Anti-shale gas protesters turn out at Legislature for petition presentation

Protesters gather near the Legislature to picket before entering this afternoon to see Conservative MLA Kirk MacDonald present an anti-shale gas petition to the House.

 By Cheryl Norrad

About 20 anti-shale gas protesters picketed the Legislature today for their cause before entering the House to observe Conservative MLA Kirk MacDonald present a petition to colleagues of 15,840 signatures against the industry in New Brunswick. The York North representative endorsed and signed the petition as well. 

Surprising the protesters, however, was the unexpected presentation of petitions by Opposition Liberals, containing thousands of signatures from across the province in their various ridings. Thinking the petition presentation complete after MacDonald submitted the documents to the House, protesters were exiting the public gallery when they heard Liberals on the other side of the floor standing one by one to present their petitions as well. Several paused and listened with a look of delighted surprise on their faces at the Liberal action.

"I had no idea, but was glad to see it," said Stephanie Merrill of the New Brunswick Conservation Council.