Premier Williams has recently acknowledged that government received an unsolicited proposal to examine the Atlantic Canadian underwater route for the transmission of power from the Lower Churchill. The Premier refused to call a public request for proposals and stated that process would compromise commercially sensitive information. However, last week Minister Byrne received an unsolicited business proposal for Bell Island mineral development in which he felt compelled to call a public request for proposals to "gauge a broader interest in the resources of Bell Island." The same scenario with opposite results.

"What sort of deceptive game is this government playing on the people of Newfoundland and Labrador?" asked Mr. Grimes. "The premier said they couldn’t issue a request for proposals for the Lower Churchill because it would compromise commercial sensitivity. The minister states that it is necessary to issue a request for proposals for Bell Island development to attain all information and interest in the area. Is this the sign of an open and accountable government?

"With this recent contradiction in process, I am now more concerned that there is something strange taking place on the Lower Churchill file. The Premier did not only refuse to issue a request for proposals, but he refuses to give us any information regarding the secret proponent that is studying development of the Lower Churchill. There must be some reason that government is trying to hide this information from the general public.

"If the Premier has nothing to hide regarding this proposal, he should come forward and make the name of the proponent public and explain why a public request for proposals was not issued. With the recent contradiction in process by his minister, it concerns me greatly that there is something happening here that is not in the best interests of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The secrecy regarding this issue is very suspicious. To ensure that everything is being done appropriately without any conflict of interest, the Premier must be held accountable and he must release the name of the consultant retained to do this work. Once again, I ask the Premier to explain his actions and tell the people of this province what is happening with this proposal."