News Release Archive
PREMIER--GAS FIRM EXPLOITING UNITY ISSUE ----------------------------------------------------------------- Montreal-based Gaz Metropolitain is attempting to exploit the national unity issue in order to grab a bigger slice of the Canadian gas distribution business, Premier John Savage said today. The Montreal company is insisting that Nova Scotia's Sable gas be pumped by pipeline into Quebec. Under the existing Sable Offshore Energy project, gas would move by pipeline through Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and into the U.S. "Gaz Metropolitain would like this to become a Quebec issue. But what the company really wants to do is to get a monopoly on gas distribution from both Western Canada and the East Coast. The company doesn't mind exploiting the unity issue in order to get a competitive advantage. I'm fed up with businesses in central and western Canada like Gaz Metropolitain who want to exploit Nova Scotia's resources for their own selfish gain," the premier said. Premier Savage said his government will do everything within its power to ensure Nova Scotia receives maximum benefit from any offshore gas development. "Offshore gas is too important to Nova Scotia's future to let it become politicized by private interests. As a government we will stand up and fight for what is ours." The premier said the Nova Scotia government is prepared to intervene before various regulatory board in order to protect the province's interests. "To suggest, as Gaz Metropolitain does, that gas must first serve Canadian markets is deliberately misleading. Traditionally, Canadian energy has been exported." Premier Savage said economics will decide when gas is developed offshore and where it is sold. In order for any project to go ahead, the oil and gas companies must be able to receive a fair rate of return for their investment and Nova Scotians their fair share of royalties. -30- Contact: David Harrigan 902-424-6600 trp June 28, 1996 - 10:58 a.m.