Summer of statements spurs LNG export debate in Saint John
The New Brunswick government’s ambitions to export liquefied natural gas from Saint John isn’t a secret, and the federal government has been spending the summer promoting similar prospects across the country.
While in Saint John last week, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said Canada had a responsibility to provide liquefied natural gas to Europe in the name of "energy security."
Freeland didn’t make mention of any particular facility as an example, but the locality of her statement was noted.
"We were really pleased to see that the Deputy Prime Minister Freeland was in the region to talk about the need for LNG exports and the role that Atlantic Canada could potentially play," said Michelle Robichaud, president of the Atlantic Centre for Energy. "It is critical the federal government really work with our provincial government and private industry to make this goal a reality quickly. And it seems, with her visit, they’re doing just that."
Groups opposed to the development of an LNG export facility in Saint John have also taken note of government statements from the past few weeks.
Louise Comeau, the New Brunswick Conservation Council’s director of climate change and energy solutions, said the claim of LNG exports providing energy security in Europe was nothing more than a ruse.
"The reality is we cannot convert a plant like the Saint John LNG facility very quickly," said Comeau. "Certainly we’re not going to be helping Germany with its winter heating needs."
Comeau is concerned the discussion may be a catalyst to reviving another controversial topic.
"We’re very worried about the shale gas moratorium being lifted," said Comeau. "We don’t feel the public is open to that. We know the public would prefer the province embrace the future, which is a future that doesn’t use fossil fuels, that moves quickly to renewable energy."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery caught on video
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.