The CBC is reporting that Defence Minister Bill Graham has convinced the United States to delay a planned test missile launch of the Titan IV rocket over Newfoundland's Grand Banks.

The missile was to be launced from Cape Canaveral in Florida. Had they carried through with the launch, debris from the missile which included a 10-ton solid rocket booster, would have crashed in an area that includes the Hibernia platform which employs more than 245 individuals.

The operators of the Hibernia and Terra Nova platforms, after learning that debris was expected to fall within 27 kilometers of the platforms began evacuation procedures which included removing all personnel and towing the oil rigs to a safe distance.

No word has been issued on when we can expect the U.S. to resume the test launch.