December 23, 2004
Ottawa, Ontario

STATEMENT

“After unilaterally suspending discussions on the Offshore Accord agreement yesterday, Premier Williams today indicated that, as a sign of formal protest, he would remove the Canadian flag from every provincial building in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Premier’s actions are disrespectful of our most treasured national symbol. The Maple Leaf is the flag of all Canadians including every single Newfoundlander and Labradorian. It should not be treated as a tool for partisan politics.

Newfoundland and Labrador has, for some time, sought access to 100% of its offshore oil and gas revenues. I have long since believed this should occur and the federal offer tabled yesterday delivers just that.

It is disappointing in the extreme that Premier Williams now rejects the very agreement he has sought for months. It is even more disappointing that he would use the Canadian flag in this way.”