PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release        November 17, 2011

Shale Gas Protest March and Rallies in Fredericton November 19th and 23rd

 

FREDERICTON NB ---- A march and two rallies at the Provincial Legislature will take place on November 19th and November 23rd to protest unconventional shale gas development in New Brunswick.
Citizens and community groups from throughout New Brunswick will converge on Fredericton on Saturday, November 19th and at the opening session of the New Brunswick Legislature on Wednesday, November 23rd with their message to the Alward Government that the exploration and extraction of natural gas from shale using horizontal drilling in combination with slick water hydraulic fracturing will not be tolerated.

New Brunswickers from all over the province denounce the development of an unconventional shale gas industry. The process used to extract unconventional shale gas is less than 20 years old. It is the undisputed cause of ecological damage and long-term economic net debt, earthquakes, air and noise pollution, infrastructure degradation and the profligate use and irreversible poisoning of trillions of litres of fresh water. It leaves deleterious impacts on the lives and health of humans and other animals in its wake.

“The civic duty of New Brunswick residents does not require that they be guinea pigs in anyone's science experiments”, states Jim Emberger, spokesperson for the Taymouth Community Association.

The promise of large-scale job creation appears over-exaggerated. In a recent presentation at the University of New Brunswick on October 22, 2011, Mr. Calvin Tillman, former mayor of Dish, Texas mentioned that since this industry requires highly skilled workers, most will be imported from outside the province to enable the industry to be more competitive at a time when stock market prices for natural gas are low.

Events on Saturday, November 19th will begin at 7:00 am with a Sunrise Ceremony at the Old Burial Grounds at 51 Woodstock Road. At 10:00 am there will be a benefit concert at the Old Burial Grounds for the people of Penobsquis. A march to the Provincial Legislature will begin after the concert, starting at 11:00 am.

Sixty residents in Penobsquis have lost their well water and have experienced ground subsidence allegedly from the industrialization of their rural community. Some who want to move away have been unable to sell their homes. We ask, where is justice for the people of Penobsquis? Will regulations serve anyone when more things go wrong? A point made clear in the recent documentary by Rob Turgeon, ‘Be... Without Water’. (www.youtube.com/user/robfturgeon#p/a/u/1/aK0NMTMXHSw)

Events on Wednesday, November 23rd are scheduled to begin at the Provincial Legislature at 12:00 noon. A program with music and speakers will begin at 1:00 pm.

 

Media Contacts:

Jean Louis Deveau 506 442 1413 jlpdev@nbnet.nb.ca     

Julia Linke 506 367 0987 linkejul@gmail.com

Terry Wishart 506 238 4001 t.wishart@banfrackingnb.ca

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Pour publication immédiate                              17 novembre 2011

Marche et rassemblements contre les gaz de schiste à Fredericton les 19 et 23 novembre

FREDERICTON NB — Une marche et deux rassemblements devant l’Assemblée législative auront lieu les 19 et 23 novembre pour protester contre l’exploitation non traditionnelle des gaz de schiste au Nouveau-Brunswick.

Des citoyens et des groupes communautaires de toutes les régions du Nouveau-Brunswick se réuniront à Fredericton le samedi 19 novembre et lors de la séance d’ouverture de l’Assemblée législative du Nouveau-Brunswick le mercredi 23 novembre pour livrer leur message à l’administration Alward que l’exploration et l’exploitation du gaz naturel des schistes en utilisant le forage horizontal avec des fluides de fracturation ne seront pas tolérées. Les Néobrunswickois de toute la province dénoncent l’exploitation non conventionnelle des gaz de schiste par l’industrie. Le processus utilisé pour extraire les gaz a moins de 20 ans. Et il est la cause non contestée de dégâts écologiques, de dettes économiques nettes à long terme, de tremblements de terre, de pollution atmosphérique et sonore, de dégradation des infrastructures et de l’utilisation immodérée d’eau et de l’empoisonnement irréversible de trillions de litres d’eau douce. Par ailleurs, cette industrie laisse dans son sillage des impacts nuisibles sur la vie et la santé des humains et des autres animaux.

