The Minister of Energy says Bay du Nord is moving ahead, and active conversations are underway on a benefits agreement for the project.

Lloyd Parrott spoke with reporters Tuesday after the Opposition Liberals questioned the status of the project.

Parrott says the Liberals are wrong when they suggest that the project is stalled, and the premier has met with Equinor five times since he was elected in the fall – adding that he’s met with company officials three times.

Reports suggest that Equinor’s decision gate 2 due in December was pushed back because a benefits agreement had not yet been reached. Parrott says the deadline was set by the company, and it was Equinor that decided to move the date.

“Equinor knew that we were having conversations with the federal government, we believe this is a project of national interest, as does the Prime Minister, as does Equinor.”

He says they didn’t speak with Ottawa until late November, and the decision to push the decision gate out was Equinor’s.