In the Legislature Thursday, Official Opposition Leader Brian Gallant brought up the absence of fracking in the PC Throne Speech.
Premier Blaine Higgs promised Cabinet would share their power with all MLAs, and Gallant says fracking is the best opportunity to follow through on that pledge.
“We urge the Alliance-Conservative government to discuss and vote on this contentious issue with all 49 MLAs on the floor of this Legislature, not just among their team of 25,” says Gallant.
Gallant continued by saying there were many issues of concern about the Throne Speech, especially “where it is silent.”
“One area where I believe the government is offside of the majority of the House is in their silence and misleading answers on hydraulic fracturing,” says Gallant.
During the election campaign, Progressive Conservative leader Blaine Higgs said lifting the moratorium on fracking would be up to local jurisdictions, however, Gallant warned New Brunswickers about that particular pledge.
“Make no mistake, despite what the Premier has said, the cabinet does have power to unilaterally remove or modify the moratorium on hydraulic fracturing without the support of the majority of members of this house,” says Gallant.
in 2014, the then Liberal government under Gallant passed legislation allowing cabinet to put in place the fracking moratorium, which they did the following year.
The moratorium, billed at the time as temporary, was to allow the government to study the impact and effect of fracking, with the requirement of a ‘social licence’ from New Brunswickers to proceed.