« Le devoir civique des résidents du Nouveau-Brunswick n’exige pas qu’ils servent de cobaye pour les expériences scientifiques, » affirme Jim Emberger, porte-parole de l’Association communautaire de Taymouth.

Les promesses de créations d’emplois à grande échelle semblent très exagérées. Dans sa récente présentation à l’université du Nouveau-Brunswick le 22 octobre dernier, monsieur Calvin Tillman, ancien maire de Dish au Texas a mentionné qu’étant donné que cette industrie a besoin de travailleurs hautement qualifiés, la plupart d’entre eux proviendront de l’extérieur de la province afin de permettre aux opérations d’être plus compétitives au moment où les prix sur le marché du gaz naturel sont bas.

Les évènements de samedi 19 novembre vont commencer à 7 heures avec une cérémonie du lever du soleil au vieux cimetière situé au 51 Woodstock Road. À 10 heures, il y aura un concert au bénéfice des citoyens de Penobsquis. La marche vers l’Assemblée législative commencera après le concert à 11 heures au même endroit.

En effet, soixante résidents de Penobsquis ont perdu l’eau de leur puits et ont subi des affaissements de terrain après l’industrialisation de leur collectivité rurale. Certains qui ont voulu déménager ailleurs n’ont pas été capables de vendre leur maison. Nous demandons, où se trouve la justice pour les habitants de Penobsquis? Est-ce que des règlementations vont servir à qui que ce soit lorsque d’autres choses tourneront mal? Un récent documentaire par Rob Turgeon donne une réponse très claire :

« Vivez...sans eau » (www.youtube.com/user/robfturgeon#p/a/u/1/aK0NMTMXHSw)

Les évènements de mercredi 23 novembre débuteront à l’Assemblée législative à midi. Un
ensemble d’évènements avec musique et conférenciers débutera à 13 heures.

 

Personnes-ressources pour les médias :

Jean Louis Deveau 506 442 1413 jlpdev@nbnet.nb.ca

Julia Linke 506 367 0987 linkejul@gmail.com

Terry Wishart 506 238 4001 t.wishart@banfrackingnb.ca

October 11, 2011 Hampton NB -- Hampton Town Council received a standing ovation this evening after they voted unanimously to reject Windsor Energy’s request to allow thumper trucks to conduct seismic testing within town limits.

Thanksgiving dinner plans with families were interrupted for many Hampton residents on Sunday when geophone equipment used for seismic testing was discovered along a lengthy stretch of Highway One, including within the Town of Hampton and Town of Quispamsis limits. The thumper trucks were also parked nearby and were set to go.

Windsor Energy previously made a request to Hampton Town Council to allow thumper trucks within town limits. They were notified council would make a decision at their regular council meeting this evening. Permission had not been granted by the town, yet the company appeared ready to start seismic testing without the required approval.

Hampton residents quickly organized a peaceful demonstration at the Town of Hampton – It’s Our Nature sign on Highway One this afternoon. Approximately 70 people participated in the demonstration to show Windsor Energy they did not have permission to conduct seismic testing. During the demonstration, protestors received word the company had decided not to “thump” the section of highway going through Hampton.

However seismic testing did take place along Highway One within Quispamsis Town limits on Monday without their councilors or mayor’s knowledge or permission.

Hampton Council Chambers were overflowing this evening with town residents concerned about seismic testing taking place within their community. Carl Wolpin from the group Hampton Water First, addressed council to thank them for supporting the moratorium on shale gas exploration at the recent provincial meeting of New Brunswick Municipalities. This was met with a standing ovation and drawn out applause from those in attendance.

Council member Peter Behr moved that Windsor Energy’s request be denied stating that he received a great deal of feedback from community residents. Not a single person he spoke with was supportive of seismic testing. He went on to say that since he was elected to represent the people, it was the right thing to deny the request. The motion was quickly seconded. One of the councilors noted that although they do not have control over what happens in the rest of the province, they do have control over what happens within Hampton town limits.

 

Contact:  Hampton Water First

 

Carl Wolpin:  crwolpin@xplornet.com  832-7827

 

Chris Rendell:  appsolca@yahoo.ca 832-4660

NB Groups Want The Provincial Government To Heed Their Message
For Immediate Release
September 16, 2011

Moncton -- On Saturday, September 17, the anti-shale gas network of citizens have planned
another march for New Brunswickers to say “NO!” to shale gas in the downtown core of
Moncton.

