New book ‘102 Things to Do with a Hole in the Ground‘ spotlights global reclamation projects
Stories of reinvented coal mining regions, regenerated communities and rebuilt ecosystems are told in a new book published this month.
Canada’s Eastern provinces are up in arms against shale gas development in the eastern New Brunswick community of Rexton, where the RCMP arrested at least 40 people after a demonstration turned violent Thursday evening.
The Mounties say the detentions were made after protesters began throwing Molotov cocktails at officers and police vehicles were set on fire because police began enforcing an injunction to end a weeks-long demonstration.
A wave of pacific protests hit the country after the incident, reports CBC.ca, in support of the First Nations community. They had been demanding that SWN Resources, the company at the centre of the conflict, stops all shale gas seismic testing in the area.
In Ottawa, supporters marched to Parliament Hill as a way of backing the native protesters in New Brunswick.
In Winnipeg, about 50 people staged a march during rush hour, causing traffic congestion.
So far, no other violent outburst has been reported, but more demonstrations across the country are expected today.
Speaking in Halifax at a roundtable discussion on cyberbulling Friday, Justice Minister Peter MacKay said he was briefed early this morning on the incidents near Rexton, NB.
He called for calm and the resumption of talks between the parties.
Those arrested on Thursday showed up in court this morning, where they were told they face charges of violating a court-ordered injunction, as well as firearms offences, uttering threats, and mischief.
Shale gas has quickly emerged as a low-cost alternative to natural gas. With the goal of reducing carbon into the atmosphere, it is quickly becoming a “cleaner” alternative to other forms of energy.
Opponents, however, don’t believe that is really the case, as shale gas is extracted using a process called fracking, which is said to pollute water reservoirs and be a likely cause of seismic waves.
Image: Screen grab from YouTube.
4 Comments
John
What a bunch of bull—! Fracking has been used for 50 years in parts of Canada and the US. You don’t see any wide swaths of death and destruction there do you?”
frankinca
No aware in CA of the violence. As an engineer I believe most anything can be done safely if the dangers involved are known. Fracking is a new technology in the present format. and it deserves some attention to the demands of fearful people. It is a godsend to areas who are dependent on others to supply domestic energy, this starting less wars and public violence when the energy is not available at a reasonable cost or quantity. That I believe is the black and white of it. The future will provide the shades of gray if research and careful use are monitored by government or academic surveyors. Any long long term effect can only be discovered and not surmised by a vocal fearful few..
Tiffany Minurbizniz
the rcmp is lying! article says “The Mounties say the detentions were made after protesters began throwing Molotov cocktails at officers and police vehicles were set on fire because police began enforcing an injunction to end a weeks-long demonstration.” but watch the clip below and you tell me –
did things get crazy before or after the rcmp went onto unceded native land and arrested the chief and council? police vehicles set on first because you just dont go onto indian land and arrest the chief…even if an american corporation directs the rcmp to. you can hear videographer confirm chief & council arrested at 9 minutes in; then you can hear lady announce to rcmp about a minute later that their cop cars are on fire. you can watch all the rest for yourself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwXFc9kuuW8
Apple
I am part of the resource industry, but given conflicts between the resource industry and First Nations, Environmentalist and others over ventures such as fracking in New Brunswick, Oil Sands, Ring of Fire, New Prosperity, Line 9 and Solid Gold.
I advocate that all oil and gas exploration and extraction including the Oil sands and fracking be halted until Aboriginal land claims are settled across all of Canada. 100% settled. This also includes all mining and mineral exploration and development including sand and gravel and quarry operations. The same for all First Nation royalties or resource sharing outlined and signed by all First Nations. In addition, all environmental issues should be settled and all environmental groups sign off on the rules and regulations. The land claims must be settled to satisfaction of the First Nations and other stakeholders. Then new mining and environmental laws based on the results of the settlements should be drafted by Canada and the provinces.
But not a penny in exploration and development and not a penny in profits or taxes from mining until settled. This will allow everyone, First Nations, Canadians, Environmentalists and Industry to move forward in agreement. Then industry will understand where it stands and can decide if it
wants to invest.
But I would insist no mining or extractive action until
settled, 100% stopped until 100% settled.