Opposition Leader Ches Crosbie delivered an impassioned speech in the House of Assembly yesterday as he tabled a 1,200-name petition seeking federal support for the oil and gas industry and a start-up of the West White Rose project.

Crosbie says the $320-million announced in September will do little to support the industry, left reeling in light of global oil prices and COVID-19.

He told the house the funding is intended to support an entire industry but is one-tenth of the package provided to support Hibernia back in the 1980s.

Crosbie’s comments reached a crescendo, culminating with loud catcalls from both sides of the house. Parsons acknowledged Crosbie’s passion and joked, congratulating the Opposition Leader for his “Facebook election ad that he just taped.”

Parsons went on to say that they’ve received proposals from “multiple” companies with plans to get people back to work. He questioned whether the Opposition leader is suggesting that all the money go to Husky.