Amnesty International, a global organization involved in human rights issues in developing nations, has now focused its efforts on a small community in southwest Nova Scotia. The organization has teamed up with local residents to address the longstanding challenge of securing clean water for African Nova Scotians living near an old landfill in Shelburne. Concerns have arisen that the landfill may have contaminated well water, leading to elevated cancer rates among the approximately 50 Black inhabitants in the vicinity.
Following a visit to the area in late October, members of Amnesty’s Canadian branch listened to residents’ accounts of past and ongoing issues. David Matsinhe, Amnesty’s director of research, policy, and advocacy, expressed shock at the conditions, emphasizing the violation of fundamental human rights such as access to clean drinking water and secure land tenure.
The now closed-off landfill, which operated for 70 years in Shelburne, remains a site of buried waste from various sources, including residential, hospital, and military waste. Amnesty has drafted a letter in support of the community, urging local authorities to address the environmental and racial injustices by providing safe drinking water, cleaning up the landfill, and ensuring accountability for what is widely recognized as environmental racism.
While Shelburne Mayor Stan Jacklin declined to comment directly, his biography highlights his involvement with SEED, an environmental organization focused on delivering clean water to Shelburne residents. Louise Delisle, a prominent figure in the community, welcomed Amnesty’s intervention, emphasizing the urgent need for reparations and improvements to address the impacts of environmental racism on property values and living conditions.
Efforts are underway to address the landfill issue, with ongoing groundwater tests and plans for site capping and conversion into a green space. Scientific studies are also being conducted to determine the link between the landfill and health issues in the area. Delisle remains hopeful that initiatives like Amnesty’s campaign and community well projects will bring positive change and eliminate the need for bottled water consumption in the future.