CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - Not all of P.E.I.’s high-capacity well users are being held to the same standard, says a PC MLA.
Brad Trivers raised the issue during question period last week while citing a government response to a written question submitted last summer asking for a list of government checks on high-capacity wells and other commercial water extractors.
Trivers said out of the 244 inspections on holding ponds, rivers, water courses and wells conducted over about 18 months in P.E.I., not a single one was on Cavendish Farms or its processing plants’ 17 industrial high-capacity wells.
The bulk of the inspections, 212 of them, were on farmers, said Trivers.
“Why is this government working with Cavendish Farms to formulate public policy on water usage while not holding them to the same standards as the farmers?” asked Trivers, adding that only six processing inspections were conducted out of the 244 inspections by government.
Environment Minister Richard Brown said the province holds all commercial water users to the same level of oversight and scrutiny but also said it would be one of the issues that will be addressed in Water Act regulations.
“Another allegation this week that we’re secretly working with Cavendish Farms,” said Brown in reference to PC accusations earlier this month that the province was holding secret meetings with the Irving-owned company about a high-capacity well proposal.
“All Islanders are treated equally when it comes to protection of water here on P.E.I.”
A new Water Act passed during last fall’s sitting of the legislature included little mention of deep-water wells.
Trivers also criticized the province for still not having the completed the Water Act regulations.
Brown said the regulations are being finalized and will go through an all-party committee and then to public consultation.
“A couple months from now, he’ll probably be complaining that there’s too many meetings on this,” said Brown. “Water is the most important issue here on P.E.I. and no government will fool around with the water on P.E.I.”
Related:
- Cavendish Farms president Robert Irving urges P.E.I. government to double potato farm land limits
- Shortage of potatoes leads Cavendish Farms to close O’Leary packaging facility
- Cavendish Farms president Robert Irving raises concerns about P.E.I.'s deep-water well moratorium
- Poll: Should Cavendish Farms be allowed to purchase more land in P.E.I.?
