FREDERICTON – New Brunswick’s energy minister says he hopes protests against shale gas development don’t stop SWN Resources from proceeding with its plans to explore for the resource.
Craig Leonard’s comments came Thursday after the RCMP blocked Highway 11 for a few hours because of a demonstration intended to stop the energy company from conducting seismic testing.
READ MORE: What is shale gas, and why are people protesting against testing for it?
Police say several pieces of equipment and a truck belonging to a private company working in the area of the protest near Laketon were damaged.
A 46-year-old woman was also arrested at the protest site for mischief, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.
The road was reopened by late afternoon.
READ MORE: Global News ongoing coverage of shale gas protests
Last month, during a protest in nearby Rexton, 40 people were arrested and weapons seized when the Mounties enforced a court-ordered injunction to end the blockade of a compound where SWN Resources stored exploration equipment and vehicles.
The protesters say they’re concerned shale gas exploration poses a threat to the environment, but the province’s Progressive Conservative government is banking on a shale gas industry to create much needed jobs and revenue.
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