More than 2 dozen groups from around the province, from places like Cornhill, Sackville,
Taymouth and Hampton, recently announced the network they’ve formed to stop shale gas
development in New Brunswick, and their next step is to hold another rally to continue sending
their message to the provincial government that the shale gas industry is not welcome here.

This grassroots movement has committed itself to informing their fellow New Brunswickers of
the dangers of shale gas. “It’s shameful that our government has not honestly engaged and
informed its citizens of the dangers of this industry,” says Debra Hopper, a spokesperson for Our
Environment, Our Choice, Notre Environnement, Notre Choix. “We have an intelligent group
here. We have done our homework; now the government needs to do the same. It has been
reading off of cheat sheets provided by industry. The same tired lines that we’re all sick of
hearing. The people of New Brunswick have a right to know what we are really facing.”

“We ask that our government do its job in protecting our life sustaining resources against an
industry that is advancing at an accelerated rate and that threatens our quality of life for
generations to come. Once the damages are done, there is no return,” says Patricia Léger,
spokesperson for Memramcook Action. “We cannot expect industry to warn us of the dangers of
this toxic method of extracting natural gas and our government seems to only be listening to
industry.”

In our ongoing effort to get the facts about the dangers of shale gas drilling out into the open, a
second march is being held this time in Moncton.  It will begin at 12:00 noon at the Hal Betts
Ball Fields – Moncton SportPlex, located at 250 Assomption Blvd at the corner of Vaughn
Harvey. Protesters will march along Vaughn Harvey Blvd, and down Main Street before
congregating at Moncton City Hall, next to SWN Offices.  We invite all water drinkers and air
breathers to join us in our PEACEFUL display of democracy in action. 

At City Hall, there will be speakers from various groups and communities from across the
province, including the Youth Environmental Action Network, Elsipogtog First Nation, Friends
of Mount Carleton, the Maliseet Grand Council, and Ban Fracking NB. 

Media Contacts:
Our Environment, Our Choice, Notre Envrionnement, Notre Choix, Denise Melanson: 523-9467
Quality of Life Initiative, Otty Forgrave: 839-2326
CCNB Action, Stephanie Merrill: 261-8317
Ban Fracking NB, Terri Telasco: 866-7658
New Brunswickers Against Fracking, Mary de La Valette: 369-1995
Council of Canadians, St. John Chapter, Carol Ring: 847-0953
Grand Lake Watershed Guardians, Amy Sullivan: 339-1980 or 339-5324
Sierra Club Atlantic, Hazel Richardson: 452-8915

July 28, 2011

CCNB Action Press Release

For Immediate Release

 

Fredericton -- On Monday, August 1, 16 groups saying “NO!” to shale gas from around the province will join together in the Capital City for a March, as part of an Atlantic-wide Day of FRACtion.

Many community-based organizations have formed around the province to voice their opposition to shale gas, and now they are coming together as a unified voice to send their message to our provincial government that the shale gas industry is not welcome in our communities.

"We are lucky, for most, our province – our home – is supported by clean drinking water, pristine rivers and lakes, fresh air, and green fields", says Stephanie Merrill, Freshwater Protection Coordinator with CCNB Action. “Shale gas exploration and development threaten our home”.

The grassroots momentum against shale gas is growing rapidly across the province.  "The level of local involvement in this issue is very encouraging," says Merrill, who leads CCNB Action’s Shale Gas Alert Campaign. “It means people are paying attention, getting angry, getting active and doing something about it. They are protecting their homes for present and future generations from permanent damage”, she continues.

The March, which is open to the public, will begin at 12:00 noon at the Old Burial Grounds. Marchers will parade along Woodstock Rd. and King St., down Carleton St., across the Pedestrian Bridge, along the Riverfront Trail, onto Regent and down Queen to the Legislature.

At the Legislature, there will be speakers from various groups and communities across the province, including CCNB Action, Maliseet Grand Council, Our Environment Our Choice, Concerned Citizens of Penobsquis and Sierra Club Atlantic.

