Minister Opposes New Brunswick Gas Export Restriction

A New Brunswick proposal to restrict exports of Nova Scotia natural gas would damage prospects for future offshore development and lead to a loss of jobs, according to Nova Scotia's Energy Minister. Gordon Balser spoke at the opening of an energy industry conference in Halifax, today, July 17.

New Brunswick is asking the National Energy Board to impose onerous new regulations on Nova Scotia exports, but leave competing natural gas sales unaffected.

"Nova Scotia vehemently opposes any plan that would restrict markets for our natural gas," said Mr. Balser. "Nova Scotia believes that New Brunswick potatoes, potash and electricity deserve free access to markets in Canada and the United States. All we want is equal treatment for our natural gas."

Mr. Balser told the Atlantic Gas Symposium that restricting markets will lead to lost offshore opportunities and will not help develop the new gas supplies New Brunswick wants for economic development. He said the Maritimes already have access to a third of the Nova Scotia offshore gas supplies and will continue to have access to new supplies if it makes economic sense.

"We believe additional pipe will be put into place in our region under normal commercial contracts as long as it is economically feasible," said Mr. Balser. "The new level of regulatory red tape proposed by New Brunswick has not been justified and would lead to less investment, fewer discoveries and a loss of business opportunities and jobs for all of Atlantic Canada."

The Nova Scotia government believes Canada is best served by finding new sources of energy rather than building barriers around existing discoveries, he said.

"Finding new energy supplies is Canada's best path to maintaining energy security," said the minister.