The Lowest Common Denominator - says Dunderdale?

A new concept has been introduced by our Premier.

The lowest common denominator is not new however using it for Board appointments is.

In a CBC report on Monday Premier Kathy Dunderdale defended the skills and experience of four new appointees to the boards of Nalcor and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.

In the Telegram today Dunderdale is quoted as saying "it’s not a problem that recent appointees to the Nalcor board have no experience in oil and gas, hydroelectricity or megaprojects."

First of all Premier - which is it? Do they have the experience or not?

Then in defending the lack of experience in the energy sector the Premier added the following: “What qualifies me to be premier of Newfoundland and Labrador?” Dunderdale asked. “What qualifies Dwight Ball or Lorraine Michael?”

That may be a good question for the Premier to ask herself - however in this very real fiasco unfolding before us - her comment is beyond ridiculous.

The people elected you - and you can be summarily dismissed - which I predict will be soon - by booting you out. Not so with the Nalcor appointees (don't be cute with this one - I'll tell you why in the next post).

So basically what the Premier is saying is - I have no qualifications and you elected me - so I will appoint others with no relevant qualifications to the Board of Nalcor.

Premier, are we the people, or experts in the sector, or the Opposition parties permitted to have a question period in the House of Assembly with these new appointees? No? Well they are not the same thing.

However if you should choose to allow this - sign me up.

The Premier has now introduced the lowest common denominator in the equation of appointing people to the Boards of Crown agencies and companies. What might we guess will be the outcome of that?

Nalcor Board - Are the Qualified?

As I await for specific information from Nalcor - let's review what Nalcor did point me to - with respect to Nalcor Board responsibilities.

The principal functions of the Board include:

(a) developing Nalcor’s approach to corporate governance;
(b) reviewing and approving the business, financial, strategic and other plans to enable Nalcor to execute its strategy;
(c) adopting processes for monitoring the company’s progress toward its strategic and operational goals;
(d) approving the audited financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis;
(e) ensuring that management has a process for identifying the principal business risks;
(f) overseeing the integrity of the internal control systems;
(g) ensuring that Nalcor has processes for operating within applicable laws and regulations;
(h) ensuring the company has a compensation philosophy and framework;
(i) ensuring a process is in place to measure the performance of senior executives of Nalcor;
(j) ensuring management creates a culture of integrity throughout the organization; and
(k) ensuring that succession plans are in place for senior management, including the President and CEO.

1. Based on the above what should the qualifications of Board members be?

2. Based on the above which of the new appointees to the Board - including the Chair - is qualified?

3. Do you agree with Premier Dunderdale that these appointees are no different than politicians who she says need no experience for the job?

4. Does this meet Dunderdale's criteria - which says the government has the best experts available working on the Muskrat Falls development?

5. Do you feel - as a shareholder of Nalcor - that your best interests are being served by these new appointees?