FREDERICTON – Anti-shale gas protesters returned to Fredericton today with the message that the province’s proposed new regulations for shale gas exploration aren’t enough to make the industry safe.

About a dozen people marched in front of a government building to express their opposition to measures announced
earlier this year.

Spokeswoman Julia Linke believes the Alward government’s consultation process is inadequate because it doesn’t ask for the consent of New Brunswick residents.

Much of the group’s concern is centred around hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, which extracts gas from shale deposits.

The process puts a mixture of water, sand and chemicals into a well bore to split the surrounding rock and release trapped pockets of natural gas.

Opponents say fracking causes unnecessary risk to groundwater supplies.

The government released a discussion paper in May with 116 recommendations that it says addresses a number of issues including well design, royalties and protection of water supplies.