Government of Canada and Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Government of Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Energy, Government of New Brunswick, Government of Prince Edward Island, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, Newfoundland Ocean Industries Association February 19, 2005 HALIFAX -- The Government of Canada, the four Atlantic provinces and key industry and labour representatives have announced a number of advances for Atlantic Canada's oil and gas industry. The group is committed to continuing work aimed at ensuring the region's offshore energy sector is among the most competitive in the world. The initiatives were announced today in Halifax at the Atlantic Energy Roundtable. Participants identified a number of accomplishments that have been achieved since the first roundtable, held in 2002. The Atlantic Energy Roundtable is working to ensure the sustainable development of Atlantic Canada's offshore oil and gas sector and maximizing its contribution to the provincial economies. The members of the Atlantic Energy Roundtable issued the following statement: "The work of the Atlantic Energy Roundtable has provided a foundation upon which Atlantic Canada's offshore oil and gas industry can continue to grow while respecting the environment. The Roundtable provides a forum for stakeholders within the offshore oil and gas sector to come together to identify and discuss issues and opportunities critical to the evolution and growth of the industry. While many of the issues first identified have been addressed, continued action is necessary to ensure that issues surrounding effective regulation, environmental protection, cost reduction, the provision of industrial opportunities and increased value continue to be examined and addressed. This continued work will result in this region's competitive position being among the best in the world and will ultimately lead to a significant economic impact for Atlantic Canada and support the environmentally sustainable growth of the industry." Since the last Roundtable was held in 2003, a number of issues have been addressed, including the following: regulatory coordination through memoranda of understanding; the five-year suspension of duty on imported mobile offshore drilling units; the development of procurement and activity awareness programs; and the development of best-practices guide for managing supply chain activity. Recommendations made during today's session include the continuation of the Roundtable process as a vehicle for addressing issues that will enhance industrial opportunities and regulatory frameworks for Atlantic Canada's offshore. The Roundtable has agreed to continue work in a number of ongoing initiatives, including: continuing to assist the supply and service industries in identifying opportunities for growth; facilitating focused research and development in offshore technologies; and promoting the region to new investors. In addition, the government partners committed to a renewal of offshore regulations, consistent with the Smart Regulation initiative; the advancement of efforts to reduce potential drilling costs through regulation changes; and the creation of national seismic mitigation measures through a Statement of Canadian Practice. The industry was represented by operators and suppliers, labour, as well as industry associations from across the region, including the Newfoundland Ocean Industries Association, the Offshore Technologies Association of Nova Scotia and the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. Representing the Government of Canada were the Honourable R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources; the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment; the Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans; and the Honourable Jerry Pickard, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry. The Atlantic provinces were represented by the Honourable Edward J. Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador; the Honourable Cecil P. Clarke, Minister of Energy, Government of Nova Scotia; and the Honourable Bruce Fitch, Minister of Energy, Government of New Brunswick. FOR BROADCAST USE: Atlantic Canada's oil and gas industry is on its way to becoming more competitive. Today, the governments of Canada and the four Atlantic provinces, along with key industry and labour representatives, committed to continuing work toward this goal at the Atlantic Energy Roundtable. - 30 - For more information, media may contact: Ghyslain Charron Media Relations Natural Resources Canada (613) 992-4447 Tom Ormsby Director of Communications Office of the Minister Natural Resources Canada (613) 996-2007 Gordon Harris Senior Communications Advisor Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (613) 957-0825 Media Relations / Relations avec les médias Fisheries and Oceans Canada (613) 998-1530 Carmel Turpin Director of Communications Department of Natural Resources Government of Newfoundland and Labrador (709) 729-5282 or (709) 685-4624 John Perkins Nova Scotia Department of Energy Halifax (902) 424-1757 perkinsje@gov.ns.ca Marc Belliveau Director of Communications Government of New Brunswick (506) 444-5912; (506) 476-2574 (cellular) marc.belliveau@gnb.ca Paul McEachern Managing Director Offshore/Onshore Technologies Association of Nova Scotia (902) 496-3182 The following two media backgrounders are also available: Atlantic Energy Roundtable Report Atlantic Energy Roundtable Report of the Implementation Committee
