On Tuesday night, about 50 people gathered outside Sackville town hall for a vigil remembering the victims of Israeli bombings in Gaza, and asking the Tantramar councillors meeting inside to back a resolution in support of a ceasefire.
Sackville Ceasefire Coalition member Sarah Kardash told the crowd gathered that she was profoundly disappointed in Tantramar council for not taking up the call, but the group continues to ask for a resolution from council. “Municipal governments have a moral obligation to speak up, represent their communities, and collectively call for urgent action from the Canadian government,” said Kardash.
“Ceasefire is a popular demand that people the world over are being asked to take up by Palestinians in Gaza,” said Kardash. “Yet there is no notice of motion on the council’s agenda tonight.”
Kardash said that several councillors responded to the group after a presentation last month which laid out their case for a resolution, but none were willing to put forward a motion. While Councillor Allison Butcher responded positively to the coalition’s presentation in January, Kardash said she later told the group by email that she was “unconvinced that [their resolution] would do much to alter world affairs.”
Councillor Mike Tower emailed the group to say he shared their concerns about the loss of life and the suffering happening in Gaza, but didn’t believe their motion was the answer.
According to Kardash, Councillor Bruce Phinney met in person with two members of Sackville ceasefire coalition, but in the end told them he believed it would be pointless to pass a ceasefire motion.
Kardash also said Councillor Debbie Wiggins-Colwell expressed interest in a meeting, but failed to answer follow-up communications.
In her speech, Kardash drew attention to the position of Premier Blaine Higgs, who unlike Tantramar council, has not shied away from weighing in on the war. In a fundraising site for Higgs’ provincial re-election campaign which is aimed across the country, “principled support for Israel” is featured as one of the premier’s four key positions, alongside fiscal conservatism, parents’ rights, and natural resource development.
“How far is Higgs willing to go in his support for Israel,” wondered Kardash, “and what implications does that have for Palestinians and Palestine Solidarity activists in New Brunswick?”
Before she wrapped up, Kardash renewed the coalition’s call for a resolution. “What is the worldview that we want local councillors to speak out, take a stand, and fight for?” she asked. “We continue to invite the Tantramar council to join us in building a world where no one is abandoned, no one is dehumanized, and everyone’s need for safety, security, and wellbeing is met.”
Inside town hall, Sackville Ceasefire Coalition member Kate Des Roches made a quick two minute presentation to council featuring a letter from Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, where the mayor and council recently passed a resolution “supporting the federal government’s call for a sustainable ceasefire.” No Tantramar councillors commented or asked questions about Des Roche’s presentation.
After the meeting, Mayor Andrew Black told CHMA that he didn’t have anything to say about the request, because council had yet to discuss it. “There has been no direction from council,” said Black. “So there’s nothing to say.”
When asked about his personal decision not to bring a motion, Black again said that his “direction comes from council. So if Council has an appetite to discuss this and bring it forward, then they would and then we would discuss it.”
Black also indicated that he wasn’t prepared to bring a motion forward “on the fly”, and wanted to consult the Local Governance Act as well as council’s procedural by-law, as to whether it would be possible for a mayor to bring forward a motion.
