Mr. Brian MacDonald, MLA Fredericton West Hanwell, was Rotary’s guest speaker for Monday, Feb. 2, 2015. Brian spoke on fracking and his recent trip to Pennslyvania as part of a Sun News project to produce a documentary in support of the Shale Gas Industry in New Brunswick.
Rotary was joined by the Sussex & Area Chamber of Commerce for a full room to hear Mr. MacDonald’s message. Guests included Don Ingersoll, Pam Kaye, Debbie Prosser, Wanda Steeves, Stacey Geldart, Jenny Powell, Mary McNair, Peter Atkinson, Steve Ball, Wendy Stockford, Garry Rent, Doug Cosman, Ken Armstrong, John Comeau, Ralph Cunningham, Craig Arbeau, Terry Hutchinson, and Kent McIntyre, immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Saint John...
Overview
Rotarian Bruce Northrup introduced Mr. MacDonald. Brian has a military background, having graduated from Kings College and the London School of Economics. Brian commanded troops on two tours in Bosnia and served as a Senior Policy Advisor to Hon Peter MacKay. Brian volunteers through numerous agencies within his riding and is responsible for the "Highway of Heroes" here in New Brunswick.Brian shared that he was not here to speak as an expert in shale gas development or as a developer, but rather as an average New Brunswicker speaking on their perspective of the development of the shale gas resources in our province.
Government rightly or wrongly took the position of the "Honest Broker" with the environmental lobby on one side and the industry on the other. There was a strong lobby by the environmentalist's side and was the side of the debate that was best heard. The government and industry did not get their message out.
Brian's interests are centred on protecting our water, the environment and property rights. In his Pennsylvania experience; Brian was part of a Sun News project to produce a documentary in support of the shale gas industry in New Brunswick. He wanted to understand how this industry affected the local Pennsylvania residents, landowners, and local businesses.
Myths Debunked
Several myths Brian shared were debunked:
Myth: No local jobs, no spin-offs.
Reality: Not true. The contrary was seen with the injection of cash and jobs in rural and urban Pennsylvania.
Myth: No local jobs, no spin-offs.
Reality: Not true. The contrary was seen with the injection of cash and jobs in rural and urban Pennsylvania.
Myth: Long lead time to bring the industry into production.
Reality: Not true. It is a short turnaround of fewer than two years to bring a well pad into production.
Myth: Grab and run by industry.
Reality: Not true. The industry has a high upfront capital investment and a commitment of twenty-plus years long term viability to return on investment.
Reality: Not true. The industry has a high upfront capital investment and a commitment of twenty-plus years long term viability to return on investment.
Industry Benefits:
Brian said in the Pennsylvania experience, he saw:
Brian believes this role is to provide a significant regulatory framework to support safe development and to provide the proper enforcement of these regulations. Brian is concerned about the transfer payment system in Canada and the perception of New Brunswick being unwilling to develop their natural resources, yet expecting transfer payments from the provinces undertaking similar resource development.
Brian spoke on the current New Brunswick position of a moratorium on this development and the social buy-in needed to lift the moratorium. How quickly will a halt become a ban if we are not careful?
- Injection of much-needed investment in rural Pennsylvania.
- Prosperity in local communities inclusive of the rural community
- Better roads, business opportunities and growth in the service sector to support this type of development and industry.
Role of Government
What is the government's role in all of this?Brian believes this role is to provide a significant regulatory framework to support safe development and to provide the proper enforcement of these regulations. Brian is concerned about the transfer payment system in Canada and the perception of New Brunswick being unwilling to develop their natural resources, yet expecting transfer payments from the provinces undertaking similar resource development.
Brian spoke on the current New Brunswick position of a moratorium on this development and the social buy-in needed to lift the moratorium. How quickly will a halt become a ban if we are not careful?