FREDERICTON — New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt says her government is launching a review of the province’s long-standing ban on hydraulic fracturing. The Liberal premier says the review of the 2014 ban on fracking is part of her government’s work to explore ways it can strengthen the provincial economy. Officials say the Liberal provincial government will consult First Nations communities, local governments, industry stakeholders and regular New Brunswickers. Holt backed the ban as recently as last year, but says the review of the moratorium doesn’t guarantee a return of widespread drilling. She says Canada’s escalating trade war with the United States in recent days has strengthened her belief the province needs to invest in ways to bring about more economic stability. Natural Resources Minister John Herron says the government would not allow natural gas extraction to proceed if it doesn’t have assurances it would be safe. He says as part of the review, the province will examine the impact of natural gas extraction that is ongoing in a small part of the province under a 2019 exemption to the moratorium. New Brunswick sits on an estimated 77.9 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas underground that could be worth hundreds of billions of dollars, according to government figures. A recent review of New Brunswick’s power utility included a recommendation for the province to increase natural gas production for home heating purposes. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 26, 2026. Eli Ridder, The Canadian Press
