Premier Supports Development of Offshore Industry

Speaking durig a recent Business Summitt held by the Mayor and City Council of Prince Rupert, Premier Dan Miller voiced his support of the development of the offshore oil and gas industry on the coast of British Columbia. "I am not opposed to it [the lifting of the moratorium on offshore oil and gas exploration]," said Premier Miller. "Clearly, there are some benefits to be realized from the development of the industry." From the Mayor and Council Business Summitt came the recommendation that a Canada/British Columbia offshore petroleum board be established. This board is to have decision-making capabilities along the lines of those established in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Currently, there is both federal and provincial legislation preventing offshore oil and gas exploration on Canada's west coast. The North Coast Oil and Gas Task Force has spent the past two years assembling information and building awareness of the potential for British Columbia's coastal communities. Support for the development of the offshore oil and gas industry on the British Columbia coast has been widespread, including that of the locally elected governments of Prince Rupert, Port Edward, Terrace, Kitimat, Stewart and Port Clements, as well as the Chambers of Commerce of British Columbia, the BC Business Council and the Coastal Communities Network.