(August 20, 2021) – David Brazil, PC Official Opposition Leader and MHA for Conception Bay East – Bell Island, today demanded to know the status of the sale of the Come by Chance Refinery.

Brazil was responding to media reports from allNewfoundlandLabrador that noted the deal between Silverpeak Partners and Cresta Fund Management that is due to close by the end of September is in jeopardy. In the report, sources indicated significant environmental and financial issues remain involving both levels of government.

“I was part of a government in 2014 that last completed the successful sale of the refinery and saved 600 jobs. Unfortunately, this government sat by while the sale to Irving collapsed in 2020 and the Minister continues to say ‘this is a private business transaction.’ That is no comfort to the hundreds of families who rely on this refinery,” said Brazil.

“The Liberal government seems incapable of sorting through the issue of the environmental liability, now saying they won’t complete a report commissioned in 2014. The government’s inability to get this issue dealt with means hundreds of jobs hang in the balance.”

Lloyd Parrott, PC Opposition Shadow Minister of Industry, Energy, and Technology and MHA for Terra Nova, says the families in his district and surrounding areas need answers and need to get back to work.

“The Come By Chance refinery and associated jobs have a massive economic impact on the surrounding region. If this deal falls through, the ripple effect will be huge. Not to mention the five cent charge from the PUB remains in place, which further increases the cost of living across the province” said Parrott.

“I question how our federal Liberal representatives could go on their election campaign with this massive issue still left unresolved. Seamus O’Regan and Churence Rogers are worried about protecting their own jobs, while hundreds of jobs hang in the balance. They should be ashamed.” 

Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Communications

(p) (709) 769-2216

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca

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