Mr. Speaker, I rise today on an issue of critical importance to my province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
On January 28 the Prime Minister delivered on his promise to make Newfoundland and Labrador the main beneficiary of our offshore oil and gas. It is a deal worth more than $2 billion to our province.
The hon. members for St. John's East and St. John's South--Mount Pearl promised to support the Atlantic accord, even if it meant breaking ranks with their party. In a recent article in the St. John's Telegram , the member for St. John's South--Mount Pearl stated:
You cannot ever turn your back on your province on an important issue like this, even if it meant your party says, tough stuff, you have to sit in the last seat, last row.
Today, the Atlantic accord is in serious jeopardy as a result of the new partnership of the Conservatives and the Bloc, the separatist party.
The hon. members opposite from Newfoundland and Labrador promised to support the deal and now they are going back on their word. This is a gigantic flip-flop, the likes of which people in our province have never seen before.