Harper strikes oil exploration deal with Quebec

The federal government has come to an agreement with Quebec with respect to oil exploration operations in the St. Lawrence. The deal, unveiled in Gatineau, Que. on Thursday, will open up the Old Harry oil field in the Gulf of St. Lawrence to exploration for billions of barrels of oil and natural gas. Under its terms, the province will be allowed to keep 100 per cent of royalties from operations there. The accord amounts to a breakthrough in relations between the Harper and Charest governments just as the Conservatives start looking for ways to win support away from the Bloc Quebecois ahead of the federal election campaign.

The Globe and Mail