Liberal MP Downplaying Rift in Cabinet Over Bay du Nord

One of the six Liberal MP’s is downplaying what is perceived as a rift in Cabinet over the Bay du Nord offshore project.

The PC Opposition has said this is further evidence that the Liberal Party, both federally and provincially, is turning its back on the oil and gas industry.

Bay du Nord, said to be one of the largest reserves in our offshore, is awating federal approval.

Avalon MP Ken McDonald says differences of opinion among Cabinet ministers is not unusual but, at the end of the day, they come to a consensus.

He says our member in the Cabinet, Seamus O’Regan, has been fighting tooth and nail for the project since day one. He told VOCM Open Line with Tim Powers that he, O’Regan and the other Liberal members are doing their utmost to ensure that Bay du Nord is approved.

He says they have to represent the province, and the people of the province need this project.

Premier Andrew Furey says his government is also in the industry’s corner, calling our oil the lowest-emitting in the world.

NDP Calling for Just Transition Supports Plan

Meanwhile, the provincial NDP is calling for government to release a just transition supports plan for workers, as the Federal Liberal Cabinet considers calling for the end of oil and gas development in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Interim Leader Jim Dinn says government is continuing to give workers false hope, and the province must move away from the oil and gas industry as climate science suggests.

Dinn says the province needs to focus on how workers are going to transition to the new, greener economy.