The following statement was issued today by Lloyd Matthews, Minister of Mines and Energy. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I am pleased to inform my honourable colleagues that Phase Two of the Newfoundland and Labrador/Nova Scotia offshore boundary dispute arbitration began today. The hearing is being held at the Wu Conference Centre, located on the Fredericton campus of the University of New Brunswick.

In this second and final phase of the arbitration, both sides are entitled to expect one result: a boundary line established in accordance with international maritime boundary law. This result is demanded by the governing legislation and the arbitration tribunal's Terms of Reference.

The hearing will take less than two weeks to complete. The arbitration tribunal will provide a final decision within four months of the conclusion of the hearings. The decision will be binding on both parties and will be implemented by the federal government.

This province has worked hard in preparing for this arbitration. Our team is comprised of some of the most respected authorities in the area of international maritime boundary law, technical experts and officials with the departments of Mines & Energy, Justice and the Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat. I want to acknowledge the great work being done by our team on behalf of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Our case is being led by Professor Donald McRae of the University of Ottawa. Our Deputy Agent is Deborah Paquette of the Department of Justice. I wish to highlight a new member of our team, Mr. David Colson. Mr. Colson served as the United States of America's Deputy Agent in the Gulf of Maine delimitation between Canada and the United States.

The line we have put before the tribunal reflects, in our opinion, a proper application of international maritime boundary law. I am confident in the strength of our arguments and the ability of our team to effectively present those arguments to the tribunal.

This government is looking forward to a resolution of this long-standing dispute. The establishment of a boundary line will allow us to get on with exploration and, if there are discoveries, development. It will also allow two good friends - Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia - to focus exclusively on areas of mutual interest and benefit. 

By way of example, I was pleased to represent our government as we jointly participated in last week's Canada Atlantic Trade Mission where all Atlantic Provinces worked together to continue to create business partnerships, increase trade and investment, and build on the development of strategic alliances between Atlantic Canada and companies based in the southeastern United States.

I trust I can speak for all members of this House in wishing our team well during the hearing.

This arbitration is first and foremost a legal proceeding. We will not be arguing our case outside the hearing room. We have, however, taken steps to ensure complete openness. The province's written pleadings are available to the public through the Department of Mines & Energy web site or by contacting my office. I am also tabling Newfoundland and Labrador's Memorial submitted to the tribunal for members' information. 

Thank you.

2001 11 19                            3:15 p.m.