This is an excellent media opportunity.

The Day of FRACtion March is co-organized by 16 community groups.  For contact information for each group, contact Stephanie Merrill, CCNB Action, 458.8747

 

Ban Fracking NB: Terri Telasco

CCNB Action: Stephanie Merrill

Council of Canadians, Saint John Chapter: Carol Ring

Friends of Mount Carleton: Jean-Louis Deveau

Friends of the UNB Woodlot: Mark D’Arcy or Caroline Lubbe D’Arcy

Hampton Water First: Chris Rendell

Harvey Environmental Action Team: Terri Wishart

Maliseet Grand Council: Alma Brooks

New Brunswickers Against Fracking: Mary de La Valette

Our Environment, Our Choice: Maxime Daigle or Denise Melanson

Penniac Anti Shale Gas Organization: Armand Paul

Quality of Life Initiative: Otty Forgrave

Sierra Club Atlantic Water Committee: Hazel Richardson

Sustainable Energy Group: Sam Arnold

Taymouth Community Association: Jim Emberger

Transition Town Woodstock: Steve Helle

-30-

New Brunswick Day of FrAction!

On behalf of the many groups saying “NO” to shale gas in NB, CCNB Action invites you to the New Brunswick Day of FrAction! 
 
On Monday, August 1 there will be multiple protests and actions across Atlantic Canada against Fracking, at the same time with the same message – We Do Not want Fracking in Atlantic Canada (or anywhere really!). 

Celebrate and Defend our Picture Province on New Brunswick Day in Fredericton with a Peaceful March against Shale Gas

Monday, August 1
High Noon
Old Burial Grounds (51 Woodstock Rd) to the NB Legislature

The Atlantic Day of FrAction is being organized by the Sierra Club Atlantic, and the NB March is being collaboratively organized by a number of organizations and people opposed to the exploration and production of shale gas in New Brunswick – Join the growing movement!

For more information contact Stephanie Merrill, Shale Gas Alert Campaign Coordinator, CCNB Action: 458.8747; water@ccnbaction.ca; www.ccnbaction.ca; Facebook: www.facebook.com/ccnbshalegas
 
For more information on the Sierra Club Day of FrAction visit www.atlantic.sierraclub.ca/en/fraction

*****

Fête contre la fracturation au Nouveau-Brunswick !

De la part de plusieurs groupes qui disent NON au gaz de shale au Nouveau-Brunswick, Action CCNB vous invite à fêter en disant NON à la fracturation!

Ce lundi 1er aout, les NéoBrunswickois se joindront aux protestations et aux actions entreprises dans tout le Canada Atlantique afin de manifester leur opposition à la fracturation dans leur région. (Et en réalité partout ailleurs!)

Durant la Fête du Nouveau-Brunswick à Fredericton, célébrons et préservons le pittoresque de notre province en participant à une marche pacifique contre les gaz de shale.  

Lundi 1er aout
Midi tapant
Marche du vieux cimetière (51, chemin Woodstock) jusqu’à l’Assemblée législative du NB

La journée FrAction de l’Atlantique est organisée par le Club Sierra Atlantique et la marche au NB est organisée grâce à la collaboration d’un nombre d’organisations et de personnes opposées à l’exploration et à la production de gaz de shale au Nouveau-Brunswick — Joignez-vous à notre mouvement!

Pour plus de renseignements, contactez Stephanie Merrill, coordonnatrice de l’Alerte au gaz de shale, Action CCNB : 458-8747; water@ccnbaction.ca; www.ccnbaction.ca. Facebook: www.facebook.com/ccnbshalegas

The Youth Environmental Action Network shale gas action group has been working very hard on a shale gas decleration. Click here read the No Means No document or download the pdf below. We state our concerns in regards to hydraulic fracturing and declare that: "We the undersigned NB Youth groups call for a ban on shale gas exploration in NB because we are not willing to sacrifice the quality of OUR water, OUR air, OUR land and OUR health for some quick cash."

We thank you all for your support.

YEAN Shale Gas Action Group: Fredericton High School Environmental Committee, École Saint Anne comité environmental, Polyvalente W.A.Losier comité environnemental
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