Shale gas protesters end month-long march in Montreal

A group of anti-shale-gas activists arrived in Montreal on Saturday after more than 30 days walking from Rimouski. They joined thousands in a march through the cityto askQuebec's premier to impose a moratorium on shale gas development.

The group left May 16 and has walked 600 kilometres. Organizer Philippe Duhamel said the group has a message for Premier Jean Charest.

"We want to send a message that this government needs to put this whole industry on hold at least for 20 years, until we know what's happening to these 450-million-year-old formations that we're destroying in order to extract gas."

Shale gas isextracted from beneath the earth's surface through a process called hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking." The problem is that fracking can cause gas and other chemicals to be released into groundwater, including into people's wells.In some of theworst cases,residents near shale gasdrilling get gravely ill, whileothers can sometimes light their gas-infused tap water on fire.

'What we want is a 20-year moratorium. A moratorium for a generation.' Jason Rivest, protester

"Shale gas development is simply an abomination," said Jason Rivest, one of about 50 people taking part in the march to Montreal. "What we want is a 20-year moratorium. A moratorium for a generation." He said that is the minimum amount of time needed to have a proper discussion about Quebec's energy future.

Saturday's protest march brought together environmental, scientific andcommunity organizations, as well as Parti Qubcois Leader Pauline Marois and Qubec Solidaire MNA Amir Khadir. The demonstration culminated in front of the headquarters of Hydro-Qubec.

"They are asking for an independent and credible expert panel, a total halt to fracking and we want the whole evaluation process to be independent, credible and transparent," said Andr Blisle, president of the environment group Association qubcoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphrique.

In March the Quebec government said it would respect the findings of areport by the province's environmental-impact assessment bureau, commonly known as the BAPE, which recommended a halt to hydraulic fracturing until a study into its environmental impact is complete.