New Brunswick to review lifting natural gas moratorium

POLITICS New Brunswick to review lifting natural gas moratorium By Rachel Morgan Global News Posted August 26, 2026 3:06 pm 3 min read View image in full screen A natural gas well pad is seen in the rural community of Penobsquis, N.B. Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press LEAVE A COMMENT SHARE THIS ITEM ON FACEBOOK SHARE THIS ITEM ON X SEND THIS PAGE TO SOMEONE VIA EMAIL SEE MORE SHARING OPTIONS DESCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE INCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE New Brunswick is taking the first steps to remove the government’s moratorium on natural gas development, which has been in place for over a decade. Premier Susan Holt announced Wednesday a five-month public review of the province’s resource development that could resume hydraulic fracking for natural gas extraction. “New Brunswickers leave no stone unturned to evaluate each opportunity that could strengthen our economy, that could fund our health-care system, that can help you pay the bills and support your family’s future,” she said in a press conference. “New Brunswick has what the world wants.” Amid the increasing burden of the cost of living and the added pressure of the newest round of U.S. tariffs, Holt said the government “must look at opportunities here at home.” The province, under former Liberal premier Brian Gallant, instated the moratorium on hydraulic fracking in December 2014 after increasing calls from environmental and social organizations about the negative impacts. STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT At the time, Gallant said the moratorium would remain in place until five conditions were met including public acceptance for fracking, credible public information on the health and environmental impacts, a public infrastructure plan addressing waste water, consultation with First Nation communities, and a solid financial plan. Get daily Ottawa news Get daily Ottawa news delivered to your inbox so you'll never miss the day's top stories. SIGN UP FOR DAILY OTTAWA NEWSLETTER GET STARTED BY PROVIDING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO GLOBAL NEWS' TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY. Natural resource minister John Herron said Wednesday that science and technology has changed dramatically since the moratorium was put in place and it is time to assess what processes might work best for New Brunswick’s geographic landscape. “If we can’t be certain that this can be done safely, it won’t be done at all,” he said. “Our government is deeply committed to our responsibility to…