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Opposition Leader Roger Grimes is asking Premier Williams and Minister
Sullivan to provide the people of Newfoundland and Labrador with the details
of the province’s position related to proposed changes to the Atlantic
Accord. "Minister Sullivan is in Ottawa today finalizing a deal with the
federal government related to the Atlantic Accord," said Mr. Grimes. "There
are many questions that should be answered by government before it is signed
so that the people of the province know that the arrangement they are about
to receive is the best possible.
"There are several questions that need to answered. What exactly
constitutes 100 per cent of provincial revenues, will it include all
royalties and the amount that is clawed back through equalization? What will
be considered a successful deal by the premier and minister? Will these
revenues be retroactive to April 1st so that the province will
receive the windfall benefits of high oil prices? What are the revenue
sources where this new money will come from? These are some of the questions
that need clarification. Now is the time for the premier and minister to be
open, transparent and accountable and allow the people of the province to
know exactly what the province is willing to accept.
"In a recent Freedom of Information request, we were disappointed to
discover that the province has not undertaken any real work with the federal
government in putting forward Newfoundland and Labrador’s demands for
change. It appears the premier and minister have based their negotiations on
phone calls and open line shows. While I am pleased to see face to face
negotiations finally taking place with the federal government, there are
still no real details as to what this province can expect from this deal.
"Is this province going to receive the maximum benefit possible from this
new arrangement? The premier and minister have stated that the province will
receive 100 per cent of provincial revenues from our offshore. I encourage
them to now provide a breakdown of their demands and ensure that the people
of the province know exactly what they are going to receive. This province
is about to receive positive change. This is our chance to make our case to
the federal government. Now is the time we present our demands and get this
deal done in the best manner possible for Newfoundland and Labrador. " |