Shale gas group imposes restrictions on meeting, Coun. Leah Levac says rules would not allow for a ‘genuine conversation’

Shale gas group imposes restrictions on meeting, Coun. Leah Levac says rules would not allow for a ‘genuine conversation’ by CBC News, July 24, 2012
A Fredericton city councillor is questioning why the provincial government’s shale gas study group is imposing strict rules before meeting with a citizens’ group. The provincial government asked Dr. Louis LaPierre, a professor emeritus in biology at the University of Moncton, to tour the province, asking citizens about their views on the provincial government’s proposed shale gas regulations. The meetings were held primarily in rural areas in June and there were no public meetings scheduled in Moncton, Fredericton or Saint John. Coun. Leah Levac is trying to organize a public meeting with her constituents to discuss shale gas regulations. … Levac said the Ward 10 Residents Association sent LaPierre’s group a formal request for a meeting. The shale gas group responded saying it would meet with the citizens’ association but the session would last a maximum of 20 minutes and only three citizens could participate. As well, the local residents’ group would have to share the 20 minutes with the Friends of the UNB Woodlot, another Fredericton organization. Levac said there is no way a “genuine conversation” could be held with the shale gas group in 20 minutes.