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Opposition Finance Critic and MHA for the District of Grand
Falls-Buchans, Anna Thistle, says she is encouraged by
predictions that this province will lead the country in growth
this year, but she points out that the growth is being
attributed to the Voisey’s Bay and White Rose developments, two
projects initiated during the Liberal government years. The
Liberal MHA was responding to a report released yetserday by
Scotiabank which predicts the provincial economy will grow by 6
percent this year, attributable to continued growth in the oil
industry and nickel mining.
"It is interesting as well that, three years into the mandate
of the Conservative government, there is really nothing
significant they can take credit for starting," states Thistle.
"In fact, I find it somewhat ironic to now hear Conservative
MHAs bragging about this province being an economic leader, when
the two projects credited with generating this growth were ones
they were critical of while serving in opposition,"
Meanwhile, Thistle remains concerned about Scotiabank’s
observation that this economic growth could be curtailed in
future years since there are no new projects moving forward.
"People in the oil industry have been very worried about this
projected inactivity and the consequences for the viability of
their industry. As an opposition, we have also been raising this
as a concern on behalf of the industry and the province.
"The time has come for the premier to show some leadership on
restarting Hebron-Ben Nevis talks. It is apparent that the
energy sector is hot at this point and there are huge benefits
to be gained for both government and the companies in seeing
this project come on stream to help boost the economy, as the
two Liberal-generated projects of Voisey’s Bay and White Rose
are now doing. If the premier can’t get a fair deal for the
province under these current strong circumstances, the questions
of doubt would have to be directed towards his ability to close
a deal."
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