Offshore Boundary Dispute to Arbitration
Premier Russell MacLellan announced today that the province would be moving immediately to arbitration in an effort to resolve the offshore boundary dispute with the province of Newfoundland.
The premier made the announcement in Saskatoon where he and Newfoundland Premier Brian Tobin are attending the Annual Premiers' Conference.
Mr. MacLellan said that he and Premier Tobin had met to discuss the issue and agreed that the matter needed to be settled equitably and quickly, and, in light of the distance currently existing between their respective positions, that a federal arbitration panel was the best vehicle to settle the matter fairly and soon.
"I want to resolve this matter as soon as possible, so that Nova Scotia can get on with developing its oil and gas potential," the Premier explained. "And I know that Premier Tobin is equally keen on finding a lasting conclusion."
With a final agreement on the boundary, interested oil and gas companies would be further encouraged to begin exploration in the disputed area of the Laurentian Channel between the two provinces, something Premier MacLellan said was a high priority for both he and Premier Tobin.
"There currently exists an excellent window of opportunity based on strong expressions of interest from the industry, and its not in either of our interest to let it pass", Mr. MacLellan said, "Because both of us want to co-operate in building secure financial futures for our respective provinces."
"While I was always ready to pursue a negotiated settlement I'm quite agreeable to accept the arbitration option if it'll get us moving." Mr. MacLellan declared, "Quite simply, it's time to move on."
Premier MacLellan and Premier Tobin both noted that the federal Minister of Natural Resources Ralph Goodale had previously indicated his willingness to provide adjudication in this matter, and said their respective officials would be meeting with Natural Resources Canada officials as soon as possible to begin the arbitration process.