Campaign Wins Support in Alberta

Premier John Hamm says he is encouraged by the support offered by many Albertans for Nova Scotia''s Campaign for Fairness during his trip this week to Calgary.

"As an energy-producing province, Alberta has already faced many of the same issues we in Nova Scotia are dealing with today," said the premier. "Clearly, it''s in the interests of Albertans -- and all Canadians -- that Nova Scotia has access to the full benefits of our offshore oil and gas. Just as Alberta was able to transform its economy thanks to natural resources, so too can Nova Scotia."

The main focus of the campaign is to ensure the federal government honours the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Accord it signed with the Nova Scotia government in 1986. Although the accord stated that Nova Scotia would be the "principal beneficiary" of offshore oil and gas, current estimates indicate that only 19 cents from every offshore dollar will go to the province. The remaining 81 cents are retained by the federal government.

"Nova Scotia has a deal with Ottawa and we expect the federal government to live up to that deal," added the premier.

Among the highlights of the premier''s visit to Calgary:

• delivering the keynote address to 600 energy executives attending the annual management dinner of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Landmen;

• speaking to 100 political-science students at Mount Royal College;

• meeting with the board of governors of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers; and

• meeting with members of the city''s local and national media, including the National Post, Globe and Mail and the editorial boards of the Calgary Herald, the Calgary Sun, the Canadian Press, Bloomberg, Reuters and the Daily Oil Bulletin.

On Wednesday, Alberta Premier Ralph Klein offered his public support for the Campaign for Fairness.

Former Alberta premier Peter Lougheed also added his voice this week in support of the campaign. Speaking at a dinner welcoming Premier Hamm to Calgary, Lougheed said: "As a Canadian and as an Albertan, I support Premier Hamm in his efforts. I strongly support the goals of the Campaign for Fairness and I hope that many others will do the same."

Premier Hamm said he was extremely grateful for the endorsements.

"Both Ralph Klein and Peter Lougheed recognize that if we build stronger provincial economies, all of Canada will benefit," added Premier Hamm. "I deeply appreciate their support."

Nova Scotia''s premier launched the Campaign for Fairness in January. In addition to Calgary, the premier has spoken about the campaign to organizations in Halifax, Sydney and Ottawa. He will be taking the campaign to Toronto next month.