Premier Tony Wakeham calls this week’s debate one of “historic importance.”
He says the members of the House of Assembly have to choose whether to sign what he calls a new and better deal, or “do nothing.”
“And recommend, or recommit, our province to the terms of the 1969 Churchill Falls agreement, the most lop-sided inter-government agreement in Canadian history for another 15 years.”
“That is the choice that lies before this House; to act or not to act. To choose ambition or embrace decline, to realise the potential of our resources, or leave them as rocks and water on the ground.”
Liberal Leader John Hogan speak to media outside the HoA (VOCM News)
Opposition Leader John Hogan says the Liberals, who drafted the initial deal with Quebec, have questions about what was left out of this agreement – in particular an escalation clause for Gull Island power.
He says they need to understand why the premier has gone that route. Hogan says transmission and access to U.S. markets, something government has sought for years, “government announced this agreement, as though that objective had been achieved, but when anyone reads the agreement, it says something completely different.”
NL NDP Leader Jim Dinn (VOCM News)
NDP Leader Jim Dinn wants to know why outside experts, like Manitoba Hydro, are not being brought in. He especially would like to see the Public Utilities Board involved in this week’s debate.
“We want the PUB involved, not in doing the review, but they can choose then the consultants they want to do that review. They will be the managers of it. An organization whether it’s Manitoba Hydro International, B.C. Hydro, pick another one…whether it costs $100,000, $200,000 on a multi-billion dollar deal, for something that’s going to last generations, it’s well worth it.”
