Saint John-Fundy residents deliver resolution against shale gas to MLA

Residents of the Saint John-Fundy riding presented a resolution on shale gas to their MLA Glen Savoie at the Seaview Community Centre in Black River on Monday, October 24. It was respectfully requested the resolution be passed on to Premier David Alward. The document was presented by local resident Colin Seeley at a town hall meeting held for that area by the MLA. The resolution outlines concerns of citizens in Black River, Gardners Creek and Duck Pond with hydro-fracturing, a process used in shale gas development. The resolution requests that the government not issue any licences to test for natural gas in the Saint John Fundy riding or for offshore drilling in the adjoining Bay of Fundy.

MLA Glen Savoie reviewed the resolution of residents, which is found below.

Whereas the exploration for shale gas using a process know as hydraulic fracturing (frac’ing) has been allowed to take place in New Brunswick and;

Whereas this process has been demonstrated to pose serious risks to public health, water and air pollution, and the general environment and;

Whereas current government legislation/regulations with respect to this industry are deemed to not provide adequate protection to the public health, water and air pollution and the general environment, and;

Whereas the government is deemed to not have adequate staff or financial resources in place to provide proper oversight of this industry;

Now therefore be it resolved, by those assembled and listed below that within the area covered by Electoral district map #31 – Saint John- Fundy riding, no “licences to search” or “leases” be permitted by the NB government for the purposes of searching for or the development of shale gas or otherwise. Further it is requested that no “off shore” “licences to search” or “leases” be permitted by the NB government for the purposes of searching for or the development of shale gas or otherwise, beyond the boundary of electoral district map #31 Saint John Fundy riding with the Bay of Fundy.

The above resolution was discussed and given majority consent by those assembled at a meeting held October 17, 2011 at the Seaview community club in Black River NB.

Further this resolution will be presented to Saint John Fundy MLA Glen Savoie along with a request that he respectfully convey same to Premier David Alward and Cabinet.

Dated: October 17, 2011.