A long-time consultant in the local oil and gas industry is accusing the federal government of hypocrisy following the recent release of the Oil and Gas Task Force report.

Rob Strong has been involved in the local oil and gas sector for more than forty years.

He says back in May, federal Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan was quoted as acknowledging that exploration is the key to helping the local industry.

Yet, none of the $400-million supplied for the industry from the federal government is to be used for exploration.

Exploration leads to production, which is when the royalties kick in, says Strong, but what he calls the “two-faced federal government” is not supporting it.

“And I have a sneaking suspicion it’s got to do with Mr. Trudeau and his anti-fossil stance,” he says.