The Chair of the Burin Peninsula Joint Council is very concerned with the possibility that the West White Rose project could be mothballed.

Chair Everett Farwell says should that happen, it will have a devastating impact on area employment at the Kiewit facility and elsewhere.

He urges government officials to do whatever it takes to ensure that if Husky decides to go ahead, that the work isn’t sent outside the province.

Meanwhile, the newly-appointed CEO of the Port of Argentia says there is an opportunity here for the federal government to invest in an industry that drives the economy.

Scott Penney took over the position less than a week ago. Penney has his work cut out for him as he works to develop the site designed to exploit the economic benefits of the oil and gas industry.

Penney was responding to Husky’s review of the West White Rose announced just days after his appointment.

Penney says regardless of what happens, the federal government will have to play a role one way or another.

He says if something is not done to invest in the industry, then the province will be burdened with debt and unemployment “never seen before.”