The head of the New Brunswick Environmental Law Society says he's offended by Ottawa's response to questions about the cancellation of environmental assessments in the province.

Last month, 159 assessments were cancelled in New Brunswick when the new Canadian Environmental Assessment Act came into affect.

Environment Minister Peter Kent said cancelled assessments were routine with little risk to the environment. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

Michel DesNeiges calls the cancellations "regressive."

DesNeiges says there's a reason the assessments were created, because decades ago, there weren't regulations in place to protect the environment.

"The federal government has made it quite clear that they want to see ... industrial development go ahead," DesNeiges said. "There's also been a clear message that environmental concerns are less of a priority for the Harper government."

The cancelled projects include everything from a coal mine expansion in Minto, to the removal and construction of bridges, to the use of underwater explosives for training at CFB Gagetown.

CFB Gagetown released a statement to CBC News about the EIAs on its property.

"In response to the report that 47 CFB Gagetown Environmental Impact Assessments are being cancelled or terminated due to recent changes to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, we wish to clarify that all of those assessments are either already completed or will be in the near future."

"Environmental considerations are, and will continue to be, a priority in all aspects of CFB Gagetown's activities."

In a written statement to CBC News, Environment Minister Peter Kent said the projects were routine with little risk to the environment.

One example Kent gave was the replacement of a culvert under a causeway, saying it was excessive to require a large assessment for every culvert.

Michel DesNeiges calls the cancelled environmental assessments regressive. (elements.nb.ca)

DesNeiges says that's not good enough.

"These projects deal with much more than culverts. So again, I think this shows a lack of respect, a lack of appreciation of the importance of protecting the environment."

He says aquaculture EIAs cancelled were particularly worrying to him, and he wants to hear from the provincial government about what it will do about it.

However, he says he knows financial restrictions and expertise would likely prevent the province from being able to take over the assessments.

With the development of shale gas being a concern of Alward and his government, DesNeiges questions whether the evaluations are going to be "up to snuff" if Ottawa is not going to be a part of the assessment.

"I think the shale gas issue in the context of environmental evaluations, that has to be looked into," he said.

The cancelled environmental assessments were part of the most recent budget brought down by the federal government.