Wolastoqey Chiefs say shale gas review lacking community consultation

A group representing six Wolastoqey chiefs says it opposes the lifting of the fracking moratorium. According to Neqotkuk chief Ross Purley, the province began negotiating after announcing it would review the moratorium. But he says so far, it's only been leadership, not community members, who are being consulted. In order for us, in order for our people that we represent to take a position on whether they support natural gas or they don't, We've got to have information and we've got to have community consultation. And that's what we're trying to communicate. Asked about negotiations with Wolastoqey First Nations, Premier Susan Holt says she's been having regular meetings with First Nations leadership and that the province has offered to pay for First Nation-led community consultation. She says a Mi'kmaq community consultation plan has already been funded by the province. We're looking forward to building a consultation plan with the WNMB and understand what time they need. They haven't submitted a proposal yet or a timeline to us, and so we've offered that support and financial assistance for that process, and we're willing to work through it with them.