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Opposition Leader Gerry Reid is encouraging the provincial government to
accept yesterday’s Supreme Court decision and immediately appoint Max
Ruelokke as Chair and CEO of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore
Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB). In a Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador
decision yesterday, Justice Raymond Halley stated that Max Ruelokke should
be appointed immediately to the post of Chair and CEO of the C-NLOPB. In
addition, the court also found that the delay by the provincial government
in appointing Mr. Ruelokke was reprehensible and ordered the province to pay
all legal costs associated with Mr. Ruelokke’s court challenge.
"Premier Williams should immediately ensure that Mr. Ruelokke is given
his rightfully earned position as Chair and CEO of the C-NLOPB," said Mr.
Reid. "The provincial government has acted inappropriately over the past
several months in refusing to appoint Mr. Ruelokke to this position and I
hope the premier will accept yesterday’s court decision without any further
delay.
"The premier’s refusal to appoint Mr. Ruelokke has already cost the
taxpayers of this province thousands of dollars in legal fees. If government
delays this appointment any further, I fear this amount could rise even
higher. It is time for this government to follow the rules and ensure this
qualified individual is permitted to conduct his work as soon as possible.
"Our offshore industry is at a crucial point in this province’s economic
development and a full-time Chair and CEO of the C-NLOPB is a necessity. It
is time for the premier to move past his petty politics and ensure Mr.
Ruelokke begins his work immediately. Any further delay would not only be
reprehensible, but disgraceful."
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