Mine expansion would give Dalhousie community a black eye?

Of course this is what I have been saying for years now. CBC has a story this week about a proposed mine in Dalhousie. Lots of juicy nuggets in here like this one: “have a devastating effect on the fishery”, “None of the residents who asked questions at the recent meetings spoke in favour of the project”, “"We want to turn the page on industry," said someone who used to serve on Dalhousie's town council”, “…wants to see the community lean into tourism, instead of returning to its industrial past”. She’s worried the mine will give the community a black eye.

Dalhousie has a median age of 58 making it among the oldest communities in Canada. Only 45% of all personal income earned in the community comes from employment income and 35% of all personal income comes directly from government transfers (EI, OAS, etc.). Of the little industry that is in the town, 70% of all the wages come from the public sector (public administration, health care and education). So even the 45% employment income almost entirely comes from government.

There are 33 people aged 65+ living in the town for every 10 under the age of 15 making it one of the most demographically skewed communities in the country.

The new mine would inject millions of private sector wages every year, good paying jobs that would keep young families in the area.

What is giving Dalhousie a black eye?

It goes without saying that environment impact assessments matter. If the work shows elevated levels of particulate matter in the air, excessive noise pollution, impact on the fishery, etc. that should impact the decision.

I understand there is some history in the northeast regarding large industrial projects. I understand we are now much more rigorous in environment assessment and oversight.

But wanting to move on from industry is a recipe for economic collapse.