Elliot Page's $25,000 donation for a community well in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, has become a symbol of the challenges of environmental justice and the complexities of local governance. Seven years after the donation, the well project is still not operational, and Page is frustrated. This article explores the story behind the delay, the underlying issues of environmental racism, and the ongoing struggle for clean water in a drought-prone region. It also delves into the personal reflections of Page, the perspectives of community leaders, and the potential implications for the future of the project.
A Donation with a Delayed Impact
Elliot Page's donation was made with the intention of providing clean water to a community facing environmental racism and health disparities. The documentary There's Something in the Water shed light on the province's history of environmental racism in Black and Indigenous communities, including the African Nova Scotian community near Shelburne's old garbage dump. Residents fear that the dump has contaminated their drinking water and caused cancer rates to spike.
However, the project has been fraught with delays, disagreements, and accusations of racism. The proposed location for the well has shifted from a recreation center in the Black community to an existing well on the province's NSCC campus, located outside town limits. Two-thirds of Page's donation was spent on testing the well in 2023, and the project is now facing a deadline of November 2027 for completion.
The Complexity of Local Governance
The project's delays are a result of the complex interplay between the province, two municipal governments, a community college, and a community group known as the South End Environmental Injustice Society (SEED). The matter has led to disputes over the location and accusations of racism. The province has approved $170,000 in funding, but it comes with a catch: the project must be completed by November 2027.
The municipality has offered to pay for building maintenance, heating, snow clearing, and maintenance, but requires the town to provide a certified water operator to operate and maintain the system. This has led to a cooperative operating model, with the town's decision resting on whether they wish to participate. The Shelburne Mayor, Stan Jacklin, has promised to present this plan to the town council, but no decisions have been made regarding funding or operations.
Environmental Racism and the Need for Action
The original intent behind the well project has hit a nerve, as the word 'racism' gets people's backs up. Ingrid Waldron, a social justice scholar, defines environmental racism as delayed action, and Page believes the conversation about industrial pollution and its proximity to racialized communities is more relevant than ever. The need for a well is now amplified by climate change, and leveraging it to help address the community's concerns stemming from environmental racism is crucial.
The area has faced abnormally dry to extreme drought conditions in nine of the last 10 years, and wells have run dry. The warden of the municipality, Penny Smith, acknowledges the complexity of the situation, with the province, the two municipalities, and SEED working through a complex process.
Personal Reflections and Future Possibilities
For Page, the delays have been frustrating and have led to a reconnection with Delisle and Waldron, who were featured in his documentary and 'really inspire me endlessly.' He doesn't have any regrets about the money donated and believes that a second documentary is a possibility, as the project has not yet started.
The ongoing struggle for clean water in a drought-prone region highlights the challenges of environmental justice and the complexities of local governance. The story of Elliot Page's donation serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing environmental racism and the need for a cooperative operating model to ensure that communities have access to clean water.
