Protect our Gulf!

Deeply concerned about the damage that oil development could create in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, star Jason Priestley is asking you to join him in calling for a moratorium on oil and gas in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

This fall, the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board allowed seismic testing for oil and gas to proceed in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Seismic testing, which changes feeding and migratory patterns in fish and marine mammals, is the first step in oil and gas development.

Our worst fear is that this beautiful, shared ecosystem will be put at risk by oil and gas! A spill such as the one that happened in the Gulf of Mexico could impact all five Canadian provinces that bound the Gulf, threatening fish, seabirds, and marine mammals – and the multi-million dollar industries that rely on a healthy Gulf!

Please act now !

Write to the Prime Minister, Federal Party Leaders, and Gulf Premiers. Tell them to Protect Our Gulf!

Below we've provided some sample text, but we encourage you to include a personal message raising your concerns.
A message in your own words greatly increases your impact!

Subject:

Your Letter:

Dear Prime Minister Harper, Federal Party Leaders, and Gulf Premiers,

I am writing to ask you to act immediately to stop oil and gas exploration and development in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This summer, we witnessed a global environmental catastrophe and loss of human life due to the disastrous BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico. I want you to make sure a similar disaster will not happen here.

The Gulf of St. Lawrence is a unique and highly productive ecosystem, bounded by five Canadian provinces. Over 2000 marine species live in the Gulf, including the endangered blue whale and severely imperiled cod stocks. The Gulf ecosystem supports thousands of jobs and supports multi-million dollar industries such as fishing and tourism. This vibrant, shared ecosystem should not be placed at risk.

This fall, the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board allowed seismic blasting to go ahead at the Old Harry lease, in the middle of the Gulf. This occurred in spite of concerns about the impact seismic testing would have on fish and marine mammals, who are known to change their feeding and migratory behaviour in response to seismic noise. This testing also occurred without consultation with other provinces that would be impacted by damage caused by oil and gas in the Gulf.

I am asking that a moratorium be placed on oil and gas in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. I am also asking that federal and provincial leaders take action to work together to protect this shared ecosystem.  I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

[Your Name & Contact Information]

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper

Prime Minister
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
CA

Michael Ignatieff

Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada
(613) 995-0886

Gilles Duceppe

Leader of the Bloc Québécois

Jack Layton

Leader of the New Democratic Party

Elizabeth May

Leader of the Green Party of Canada

Hon. Danny Williams

Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

Hon. Jean Charest

Premier of Québec

Hon. Darryl Dexter

Premier of Nova Scotia

Hon. Robert Ghiz

Premier of Prince Edward Island

Hon. David Alward

Premier of New Brunswick