Emera - are we the Lipstick on the Pig? Ask Premier Dexter

While Nova Scotia PC's were privatizing Nova Scotia Power in the early 1990's we were busy protecting Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro from it. 

We will talk about that more later but now let's look at Dexter's opinion in 2004. 

The NDP although wanting to reverse privatization in the past - realize now they are stuck. Now Dexter sees this deal as helping to correct the the mess Nova Scotia got itself into. So when Dunderdale holds up NDP Leader Dexter as a supporter of the deal with Emera - she should really put it in context. 

In 2004 when Darrell Dexter was NOT the Premier of Nova Scotia - he had an interesting take on Emera.

Provincial NDP Leader Darrell Dexter spoke for many when he said glossing over the utility's shortcomings was like "putting lipstick on a pig."

This was in context to a significant failure of assets. 

NUPGE added the following:

When privatization occurred in 1992, Nova Scotia Power promised solemnly that no layoffs would result. Within three months, the first round of job cuts took place and three other waves of layoffs have occurred since that time.

What's clear in retrospect is that the only winner privatization has produced is Emera Inc.

The company's revenue grew 22% to $951 million for its last full fiscal year and it reported proudly to shareholders that employee levels had declined 7.7% for the year.

That was 2004 - things continued to deteriorate and in 2007 at that time over 30% increases had occurred since privatization and more followed - over 40% + now. 

One protester from the Halifax Coalition against poverty said the following:

"We are also fighting today against Atlantica. [Nova Scotia Power parent company] Emera's interest in Atlantica is in creating an unrestricted trade zone. The corporation wants government deregulation over issues such as power rates and environmental regulations and trade. To export natural gas and power to a larger market and to drive up the cost to maximize their profits. We know that further deregulation will have only negative effects on low-income Nova Scotians.

"Our demands are basic for this government and to this corporation.

"We demand that Nova Scotia Power be returned to public ownership and that there be no more power rate increases!

"Friends, we all know that a 30 per cent raise in our power rates is not an empty figure -- it means not having heat, lights or being able to cook our food properly.

"Fighting here is personal; we are all fighting for a basic right. We fight against the erosion of public resources and the rise of corporate control.

Said another protester, "Nova Scotia Power has increased rates three times in the last five years. How many Nova Scotians have received corresponding pay raises in that same period?"