09 MAY 2013

Finance Minister Blaine Higgs has turned down a Right to Information request made by Green Party Leader David Coon for studies carried out for the government on shale gas royalties.

The Green Party leader had requested copies of the contractual agreements made with consultants contracted to evaluate and/or propose shale gas royalty systems or taxes, along with copies of their reports to government.

"Wild claims have been made by everyone from the Premier and his Energy Minister to the Vice-President of the TD Bank about the money that would roll into government coffers from tearing up the countryside to frack for shale gas," said Green Party leader David Coon. "Historically, New Brunswick had earned very little in the way of royalties from timber, minerals and natural gas. I think it is reasonable that the Alward government back up it claims by releasing the studies it has commissioned," said Coon.

Coon was even denied copies of the government contracts with the consultants in question. The Green Party leader has filed a complaint to Access to Information and Privacy Commissioner Ann Bertrand. She is investigating.