Cut the emotions and cut a Lower Churchill Deal instead urges Jones

Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones says Premier Williams has demonstrated that he is a master of stirring up emotions, yet has not shown the same mastery in taking even the first steps necessary to forging a Lower Churchill deal in the six years since being elected in 2003. 

Jones was reacting to the proposed deal struck between Hydro Quebec and New Brunswick that would see NB Power bought by the Quebec utility. Premier Williams has strongly criticized the proposed sale as being regressive for New Brunswick and a hindrance to Newfoundland and Labrador’s route options for the proposed Lower Churchill.

“It is clear that the Premier has mismanaged and misread the entire political landscape surrounding the energy context in Atlantic Canada.  Subsequently, he has isolated himself and this province while the rest of the energy players have moved forward with multi-billion generation and transmission deals among themselves.” says Jones.  “The Premier has had ample time to act, to negotiate and to build relations to ensure the success of this project. Yet, he has not made the necessary headway to get it done. Instead he’s pumped up rhetoric and lit a bonfire of emotions to further alienate potential partners, making accommodation even less likely in the future.”

Jones points to the opportunity by Newfoundland and Labrador to bid in 2008 on transmission capacity through New Brunswick when request for proposals were issued. “While other provinces were making strategic moves and reserving transmission capacity, our province failed to act.

- 30 -