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More than 10,000 Nova Scotians have signed a petition calling on the provincial government to restore a long-standing ban on uranium mining. The campaign has gained significant momentum, with opposition parties preparing to table over 2,000 fresh signatures when politicians returned to the legislature — adding to the more than 8,000 already on record.
Government Repealed Decades-Long Ban in 2025
Premier Tim Houston’s government removed the uranium mining ban in March 2025. However, no new mining operations have started since the repeal. Houston has defended the decision, arguing that uranium is mined safely in other jurisdictions and that developing the province’s natural resources is necessary to strengthen its economy.
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The opposition Liberals and NDP have pushed back strongly. Both parties support restoring the ban and have backed the growing petition effort.
Community Groups and Businesses Drive Signature Campaign
Petition organizers say community members, grassroots organizations and local businesses collected the latest round of signatures. The broad base of support suggests public concern about uranium mining extends well beyond environmental advocacy groups.
Dr. Catherine Cervin of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment also raised health concerns. She warned that uranium mining can release radioactive material into both water and air.
“The ban protected us because mining activities were required to cease if uranium was discovered at greater than 100 parts per million,” Cervin said in a statement. “We no longer have that protection.”
Health and Environmental Concerns at the Centre of Debate
Cervin’s comments highlight the core concern driving public opposition. Critics argue that removing the ban exposes communities to environmental and health risks that the original legislation was specifically designed to prevent.
Meanwhile, Mi’kmaw leaders in Nova Scotia have also called for greater consultation on uranium mining projects. Indigenous communities want a meaningful role in decisions that could affect their lands and waters.
The debate over uranium mining in Nova Scotia is therefore shaping up as a significant political and public health issue. With the petition continuing to grow, pressure on the Houston government is unlikely to ease in the near term.
