It turns out what Yvonne Jones was denouncing yesterday (government spending on oil exploration) is costing our province about $20 million. The plug has been pulled on the oil exploration project in the Parson’s Pond area. The plan to drill three wells on the northern peninsula drew criticism in 2009 from Opposition parties who called the efforts a gamble. Premier Kathy Dunderdale is remaining positive, saying the money was well spent. Furthermore, she said if she listened to critics — nothing would get done. She feels the province must be self-reliant in order to secure its future. Dunderdale noted finding oil would have been nice, but that the primary goal in the project was to gain an understanding of the geology of the area. Jones argued yesterday that the money didn’t need to come out of taxpayers pockets.

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