Public Review of Cape Breton Offshore

PETROLEUM DIRECTORATE--Public Review of Cape Breton Offshore Development

A joint directive has been issued to the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB) to conduct a public review of the effects of potential offshore oil and gas exploration and drilling activities off Cape Breton.

The directive was issued by Ralph Goodale, Minister of Natural Resources Canada, and Gordon Balser, Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Petroleum Directorate.

"The decision to hold a public review demonstrates the responsiveness and sensitivity of our regulatory approval process," said Mr. Balser. "In view of public concerns, it is important to engage stakeholders in advance of specific proposals for exploration activities."

"There are now several oil and gas exploration activities which could be proposed for the Cape Breton offshore area, for which there are growing public concerns," said Mr. Goodale. "We want to ensure that all concerns are addressed and that the public is fully involved in discussions about these activities."

The CNSOPB regulates oil and gas activities in the Nova Scotia offshore area, including off Cape Breton, on behalf of the federal and provincial governments. To date, the CNSOPB has undertaken several initiatives to provide information regarding offshore oil and gas activities and the regulatory process, and to obtain the views of interested parties.

NOTE TO EDITORS--Natural Resources Canada's news releases and backgrounders are available on the Internet at www.nrcan.gc.ca . The Nova Scotia Petroleum Directorate's news releases and background information on the Nova Scotia oil and gas industry can be found on the website at www.gov.ns.ca/petro .