The minister of veterans affairs says he didn't have time to pass along some news to a Saint John-area environmental group before they left Ottawa Wednesday: Canada's ambassador to the U.S. has sent a diplomatic letter about Passamaquoddy Bay to the federal regulatory agency of the U.S.

Members of Save Passamaquoddy Bay Canada travelled to the capital this week to meet with federal politicians on planned natural gas terminals on the bay. Two American companies have plans to put liquefied natural gas terminals on the Maine side of the bay. To reach the terminals, LNG tankers would have to sail through a narrow passage in Canadian waters.

The Stephen Harper government is on record as opposing the terminals, but Save Passamaquoddy spokeswoman Janice Harvey said the Conservatives have not yet taken steps to stop them.

Veterans Affairs Minister and New Brunswick Southwest MP Greg Thompson says Canada's ambassador sent the diplomatic letter because the federal government remains opposed to a proposed LNG route.

"There's a number of LNG terminals approved or well on the way to being approved in Canada to service the U.S. demand for natural gas," Thompson said Wednesday. "We understand their need, but this is one where we believe the risk is too great. … Today is really a very clear indication that we will do whatever we can legally to prevent that from happening."

Thompson says there's no question the planned route is a dangerous one.