Progressive Conservative Leader Ches Crosbie says the difference between “principal” and “primary” in the Atlantic Accord could cost this province millions, but the premier says Crosbie is full of hot air.
Crosbie held a news conference on Tuesday morning to voice his concerns over what he says is a shift in language surrounding the Atlantic Accord.
The existing text of the Atlantic Accord states in Section 2(c) that the accord recognizes the right of Newfoundland and Labrador to be the principal beneficiary of the oil and gas resources off its shores. Crosbie says he’s noticed Liberals using the word “primary,” which carries a different legal meaning.
“It is defined legally to mean 100 per cent of the benefit of our offshore resources must go to this province,” said Crosbie.
“What is alarming about the last number of months during these negotiations is that Dwight Ball has taken to referring to the concept of a primary beneficiary. That’s found nowhere in the Atlantic Accord.”
Crosbie also referred to MPs Seamus O’Regan and Nick Whalen and Natural Resources Minister Siobhan Coady having shifted from “principal” to “primary” in their public statements.
For Crosbie, that means something nefarious is afoot when it comes to the ongoing Atlantic Accord negotiations.
“Something suspicious is occurring,” said Crosbie.
“I am very much concerned that this present government under Mr. Ball is engaged in a project to give up our principal beneficiary rights under the Atlantic Accord in exchange for some short-term cash, ahead of the election. Otherwise, why the change in the language?”
Crosbie also told reporters that he did not check with Ball, O’Regan, Whalen or Coady about their use of the phrase before calling the news conference.
Ball says Crosbie is grasping at straws.
“If you read the letter that I sent to Prime Minister (Justin) Trudeau about a year ago, I used the word ‘principal beneficiary.’ Some of the language has been interchangeable,” said Ball.
“For us, it’s not about principal or primary. The language will not change. It will be principal beneficiary for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
Ball says there has never been any discussion about changing the word “principal” to “primary” in relation to the Accord.
The negotiations between the provincial and federal governments over the accord has been ongoing for about a year. Ball did offer on Tuesday some idea of what’s taking place at the negotiating table.
On top of maintaining “principal beneficiary,” Ball says joint management of the province’s offshore is crucial.
Specifically, Ball has concerns about the federal Bill C-69, which seeks to change environmental assessment regulations for the offshore. Ball says he will present to the senate on Thursday to give his take on what Newfoundland and Labrador wants to see from the bill.
The deadline for an agreement on the Atlantic Accord is March 31.
Meanwhile, Ball says the provincial budget will come down after the federal budget on March 19, but did not give a specific date.
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