Noia says time is running out for oil exploration incentives, but vagueness expressed by the Prime Minister on VOCM Open Line raised more questions than answers.
Premier Andrew Furey says the Prime Minister expressed “a willingness to help” when it comes to the province’s oil and gas industry.
The Premier met with Justin Trudeau yesterday. Decreased demand and low oil prices mean offshore projects have been delayed and deferred, resulting in hundreds of layoffs.
Industry players say incentives are needed to attract exploration to ensure the future of the local sector, but with bidding for offshore parcels about to begin, time is ticking.
While the province is transitioning away from oil and gas, that process will take 30 to 50 years, and the industry remains an important one for the province.
Premier Furey says the Prime Minister indicated that something might be coming.
Furey says Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan has been discussing the matter with Trudeau, and says “hopefully we’ll sort something in the oncoming days to weeks.”
Crosbie Offers Response
The Opposition Leader is borrowing a phrase from a fellow Newfoundlander in describing his feelings about the fate of the province’s oil and gas industry.
Ches Crosbie, echoing the words of Captain Wilf Bartlett, says he had “tears in his eyes and anger in his soul” when looking upon the Terra Nova FPSO anchored in Conception Bay of Topsail.
Crosbie was responding to the response of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Andrew Furey to calls for some sort of incentives to ensure the future of the industry.
The industry provides 20,000 jobs in this province according to Crosbie, over 5,000 of which have been lost in the last few months. Those workers are now looking for new jobs, and the prospects are not here.
Crosbie says there doesn’t appear to be any political will to take measures needed to ensure a viable Newfoundland and Labrador economy.
Noia Disappointed with Trudeau’s Answers on Open Line
The Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and Gas Industries Association says it is disappointed with Justin Trudeau’s vague responses to VOCM Open Line host Paddy Daly yesterday on help for the sector.
Noia says the Prime Minister didn’t offer any commitment or clarity to Daly’s questions.
“Prior to the prime minister’s call, I spoke with Paddy Daly about the importance of our industry and the need for an answer now after months of discussion, thousands of lost jobs, and an industry crisis. Mr. Daly asked pointed questions of the prime minister but there was no response provided that indicated support was coming for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to help to stop the bleeding. This is extremely disappointing and we expect more from our prime minister.”
• Karen Winsor, Chair, Noia Board of Directors
Karen Winsor who is the Chair of Noia’s Board of Directors, says after months of discussion, thousands of lost jobs, and what she terms an industry crisis, Trudeau was unable to provide responses that indicated support was coming.
CEO Charlene Johnson says that vagueness only raises more questions, and lowers their belief that investment in exploration and development is coming.