BY LAURA HUBBARD
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT
On Saturday, a Solidarity Summer event saw people from around the three Maritime provinces and of all nations gather around the fire to take a stance on shale gas exploration and seismic testing planned for New Brunswick.
“Today is a celebration of friendships and of the positivity that’s been created,” said Stephanie Merrill, spokesperson on shale gas for the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. “New Brunswick has very strict community boundaries and we stay within those, but this issue has broken down those barriers and we’re celebrating those victories.”
The event aimed to celebrate the province but also thank the Kent County communities that are devoting their time to protesting along Highway 116.
Merrill focuses on the policy angle for allowing, or not allowing, shale gas in New Brunswick, but says it’s also important to acknowledge community efforts through protests and petitions.