I had an interesting experience yesterday. Went to a council meeting in the neighbouring county with a group of local Extinction Rebellion people. The meeting was about an application of a large company to change the zoning of some land they owned in the middle of a forest so they can assemble explosives there that are to be used to plug up oil and gas wells to be decommissioned. They had already build the structure which was mobile buildings, because legally, they could only operate in Canada if they have a place anywhere in Canada, even if they don’t use it. Presently, they were operating by shipping the product from Texas. The presenting guy from the company was very good at making his case. The about 100 people present had concerns about what happens with the property and possible use for fracking, because once rezoned, they could do whatever they want after. The company called it a project for two years, but wouldn’t / couldn’t say what happens afterwards. He was very convincing, but people speaking including the councillors where questioning a lot. However, one had the impression they would go for it.
half the public was actually not living directly locally, but XRebellion supporters, I was impressed that council perceived the interest of the public as important and were’t going to make a rash decision ( at thay point, 2.5 hours were gone). Then, one councillor thought she could push the project through and made the move to vote. Everybody thought that that was the end of it- but council defeated the application!