A Fracking Storm

"The RCMP has worked diligently with all parties involved in hopes for a peaceful resolution. Those efforts have not been successful. Tensions were rising and serious criminal acts were and are being committed."
RCMP Const. Jullie Rogers-March

Courtesy Global News

"In no way can we as a country of laws condone the breaking of laws and violence. I fully support the work that the RCMP do to ensure that the laws of New Brunswick are protected.
"We believe in the responsible development of our natural resources. The company has been following the regulations of New Brunswick."
New Brunswick Premier David Alward

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Protesters, including members of the Elsipogtog First Nation appeared determined to engage in civil disobedience that managed to degenerate into violence as Molotov cocktails were tossed at police officers attending their protest in eastern New Brunswick against gas exploration and a fracking extraction process, in the belief that the quality of their drinking water would be deleteriously impacted.

Industry supporters insist that shale gas extraction by hydraulic fracturing does not impact on ground water quality. It must surely be assumed that the province of New Brunswick regulations alluded to by the premier include environmental assessments ensuring that issues such as ground water are addressed before any fracking activities can take place.

The proponents of the process point to the fact that the potential for coal and oil replacement by cleaner-burning gas creates an energy bonus. As long as the science behind the fracking process can be assured that the chemicals used in the procedure don't end up doing harm to the environment it appears on the surface to be feasible.

In the United States where the environment movement has a champion in the country's president, hydraulic fracturing is proceeding apace.


Police had decided they had an obligation to bring the protest to an end and to enforce a court-ordered injunction addressing just that, issued as a result of threats placed against private security guards at the SWN Resources stores exploration equipment site. The First Nation blockade was obstructing traffic and took a violent turn resulting in five RCMP vehicles being torched.

Premier Alward had set up a working group with Chief Arren Sock to attempt to reach a satisfactory resolution following meetings in Fredericton and Moncton, and it is that process which should be allowed to play itself out to a conclusion, absent the kind of explosive riot that took place through the confrontation leading to the tossing of Molotov cocktails.

The event concluded with the RCMP arresting forty people for firearms offences, threats, intimidation, mischief and violating the court-ordered injunction. In solidarity with the Elsipogtog First Nation protests, Ontario Provincial Police coped with 40 First Nations protesters shutting down Highway 6 in Southern Ontario at Caledonia.

The actions taken by the RCMP in New Brunswick and the statements by Premier Alward are a far cry from the inaction of the OPP in Caledonia and the response by then-Premier Dalton McGuinty to the violence that erupted in 2006 between native and non-native people over land development and an unresolved Six Nations land claim which got out of hand when native 'warriors' took over the site and mayhem developed.

And not to appear as though the Assembly of First Nations is failing to take notice, National Chief Shawn Atleo spoke his mind: "We strongly remind the RCMP that ... their role is not to take sides in disputes but to maintain peace. The safety and security of our citizens and all parties is our foremost concern at this time."

As indeed it is for the premier of New Brunswick and the national policing agency both of whom are doing their legitimate best to attend to the situation, and to straighten out the confrontation so that all concerned can come away from it with the reality that voices can be heard and tended to without resorting to violence.

The entire situation, at both places in both instances points to the imperative of governments at all levels finally coming to grips with our national responsibilities in implementing and finalizing all treaties that the country is committed to, with First Nations. And First Nations themselves must understand that as fed up as they may be with the pace of treaty agreements they have no mandate to indulge in criminal violence.