Mr. Speaker, for the record, despite what someone may or may not have suggested to me, I am here of my own free will and I will speak exactly as I see fit. I have stood and I stand fast with the principles that have been articulated. I take a back seat to no one. What I am here to do is simply help this process along and try to generate all party support for a concept and principle.
When this was tabled at 2 p.m. yesterday afternoon, I was told by several economists that the phrase “100% of the provincial offshore oil and gas revenues” caused a lot of loopholes that prevented a direct analysis and correlation to the issue at hand. That is why I am asking for all party support for an amendment to provide clear, precise definition on where the House stands on this issue.
No one should take that intent with any suspicion or malice. It is genuine and I stand behind the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and Nova Scotia.