There's been no official decision by the Alward Government but the Canadian Taxpayers Federation is pretty sure shale gas exploration in the province will happen.
The Federation's Atlantic Director Kevin Lacey is also optimistic about an east-west pipeline being built to Saint John, telling CHSJ News he didn't think the idea would go this far.
Lacey says spending cuts alone will not be able to get rid of the burgeoning provincial government deficit. It has to be combined with growing the provincial economy. He sees both shale gas development and the pipeline as ways to give some life to the New Brunswick economy.