News Release
Office of the Official Opposition

Parsons renews call for release of information on failed Hebron/Ben Nevis negotiations

April 12, 2006

"We have been asking for ten days to receive the details of the failed negotiations with the Hebron/Ben Nevis partners," said Mr. Parsons. "Last week, the Premier said he would consider releasing details, but he has since backtracked. Since negotiations failed, there have been no concrete details released in print for people to examine, however, each day we find out something new as being a stumbling block to the negotiations, or a new policy being contemplated by government that was never discussed before. It is time for the premier to stop hiding this information and be up front with the people.

"There are so many statements being made by the premier and his Minister of Natural Resources that it is difficult to decipher fact from rhetoric. Last night on Here and Now, Mark Mcleod of Chevron stated that their company has not been in contact with the premier and nothing has changed regarding this current negotiation impasse. This contradicts what the premier stated in this House of Assembly on Monday. Were there new discussions or not?

"Last week, the premier was talking tough and said that he would be looking at legislation that would force Exxon/Mobil to develop the project or lose their investment. However, he now knows that any legislative change would require support from the federal government. He has softened his stance and said this is not a high priority going into his discussion with the prime minister this afternoon.

"In addition, a North American Free Trade Agreement law specialist is quoted in today’s Globe and Mail as saying that any attempt by government to introduce fallow field legislation would be a slam-dunk case for Exxon/Mobil under Chapter 11 of the North American Free Trade Agreement. He says this could cost the province billions of dollars in legal and compensation costs. We have no idea what work government is doing on this legislation, or even if they have sought legal advice. We can’t even find out if this legislation would be retroactive or applied to new projects on a go forward basis.

"It is time for this government to stop hiding and release the information related to the failed Hebron/Ben Nevis negotiations. While in Opposition, the premier promised he would release information related to project negotiations in an open and transparent manner. This has not happened. This project is too important for the people of this province not to have a full and open debate."

Media Contact:
Darrell Mercer
Director of Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
709-729-6151 or 709-687-0477