Welcome to the website for the Nova Scotia Hydraulic Fracturing review. Please use the navigation panel to the left of the page to access information on the review, shared resources and other project documents.
The Nova Scotia Department of Energy commissioned the Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment at Cape Breton University to conduct an independent review and public engagement process to explore the social, economic, environmental, and health implications of hydraulic fracturing practices and their associated wastewater streams. Dr. David Wheeler, President and Vice-Chancellor of Cape Breton University convened and chaired the 10 person Expert Panel on Hydraulic Fracturing.
Verschuren Centre Submits Final Report on Hydraulic Fracturing to the Province of Nova Scotia
On August 28th Dr David Wheeler, President of Cape Breton University, submitted the final report of the independent review panel on hydraulic fracturing to the Honourable Andrew Younger MLA, Minister of Energy. The process was overseen by the Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment and took exactly a year; it involved interactions with more than 1200 stakeholders in public meetings and more than 200 individuals and organizations who submitted evidence to the review and responded to discussion papers. A link to the full report together with TV, radio and editorial reactions to the review are provided below. The Governments response on September 3rd, is also available in a link below.
Report of the Nova Scotia Independent Review Panel on Hydraulic Fracturing
Government’s Response:
News Release – Government to Prohibit Hydraulic Fracturing
Video and Article on the Press Conference – The Chronicle Herald
Immediate TV and Radio Coverage:
Studio ‘newsmaker’ interview with Tom Murphy for CBC TV
Interview with Don Connolly on CBC Information Morning Halifax
Interview with Steve Sutherland on CBC Information Morning Cape Breton
Interview with Jacques Poitras on CBC Information Morning Fredericton
Immediate Commentary:
Editorials in the Chronicle Herald:
Don’t shut door on fracking in Nova Scotia
Consent, sharing crucial on fracking file
Commentary from former Finance Minister Graham Steele
Immediate media and press reporting interpreting report as ‘not ready’, ‘press pause’ and/or calling for a continued moratorium:
REPORT: Nova Scotia not ready for fracking
CBC – N.S. fracking moratorium should continue, panel recommends
Nova News Now – Provincial review: press pause on fracking in Nova Scotia
Hants Journal – Provincial review: press pause on fracking in Nova Scotia
Cape Breton Post – Wheeler report recommends continued fracking moratorium
Immediate Government response: minister hopes to make decision on fracking within month:
680 News – Nova Scotia energy minister hopes to make decision on fracking within month
Immediate Environmental response:
CTV News – Ecology Action Centre praises new report, wants 10 more years of fracking research
The Telegram – Fracking awareness group welcomes Wheeler Report
The Western Star – Fracking awareness group welcomes Wheeler Report
Updates and Announcements
Dr. David Wheeler and LearnCorp International
Hydraulic Fracturing Review – Update June 11th
Hydraulic Fracturing Review – Update April 29th
Expert Panel Announcement – February 4th
Technical Advisory Group Announcement – December 6th
Public Announcement – October 30th
Province Announces Independent Hydraulic Fracturing Review – August 28th