Motion: Fossil Fuels

Premier Higgs is once again showing he is yesterday’s Premier with yesterday’s ideas, intent on extracting even more fossil fuel out of the earth even as we hurtle toward climate breakdown. Instead, let’s put an end to any further oil and gas development in our province.

David Coon

WHEREAS the climate crisis represents one of the greatest threats to both human civilization and nature;

WHEREAS the burning of fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, is the greatest contributor to climate change, responsible for almost 86% of carbon dioxide emissions in the past decade;

WHEREAS the expansion of fossil fuels is incompatible with the internationally agreed 1.5° C climate threshold to prevent the worsening and potentially irreversible effects of climate change;

WHEREAS the International Energy Agency stated that there can be no new oil, coal, or gas development if the world is to reach net zero by 2050;

WHEREAS, in 2019, Premier Higgs discreetly carved out an exception in the moratorium on hydraulic fracking in New Brunswick for the Sussex area;

WHEREAS Premier Higgs is determined to expand the production of fossil fuels and has indicated that he would pursue fracked gas development with or without First Nations’ consent;

WHEREAS, in April 2022, Quebec became the first jurisdiction in the world to ban oil and gas development on its territory;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly urge the government to implement a comprehensive and immediate ban on the new exploration for fossil fuel;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly urge the government to enact legislation to prohibit the drilling of wells for the production of natural gas and oil within New Brunswick;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly urge the government to allocate resources to support the development and implementation of renewable energy to ensure a livable future.