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Foote questions why JSS contract not on agenda for meetings in Ottawa February 22, 2007 Judy Foote, Opposition Critic for Innovation, Trade and Rural Development and MHA for the District of Grand Bank, says she is disappointed that Intergovernmental Affairs Minister John Ottenheimer didn't reference the JSS contract for the Burin Peninsula as one of the issues to be discussed during his scheduled meetings in Ottawa this week. "Clyde Jackman, MHA for the District of Burin Placentia West, stated publicly that the JSS contract for the Peter Kiewit Offshore facilities and construction of a graving dock has been discussed in great detail at the cabinet level," said Ms. Foote. "Minister Jackman also referenced that a meeting with the federal government would be taking place in the near future on this issue. This is why I question why his colleague, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister John Ottenheimer, didn't even reference this as an issue when outlining his priorities for meetings in Ottawa this week. Is this really a priority of the provincial government or is it being placed on the back burner with no intention of moving the file forward for serious discussion with the federal government? "This week's meetings in Ottawa would be a prime opportunity to publicize this issue and apply pressure upon the federal government to award this important contract to the offshore facilities in Marystown. Instead, there is no indication from the province that it is interested in pushing this issue at the federal level. The JSS contract is of great significance to the people of the Burin Peninsula and the spinoffs can be substantial for the entire province, yet the silence from the premier on this matter is deafening. This particular contract is worth $2.1 billion over 8-9 years and an $800 million 20-year service contract. The only competitor for the JSS contract is in British Columbia where the premier and others are being very vocal and doing everything they can to ensure the project comes to their province. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about our provincial government. Certainly a project of this magnitude requires the premier's direct involvement. "The approach of our provincial government is puzzling. This issue is of such significance to our province that I can't believe that Minister Ottenheimer, who is meeting with the Minister of Defence and has a prime opportunity to make this a priority in his meeting, will not be raising the issue. There is no mention of it in his press release in which the topics he will be raising in his meetings are listed. I sincerely hope this doesn't mean that our government has given up on this contract, however, it does raise questions as to why our provincial representatives are not being more vocal."
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