By: John Chilibeck, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Source: The Daily Gleaner
September 8, 2026

New Brunswick’s biggest First Nation says it wants the provincial government to stop the construction of the proposed 500 MW gas plant on the Chignecto Isthmus, arguing no preparation work should happen until it reaches an accommodation agreement with the builder.

Elsipogtog First Nation posted a statement from the chief and council on its Facebook page last week about the Holt government’s decision to give the Tantramar gas plant conditional approval.

Their statement expresses concern about the plant disturbing critical moose habitat, a migratory corridor for wildlife and a “documented family trapline and camping area.”

But, it appears, the First Nation is unlikely to get its way, judging by the provincial government’s response.

The Mi’kmaq community is about 100 kilometres north of Centre Village, where the American firm PROENERGY plans to build the gas/diesel plant to generate up to 400 MW of electricity for NB Power and an additional 100 MW for Nova Scotia’s Independent Energy System Operator.

The chief and council consider it part of their traditional Indigenous territory, with a legal title claim for more than 20,000 square kilometres of land that’s still pending.

“Elsipogtog is asking the Province to pause further licences, permits and approvals while the Nation, and the Crown and the project proponent complete consultation and reach agreement on reasonable accommodation,” the Facebook post states.

The “Nation” refers to the Indigenous government, while the “Crown” is the provincial and federal governments, which have inherited the role of the British monarchy in treaties signed between the two sides three centuries ago. The “proponent” is PROENERGY.

“Chief and Council remain open to a constructive path forward, including meaningful benefit sharing, decision-making and the exploration of majority Mi’kmaq ownership,” the statement says.

Arren Sock, Elsipogtog’s chief, and the rest of the 13-member council did not reply to messages from Brunswick News seeking further comment.

Provincial response

Environment Minister Gilles LePage. Photo: Government of New Brunswick

A spokesman for the provincial government said last week that the environmental impact assessment, or EIA, the department of environment undertook already considered their concerns.

“The Environmental Impact Assessment process provides an opportunity for the public, including First Nations, to provide input and ask questions,” wrote Bruce Macfarlane in an e-mail to Brunswick News.

“In addition, and in parallel, there is a duty to consult obligation, and the required consultation is considered completed,” he added.

On August 28th, Gilles LePage, the province’s environment minister, announced conditional approval for the project, which NB Power says must be up and running by 2028 or the province risks running short of electricity. Without it, executives with the public utility say, New Brunswickers could face brownouts or rolling blackouts.

Opponents, including the 26 groups that have formed the Protect the Chignecto Isthmus Coalition (PCIC)  have condemned the plan, arguing a gas plant, backed up by diesel, shouldn’t be used to supplement wind and solar power when the weather isn’t favourable or during winter peaks. They argue that battery energy storage systems (BESS) would be more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable combined with other measures to reduce the demand for electricity.

The PCIC warns that greenhouse gases from the plant will worsen the climate crisis, emit toxic gases and threaten wildlife on the ecologically sensitive Chignecto Isthmus.

LePage, however, argued that a technical review committee, with dozens of experts, carefully reviewed the plan and imposed 45 conditions that address all of these concerns. The site was selected partly because it intersects with NB Power’s main transmission line and a natural gas pipeline from the U.S. that would supply fuel to the plant.

Keeping Elsipogtog informed

Sign posted on Rte. 940 across from the entrance to the proposed gas plant site

One of the provincial conditions requires PROENERGY to keep the First Nation informed.

“The proponent must engage in on-going information sharing with Elsipogtog First Nation throughout the project in relation to any impacts on plant or wildlife, including moose, as identified by monitoring programs.”

Reporters asked LePage why other First Nations weren’t mentioned. The project is closer to Fort Folly First Nation, near Dorchester, which is about 22 kilometres from Centre Village as the crow flies.

Besides Elsipogtog and Fort Folly, there are seven other Mi’kmaq communities in eastern New Brunswick, all with territorial claims to the area.

LePage said Elsipogtog was included because it had raised the most concerns.

There are a series of permits and approvals PROENERGY must meet before and after construction starts.

Those outstanding licences and permits are what Elsipogtog wants paused.

The Facebook post argued that LePage gave conditional approval, “even though consultation with Elsipogtog is not complete. Elsipogtog First Nation has not consented to the project.”

The chief and council say a Mi’kmaq knowledge and land use study hasn’t been completed, and “meaningful accommodation for impacts on our rights and interests has not been agreed upon.”

Macfarlane, however, pushed back against such an idea.

“The Department of Environment and Local Government will continue to work closely with the proponent to ensure the conditions of the EIA determination are followed,” he wrote.

The chief and councillors insist NB Power chose the site without asking Elsipogtog’s opinion.

“Earlier involvement could have allowed alternatives that reduce impacts on medicines, wetlands, wildlife habitat and the exercise of Aboriginal and Treaty Rights,” their release states.

It also says the chief and council are not opposed to reasonable development.

“Elsipogtog remains willing to work toward solutions, but respect for our rights requires more than being informed after decisions have already been made.”

To read the release from the Elsipogtog Chief and Council, click here.

This story was written, with additional files from Bruce Wark, by John Chilibeck, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter with Brunswick News.