Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking)

Download and print off the No-fracking and No-uranium mining posters and the one-page flyer. Stickers, buttons and info are available via email: peoplenotplunder@gmail.com

Find your MLA contact information here

Contact information for municipal councils can be found here

For more information on fracking contact and follow NOFRAC.

NOFRAC, the Nova Scotia Fracking Resource and Action Coalition, is a group comprising almost 100 members, representing more than 15 environmental and community organizations.

NOFRAC website (historic) here

NOFRAC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NOFRAC

History of Fracking in Nova Scotia

The Province of Nova Scotia issued a ban on fracking in the province on Nov 14, 2014, as an amendment to the Petroleum Resources Act (Bill No 6) that “(a) prohibits high-volume hydraulic fracturing in shale unless exempted by regulation for the purpose of testing or research” https://nslegislature.ca/…/62nd_2nd/1st_read/b006.htm

This ban was enacted as a result of extensive research and consultation with Mi’kmaq Councils, the public as well as health and environmental experts.

On March 26, 2025 Amendments to Bill 6 was given Royal Assent, passing into law “An Act respecting Agriculture, Energy and Natural Resources”. This Bill lifts the moritorium on both fracking and uranium mining in the province and opens up Nova Scotia to the exploration and mining of other marketable minerals such as lithium. All without substantial community, scientific and Mi’kmaw consultation.

YET:

On October 27 2021, Tim Houston was recorded during a debate with Gary Burrill and in answer to a direct question from Iain Rankin that Tim Houston, as Premier of the province, would maintain the ban on fracking for the duration of his time in office as Premier. That ban has now been lifted.

On March 17 and 18, 2025 The Public Bills Committee heard submissions from the public regarding the amndments to Bill No 6. No submissions supported fracking in the province. Links to the presentations are here.

In the NOFRAC submission to the Public Bills Committee (March 17, 2025), Barbara Harris stated:  “In late 2013, the Nova Scotia government established an independent review panel on Hydraulic Fracturing in Nova Scotia. The expert panel spent six months reviewing the science and the knowledge gaps. It considered Nova Scotia specifics including geology and the resource available. Eleven public hearings were held throughout the province, attended by over 1200 people. Close to 250 independent experts and community members made detailed submissions.”

Read the full submission (with Appendices) here.

It’s not just about shale fracturing. Coal beds are also fractured…

Trudi L. Rynold Facebook post Feb 2, 2025:

This federal resources map shows muddy brown areas identified as “coal bed methane” deposits. Cumberland Basin, Stellarton Basin, and Sydney Basin. These areas are not protected by the wording in the proposed Bill No.6 specific only to fracturing in shale. Coal beds are also fractured with similar environmental health concerns. No areas would be protected from research or testing.
Information from our gov’t pages informs us that “The province has a number of exploration agreements and production agreements with companies that are actively working this new frontier of Nova Scotia’s energy industry.” https://energy.novascotia.ca/oil-and-gas/onshore

What is fracking: a short film

Resources

Dr David Maxwell M.D. :submission to the Voluntary Planning Board on uranium mining in Nova Scotia (2008)

Gillian Thomas: “Exploring” the arguments made by MANS in favour of
ending Nova Scotia’s ban on uranium exploration and mining.

NOFRAC submission to the Public Bills Committee March 17, 2025 (with references and appendices)

Nature Nova Scotia letter to Premier Tim Houston

Ecology Action Centre: Resources and information on uranium, fracking and mining in Nova Scotia

Ecology Action Centre: Position statement on Bill 6: uranium mining and fracking

“Canada offers tax incentives for mining activities, including concentrating, smelting, and refining, as well as exploration. These incentives from the federal and provincial/territorial governments reduce the tax load for mining companies doing business in Canada and other countries.” https://natural-resources.canada.ca/…/mining…/8892

World Nuclear Association: Uranium Mining Overview

Lindsay Lee Facebook post: a summary of public presentations to the Public Bills Committee

March 17, 2025

Doctors. Concerned citizens. Environmental advocates. Faith groups. A geologist. Grandmothers.
These are some of the people who spoke out this week against Bill 6, which will open the door to fracking and uranium mining in Nova Scotia.

Thank you for raising awareness, getting your opposition on the record, and engaging with the democratic process in such a thoughtful way. Even though the government isn’t interested in listening, it’s important to get these messages out to the public and the media. You did that.

For what it’s worth, no one came forward in favour of lifting the ban on fracking, and the only presenter who advocated for uranium mining is Sean Kirby, whose job it is to promote mining in NS. I’ve included his presentation below, too.

  1. Tina Northrup
    East Coast Environmental Law
    https://www.youtube.com/live/waUnSIvEjlc…
  1. Dr. Laurette Geldenhuys
    Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
    https://www.youtube.com/live/waUnSIvEjlc…
  1. Sean Kirby
    Mining Association of Nova Scotia
    https://www.youtube.com/live/waUnSIvEjlc…
  1. Badia Nehme
    Ecology Action Centre
    https://www.youtube.com/live/waUnSIvEjlc…
  1. Dr. Nancy Covington
    Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
    https://www.youtube.com/live/waUnSIvEjlc…
  1. Barbara Harris
    NOFRAC
    https://www.youtube.com/live/waUnSIvEjlc…
  1. Mary Lou Harley
    EcoJustice Working Group, United Church of Canada
    https://www.youtube.com/live/waUnSIvEjlc…
  1. Ken Summers
    Concerned citizen
    https://www.youtube.com/live/waUnSIvEjlc…
  1. Linda Scherzinger
    KAIROS
    https://www.youtube.com/live/waUnSIvEjlc…
  1. Madeline Conacher
    Sustainable Northern Nova Scotia (SUNNS)
    https://www.youtube.com/live/waUnSIvEjlc…
  1. Margaret Matchum
    Earth Spirit Action Team of St. Matthew’s United Church
    https://www.youtube.com/live/waUnSIvEjlc…
  1. Barbara Gallagher
    Citizen Action to Protect the Environment
    https://www.youtube.com/live/waUnSIvEjlc…
  1. Diane Doucet-Kenny
    Concerned citizen
    https://www.youtube.com/live/waUnSIvEjlc…
  1. Susan Pirie
    Concerned citizen
    https://www.youtube.com/live/sWefb1ytPwU…
  1. Brenna Thibodeau
    https://www.youtube.com/live/sWefb1ytPwU…
  1. Megan Krempa
    https://www.youtube.com/live/sWefb1ytPwU…
  1. Gretchen Fitzgerald
    Sierra Club Canada Foundation
    https://www.youtube.com/live/sWefb1ytPwU…
  1. Marnie Reynolds
    Concerned citizen
    https://www.youtube.com/live/eHkCQ5NM5qw…
  1. Brad Redden
    A geologist who worked in uranium exploration
    https://www.youtube.com/live/eHkCQ5NM5qw…
  1. Laura Dunn
    Concerned citizen
    https://www.youtube.com/live/eHkCQ5NM5qw…
  2. Dr. Cathy Cervin
    Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
    https://www.youtube.com/live/eHkCQ5NM5qw…