The provincial government says it will not comment on the dispute over who will head the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board until the Department of Justice has finished its review of the court ruling.

The Supreme Court of Newfoundland ruled Monday that Max Ruelokke should have been the board's chair and chief executive officer since December 2005, when an arbitration panel appointed him to the job.

Natural Resources Minister Kathy Dunderdale said she will not comment on the dispute over who will head the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board until the Department of Justice has finished its review of the court ruling.
(CBC)

The province fought the appointment, saying that instead it wanted to have the position split between Ruelokke and St. John's Mayor Andy Wells.

Ruelokke went to court in June to obtain an order that would force Natural Resources Minister Kathy Dunderdale to name him as the board's chair and chief executive officer.

However, Dunderdale would only say Wednesday that the province is still considering its next move.

"We're not going to comment on the Max Ruelokke decision at this time," said Dunderdale.

"We have received the judgment, the Department of Justice is reviewing that for us and until that review is complete, I won't be making any comment."

Premier Danny Williams indicated last month that he would abide by whatever ruling the Supreme Court made.

Both the Opposition and the local oil industry said earlier this week that they would like Ruelokke to begin his job as petroleum board head as soon as possible.