Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has repeatedly stated that any fracking operations in the province must be carried out safely—citing Alberta as an example of how it can be done. However, the full story isn't always clear to the public. In Alberta, oil and gas companies have been known to use non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to silence those most affected by fracking. These NDAs often come with a financial settlement and a clause warning that any public criticism of the company could result in legal action for breaching the agreement.

Despite these efforts to control the narrative, a growing body of recent studies, regulatory submissions, and community reports paints a different picture—one that highlights potential health and environmental risks. These risks are particularly concerning for vulnerable groups such as pregnant individuals, infants, and children.

Fracking is a highly intensive process. It involves drilling deep into the earth and injecting a high-pressure mixture of water, sand, and chemicals to fracture rock formations and release trapped resources. The process doesn’t end there—it also requires the careful handling of waste materials, which can pose additional environmental and public health challenges.

In a discussion about fracking on Reddit, one person, whose name is being withheld for privacy, said:

“I lived in AB, my house was a little up hill to a flare stack about 1/2 km to the west. The top of that flare stack was close to level to my house, so emissions combined with the west winds would blow directly to my house. I developed an extremely bad cough that left me gasping for air to the almost pass out stage. Doctors did nothing, gave me a useless inhaler that did nothing. Doctors in AB are muzzled to say anything about health related issues caused by O&G. I lived in that house for two years. This was over 30 years ago and I still cannot take a deep breath without going into a coughing fit. A lot of land owners that have well/fracking on their property have to sign a non disclosure agreement. There is no such thing as safe fracking!! The air, water and soil will be poisoned.”

The Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) submission emphasizes that fracking operations release a variety of pollutants into the air, including Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) like benzene (a known carcinogen), toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX), as well as formaldehyde, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and particulate matter. These substances are linked to respiratory problems (like asthma), cardiovascular issues, neurological symptoms (headaches, dizziness), skin irritation, and potentially increased cancer risk.

The report goes on to list many possible places for ‘fugitive’ releases of fracking substances:

Transportation and storage of chemicals/ solutions: spills, leaks, improper handling. Frack fluid mixing on site: spills, leaks, improper handling Well equipment leaks: from valves, pump seals, flanges, compressors, sampling connections, open-ended lines, etc. Underground release: fluid migrates into aquifers, other wells, natural fractures and faults

Waste water surface ponds: leaks, evaporation, structural failure Well casing failure: cement cracks, micro fissures along bore wall Waste/produced water: inadequate treatment, spills, leakage during transportation, storage, recycling Flaring During earthquakes and wild fires

A study at the University of Calgary finds link between high density of fracking operations and increased risk of adverse birth outcomes.

Likewise, an article in the Tyee titled, “Living Near Fracked Wells Increases Adverse Birth Outcome Risk, Study Suggests” is a good read to learn how are mothers affected

All of this information should be made available to Premier Houston. If he has come to believe that fracking is being done safely in Alberta, then it's reasonable to assume that the Nova Scotia government—and its ministers—haven't devoted much time to uncovering the full truth.