Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for St. John's South—Mount Pearl for his excellent and passionate speech today.
I want to build on what has been said about the lack of an independent regulatory body.
The member pointed out that Justice Wells made that the centrepiece of his report. It was the most important recommendation that there be such an independent body. He pointed out that Norway has created one called the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority; Australia and the British have done the same thing.
Is it because the Conservatives cannot find a patronage appointment to fill that particular job? The member pointed out that the Progressive Conservative government of Newfoundland and Labrador is on side. Why is the federal Conservative government not? Can it not find one to put there?
As a person who is knowledgeable about that province, what does the member think would be the reason for this gap?