Fishermen worried about LNG plans

WebPosted Sep 3 2004 01:45 PM ADT

SAINT JOHN — Opposition to a planned liquified natural gas terminal in Pleasant Point, Maine, is growing on the Canadian side of the border.

New Brunswick Southwest MP Greg Thompson says the Canadian government has the power to stop the project from going ahead, and local fishermen fear the proposed terminal will be too dangerous.

Thompson met with angry fishermen on Deer Island a few weeks ago. They are worried that if the new liquified natural gas terminal is built in a nearby community in Maine, their fish stocks will be at risk.

Thompson says a similar project was killed more than 20 years ago. An oil company wanted to build a refinery at Eastport, Maine, and the Canadian government stepped in to stop the project. "The Canadian government at that time said no to the transport of those ships through Head Harbour passage. And that was one of the reasons the project did not go forward."

Thompson says he has a number of researchers digging up the federal documents that were submitted to parliament Dec. 6, 1977. He promises to present those documents to government in the hopes of barring U.S. ships from the narrow passage in the Bay of Fundy. "Canada has to stand up for its citizens, it has to stand up for its country. It has to stand up for the environment and lay the cards squarely on the table. You know the Americans do that when it's in their best interest to do so and we should do the same."

Thompson says Canada-U.S. relations won't be damaged by his actions. He says opposition to the project is almost as strong in Maine.