Fracking Lawsuit

After three decades as a consultant to the oil industry, Jessica Ernst decided to sue her biggest client, Encana, which is also Canada's largest producer of natural gas.  She is also suing the Alberta Energy Regulator and the Alberta government.

It concerns fracking - or hydraulic fracturing - where large volumes of water, sand and chemicals are used to blast open the earth and extract resources…in this case, natural gas.  Ms. Ernst alleges fracking has contaminated the aquifer that supplies water to her community and home in Rosebud, about a hundred kilometres east of Calgary. Encana denies her allegation.

The anti-fracking movement has been growing over the years, due to concerns about its environmental impact.  Industry officials have countered with ad campaigns and assurances that fracking is safe.  At the same time, they have quietly reached out-of- court settlements with citizens who have sued.

Jessica Ernst won't settle.  She says she's in it for the long haul, until a judge renders a final decision.  It's been eight years so far and the next stop is the Supreme Court of Canada, in January.

Guest host Francine Pelletier spoke with Ms. Ernst in our Calgary studio, and with her lawyer, Murray Klippenstein, in Toronto.