The Council of Canadians is in Fredericton today protesting against fracking.
CBC reports, “Police estimate more than 600 people gathered for a hydro-fracking rally in Fredericton, New Brunswick Saturday.”
“An alliance made up of 28 community groups organized the event to show the Alward government it doesn’t want shale gas development in the province. Among the groups were members of the St. Mary’s First Nation, who set up a large teepee on the front lawn of the provincial legislature (and are) planning on staying there until the legislature opens on Wednesday.”
“Earlier this month, SWN Resources, the biggest player in shale gas exploration in New Brunswick, announced that its initial assessments show a widespread presence of hydrocarbons underground, including oil and natural gas.”
“The (provincial) government says it will allow responsible development of the industry. Protesters say they hope Saturday’s demonstration will change the province’s mind.”
“Earlier this week, federal Environment Minister Peter Kent said while he has the power to stop hydro-fracking in N.B., he’s waiting on a review from the Council of Canadian Academies on hydro-fracking.”
The Council of Canadians opposes fracking because of its high water use, its high carbon emissions, its impacts on human health, the disruption it causes to wildlife, and the danger it poses to groundwater and local drinking water. The Council is calling for a country-wide stop to fracking operations.
