Committee speaking out about ongoing odour issue calls for N.B. minister's resignation
A group of residents in the Richibucto, N.B., area are calling for the resignation of a provincial minister.
The Kent Clean Air Action Committee (KCAAC) has written a letter to New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs asking for the resignation of Daniel Allain.
The Minister of Local Government and Governance Reform met with three members of the KCAAC last Saturday about an ongoing odour issue coming from the Coastal Shell Products plant in Richibucto.
In a news release sent by the KCAAC late Friday afternoon, the committee says Allain was "dismissive" and "aggressive" during the meeting.
When reached late Friday afternoon, Allain declined to comment on the news release.
Saturday's meeting was held to discuss possible solutions about the smell coming from the shell drying facility that processes waste from the seafood industry and turns it into a variety of products including fertilizer.
Residents in the area have been complaining about the smell for years, and the KCAAC has been asking the province to come up with a solution.
According to the news release, KCAAC chairperson JoAnne Robichaud was so upset with the tone of the meeting that she sent a complaint directly to Higgs calling for Allain to step down from his post.
On Tuesday, co-chair Claudette Robichaud told CTV News Allain was "sympathetic" toward their cause and gave no indication of any hostility during the meeting.
Allain called the meeting "great" in an interview with CTV News on Tuesday and said he's trying to work with all parties to find a solution to the smell coming from the facility.
“We understand what the citizens are going through,” said Allain on Tuesday.
On two separate occasions, Allain has told CTV News that, as far as he knows, the plant is not violating any provincial regulations.
The plant is currently allowed to operate from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily.
CTV News has made several attempts in the past three weeks to get in touch with a representative from Coastal Shell Products, but emails and phone calls have not been returned.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.