Amnesty International Joins Fight for Nova Scotia Dump Site Cleanup and Safe Water
A Global Advocate for Human Rights Takes on a Local Cause
In a remarkable turn of events, Amnesty International, renowned for its work in human rights conflicts across the globe, has turned its attention to a small town in southwest Nova Scotia. This international organization, often at the forefront of global issues, has now taken on a local cause close to the hearts of the African Nova Scotian community.
A Town's Long-Standing Struggle for Clean Water
The town of Shelburne, with its population of approximately 50 Black residents, has been grappling with a long-standing issue of contaminated well water and high cancer rates. The source of this crisis? An old garbage dump that operated for 70 years, now a fenced-off scrubby bank concealing decades of buried and burned waste.
Amnesty's Visit and Support
Members of Amnesty's Canadian office visited the area in late October, listening to first-hand accounts of the historical and ongoing concerns. David Matsinhe, the group's director of research, policy, and advocacy, expressed shock and concern, stating, 'It's very difficult to believe that we are in a First World country because those conditions don't represent a First World country.'
Human Rights at Stake
Matsinhe emphasized that this is a matter of fundamental human rights, specifically the rights to clean drinking water and land tenure. He shared stories of residents who had to abandon their homes due to health issues linked to the dump.
Amnesty's Letter to the Town Council
Following the visit, Amnesty drafted a letter to the Shelburne town council and mayor, expressing support for the residents' efforts to address long-standing environmental and racial injustices. They urged officials to provide safe drinking water, clean up the dump site, and hold accountable those responsible for what is widely recognized as a case of environmental racism.
Local Advocacy and Conflict
Louise Delisle, the founder of the South End Environmental Injustice Society (SEED), has been a vocal advocate for the issue. Her advocacy has led to both progress and conflict with town officials. Delisle welcomes Amnesty's involvement, stating, 'Thank God. People are starting to realize that this is not just me running my mouth.'
Testing and Project Updates
The town is in the early stages of decommissioning the landfill site, with initial groundwater tests conducted. A 2023 report by Dillon Consulting identified areas of the dump with high conductivity values, indicating potential contaminants. Researchers at McMaster and Dalhousie universities are studying whether the dump has made residents sick by analyzing saliva and toenail samples.
Reparations and Community Well
Delisle advocates for reparations, citing lower property values as one of the harms of environmental racism. She is optimistic about the community well project, which is eligible for provincial grant funding. However, the project is still in the works, and the community's need for a well has been amplified by climate change and drought conditions.
A Documentary and a Donor's Pledge
The situation was documented in a 2019 film by actor Elliot Page, who donated $25,000 for a community well and pledged $5,000 annually for its maintenance. Most of his donation was spent on testing the well for suitability.
A Call for Action
Amnesty International's involvement in this cause is a powerful reminder of the global organization's commitment to addressing local issues. As the community continues its fight for clean water and justice, the world watches, eager to see the impact of Amnesty's advocacy and the progress towards a healthier, safer Shelburne.
