Power deal takes spotlight
Published Wednesday November 18th, 2009
Gov't lays out plans for last year of mandate
FREDERICTON - Amid much pomp and circumstance, the Liberal government laid out its plans for the final year of its mandate during the throne speech yesterday and the looming sale of NB Power was the ever-present theme of the occasion.
The speech included many other key issues, but the sale of NB Power reappeared in many different areas, from economic development to social assistance.
As hundreds of protesters in front of the legislature chanted their opposition to the deal, recently appointed Lt.-Gov. Graydon Nicholas detailed what the government says are its many benefits, including lower and more predicable rates, debt reduction and cleaner energy.
The speech also emphasized "what would not change," stating that NB Power would remain an independent company under the regulatory watch of the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board.
The speech compared the sale of NB Power to other significant moments in the province's history, saying that bold action was needed to move forward.
"We have been confronted by those moments of opportunity, moments when, as Louis Robichaud famously said, 'New Brunswick cannot wait.' It is with that same spirit that we have made great strides toward our destination of a self-sufficient New Brunswick," Nicholas read.
Much of the throne speech focused exclusively on the proposed power pact, but it also reappeared in relation to other issues, such as social development.
"The proposed deal with Hydro-Québec would provide lower and more predictable electricity rates for New Brunswickers trying to stretch their dollars further," it stated.
The lower industrial rates included in the deal were also connected in the speech to the economic recovery efforts. Beforehand, Premier Shawn Graham told reporters that negotiations to bring new companies to New Brunswick have begun since the deal was announced.
Although the partnership was the most prominent topic of the day, the speech also detailed some other initiatives.
In order to make government spending more efficient, the
government will create the New Brunswick Shared Services Agency to "provide internal common services that are essential to the functioning of government at a reduced cost to taxpayers."
Graham said no widespread layoffs in the civil service would result from the efficiency efforts and that any job losses would receive fair compensation, as in previous downsizing.
The speech stated the government will introduce new legislation in the form of an Early Learning and Child Care Act and an Economic and Social Inclusion Act, which it said would "set the stage for a new era of community-based collaboration and solutions."
Finally, the province's new anti-poverty efforts were detailed in the speech, with several immediate changes listed alongside more long-term efforts, particularly in all levels of education, to reduce social and economic inequality.
With the provincial election of Sept. 27, 2010 on everyone's mind as the final session began, the government also used the speech to highlight employment growth in New Brunswick, improved results within the education system and strong tourism numbers during the past year.
About 600 protesters outside the legislature denounced the plan to sell NB Power, waving placards and chanting, "Kick Shawn Out" and "NB Power's not for sale."
"If (Graham) lets this go, we'll have nothing left, and he's ruined everything he's touched so far," said Margaret Kennedy of Sussex. "We need (NB Power) here, not in Quebec."
Bernie McKay of Waasis questioned how Quebec can make money off NB Power -- a Crown corporation created by the provincial legislature in 1920 -- but New Brunswick can't.
He accused Graham of being short-sighted with the deal.
"It's going to give you money right away, but in the long run we're going to be owned by another province," he said.
"You can't give our resources away like this. It's crazy."
Conservative Opposition Leader David Alward panned the throne speech and was critical of the government's continued push to sell NB Power.
"This government does not have the mandate to make this decision without first going to the people of New Brunswick," he told reporters.
"People within the province of New Brunswick are only beginning to understand how bad a deal this is for New Brunswick ... it was very clear today from the people demonstrating in front of the legislature that New Brunswickers have had enough with this government."
The union that represents 2,200 employees at NB Power has complained the memorandum of understanding signed between Quebec and New Brunswick lacks a lot of details.
It's also a complaint made by David Coon, policy director of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick.
"There's no deadline for phasing out the fossil fuel plants, there's no details on emission reductions and without owning the distribution company we lose a strong instrument of energy policy to advance renewable energy in New Brunswick," he said.
* With files from The Canadian Press
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MLAs take note...you were elected BY the PEOPLE FOR the PEOPLE, you were not elected to put the Liberal party's interests ahead of your constituents. Enjoy the next 10 months D Ann...because after that I can foresee a loooooong stretch before the Liberals ever rule in NB again!
A former, extremely disappointed, life long Liberal supporter!
Thats alright, the government spent 1 million dollars to try to trick... I mean educate us. I just got my propaganda... I mean information pamphlet in the mail yesterday and from what they say in it everything will be just fine. There are no actual facts, or anything even remotely resembling relevant information, but they say everything will be o.k. if we trust them.