Revisiting fracking not worth it for these rural New Brunswickers

The debate over the costs and benefits of shale gas development has returned to New Brunswick. Today our government is bringing forward legislation to amend the Oil and Gas Act, which will allow us to proceed with a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing. Twelve years after a previous government brought in a moratorium, the Holt Liberals have decided to review the ban, and opponents say their positions haven't changed. The big difference is we know so much more, and everything that we've found out, all the studies are supporting what we had come to the conclusion, you know, 10 to 15 years ago. And that is, it's very bad for your health and for the environment. One of the shale gas deposits identified in New Brunswick runs under Hillsborough in the municipality of Fundy Albert. Despite the promise of economic benefits, the introduction of hydraulic fracturing remains controversial in this rural municipality. From an economic point of view, it's obvious that it would be good for the area. But the area is built on a lifestyle, and most people would be concerned that that rural lifestyle that we chose, we go an hour for groceries, we chose this. And I believe that everybody who lives in Fundy Albert chose this. They're not here by accident. So that lifestyle, they wouldn't want interrupted. Economic consultant David Campbell says it is hypocritical for New Brunswickers to rely on natural gas from elsewhere while rejecting the industry in their home province. One of the things Canadians need to know and New Brunswickers need to know is this industry, hydraulic fracturing has been used now about the same time we were thinking about starting our industry in B.C. and the interior was using hydraulic fracturing and now it's a major industry in B.C. So people need to know. Now they can still say, oh, I don't want it here. At least they need to know that this is being done elsewhere in Canada, and it's being done and creating great benefits. But not everyone believes the financial benefits will outweigh the potential health care and environmental costs. For those residents, the reopening of the debate is a call to action again. You know, you think, oh, I thought we didn't have to do this again, you know. So I don't think that people who were active in the debate in 2012-2013 before the moratorium, I don't think that those people are discouraged and won't protest. So hopefully everyone will lock elbows and say, no, this is not what we want for New Brunswick. A provincial government public survey on the issue closes October 23rd. Premier Susan Holt says the review on the fracking moratorium will wrap up in January.