CHESTER - When the New Democratic Party swept an orange wave throughout Nova Scotia early last month, many promises were made.

 But it was a promise made prior to the election campaign that interests Rudy Haase the most.

 And Mr. Haase, a renowned conservationist and founder of Friends of Nature, is waiting for that promise to be honoured.

 "An early test, when the legislature convenes, will be to see if [Environment Minister] John MacDonell introduces [fellow MLA] Graham Steele's bill from the last session for a permanent legislated moratorium on uranium exploration and mining," he wrote in his annual Friends of Nature newsletter.

 Uranium mining was banned in Nova Scotia in 1982 after a group led by Mr. Haase petitioned the government of the day.

 It was May 15, 2008, when Mr. Graham introduced Bill 58, a private member's bill requesting a legislative ban on uranium mining.

 As it stands uranium mining in Nova Scotia is prohibited. However, the prohibition is government policy, not legislation, meaning it can be changed by the acting government at any time without the vote of the legislative assembly.

 Mr. MacDonell said he recalls the private member's bill and plans to address the situation in due time.

 However, he was non-committal when asked whether the promise to legislate a uranium mining ban would be honoured.

 "We're not going back on the moratorium," he said. "I know what was said in the past and that's why we're taking this quite seriously."

 Frankly speaking, Mr. MacDonell said he hasn't really delved deeply into the issue yet because he's been dealing with other more pressing issues in his first month in office.

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 Before his government tackles the issue head-on, the minister said there is much research to be done.

 He admits to having had some preliminary discussions with staff, but said it hasn't gone much further than that.

 "We're not avoiding it, we're just not there yet," he said.

 In his newsletter Mr. Haase said he hopes the NDP doesn't follow the path of previous recent governments.

 "In the past, both the Liberals and the Progressive Conservatives favoured a permanent mining ban when in opposition but upon assuming office changed their tune.

 "Dr. John Savage testified against uranium mining at the McCleave Inquiry, but when he became premier his government refused to renew the established moratorium.

 "This led PC Ron Wallace to introduce a bill for a permanent moratorium, which did not pass. But when he became minister in the majority [John] Hamm government, he did not re-introduce it."

 Mr. Haase said he's trying not to be cynical.

 "So, we'll see if the NDP follows this sad tradition or really represents change."

posted on 07/28/09