"We stated to Minister Efford in our meeting that the current proposal on the table from Ottawa is not 100 per cent of our offshore revenues," said Mr. Grimes. "While we feel the current proposal is totally unacceptable and we continue to support the province’s position, we are not totally supportive of the Premier’s current tactics and actions either. These actions and the refusal to return to discussions with Ottawa are not helping this province to attain a resolution to this impasse. It is only through face to face meetings that both sides can work through the current rhetoric in an effort to get a deal.

"Natural Resources Minister John Efford should return to Ottawa and make the necessary changes to the federal proposal rather than waste precious time on a speaking tour in this province. He should immediately return to Ottawa to continue his discussions with the Prime Minister. A speaking tour that tries to sell a deal that is not 100 per cent of offshore revenues will end in failure. We must look for a new solution outside of the two approaches currently being used by both levels of government.

"I suggest that Premier Williams, Minister Sullivan, Prime Minister Martin, Minister Efford and Minister Goodale meet in the same room in an effort to finalize how we get our 100 per cent. There seems to be a desire by all sides to get this deal done. However, if the Premier and the federal government continue with the status quo on this issue, I fear there will be no deal signed. This will definitely not be in the best interests of Newfoundland and Labrador."