Newfoundland Supreme Court orders assessment for major aquaculture project
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — The Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador has ordered a major aquaculture project proposed for Placentia Bay to undergo an environmental assessment after the provincial government earlier gave it the go ahead without one.
The Atlantic Salmon Federation had challenged the government’s 2016 decision, citing concerns about the possible impact on wild salmon stocks.
Judge Gillian Butler said in her decision that Perry Trimper, who was the environment minister at the time, lacked the jurisdiction to release the project from environmental assessment.
“I have found that the minister exceeded his jurisdiction on the release decision,” she wrote in her decision. “The minister lacked jurisdiction to release the project.”