By DAVID JACKSON Provincial Reporter
Mon. Nov 2 - 6:07 PM
A trio of protesters interrupted MLAs at Province House at about 5 p.m. today, delaying debate while a police officer, a commissionaire, and the sergeant-at-arms removed them from the building.The issue was the Dexter government's legislation to allow seal hunters into a protected wilderness area in Cape Breton.
"Respect our protected wilderness areas, which belong to all Nova Scotians. Thanks very much and have a great day," Bridget Curran said as she was escorted from the public gallery.
She and two others displayed signs from the gallery, but such demonstrations are against House rules. Speaker Charlie Parker asked sergeant-at-arms Ken Greenham to remove the protesters.
Ms. Curran, a spokeswoman for the Atlantic Canadian Anti-Sealing Coalition, said allowing a commercial hunt on Hay Island, part of the Scaterie Island protected wilderness area, opens the door to possibly allowing other types of commercial activity in other areas.
"I think Bill 50 sets a very dangerous precedent and it's only a matter of time before other commercial industry lobbyists such as from the mining industry and the lumber industry lobby the government for access onto other protected space," she said outside the legislature.
Mr. Greenham banned the three protesters from the House for 90 days.
Got ya' 