CBC: Shale gas development divides voters, CBC poll finds

New Brunswickers are divided on their overall support for the development of a shale gas industry, even as large numbers of people are both concerned about the environmental impact of the industry and believe it will bring long-term wealth to the province, according to a CBC/Radio-Canada poll.

The development of a shale gas industry has proven to be a wedge issue in the first half of the election campaign as David Alward’s Progressive Conservatives have emerged as staunch defenders of the industry, while the Liberals, NDP and Green parties have all articulated differing levels of opposition to the industry.

The CBC/Radio-Canada poll, which was conducted by Corporate Research Associates, found 49 per cent of people completely or mostly supported the exploration and development of shale gas compared to 44 per cent who said they mostly or completely opposed the industry.
MORE