Tell Liberal party leader candidates to protect the Great Lakes by banning fracking in Ontario!

The Ontario government is brushing off concerns on fracking with promises to ensure fracking is “safe” before allowing permits even though the government has promoted shale gas development in the province. In 2010, the Ministry of Natural Resources released an aerial survey of shale formations in Ontario with the purpose of assisting gas companies in exploration. The Ontario Geological Survey, an arm of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, has been drilling in pockets across Southern Ontario to assess the shale gas potential.

Hydraulic fracturing, more commonly known as “fracking,” is a technique to extract natural gas from harder to access unconventional sources trapped in rock formations such as shale gas, coal bed methane and tight gas. Millions of litres of water and thousands of litres of chemicals are injected underground at very high pressure in order to create fractures in the rock allowing gas to flow up the well.

Communities across the country have demanded that their governments ban fracking because of the many risks associated with fracking including groundwater contamination from undisclosed chemicals, impacts on air quality and climate change, the lack of solutions to safely dispose of fracking wastewater and links to earthquakes. In Rosebud, Alberta, water had become so contaminated with methane that some residents could light their tap water on fire!

Fracking in Ontario could have long-term consequences to community health, air quality and the health of the Great Lakes and local watersheds.

Tell Ontario Liberal party candidates you want them to take a stand against fracking and commit to banning it across Ontario!

To send access the webform letter or to send a Twitter or Facebook message to party candidates, click here.

Emma Lui - Fraser River

Emma Lui

Emma Lui is an activist, writer and researcher. She is a contributing editor with rabble.ca and a member of Cooperative Biblioterre. Emma is also the holistic health director for the Canadian Women...