Canada’s Trudeau responds to Noia: “We will continue to work together”

Recently, the Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and Gas Industries Association (Noia) wrote to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, seeking a commitment to support the region’s oil and gas companies, and their employees, in the face of depressed oil prices. On June 10, Trudeau’s office formally responded to Noia’s request by email letter. Reprinted below are Noia CEO Charlene Johnson’s announcement to the association’s members of Trudeau’s reply, followed by the text of the response from Trudeau’s office.

Dear Members:

Late yesterday afternoon, Noia received a response to a recent letter it sent to Prime Minister Trudeau outlining our concerns for the offshore oil and gas industry and requesting immediate assistance from the Government of Canada to encourage exploration offshore and to help development projects get underway and put people back to work. The response refers to discussing our offshore with Premier Ball and states: “We will continue to work together to ensure that Newfoundland and Labrador is supported during this difficult time.”

Noia is continuing its advocacy efforts for our industry to receive that support. Below is a link to a form letter for you to send to your MP, by submitting your email address and postal code. The letter will automatically be sent to your MP, along with ministers Bill Morneau, Jonathan Wilkinson, and Catherine McKenna. Numerous industry associations in our province and Atlantic Canada are going to be doing the same in support of our offshore. The form is available here.

Thank you again for your continued efforts to support Noia as we work on your behalf.

The full text of the email from the Prime Minister Trudeau can be found below.

Stay well.

Charlene

Prime Minister’s Emailed Response:

Ms. Karen Winsor, Chair

Ms. Charlene Johnson, CEO

Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and Gas Industries Association

Dear Ms. Winsor and Ms. Johnson:

Thank you for taking the time to write to me about the difficulties that the offshore oil and gas service and supply sector is currently facing. Our government understands that this is a challenging period for our economy, and for so many Canadians. I appreciate your advocacy for your members on this important matter.

I have spoken to Premier Dwight Ball in regards to this subject, and our conversation was productive. We will continue to work together to ensure that Newfoundland and Labrador is supported during this difficult time.

The Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Natural Resources, has been actively working on this issue. I have asked that a copy of our correspondence be sent to his office for consideration.

Please accept my best regards.

Sincerely,

The Rt. Hon. Justin P.J. Trudeau

Prime Minister of Canada