The following is an exchange in the House of Assembly on Tuesday during Question Period:
MR. BALL: Well, they are not in the boxes. There was a comment made in
this House last week, though, that it was kind of conclusive, the impression I
had from that.
Mr. Speaker, the government’s 2007 Energy Plan clearly states that our
Province will receive the full benefit of the Upper Churchill in 2041; however,
the Manitoba Hydro report states that Nalcor has not considered sourcing Upper
Churchill power because of the uncertainty of what will happen in 2041.
I ask the Premier: Can you explain why Nalcor is uncertain of what will
happen with Upper Churchill power after 2041? Are there concerns that we may not
gain control of this resource?
MR. SPEAKER: The hon. the Minister of Natural Resources.
SOME HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!
MR. KENNEDY: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I am glad the member opposite mentioned the Energy Plan. The
Energy Plan is the platform in which we lead to 2041 and the return of the Upper
Churchill. What we are doing, Mr. Speaker, we are taking our non-renewable
resource monies, our oil money, we are building schools, infrastructure and
hospitals leading with Muskrat Falls and Gull Island, hopefully, to the
development of a renewable resource economy. What we are always looking for, Mr.
Speaker, is looking towards that day for our children and grandchildren when the
Upper Churchill will be returned.
There are other issues, yes, certainly, Mr. Speaker. CF(L)Co is owned 65 per
cent by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and 35 per cent by
Hydro-Quebec. It is not simply a matter that there will be free power upon the
return of the Upper Churchill in 2041. There are issues that have to be worked
out, the CF(L)Co board has fiduciary obligations upon them. Mr. Speaker, we are
always looking towards 2041, and Muskrat Falls is an important first step. (Emphasis Added)
As noted by Sue's Blog the 2041 debacle is going to be a great shock to our grandchildren as they learn we have fooled them again.
The Minister of Natural Resources - Jerome Kennedy - has stated in the past on several occasions that 2041 will see the return of the Upper Churchill.
The return of the Upper Churchill? What do you mean Mr. Kennedy? Explain it to us fully.
The Minister has obviously been informed that 2041 does not mean the "return of the Upper Churchill" to Newfoundland and Labrador.
The next post will deal with - why the above situation is the greatest reason NOT to do the Emera deal.
1 comment:
Sue, please keep pounding away at this idea of the Upper Churchill coming back in 2041. It needs to be clarified.
It is obvious that Jerome has learned the art of obfuscation extremely well. It was a long-winded way of not answering the question.
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