protesters also plan to hold a rally at Confederation Building at 12 p.m.
Demonstrators want action regarding the potential environmental, cultural and economic impacts of the mega-project.