Closing arguments heard in Ruelokke case

The Supreme Court heard closing arguments Wednesday morning in the dispute over who will administer the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board.

Max Ruelokke was selected as chairman and chief executive officer of the federal-provincial regulator by an arbitration panel last December.

And while the panel's decision is binding on both levels of government, the Newfoundland and Labrador government has refused to confirm his appointment.

Instead, the province wants Ruelokke and St. John's Mayor Andy Wells to split the position's duties.

Ruelokke went to court in June to obtain an order that would force Kathy Dunderdale, the provincialMinister of Natural Resources, to name him to the post.

However, the lawyer representing the province argued Wednesday morning that cabinet did not have to follow the panel's recommendation.

Ruelokke's lawyer argued the minister is indeed bound by law to follow the panel's instructions.

A decision is expected by August.

Ruelokke quit his oil industry job in December to avoid a conflict of interest and hasnot worked since.

The position has been vacant for two years, in part because Premier Danny Williams and the former Liberal government in Ottawa could not agree on a leadership choice.