Post by IAMCAPER on Jun 29, 2004 14:22:53 GMT -4
Nova Scotia would get the same Offshore deal as Newfoundland and Labrador under a Liberal government, Prime Minister Paul Martin promised yesterday in Wolfville.
Last week, Tories called on Fisheries Minister Geoff Regan to quit in protest after Martin said it will take more talks to secure the kind of petroleum revenue deal that’s in the works for Newfoundland and Labrador.
“I’m obviously very, very sympathetic to Nova Scotia’s position as I was very sympathetic to the position of Newfoundland and Labrador,” Martin said yesterday.
“And clearly, if we do a deal with Newfoundland and Labrador, that same proposal ought to be made to Nova Scotia.”
Martin confirmed the deal would let both provinces keep “100 per cent” of their offshore royalties.
“I would certainly want to make the same deal with Nova Scotia,” he said. “And I would look forward to sitting down with Premier (John) Hamm if the opportunity presents itself.”
Martin ended years of deadlock over offshore revenue June 5 when he accepted in principle a proposal from Newfoundland that the province expects to eventually pay it $300 million per year in extra revenue. Regan quickly promised Nova Scotia would get a similar deal, and Premier John Hamm wrote the prime minister’s office asking for assurances.
Martin responded June 18, offering to negotiate “similar results,” but insisting the deal will not be identical. Both the Tories and New Democrats have promised Nova Scotia will receive 100 per cent of offshore royalties and taxes, with no clawback in equalization.
But it’s unclear how much more money the province would actually receive as the equalization pot shrinks.
An analysis purportedly performed by Manitoba says Nova Scotia would have lost $6 million last year if the Conservative changes were in effect. Newfoundland would have gained $185 million and British Columbia would have netted $1.2 billion. Conservative Leader Stephen Harper has promised to make up the difference for any province experiencing a loss.
Last week, Tories called on Fisheries Minister Geoff Regan to quit in protest after Martin said it will take more talks to secure the kind of petroleum revenue deal that’s in the works for Newfoundland and Labrador.
“I’m obviously very, very sympathetic to Nova Scotia’s position as I was very sympathetic to the position of Newfoundland and Labrador,” Martin said yesterday.
“And clearly, if we do a deal with Newfoundland and Labrador, that same proposal ought to be made to Nova Scotia.”
Martin confirmed the deal would let both provinces keep “100 per cent” of their offshore royalties.
“I would certainly want to make the same deal with Nova Scotia,” he said. “And I would look forward to sitting down with Premier (John) Hamm if the opportunity presents itself.”
Martin ended years of deadlock over offshore revenue June 5 when he accepted in principle a proposal from Newfoundland that the province expects to eventually pay it $300 million per year in extra revenue. Regan quickly promised Nova Scotia would get a similar deal, and Premier John Hamm wrote the prime minister’s office asking for assurances.
Martin responded June 18, offering to negotiate “similar results,” but insisting the deal will not be identical. Both the Tories and New Democrats have promised Nova Scotia will receive 100 per cent of offshore royalties and taxes, with no clawback in equalization.
But it’s unclear how much more money the province would actually receive as the equalization pot shrinks.
An analysis purportedly performed by Manitoba says Nova Scotia would have lost $6 million last year if the Conservative changes were in effect. Newfoundland would have gained $185 million and British Columbia would have netted $1.2 billion. Conservative Leader Stephen Harper has promised to make up the difference for any province experiencing a loss.