Ottawa, ON — Clifford Small, Conservative Shadow Minister for Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and Greg McLean, Conservative Shadow Minister for Natural Resources, released the following statement on the Bay du Nord offshore energy project:

“The Liberal government is stalling approval of the Bay du Nord project off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, despite a recommendation for approval by the Canadian Impact Assessment Agency last August. The Liberal government has delayed a decision twice, most recently giving itself an extension until next month.

“This new project is crucial for Canada and the Atlantic region. It will generate over $14 billion in economic activity, $3.5 billion in government revenues, 22 million hours of employment, and attract a private sector investment of $11 billion to get it off the ground.

“Canadian energy is in demand. The only thing standing in the way of our jobs, prosperity, and the production of the world’s most ethically produced energy, is the Liberal government.

“This is just another example of the usual games the Liberal government plays to delay, block, and move the goalposts midway to kill major energy projects in Canada. Energy East, Trans Mountain Pipeline, and the Teck Frontier project are good examples of this – and now we are seeing the same ‘delay to death’ tactics with the Bay du Nord project.

“Canada has what the world needs. Canadian oil and gas is produced to the highest environmental and social standards and is of the highest quality. We should be filling demand while supporting jobs and good pay cheques for Canadians.  

“That is why we are calling on the Liberal government to stop playing with the livelihoods of Canadians. It is time the Liberal government listened to the recommendation of the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and approve the Bay du Nord project now.”