© Conservation Council of New Brunswick 2025
In this edition of EcoNews, we bring you expert advice to save energy and make home comfort more affordable and examine a major court ruling on glyphosate that could help protect our health and environment. We’ll also take a hard look at the fossil fuel loophole that has been shielding big polluters and costing New Brunswickers at the gas pump, share a theatrical look at our climate future and invite young artists to celebrate electric school buses with a fun colouring contest. Read on for all the details!
Expert tips to save energy & make comfort affordable
New Brunswick currently has some of the lowest energy rates in the country, but some of the highest bills, and many families feel the strain. That’s why we brought together a panel of experts on Feb. 14 to discuss energy-efficient solutions to make comfort more affordable while cutting emissions.
Speakers from Efficiency Canada, the Human Development Council, the P.E.I. government and N.B. Power covered everything from home energy efficiency upgrades to policy changes that could help families stay comfortable in their homes.
Missed the event? See the full conversation here:
Donate by Feb. 28 for a 2024 tax credit!
It’s just about tax season, and if you missed the chance to make a charitable donation before the end of 2024, you have a bit of extra time to donate!
Due to the Canada Post strike, the federal government has extended the donation deadline to Feb. 28, 2025, meaning you can still support the Conservation Council and receive the same tax benefits. Your donation helps protect New Brunswick’s land, air and water while advocating for a healthier, more sustainable future.
Take advantage of this extension and donate today by clicking below:
Now is the time to demand a glyphosate ban
A Federal Court ruling has ordered Health Canada to reassess the health risks of glyphosate after the agency failed to properly consider new scientific evidence when it renewed the registration of a product containing it in 2022.
Glyphosate, a pesticide ingredient widely used in New Brunswick forest management, has been linked to numerous health concerns. In the U.S., lawsuits awarded millions in damages to people claiming the herbicide caused their cancer. While some countries have restricted its use, Canada continues to allow widespread application, including in New Brunswick.
This ruling reinforces the need for stronger action—New Brunswick must protect our health, environment and wildlife by banning glyphosate spraying.
With a new provincial government in power, now is the perfect time to make your voice heard and demand change. Use our letter-writing tool to demand action from the provincial government today!
Fix the fossil fuel loophole
New Brunswickers have been overcharged at the gas pumps since the province created the miscalculated carbon adjustor loophole in 2022. This allows big gas producers to pass on the cost of federal clean fuel regulations to consumers.
The new Liberal provincial government promised to fix this loophole immediately after being elected but instead put off the decision, claiming that eliminating the extra cost may hurt small gas retailers.
The government is again missing the big picture. Big gas producers should be responsible for the price of the clean fuel regulations. It’s time to stop protecting these large companies from the rules.
Dr. Moe Qureshi, our director of climate research and policy, and our climate change co-ordinator, Faith Mambo, presented this argument to the standing committee on law amendments on Tuesday, Feb. 25, to persuade legislators to do the right thing and stop shielding big industry from the cost of cleaning up their act.
You can watch the committee presentation below:
Powering our lives responsibly
We’ve weighed in on the proposed New Brunswick/Nova Scotia Interprovincial Transmission Line Project, a major energy infrastructure upgrade. While we support efforts to improve the electricity grid and transition to cleaner energy, we believe this project must be done right—protecting nature, preparing for climate challenges and ensuring communities have a real say in the process.
We’re urging N.B. Power to follow best practices that ensure transparency, inclusivity and meaningful dialogue, especially with Indigenous communities. New Brunswickers deserve energy solutions that are reliable, fair and environmentally responsible. Read our full submission to learn more:
Electric school bus colouring contest
The New Brunswick government has committed to fully electrifying our school bus fleet by 2035—a big step toward a cleaner, healthier future! To celebrate, we’re inviting kids of all ages to bring their electric bus vision to life with our school bus colouring sheet.
Encourage your little artist to decorate the bus with images of what a sustainable future looks like to them—lush forests, clear blue skies, thriving wildlife or anything that reflects their dreams for a healthier planet. It’s a fun and creative way to start conversations about protecting the environment!
Submit their masterpiece for a chance to win exciting prizes! We’ll also showcase standout entries on our website and social media to inspire others.
Submission deadline: April 27
Winners announced: May 12
Download the colouring sheet and enter today:
A theatrical journey into our climate future
The Conservation Council of New Brunswick is proud to be a community partner for Dimanche, an extraordinary theatrical production coming to the Fredericton Playhouse on Friday, Feb. 28, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
Blending dreamlike fiction with stark reality, Dimanche offers a cautionary glimpse into a future shaped by unchecked climate change. It follows a family determined to keep up their Sunday traditions even as the world spirals into climatic chaos.
Meanwhile, three wildlife reporters race to document Earth’s last surviving species.
This witty and thought-provoking performance is a must-see for anyone who cares about our planet and the absurdity of human resilience in the face of ecological collapse.
Click below to read our preview of Dimanche and get your tickets:
We work hard to ensure a strong environmental voice is heard in New Brunswick’s print, radio and television media. Last year, our staff appeared in the media more than 50 times to shed light on ongoing environmental issues and success in New Brunswick. Here are some of the biggest stories Conservation Council staff have been called upon for expertise, analysis and commentary this year:
Conservation Council in the News
Feb. 20, 2025 | New Brunswick’s unfair carbon adjustor loophole shields gas companies from the cost of the federal clean fuel regulations and adds 7 cents per litre at the pumps for consumers. Dr. Moe Qureshi, our director of climate research and policy, tells Acadie Nouvelle that this surcharge burdens consumers and was miscalculated from the very start. Dr. Qureshi urges the provincial government to follow through on its promise to remove the charge and ensure a fairer approach to fuel pricing. Read more (French)
Feb. 7, 2025 | Saint Andrews is considering a fish habitat restoration project on Campobello Island to offset the environmental impact of rebuilding its aging wharf. The town learned last fall that as part of the rebuild, it would have to compensate for lost fish habitat. However, the only approved option is a restoration project 20 kilometres away on Campobello Island. While improving fish habitat anywhere is a good thing, our marine conservation program director, Matt Abbott, told the CBC that better planning could have led to a local project with stronger community support. Read the story.