Ed Martin - Surprised and Disappointed at the Tone of the Panel Report on Lower Churchill

The President of Nalcor says he is "surprised and disappointed" at the tone of the Review Panel report. Well Ed Martin that's tough!

There are many people in this province - who for varying reasons - oppose the Muskrat deal and are disappointed in you and sidekicks like Gil Bennett. People we pay - who show utter contempt toward anybody who asks legitimate questions.

I have spent my adult life researching the hydro-electricity assets in our province - and voluntarily shared with people my findings and opinions on the development of such resources. I attended one of the sessions of the Review Panel and attempted to ask questions of Nalcor. Gilbert Bennett, Vice President - Lower Churchill, Nalcor responded by smirking and giggling/whispering to another sidekick at the table - and then answering in a manner using industrial language; in an attempt to sound or feel superior to the questioner.

I am neither surprised or disappointed in the "tone" of the report. It reflects a couple of things; the truth and vindication for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who had legitimate concerns about this project.

Nalcor failed to justify this development based on their own reasoning for doing it. Nalcor failed and continues to fail in its explanations to the ratepayers/people of the province. Nalcor failed in separating itself from the partisan reasons for doing the project.

Kathy Dunderdale, Premier appointed of the province failed and continues to fail to understand the project herself. Her public commentaries are weak and demonstrate her ignorance regarding the history and potential future of these tremendous hydro assets. The Premier in her zealotry to deliver Danny's baby (Muskrat) is actually managing to turn these valuable assets into unsustainable liabilities. Unfortunately this one project is so important to our future - that the electorate must remove her from office - in order to avoid the catastrophic damage it would cause to our economy over the life of the deal.

I encourage people to read the entire report of the Panel - in order that they see how damning it actually is. The exercise of reading a few hundred pages is probably one of the best things you could do for your children, grandchildren, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Minister Shawn Skinner should not ignore the information provided by the Panel and should not ignore genuine concerns of people - who for non-partisan reasons - are willing to participate in this process.

Next week - Shawn Skinner will be a guest on Randy Simms Open-Line program and I have an important question for him. The people want to know how do we develop our resources in a manner that makes the people not companies or a few millionaires the primary beneficiaries. Further the questions about the price of power are uppermost in the minds of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians - particularly the most economically vulnerable in our society. It is clear to me that the Premier and her Ministers are not competent when discussing the very basic issues regarding this deal - let alone the complexities of an overall vision for our future through the use of such valuable resources.

I look forward to asking a question of Minister Skinner - and I trust he will have the answer. If not I trust the people will see through the spin and understand that this resource should be left for more visionary and competent people to develop. The next 50 years depends on that.

Please sign the petition to stop the Emera deal. PRESS HERE