The Opposition Tories say an update on the fate of the Come By Chance refinery is long overdue.

It’s been just over 18 months since operations were halted due to the pandemic, leading to uncertainty for the facility and hundreds of workers. As a result, an extra five-cent-a-litre surcharge on gas was also put in place to account for the necessary import of fuels in the interim.

Last month, 96 per cent of workers voted to ratify a new contract between the union and current owners—Silverpeak—but the Tories say the silence has been deafening ever since. On top of that, government funding to keep the refinery in so-called warm idle ran out at the end of June.

Terra Nova PC MHA Lloyd Parrott says time is of the essence as employment insurance benefits for many will also soon run out. He’s calling on Energy Minister Andrew Parsons to provide an update on negotiations as soon as possible.