Both of Quebec's opposition parties say the government has been improvising and wasting time on the shale gas dossier.

The parties were reacting to Tuesday's shale gas report from Quebec's environmental review board, the BAPE.

While releasing the report, Quebec Environment Minister Pierre Arcand announced a freeze on any new shale gas extraction so an environmental assessment can be completed.

But the Action Démocratique du Québec said the province is just falling further behind in developing the fuel.

"What we see here is what should have been ordered back when the industry's interest was piqued by Quebec's potential for shale gas," said ADQ leader Gérard Deltell.

Deltell says the BAPE report is proof that every time the government touches a file on sustainable development and natural resources, it's a fiasco.

He cited the case of Mount Orford and the fight over who controls the Old Harry oil reservoir near the Newfoundland-Labrador border as examples.

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http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2011/03/09/quebec-opposition-reaction-bape-report.html