It was only a couple of months ago that the news hit Newfoundland that offshore project was to be “deferred indefinitely,” which is as close to saying “completely off the table” as any corporate announcement is likely to. The roughly $7-billion Bay du Nord project was to be something of a milestone, the first “deep water” oilfield, operating 500 kilometres offshore and 1,200 metres below the Atlantic surface. But with COVID-19 and the other forces ransacking the Newfoundland economy, it’s gone.
One bright spot, though, emerged from all this, and that was something of a united voice from within the province in declaring the crisis, and backup from in some senses unexpected voices. It was very good to see a university president, Memorial’s Vianne Timmons, join in the call and offer spoken support for the industry. University presidents are not a band generally inclined to outspokenness on any topic outside the usual rubrics of political correctness. But Ms.
Memorial University president Vianne Timmons These are, in my judgment, very rational and worthy sentiments, being expressed in a time of severe economic threat for the whole province. And unexceptionable in every sense. Students need employment. Newfoundland needs income. Certain faculties, engineering in particular, benefit greatly from partnership with the offshore.