First Nation criticizes Holt government for not consulting about lifting fracking ban

A First Nation in New Brunswick has criticized the Holt government for not consulting on lifting the fracking ban. Premier Susan Holt's Liberal government is reviewing the ban on shale gas fracking, but Chief Ross Perley of Wolastoqey Nation claims the province is not fulfilling its commitment to meaningful consultation with Indigenous communities.

Wolastoqey Nation representatives say they remain unsatisfied with the government's engagement process. Chief Perley emphasized that if the province lifts the ban without Indigenous support, it would not be beneficial for future partnerships. "Our communities must be consulted on the scope of the review, environmental impacts and potential economic benefits," Perley stated in a statement. The provincial government has yet to respond to a request for comment.