Irving Whale:Atlantic Canada Called to Act

[the.greenbase@green2.greenpeace.org]

----------
Original-TO:      World Press (Green2:Green2:Gnl:INET)
Original-Cc:      The Greenbase (Green2:Green2:Gnl:Main)
----------
               ************************
               GREENPEACE PRESS RELEASE
               ************************
 
>> IRVING WHALE: ATLANTIC PROVINCES CALLED TO ACT
Greenpeace makes formal request following Quebec government
move   
 
MONTREAL, March 26 1996 (GP) "A crucial step in the Irving
Whale case has just been made by the Quebec government in its
move to assume its responsibility to protect the environment
and health of Magdalen Islanders," according to Matthew
Bramley, toxics campaigner with Greenpeace Quebec.  "Now it's
the turn of the political decision-makers of Prince Edward
Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland to
recognise the enormous risks posed by possible contamination
of the food chain of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and to act
accordingly."
 
This reaction of Greenpeace Quebec comes on the heels of last
Friday's announcement by the government of Quebec setting out
its position on the  hazard represented by the wreck of the
Irving Whale.  During a visit to the Magdalen Islands, Quebec
environment minister David Cliche announced the  setting up of
an interministerial committee to study the federal government
report on the Irving Whale recovery project, and to make
recommendations to the minister on the risks inherent in the
proposed lifting of the wreck.  In addition, the Quebec
government affirmed the responsibility of Irving, as the
polluter, to pay for the elimination of the pollution caused
by the Irving Whale.
 
Greenpeace is asking the governments of the Atlantic provinces
to follow Quebec~s example, and is making the following
demands:
 
(1)   That they carry out an in-depth study of the federal
report and make recommendations to the federal government as
to the method of recovery carrying the least risk for the
environment and the populations concerned;  
(2)   That they press the competent authorities to oblige the
Irving company to assume the entire costs of stopping and
eliminating the pollution caused by the Irving Whale wreck, in
conformity with the polluter-pays principle.
 
Greenpeace's ultimate goal on this issue remains the adoption
by the federal government of the solution carrying the minimum
possible risk for the environment and the local populations. 
The environmental organisation believes that the federal
government has still not carried out a genuine assessment of
the risks associated with the various possible clean-up
options.                                -30-
 
For further information, please contact
Johanne Fillion, Greenpeace Quebec                 
(514) 933-0021 
Matthew Bramley, Greenpeace Quebec                 
(514) 933-0021

----------