Before any work or activity is authorized in the Offshore Area, the Operator must submit a Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Benefits Plan for approval by the C-NLOPB, unless the C-NLOPB directs that a Benefits Plan is not required.

In accordance with the requirements of the Acts, the Operator’s Benefits Plan must contain specific provisions to ensure that:

• The Operator shall establish an office in the province where appropriate levels of decision-making are to take place;
• Individuals resident in the province shall be given first consideration for training and employment;
• Expenditures shall be made for research and development to be carried out in the province and for education and training to be provided in the province;
• First consideration shall be given to services provided from within the province and to goods manufactured in the province, where those services and goods are competitive in terms of fair market price, quality and delivery; and
• Designated individuals or groups have access to training and employment opportunities and to enable such individuals or groups or businesses owned or operated by them to participate in the supply of goods and services.

The C-NLOPB has developed Guidance to assist Operators in the preparation of a Benefits Plan. A copy of the Benefits Plan Guidelines, which includes guidance on Research and Development expenditures and Exploration Benefits Plans, can be found in the Legislation and Guidance of this website.

Approval of a Benefits Plan is not a fundamental decision, and therefore not subject to subsequent approval by Ministers.