Shale gas opponents say revival would spark stiff pushback - Action News
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New Brunswick

Shale gas opponents say revival would spark stiff pushback

Leaders in the push against shale gas say talk by Premier Blaine Higgs of exploring shale gas could trigger protests similar to those near Rexton in 2013.

Premier floats idea of reviving shale gas exploration, but opposition remains strong

shale gas protestors
Anti-shale gas protesters gathered along Highway 11 near Rexton during protests in 2013. (Jennifer Choi/CBC)

Members of the anti-fracking movement say talkby Premier Blaine Higgs of exploring shale gas could trigger protests similar to thosethat happened near Rexton in 2013.

Higgs has been suggesting for weeks that Europe's need for new supplies of natural gas to replace what it purchased from Russia could create opportunities for shale gas extraction in New Brunswick.

"We could be shipping liquefied natural gas, which is much cleaner than oil," he said at the legislature last week.

Those on the front lines of shale gas opposition nine years ago, when confrontations broke out between police and protesters, say resistanceremains strong.

The demonstration turned violent when RCMP officers moved in to enforce an injunction against a blockade, resulting in 40 arrests and five vehicles cars burned.

Jim Emberger
Jim Emberger of the New Brunswick Anti-Shale Gas Alliance said public opposition to fracking is still strong. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)

Jim Emberger, spokesperson for the New Brunswick Anti-Shale Gas Alliance, said publicopposition has only grown since the province last explored fracking.

"If it comes down to therebeing a discussion about it, there's a lot more ammunition on our side than there was then."

"I think a lot of people in the fossil fuel industry view this as one of their last big chances to make some money before we have to get off of fossil fuels," he said.

'We haven't forgotten'

Lorraine Claire was part of the anti-fracking demonstrations near Elsipogtog First Nation and said the same group is ready to take action if the discussions turn into actual plans.

"We don't want it here. They think that the time has passed and people have forgotten, but no, we haven't forgotten," she said.

Lorraine Clair, left, and Oasogatesg Augustine both told CBC News they suffered arm injuries while being arrested near Rexton in 2013. Clair said if fracking is revived 'there's going to be a battle.' (Submitted/Lorraine Clair)

Claire said while the original protesters remain active, the younger generation in Elsipogtog is also passionate about protecting the environment and staunchly opposed to shale gas.

"There's not going to be a simple sit down and talk about it, let's do this again. There's going to be a battle on the table, there will be a battle on the streets if there needs to be," she said.

Conditions for shale gas

Higgs acknowledged last week the issue is complex, telling reporters he doesn't want to relive the protests near Rexton in 2013.

"So we would need to work with communities, First Nations and have a general understanding that, 'Can we be of assistance here to ourselves and others?'" he said on June 13.

The war in Ukraine has spiked global prices and demand, but experts warn uncertainty in the global market could make an investment risky without a long-term agreement.

The Liberal government under Brian Gallant imposed a moratorium on shale gas after the 2014 election.

It legislated five conditions that must be met for development to be allowed again, including consultation with Indigenous communities, social license from New Brunswickers and a plan for proper wastewater disposal.

It also requires clear information on potential impacts on air, public health and water so proper regulations can be set in place.

Mi'gmawe'l Tplu'taqnn Inc., which represents Mi'kmaq chiefs, told CBC News earlier this month that the organization has not been contacted recently by the Higgs government to discuss shale gas exploration.