Minister of Natural Resources is quoted in the Telegram story as saying "There are going to be benefits for the people of Labrador, and they will become clearer as this process unfolds and more information gets out." Skinner also said of Danny Dumeresque's critique of the deal, "I'm just concerned that he's out trying to say it's a bad deal when all the terms of the deal have not been negotiated."
I would like to add for Minister Skinner's benefit, that it is not only Danny Dumeresque concerned about the proposed deal and that others have more fundamental concerns regarding the entire approach. I for one can say that the whole proposal negates the fundamental principles of developing renewable hydro for industrial development in Labrador.
All of this was in response to a survey conducted with Labradorians by MP Todd Russell regarding the Muskrat Falls development proposal. See Below and also at the Heart of Labrador
RUSSELL RELEASES PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF MUSKRAT FALLS SURVEY
Results for those surveys processed as of February 8th are as follows:
On the main question, “Do you support or oppose the proposed Muskrat Falls agreement?”,
· 45% of respondents strongly oppose and 13% somewhat oppose;
· 12% strongly support and 20% somewhat support;
· 10% are not sure.
Results from other questions reveal public concerns about the economic, environmental, and other aspects of the proposed project:
Q1. Does the proposed Muskrat Falls development provide enough benefit for the people of Labrador? — 83% NO.
Q2. Are you concerned about the environmental impacts of the proposed Muskrat Falls project? — 78% YES.
Q3. Have Labradorians been properly consulted about the proposed Muskrat Falls project? — 78% NO.
Q4. Do you feel that you have enough information about the proposed Muskrat Falls project? — 83% NO.
Q5. Should Muskrat Falls power be available in Labrador for residential and commercial customers? — 95% YES.
Q6. Does the proposed agreement respect the Aboriginal rights of Innu, Inuit, and Metis in Labrador? — 67% NO.
Q7. Are you satisfied with the proposed employment benefits for Labrador residents? — 66% NO.
Q8. Do you believe that Labrador will receive a fair share of revenues from Muskrat Falls power sales? — 86% NO.
Q9. Should a dedicated Labrador development fund be a condition of a proposed Muskrat Falls project? — 83% YES.
Q10. Do you support federal funding for transmission lines to Newfoundland or Nova Scotia? — 46% NO, 40% YES. (This was the only question on which opinion is “split”.)
Q11. Do you feel that Labradorians will be the “primary beneficiaries” of the proposed Muskrat Falls project? — 87% NO.
2 comments:
Shouldn't the people of this province be asked in a plebiscite to decide if something the magnitude of Muskrat Falls should go ahead or not , and if we the people are prepared to take on this staggering debt load ?
What is the big rush ? It looks as thought the big winners in all of this will be EMERA , the shareholders and the people of Nova Scotia who will get cheaper electricity rates , while our rates could double .
Why would our people be in such a rush to make the other Atlantic provinces , and the rest of the country "STRONGER"?
Why would anyone want to settle their children and grandchildren with such a crippling debt ?
Was Danny Williams so bloody great for this province ,that we need to bestow this huge honour on him ? If people really need to say thank you , erect a statue .
Good one Ursula!
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