The debate over fracking in New Brunswick continues as legislature politicians clash over a proposal to ban oil and gas exploration and drilling.
Last week Green Party leader David Coon introduced a bill to end fossil fuel development. The bill came with “urgency”, he said, after Prime Minister Blaine Higgs said he would pursue fracked gas development with or without First Nations consent. The bill will be put to a vote on June 7.
“The prime minister is determined to expand the production of fossil fuels, specifically shale gas, by opening up fracking. This bill is a firm ‘no’ to that ambition,” Coon said.
“As citizens and as a province in one of the richest countries in the world, we have a responsibility to make sure the prime minister takes his foot off the accelerator right now.”
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MLAs from all parties spoke about the bill on Thursday after Coon’s presentation, where he stressed the global importance of the transition from fossil fuels. He noted that the International Energy Agency declared in 2021 that there can be no new oil, gas or coal development if the world wants to reach net zero by 2050.
“…if you think enacting legislation will stop the premiere from standing up and talking about fracking, you are wrong,” said Liberal member Keith Chiasson.
He pointed to Quebec, which in April 2022 became the first jurisdiction in the world to ban oil and gas development on its borders.
A moratorium on fracking was imposed in New Brunswick in 2013 after much pushback and protest from indigenous supporters, many from the Elsipogtog First Nation, and other opponents. Coon noted that this did not stop Higgs from discreetly carving an exception in the Sussex area of the province in 2019. Those plans were later abandonedBut Coon cautioned that without clear legislation banning fracking, more projects could come forward.
The Minister for Energy and Resource Development, Mike Holland, representing the Progressive Conservatives, spoke out against the bill. He acknowledged that climate change is a global problem, but insisted that the province has been a “climate leader.” New Brunswick has reduced emissions to 39 percent below 2005 levels, but experienced a six percent increase last year.
He noted the potential of natural gas as a transition fuel from oil and gas to renewable energy. However, fracked gas is still a planet-warming fossil fuel, and the evidence shows that it should not be included in the energy transition.
“We have a strategy to increase renewable energy. We have a strategy to increase nuclear power. We have a strategy to increase the cleanliness and emissions-free nature of our network to meet those goals,” Holland said. “But if you cripple a government and don’t allow them the options to explore lower emission or no emission means through natural gas or nuclear, I ask you, what are the options that you are presenting?”
Meanwhile, Liberal member Keith Chiasson does not support new fracking but said the moratorium exists to prevent expansion and it is working. He spoke out against the Green Party bill for “trying to create a narrative” instead of pushing for a comprehensive energy plan. The bill is “weak,” he said.
fracking moratorium it includes rules: specifically, that it will not be lifted unless there is social license and consultation with First Nations, Chiasson said. However, that social license is not present throughout the province, especially among First Nations. Last week, the province’s Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqey communities criticized Higgs for shirking his responsibility to consult them. “The trouble could get ugly here,” said Chief Allan Polchies Jr. of Sitansisk, St. Mary’s First Nation. National Observer of Canada.
“I understand that [Coon] he wants to put it into legislation because it makes him sound more serious and he probably will. But regulations can be changed and legislation can be changed. So if you think that by enacting legislation, you will prevent the premiere from standing up and talking about fracking. You are wrong,” Chiasson said.
“He will continue to get up and spit out his old ideas of, you know, back in the day when fracking was accepted, ‘Oh, those were the good old days.’ Just leave it. Let him rant about it because we know it’s not going to happen. We will not allow it. People won’t allow it.”
Megan Mitton, a member of the Green Party, insisted the bill is straightforward, saying her party is tackling the energy transition with other bills and through Permanent Legislation. Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Management.
He said that every fraction of a degree of warming matters and has a tangible impact on everything from livable working conditions to increased floods and droughts, noting that fracking gas (or shale) is mostly made up of methane.
“I think it’s shameful not to support this legislation, I think it would be shameful to support fracking. I think it’s shameful to want to invest in new fossil fuel infrastructure,” he said.