NDP MPP Peter Tabuns calls for fracking ban in Ontario

QUEEN’S PARK — MPP Peter Tabuns, NDP Environment and Climate Change critic, will introduce a bill this afternoon to ban fracking in Ontario. Quebec, New York state, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick already have similar bans.

“There is no need for Ontario to risk environmental damage and lawsuits by leaving the door open for this controversial business. Let’s learn from the hard experiences of others and act now,” said Tabuns, MPP for Toronto-Danforth.

While no licences have been issued in Ontario for fracking (High volume hydraulic fracking) to produce oil and gas from shale, there are rumours of interest on the part of gas developers to explore for, and potentially to exploit, shale gas in Ontario.

A review of health and environmental studies in Quebec and New York show that there are substantial local risks from fracking related to contamination of ground water supplies and air pollution, amongst other concerns. Dr. Howard Zucker, MD, Acting Commissioner of Health for New York State said that fracking should not proceed.

The Quebec study also raised concerns about the release of acrid odours, along with disruptive noise that could disturb people up to 4 kilometres from the work site. The study also noted that substantial shale gas development could increase greenhouse gas emissions in Quebec by up to 23% largely from methane leaks from exploration, working wells and from leaks long after the well was closed.

Ontario needs to take strong action to protect its water and its climate. As global warming will make Ontario a much drier place, protection of water supplies will become more vital for agriculture, human consumption and business.

 “I call on the government to support and pass this bill which will be debated in April. The Premier has made it clear that climate change demands urgent action, she has a chance to avoid a significant new source of greenhouse gas emissions in Ontario and hopefully will take it,” said Tabuns.