John Herron

John Herron says the province will meet its 15% protected-lands target by adding new, low-conflict Crown lands rather than weakening or revisiting existing protections; logging in current conservation areas and proposed land swaps will not be allowed.

John Herron says high power rates threaten forestry jobs and the government should remove legal barriers so large industrial companies can generate their own cheaper electricity, deploy their own capital, make installations, and remain competitive.

John Herron says the government didn't force carbon-pricing costs onto oil producers, arguing that standard regulatory practice permits any sector to recover its operating costs. He implies federal clean fuel compliance costs can be passed through the supply chain to consumers.

Herron says petroleum price regulation permits companies to recover clean-fuel compliance costs, supports replacing the cancelled levy with a recalculated charge, and expects consumers will ultimately bear at least part of the cost of tighter federal clean-fuel standards.

John Herron acknowledged that four years is a long time for implementing recommendations and indicated an expectation that departments should have accomplished substantially more in that period, implying that regulatory follow-through on glyphosate recommendations has been too slow.

Herron supports developing a pipeline and LNG export infrastructure to bring natural gas to Atlantic Canada, calling it a 'pan-Canadian, nation-building project' to advance 'energy sovereignty.' He says New Brunswick has engaged companies and favors Saint John for existing LNG connectivity.

Herron says climate trends may be increasing wildfire risk in New Brunswick; he emphasizes ongoing concern and vigilance, active wildfire management (bulldozer firebreaks, patrols), and preparedness through the extended season while hoping rain will help contain fires.

As Natural Resources Minister, John Herron says the wildfire situation is improving but remains a concern; with temperatures easing he expects risk to lessen, yet the wildfire season could extend into October and "will continue to be a concern until the snow flies."

Herron prioritizes wildfire containment while cautiously restoring forest access and forestry-related economic activity. He maintains broad closures, allows conditional operations for certain forestry and related businesses under safety rules, and will reopen woods for recreation only when clearly safe.

John Herron favors selectively reopening commercial and recreational forest activities where conditions permit, while emphasizing containment and longer-term firefighting planning to protect merchantable timber and limit economic losses; he cautions that rain only provides temporary relief.

John Herron explicitly urges the public to take extreme precautions over the coming days and to avoid entering forests if at all possible, calling for heightened personal caution and reduced activity in forested areas during this period.

John Herron supports extending a Quebec-to-New Brunswick gas pipeline to create an all-Canada route, calling it a "nation-building" project, a "made-in-Canada solution" and "energy sovereignty," and hoping it will link to the Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline.