FREDERICTON, N.B. – The government of New Brunswick announced on March 24 that it had created a commission to research hydraulic fracturing, a controversial well-stimulation technique informally known as “fracking”, and determine whether it would be possible for the oil and gas sector to meet government-imposed conditions on the practice. The new commission, which will report its findings to the government within a year, will be led by Guy A. Richard, former chief justice of the New Brunswick Court of Queen’s Bench, and will also include former University of New Brunswick president John McLaughlin and former New Brunswick Community College board chair Cheryl Robertson. “I am confident in the ability of the members of this commission to lead this important work,” said provincial Energy and Mines Minister Donald Arseneault in a press release. “I thank them for taking on this task that will give us more information about this industry and its impact on people’s health, water and the environment through evidenced-based research.” N.B. became the third province in Canada to ban fracking on Dec. 18; the moratorium is in effect until certain conditions are met, including a social licence in place and the availability of more information on the practice.