Fracking moratorium would 'reduce opportunities,' say PCs

The Opposition Progressive Conservatives say they won't make it easy for the Liberal government to pass a moratorium on fracking.

Earlier this week, Premier Brian Gallant promised his government will introduce legislation to impose a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing before Christmas.

But whether it passes by then will depend on whether the Opposition uses procedural rules to slow it down.

"Obviously they play a role in deciding how much legislation we can actually pass," Gallant said on Wednesday.

Interim PC Leader Bruce Fitch says the Liberals haven't offered his party an advanced peek at the bill so there's no way he can commit to a quick debate and vote.

"If a moratorium shuts down Corridor [Resources Inc.], reduces production at the potash mine, prevents SWN [Resources Canada] from moving forward with what they're exploring, that's going to reduce the opportunity for New Brunswick, and we need to discuss that thoroughly," he said.

Fitch contends it's not clear that Gallant has a mandate for a moratorium, despite the Liberal election win in September.

"Mr. Gallant's in the legislature now with roughly 42 per cent of the popular vote, so if he thinks that's a clear moratorium, I guess that's a point of discussion we'll have to bring up," he said.

The Tories were the only party supporting shale gas development — and won only 35 per cent of the vote — while the combined shale gas opposition vote — Liberals and others — totalled more than 60 per cent.

Still, Fitch says that many New Brunswickers who voted Liberal weren't voting against shale gas and that his party's support for developing the industry has not changed.

"We were clear. We were saying we wanted to move forward. We are still clear in saying we want to move forward."