New Brunswick — A 12-year-old hydraulic fracturing moratorium may soon be lifted, as Premier Susan Holt explained to reporters on Wednesday, in response to tariffs affecting many industries and leading to job losses in the province.
While sentiment is mixed on fracking, many New Brunswickers believe it poses a threat to our water, land, Indigenous communities and the environment in general. And all New Brunswickers wonder where Holt found the gall to make such an announcement without consulting the Irving family, who own this province and the people in it.
“There’s a reason Brian Gallant was so adamant about the moratorium, and it’s something he was actually right about,” said Green Party MLA Megan Mitton. “We can’t destabilize our earth just because we need to boost the economy. And perhaps most importantly, what do the Irvings think about this? I haven’t heard a peep from any of them!”
Holt, though, heard these concerns and promised that before anything happens, she will ask the Irving family whether they give the green light to proceed.
“We are not putting drills in the ground just yet,” said Holt. “Not until we know for sure that the Irvings approve. I left a voicemail, but no one has gotten back to me. But I give you my word, until we get official permission, we won’t frack.”
A reporter asked Premier Holt when the Irvings will give their input.
“Well I’m working on a thorough slide deck that will convey to the Irvings what’s in it for them, if we do frack. It needs to be a good deal on their end. I’ll be making a business case, and if they give me their stamp of approval, it’ll go ahead.
“Basically, it needs to generate a huge load of money for them, quickly, and they need to know that most of the profits from natural gas development will land in their pockets. That’s how we make most of our decisions, actually.”
At press time, Holt was frantically copying and pasting content from a previous PowerPoint presentation in which she asked the Irvings if she could cut veterinary field services.