VOCM and Tely polls...
VOCM question today:
Do you think government should release all the information it has on the Hebron deal?
Just before noon today - 59% no - 36% yes - 4% not sure...
The Tely question August 24th:
Should details of the MOU signed between the province and industry partners to develop the Hebron-Ben Nevis oil field be released to the public?
Final Results - 74% yes - 19% no - 7% undecided.
There is decidedly more wiggle room in the VOCM question - "all the info government has" versus the "MOU" details for the Tely.
It depends of course on how many times the same individual votes - party stacking - etc. Maybe the government is doing one of its own. Can we see the results if that is the case? If not will the government commit to doing a scientific poll on the idea - with - of course - a simple question?
It is very important that we make clear as a people that we want to be involved in the process - as it will include more wind deals - mining deals - and the Lower Churchill deal. If we give Danny a carte blanche mandate to negotiate and sign off as he sees fit - we are deliberately being ignorant - and trusting that one man cannot make mistakes or that no man or woman would ever do anything wrong through error or other circumstances.
I listened to Liberal candidate Gerry Tobin - Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans - talk about the Hebron MOU last week - and he suggested that the MHA's of the Official Opposition be allowed to view it in camera. Okay then what?
That's as bad as government's current lack of openness and accountability. Let's say the Libs see it - in confidence - and find something - what do they do? Advise in secret? This is almost as arrogant as Danny. How about this? Release it for the people to see and judge accordingly. Then let all parties put forth their problems and kudos for the MOU and the policy choices - and if opposed put forth what they would do under the same circumstances.
8 comments:
How is it that there are so many people who do not think the details should be released?
Because that's what happens when the entire government caucus offices in Confederation Building vote "NO" all day.
Although no one should be trusted to make decisions on his/her own,it seems to be the norm in our province.
I dont feel that we would be as up-tight as we are if not for so many deals going the wrong way .To benefit anyone but the Province.
I can understand why the Liberials in the Province are jumping all over it.Looking for any hole that they can use to "BASH" the deal.
Heck ,should it be released.The right thing to do would be to make it Public.Would it kill the deal or make the Province look like a Bad place to do buissness if we didnt.Hey they said that befor.
OH God I cant believe Im going to say this BUT,"WHO CARES WHERE THEY GOT THIER 4.9 % AS LONG AS THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE IT TOO US."
Yuck ,I have to stop sounding like a Danny Williams fan.
Who cares?
I CARES!
What did Danny Williams have to concede? He already said he made concessions. WHAT WERE THEY?
Danny Williams is a big fat COWARD.
Accountability, Danny Williams version
lol!!!
Hi Sue ,hows your day going ,lol!!!
hi sue-
thanks for listening to my comments re hebron...i hope you heard them all and i ask you to stay tuned. re my request that govt provide an in-camera briefing to the loyal opposition- that was not to extend govt's secrecy but to unravel it. Their concern seems to focus on business sensitive information etc, and presumably not on the details in the MOU of which all NL'ers should be aware. If govt will not release the MOU, then such a briefing would allow the opposition to learn details re the MOU while still protecting any sensitive info. A proper cost-benefit analysis could be conducted and publicized - something govt should be willing to do anyway. Based on already published information, I have concerns around the concession given to elimnate the escalation clause in the generic tier one royalty structure (generic = 1% escalating to 2.5, to 5 and then to 7.5% on pre-payout grosses) and instead freeze it at 1% and I think your readers will have a similar concern. This is a very significant concession that demands analysis and disclosure.
Thanks Gerry for your comments - the MOU should be analyzed and may I suggest - that first we see the confidentiality agreement. Then the MOU should be released publicly as should the final legalese as was promoted by Williams during Voisey's Bay negotiations.
On the royalties - interesting - I am watching it all - do you have an opinion on how lower royalties on the front end will impact equalization?
Further an equity position based on a risk of higher oil prices over the longer-term is a gamble I like. It is not a consistent position for Williams - I will explain that in a post coming soon.
By the way will you be questioning the financial projections the province has stated on the fibre-optic deal?
Back to resource developments - how are you on using hydro-power for industrial development in Labrador?
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