"I believe MP Scott Simms and MP Bill Matthews did the right thing by supporting the opposition motion on the Atlantic Accord," said Mr. Grimes. "While I believe this motion was nothing more than a political attempt by Stephen Harper to embarrass the Prime Minister, our MP’s did the right thing in supporting the motion for symbolic reasons. This vote did not have any negative consequences for the federal government and an even stronger symbolic message would have been sent to the Prime Minister if all Newfoundland and Labrador MP’s had been united on this issue.

"Unfortunately, there is still much confusion surrounding this debate. I have received phone calls this morning from people who feel the Atlantic Accord issue was defeated last night and fear we will not be getting any additional revenues from our offshore. This signifies a much larger problem that there are a great number of people who do not have the full facts of this debate.

"Next week we will finally have an opportunity to discuss the Atlantic Accord in the House of Assembly. I am hopeful that the facts of the debate will come forward at that time and much of the confusion will be clarified for the general public. We are still hopeful that Premier Williams will accept our offer of an all party committee of the House of Assembly to lobby Ottawa. This will finally give all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians the opportunity to critically look at this issue from the province’s perspective in our legislature."