A few hundred protesters waved signs and shouted “shame” as Premier Susan Holt approached the legislature to give her third throne speech.
One protester walked next to Holt with a sign that said “Clean Air and Water Are Our Rights.”
The crowd assembled to express their disapproval of a proposed artificial intelligence data center in Saint John, a natural gas power plant in rural Tantramar, and the government’s plan to reconsider the fracking moratorium.
“Don’t go there,” Judy Mc Kie, one of the demonstrators opposing the fracking review, stated.
“We’re not going to react any different than we did back then.”
Judy Mc Kie says she’s just as concerned about the possibility of fracking now as she was 12 years ago when the moratorium was established. (Mike Heenan/CBC)
Just three years ago, Holt appeared to share sentiments with those same protesters. While speaking in the legislature, she called shale gas “yesterday’s energy solution.”
“New Brunswickers have made it clear, they made it clear that they do not want to take on the risk of hydraulic fracturing,” she remarked back then.
So what has changed?
If you ask the premier, it was influenced by Donald Trump’s second term and declining provincial revenues.
WATCH | ‘Economic stability and independence’ behind fracking gamble, Holt says:
How 3 N. B. politicians have approached more than a decade of shale gas debates
The province is currently reviewing its moratorium on fracking. What has shifted politically and economically over these last twelve years?
In 2014, former premier David Alward based his political future on this resource, building his campaign around what he termed “the greatest opportunity that New Brunswick has had in generations.”
Alward lost that election and soon after introduced the fracking moratorium which set five conditions for lifting it – including First Nations consultation, environmental protections, and social license.
But now Holt is banking on a more favorable public sentiment – pointing directly at trade issues with the United States.
“We are looking at all options that can bring economic stability and independence to our province,” Holt mentioned in August.
Both projects for the data center and new natural gas power plant will need gas to operate. The ongoing trade conflict with the U. S., from where most current supply originates, could make developing local sources more acceptable according to economist Richard Saillant.
Saillant believes local supply might boost economic growth in various ways too.</P
“That could lead to consumers benefiting from … a hopefully more cost competitive source of energy,” he explained. “Then you have potential benefits that could come from developing what they call a cluster.</P
class=’paragrah- b8Hk7′>“So there’s obviously.. downstream economic benefits that could come from exploiting shale gas”</P<Peconomist Richard Saillant says that a local supply of shale gas would have spin-off benefits across New Brunswick’s economy. (Nicolas Steinbach/Radio-Canada)</P
<PThen there’s an ever-present concern: the province’s deficit.</P
<PAs per recent fiscal updates, New Brunswick anticipates spending nearly $1.7 billion more on services than it will receive through taxes and federal transfers.</P
< P“How do we manage a deficit in our health-care system while delivering care New Brunswickers deserve alongside our fiscal deficit where today’s revenues don’t cover tomorrow’s expenses?” said Holt when announcing this review.< / P< P
According to one industry analyst , prospects for New Brunswick shale gas are better now compared to twelve years ago. Todd Mc Donald , president of Energy Atlantica , mentions increased demand pushing prices up -a trend expected to continue into near future.
“Economically , it’s very attractive right now – probably one of North America’s best opportunities given high prices ,” Mc Donald stated.
“You’re close enough geographically even European markets which face even higher costs , while being situated within an area rapidly requiring additional supplies.”
As indicated by latest fiscal update , province expects nearly $1. 7 billion loss this year alone ; thus Saillant understands why prospect untapped revenue appeals greatly.
But he warns against viewing industry simply as quick fix which could erase structural deficits immediately.
“To me , relying solely upon allure big projects saving us is quite reckless,” he cautioned.
“It’s wise pursue growth but foolish fiscally manage funds assuming results before confirming them.”
image Caption-o OSXz PC energy critic Kris Austin’s perspective toward fracking has changed since serving leader People’s Alliance : having called referendum issue back in twenty fourteen-now supports lifting current prohibitions! ( CBC ) p >A report way back during twenty fourteen estimated if around one hundred fifty two hundred new wells were drilled-that would yield anywhere between $1.4 billion -$1.8 billion increase output additionally creating tax revenues between approximately $258 million-$354 million excluding royalties altogether ! Adjusted inflationary terms those figures translate roughly into present day worths estimating anywhere between three hundred forty eight million four hundred seventy-eight million! according Stats Canada calculations ! p >< A greater interest surrounding economic potentials led many other political figures rethink stances within last dozen years.
<A href= "" %%URL_2 % % here"; Twelve months before addressing assembly debate concerning resources; Austin firmly believed decisions belonged people-even quoted saying during debates; ultimately transitioned viewpoints supporting development industry since! Emphasizing technology constantly evolving helps improve extraction practices advocating responsible usage securing safety protocols amid concerns! Overall emphasizing positive impacts economies through tangible advancements created throughout entire process which should outweigh fears originating earlier stages discussions surrounding impact assessments taken into account considering sustainability practices implemented ensure balance maintained overall ecosystem integrity remain intact moving forward ! ” textarea > textarea > textarea > textarea >“Given everything said today I feel confident majority citizens ready embrace potential opportunities missed too long already pushing forward essential changes needed henceforth!”
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