Plans to expand the Spruce Lake Industrial Park took a major step forward this week as Saint John city council unanimously approved eight necessary bylaw amendments in a third reading vote.

However, a provincial Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is still pending before the project can officially proceed.

Residents of the neighbouring Lorneville community — who have voiced near-unanimous opposition — reacted swiftly. The grassroots group Save Lorneville issued a statement saying they were “extremely disappointed” by the decision. “The greater Lorneville community is united and resilient, as they remain motivated to keep fighting this proposal,” the group said in a press release.
“Lorneville residents have consistently stated they are not opposed to development; however, it must be sensible and reasonable.”

The group called the city’s public hearing process a “completely staged sham.”

Public Pushback Ignored

Opponents of the expansion had asked to add items to Monday evening’s council agenda, according to Chris Watson, a resident. Those requests included:

• Relevant correspondence from First Nations,

• A new report by tree-ring expert Ben Phillips,

• And responses to 71 outstanding community questions.

Council reportedly disregarded those requests and passed the motions without further discussion.“That completes third reading for Lorneville,” said Mayor Donna Reardon, as video footage showed many audience members walking out following the vote.

Concerns from residents have included the destruction of wetlands and old-growth forest, threats to well water, and questions about Indigenous title over the land.

City staff have argued that the expansion is part of Saint John’s official growth strategy — PlanSJ — and will bring jobs to a region vulnerable to U.S. trade tariffs. They’ve also emphasized a focus on “green and clean” industries in the park.

‘Sacrifice Zones’ and Community Consent

Dr. Geoff Martin, Assistant Professor of Politics and International Relations at Mount Allison University, criticized the city’s approach.“There’s a tendency in New Brunswick to treat certain areas as ‘sacrifice zones’ for industrial development,” said Martin, adding, “Not enough effort is made to work with people or accommodate their concerns. It’s full-speed ahead.”

Martin emphasized the lack of true public consent and information transparency around such projects. “Municipal governments need to consider deviating from economic growth plans when faced with widespread opposition and serious information deficits,” he said.

Although the city did establish a Lorneville community liaison committee, Martin noted that if residents are still voicing concerns, the model may not be effective.

Phillips, an environmental lecturer at Mount Allison, recently identified what he believes to be the fourth-oldest tree on record in New Brunswick within the area slated for development. He called for immediate protection of the forest.

While the provincial EIA remains a requirement, many residents believe the process will simply rubber-stamp the project. “These assessments often serve performative purposes,” said Martin, adding that he’s “not terribly optimistic” they will change the course of development.

Indigenous Opposition and a ‘Divide-and-Conquer’ Approach

Opposition to the expansion has also come from Indigenous voices. The Caribou Club, a land-based treaty education group, hosted a walk-through of the proposed site — also known as Menahkwesk — on June 26. They invited the mayor and councillors, who did not attend.

In an open letter, the group wrote:“Sometimes, when cities or provinces pursue development, they fail to see what has already developed over the lifetime of a 400-year-old spruce tree.
You’ve considered the economic value but not the cultural or spiritual value of this forest.”

The letter criticized “divide-and-conquer tactics” commonly used by industry to weaken resistance and emphasized that these strategies have been historically employed to undermine Indigenous unity.

Wolastoq Grand Chief Ron Tremblay — Spasaqit Possesom or Morningstar Burning — had previously voiced opposition to the project. However, city staff stated he was not consulted because he is “a traditional chief from an old system of government” and not an elected official.

The Caribou Club rejected this logic in their letter: “He represents the grassroots — the voices of individuals like us who walk this land. To discredit the Grand Chief is to undermine the wisdom of the Grandmothers whose counsel he upholds. Under the treaty, it is not your prerogative to assess or interfere in our governance structures or to determine who within our nation holds authority.”

Martin echoed the concern, stating that municipal governments often “pick and choose” which Indigenous leaders to engage with, depending on who is more cooperative. “There’s a bit of divide and conquer going on here as well,” he said.

By: Lucas Reynolds, student at Mount Allison University and summer intern at the NB Media Co-op.
With files from: David Gordon Koch, NB Media Co-op
This reporting was made possible in part by the Government of Canada, administered by the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS).