A Response to Premier David Alward’s
2014 State of the Province Address
2 February 2014
Enough is Enough
Premier David Alward has made “crystal clear” in his State of the Province Address that the PCNB government is pushing ahead with the development of the shale gas industry. During this past summer the mantra of the PCNB has been “Don’t worry, it’s only exploration. The citizens will be consulted prior to any decisions to proceed with development of the industry.” That commitment rings hollow to the citizens of New Brunswick.
Mr. Alward said, "We will not let the personal agendas of the minority be a roadblock to developing our province's bright future." The decision to develop an unconventional shale gas industry is the personal agenda of a minority, i.e. the government in collusion with a small wealthy sector of our province. Many citizens of New Brunswick have a very different idea as to what qualifies as a bright future. As is being done successfully in other countries, we want to move into the future with a diversified economy fueled in large part with sustainable renewable energy and sustainable jobs.
Mr. Alward, unconventional shale gas is a dirty, toxic and dangerous industry - period. After 10 years of hydraulic fracturing, the evidence continues to mount that this process of extracting natural gas cannot be done safely and without great risk.
Mr. Alward said, "I want to be crystal clear, that we are supportive of shale gas, and its potential as an industry to help us achieve our goals. To not take advantage of this opportunity would be one of the most irresponsible things a government could do”.
We also want to be crystal clear, that we are not supportive of shale gas, and its potential as an industry to prevent us from achieving our goals. To take advantage of this opportunity would be one of the most irresponsible things our government could do.
Enough is Enough
Premier Alward said, "In the coming days we will unveil our forestry plan that will focus on increasing the amount of fibre we can put in the system and ultimately put more boots in the woods all over the province and create jobs". That translates into providing more timber access to the corporations that now (mis)manage our crown forests. The Acadian Forests have been decimated and turned into tree plantations for the economic benefit of the corporations. This has resulted in the loss of local woodsmen and environmental integrity. We the taxpayers are actually paying the corporations to take our wood for their profit! Quebec and British Columbia have embraced the concept of community forestry over corporate monopoly. Isn’t it time to consider the same in New Brunswick?
Enough is Enough
The PCNB 2010 party platform has been used to say that the government ran on a platform of shale gas development and therefore has a mandate to do so. That same platform also included the passing of a Referendum Act to allow citizens to vote on issues of major consequence to their collective well being. The premier and his government have not followed through on the Referendum Act mandate. Will Mr. Alward and the PCNB include the Referendum Act in thePCNB platform for the 2016 election?
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36
Enough IS Enough
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