The Oil Revolution

Publisher:  Amy Zierier in Perception, Ottawa, Canada
Year Published:  1981
Pages:  4pp   Price:  1.75   Resource Type:  Article
Cx Number:  CX2285

According to the author of this article, there will be increasingly dramatic changes in Newfoundland as the offshore oil "boom" further affects the economy and society.

Abstract: 
According to the author of this article, there will be increasingly dramatic changes in Newfoundland as the offshore oil "boom" further affects the economy and society. The situation there is already difficult with high unemployment, public debts, taxes and poor services. The author fears that this weak economy leaves Newfoundland "especially vulnerable to the social disruption this quick new wealth can bring with it".

The provincial government has been attempting to maximize the economic benefits to the province through such tactics as requiring oil companies to hire Newfoundlanders to work on oil rigs and service ships. Over 900 have been hired to date. However, the author states that there has been little planning to deal with the likely social costs and disruption. Reports have been issued but there has been little action. The author feels that this may partly be due to the lack of a tradition of "local government or grassroots authority".

There is one non-governmental organization that is trying to tackle some of these issues, the Inter-Church Commission. This broadly based group (United, Anglican, Roman Catholic, Salvation Army and Pentecostal Churches) was inspired by the work of the Church of Scotland and the Shetland Islands to "achieve North Sea oil development on their own terms." The author interviewed the Reverend Wallace Baker (United Church), chairperson of the Commission. He hopes that by doing their homework about the possible impacts, Newfoundland can avoid the problems usually encountered when the "Boom" turns into a "bust".