Balser Welcomes Ottawa Position

The new federal position on offshore health and safety regulations will ensure that the safety of workers is not compromised, said Gordon Balser, Minister responsible for the Petroleum Directorate.

"We have been looking for a commitment from Ottawa to move on this issue and now we have it," said Mr. Balser.

Ralph Goodale, the federal Natural Resources Minister, wrote a letter to Mr. Balser on Thursday, Dec. 9. In the letter, Mr. Goodale states that he will ensure that this matter -- amending joint legislation to clarify occupational health and safety responsibilities -- receives the highest priority within Natural Resources Canada.

"That means we can plan on having legislation introduced in Halifax next spring and we hope Ottawa will now match our timetable," said Mr. Balser.

Both governments will now move forward and reopen the jointly administered Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Act to improve offshore health and safety rules.

"I'm extremely pleased with the high level of co-operation expressed in the letter from Mr. Goodale on this critical issue," said Mr. Balser. "The positive response from Ottawa addresses concerns raised by both Premier John Hamm and myself on the need to move swiftly to address deficiencies in this legislation to ensure offshore workers are afforded the same level of protection as their onshore counterparts."

Labour Minister Ron Russell is also pleased that Ottawa has made the commitment to give the issue the highest priority.

Both Premier Hamm and Mr. Balser recently wrote to Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Mr. Goodale and stressed the importance of resolving critical deficiencies in the act, which is administered by the provincial and federal governments. In a letter to the prime minister, Premier Hamm expressed the urgency of bringing this matter forward as a priority on the federal agenda, a position that has now been accepted by Ottawa.

Mr. Balser said he looks forward to addressing this issue in meetings between federal officials and representatives of the governments of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland next week.