© Conservation Council of New Brunswick 2025
In this edition of EcoNews, we’re asking why it took so long for the public to learn about a massive diesel spill in Woodstock. Why hasn’t Irving Oil answered media questions about it? And what is the government doing to make sure it never happens again? Our executive director, Bev Gingras, has written to Premier Susan Holt, calling for answers and action to prevent similar disasters from happening. Additionally, we sound the alarm about what’s at stake when climate change is ignored at election time. Read on to also hear about a Quispamsis resident whose energy bills doubled after moving here from Ontario, and learn about an upcoming public workshop on spraying herbicides in our forests.
Massive Woodstock diesel spill demands answers
More than 174,000 litres of diesel leaked from an Irving gas station in Woodstock, and nobody knows when the mess started. More shocking, the public only learned the full extent of the spill weeks after cleanup began, and only because the CBC filed a freedom of information request. Yet, nobody from Irving Oil has responded to any of the broadcaster’s questions about the leak. That’s not good enough.
Our executive director, Bev Gingras, has written to Premier Susan Holt demanding better for our province. New Brunswickers deserve to know what happened, why it took so long to come to light and what’s being done to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
We’re calling on the government to be open and honest with the public, hold Irving Oil accountable and show leadership in protecting our environment. You can read Bev’s full letter by clicking below:
Pushing back against the pipeline pipedream
Pipelines were, unfortunately, a big topic during the recent federal election. In this op-ed, our director of climate research and policy, Dr. Moe Qureshi, and the Ecology Action Centre’s senior energy co-ordinator, Thomas McNeil, maintain that our energy future is not in pipelines. Instead, we should invest in a modern, connected electricity grid that moves clean power across provincial borders. A stronger grid means more affordable energy, fewer blackouts and thousands of good jobs in Atlantic Canada. Read the full commentary co-authored with the Ecology Action Centre:
New to New Brunswick: How we can make comfort affordable
More than one in four New Brunswickers are living in energy poverty, even though our power rates are lower than in most provinces. So why are our bills among the highest in Canada?
After moving to Quispamsis from Ontario, Carol Pereira was stunned when her first power bill nearly doubled what she used to pay. Carol shared her experience at the Conservation Council’s Atlantic Citizens’ Assembly on Energy Affordability, where Atlantic Canadians gathered to discuss rising energy bills and how we can make changes. Together, they developed practical recommendations to make energy more affordable and sustainable in our region.
Watch Carol’s story by clicking below. Also, check out our letter-writing tool to send a letter to your MLA demanding affordable clean energy!
Protect the right to a healthy environment
Every New Brunswicker deserves clean air, water and a healthy environment. A new bill before the Legislature would make that right legally recognized, and it’s being debated soon.
You can show your support by joining us at the Legislature for that debate on Thursday, May 15. If you can make it, try to arrive by 1:30 p.m. to allow time for security. The session runs until 6 p.m., so be prepared to stay for the whole afternoon.
You can also support the bill by writing to the premier and your MLA and signing N.B. Lung’s petition by clicking below. Let’s stand up for our beautiful province, together.
Herbicides in our forests — what we can do
Why is herbicide spraying still happening on New Brunswick’s Crown lands, and what can we do about it?
On Wednesday, May 28, at 6:30 p.m., East Coast Environmental Law, the Conservation Council of New Brunswick and Stop Spraying N.B. are hosting a free public workshop at the Mapleton Park Rotary Lodge in Moncton. The workshop will cover the roles and responsibilities of government, industry and individuals. It will also include the province’s commitments to herbicide use, how the public can take part in decisions and how local groups are working to protect our environment.
Register to attend the session by clicking the button below:
The cost of ignoring climate change at the ballot box
Affordability and U.S. tariffs were at the top of voters’ minds in the recent federal election. But we can’t ignore how the climate and biodiversity crises are also driving up costs and hurting our health.
That’s why, in this op-ed co-authored with Nature NB, CPAWS-NB and the Nature Trust of New Brunswick, we maintain that ignoring environmental issues now will only make things worse and more expensive. Whether it’s floods that damage our homes or storms that have considerable cleanup costs, the impacts of climate change are already hitting New Brunswickers hard in our daily lives.
However, solutions, like energy-efficient home retrofits and renewable energy, can lower our bills and create good local jobs. Protecting nature helps our fisheries, tourism and food security. These are environmental policies, but they’re also economic ones. Click below to read more:
Pitch in for a cleaner coastline at Paddlefest
Join our marine program director and Fundy Baykeeper, Matt Abbott, and the St. Andrews Cubs for a family-friendly beach clean-up on Minister’s Island during Paddlefest weekend!
Hosted in partnership with the Huntsman Marine Science Centre’s #DebrisFreeFundy program and Minister’s Island, the clean-up takes place Sunday, May 18, at 10 a.m. Bags and gloves will be provided! Just bring your energy and a willingness to help.
As a thank you, all participants will receive free admission to the Paddlefest main stage show on Sunday evening. Let’s work together to keep our coastline clean and beautiful!
More information is available on the Paddlefest website:
A call for environmental action on Earth Day
On Earth Day, Conservation Council staff and members proudly joined a crowd of passionate seniors, calling for bold climate action and a big boost in renewable energy by 2030. The rally, led by Seniors for Climate, started with a proclamation at City Hall. From there, the group marched to the Legislature in Fredericton, where they were met with songs from the Raging Grannies and inspiring speeches from community voices.
Our director of climate engagement and campaigns, Danielle Smith, took the mic at the protest to highlight how older New Brunswickers need to fight for a safer, healthier future for everyone. The message was clear: we need a plan to tackle the climate change crisis.
We work hard to ensure a strong environmental voice is heard in New Brunswick’s print, radio and television media. Last year, our staff appeared in the media more than 50 times to shed light on ongoing environmental issues and success in New Brunswick. Here are some of the biggest stories Conservation Council staff have been called upon for expertise, analysis and commentary this year:
Conservation Council in the News
April 22, 2025 | In this CBC story covering the Earth Day rally led by Seniors for Climate, our executive director, Beverly Gingras, told the broadcaster that climate change is being pushed aside in political debates, even though it’s tied to nearly all ballot box issues. Bev warned that environmental issues have become too politicized, making it harder to have honest conversations about solutions. She called for a shift to renewable energy and stronger electricity grids, and urged voters to look for party platforms with clear plans to cut emissions and help communities adapt. Read the full story.