The rationale for the program weakened when world oil prices began to decline in the early 1980s, leading to the start of a phased shut down by the new Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Jean Chrétien. In the 1984 election the government of Brian Mulroney was elected with the support of western Canada after campaigning against the NEP.
The program rationale weakened when world oil prices fell in the early 1980s, prompting a phased shutdown by new Energy Minister Jean Chrétien. In the 1984 election, Brian Mulroney's government was elected with western Canadian support after campaigning against the NEP.