The New Brunswick commission on hydraulic fracturing has released a report recommending the province work harder on a water strategy.
"People want our water clean,” said Lois Corbett, executive director of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. “They know how important it is to them."
Corbett says the Maritimes are lagging when it comes to protecting water, whether it's coastal, wetlands, or drinking water.
It’s a conversation that has become more heated in recent years because of the controversy over fracking and how that could potentially impact water quality.
Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec all have comprehensive strategies.
"Other jurisdictions have moved forward, while we've been sitting back making mistakes and failing to act," said Corbett.
Environmental strategist Ron Jenkins says modeling our strategy off Ontario's is a good place to start.
"We really need to focus on how to manage our water base on a watershed level as opposed to deciding what municipal boundaries separate water courses," said Jenkins.
New Brunswick has about 60,000 kilometres of streams and rivers, 2,500 lakes and 5,000 kilometres of coastline. Corbett feels if the strategy is done right, it will ensure a large majority of them will remain unharmed.
"If you're going to come out of the gate last, as New Brunswick has, it better be better,” said Corbett. “We have an opportunity to get one of the best in the country, and I have every expectation that the government can deliver on this promise."
The province is holding consultation meetings over the next couple days and is looking for people to contact them with suggestions before the end of April.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Laura Brown.
