Deforestation on the Acadian Peninsula and the future of the former Tracadie firing range are being debated in certain local councils in this region.
The broadcast of images of deforestation and the call for regional solidarity from the mayor of Tracadie, who wants to protect the forest of the former shooting range, are prompting local elected officials to reflect on these questions.
Open in full screen mode
The deforested areas west of Tracadie are designated for blueberry monocropping.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Louis-Philippe Trozzo
The New Brunswick government wants blueberry fields to be developed in the area, which promises significant economic benefits.
Find balance
It is a sensitive issue, the mayor of Neguac, Georges R. Savoie, recognizes from the start.
There are many blueberry fields around Neguac, hence deforestation.
Open in full screen mode
The mayor of Neguac, Georges R. Savoie, is aware that the issues of deforestation and blueberry fields are “sensitive.”
Photo: CBC / Jacques Poitras
These questions deserve to be the subject of discussion in the municipal council, adds the mayor of Neguac.
We need to be sensible and listen to different people’s points of view, he says. There are people who have blueberry farms and make a living from them. But we also need to see what the balance will be between the number of blueberry fields and deforestation.
There are also blueberry fields around the municipality of Hautes-Terres.
There are many blueberry producers here. There are small, medium and large.
Aware that blueberry fields now exist in all four corners of the Acadian Peninsula, the mayor of this community said he was not shocked by the broadcast of images showing the extent of blueberry fields in the region.
There are some behind Tracadie, in Lamèque, in the Shippagan region, in Maltempec, in the Caraquet region, in Saint-Léolin, at the top of Saint-Amateur and Notre-Dame-des-Érables, he indicates. Blueberry fields were planted everywhere, both on private property and on Crown land.
On the Highlands agenda
Denis Landry plans to put the issues of deforestation and the future of the former Tracadie shooting range on the agenda of the township’s next public meeting next Tuesday.
“When we discuss this in the Acadian Peninsula Mayors’ Forum, I want to be informed by my people so that I can talk about it,” he explains.
Open in full screen mode
The mayor of the municipality of Hautes-Terres, a former forestry worker, recognizes that there are now blueberry fields in all four corners of the Acadian Peninsula.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Michel Corriveau
Although he himself felled many trees “in another life,” for the former forestry worker it is about finding a balance between economic development and environmental protection.
In Rivière-du-Nord, Mayor Joseph Lanteigne says these issues will be discussed at a local council work session.
The mayor of Shippagan, Kassim Doumbia, did not respond to our calls, nor did the mayor of Île-de-Lamèque, Bernard Savoie.
On the program La Matinale last Wednesday, the mayor of Caraquet, Bernard Thériault, recalled that the municipal council is sovereign and explained that there would be a debate if the councilors wanted it.