Nova Scotia government bill would lift ban on fracking, uranium exploration – Halifax [Video]

Nova Scotia’s government has put forward a bill that would lift blanket bans on uranium exploration and hydraulic fracking of fossil fuels — a move the premier says will make the province more self-reliant in the face of potential U.S. tariffs.

The province says the omnibus bill tabled Tuesday would repeal the existing Uranium Exploration and Mining Prohibition Act to allow for research about the presence and distribution of uranium in Nova Scotia. It would also make changes to the Petroleum Resources Act to “create the potential” for hydraulic fracking to access onshore natural gas.

Premier Tim Houston told reporters the legislative changes are needed to make the province better able to withstand economic challenges that would result from U.S. tariffs. President Donald Trump is threatening to impose tariffs of 25 per cent starting in March on Canadian exports.

There’s been a moratorium on uranium exploration for more than 40 …