The anti-fracking movement seems to be picking up momentum in Nova Scotia.
Hundreds of Halifax-area residents attended a public meeting on the matter in the city Wednesday evening. The meeting was hosted by a provincially-appointed panel.
The group is tasked with gathering public input on the practice before presenting a final report to government next month.
However, many people who attended the meeting expressed concerns about the review process. They feel the report will recommend the government allow hydraulic fracturing because officials believe the benefits outweigh the risks.
“It would really show leadership if the government would step up at this point and say we’d like to review the process of the panel and we’d like to improve it,” says Jennifer West of the Ecology Action Centre.
“The majority of opinion on this province is against hydraulic fracturing and there are reasons for that and that’s why we’re saying that this province now needs a period of reflection, dialogue and discussion,” says David Wheeler, chair of the Nova Scotia Expert Panel on Hydraulic Fracturing.
Fracking has been a contentious issue in the Maritimes for several years, and even sparked violent protests in Rexton, N.B. last year.
