"Mr.
Speaker, would the Premier confirm what was told to the private meeting in
Labrador, that at the end of construction of this multi-billion development of
our resource, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will only get fifty - fifty, Mr.
Speaker - long-term jobs while Quebec will use more of our cheap power to
create thousands of new jobs for Quebecers?"
The above statement was made by Danny Williams in the House of Assembly when he was the Leader of the Opposition.
Please advise the public of Newfoundland and Labrador what you meant by this question?
What long-term jobs will Newfoundland and Labrador get after the construction of the Muskrat Falls project?
How many long-term jobs will be created in Nova Scotia?
What have you done any differently with this Emera Deal?
What exactly were you opposing Mr. Williams?
What were you implying?
What is the percentage of long-term jobs for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians compared to what will be created for Nova Scotians?
Will the media ask these questions? It is for the record right?
Showing posts with label hydropower. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hydropower. Show all posts
Monday, January 16, 2012
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
Choo Choo - Confederation a locomotive of Destruction
Where is the train?
Where are the fish?
Where is the forestry industry?
Where is our population?
Where is the ship building?
Where is the hydro-power?
Where are the minerals?
Where is the industry?
Just as soon as the last drop of oil is gone - a have not province will sound good.
Systematic destruction of our country, her people, and future.
At least the electronic time capsules might be available to generations after we are long gone - maybe.
Where are the fish?
Where is the forestry industry?
Where is our population?
Where is the ship building?
Where is the hydro-power?
Where are the minerals?
Where is the industry?
Just as soon as the last drop of oil is gone - a have not province will sound good.
Systematic destruction of our country, her people, and future.
At least the electronic time capsules might be available to generations after we are long gone - maybe.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Iceland continues to Move Forward - our MHA`s should complete Orientation there!
From Iceland Review
In the third quarter of 2011, 10,700 people on average were unemployed in Iceland, which is 5.9 percent of the workforce, according to Statistics Iceland. Unemployment measured 5.6 percent among men and 6.2 percent among women.
From the third quarter of 2010 to the second quarter of 2011, the number of unemployed workers dropped by approximately 1,000...
Monday, August 29, 2011
Ross Reid - Stop insulting our Intelligence - Stop buying people with their Own Money
I really do not care if the governing party is Liberal, Progressive Conservative, or New Democratic - I get sick to my stomach every time I see spending sprees before elections. Now that we have fixed-term elections - compliments of Danny Williams initiative - the in your face - flashing of cash is downright disgusting. First they announced most of these dollars in the budget and second the cash they flash is ours.
I know this has been the practice since the beginning of votes - but this practice is designed under the assumption that the electorate is stupid. I hate that word and use it very rarely - but that's actually what these backroom planners think.
They won't dazzle us with vision, or articulate and debate sound public policies, no they want to slap money at municipalities, organizations, and most importantly at people with minimum income.
Throw some siding on houses, create a few daycare spaces, announce oil rebates for seniors, and create some part-time make-work opportunities - and that to the politicians means the work is done.
Tom Marshall wants to provide housing to people - now - for votes - to curry favour. Create a housing plan a month before an election when you have been in office for 8 years.
Yet with all the cash - children still go hungry - people still live in dumps - seniors decide between heat and food - and low-income families still go without and remain unable to provide their children with advantages of personal, arts, sports, and educational programs outside the school system.
The tidbits of townie oil cash sent to rural communities for fire-trucks, playgrounds, or brush-cutting does nothing in the long run for these communities who are still in the process of dying. They remain without a real plan for these beautiful places and the naturally caring and giving people who live in them.
These rural towns and livyers who have watched their industry disappear, their livelihoods eliminated, their children and grandchildren leave, are certainly going to appear grateful when anything is announced for their community. People needing a doctor - or hoping to avail of medical treatments near or in their community - will possibly thank anybody who does something that makes that part of their lives easier.
Public Service Pensioners - who have pretty much had to beg to be heard - are still treated like a nuisance by a Minister of Finance who should know better. Seniors who worked their lives for our province - retired on incomes that are below poverty level are being ignored by a young pup, a lawyer, and a person who will be entitled to more pension after 8 years of service than these pensioners are receiving after 40 years of service. What's the plan? The plan is wait till they die. Problem fixed.
Why do we still have food banks? Why?
Why do we have people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes - unable to afford a proper diet? A diet that would keep them healthier or avoid having to resort to insulin - when perhaps that could have been avoided. Why?
Why do we have seniors, those with physical and or mental illnesses, or children living in sub-standard housing? Why?
Why have we not recovered from the cod moratorium? Why are we continuing to let this vital renewable resource die - continuing to let foreigners control our future - and still doing nothing to seek proper redress from Ottawa? Why?
Why are we still suffering record unemployment rates in rural areas? Why are we still hemorrhaging skilled workers and their families to Ontario and Alberta? Why? We are resource rich and benefits poor - why?
Why is a sea-faring, boat building people with the Centre for Marine Excellence located in our province - unable to successfully bid on federal shipbuilding contracts? Why?
Why will a government speak to any out-of-province business - but yet ignore and refuse to meet with local business owners with 100 million dollars invested - mostly in rural communities? Why?
Why would any government continue to ship out the "best" energy potential in North America to competitive jurisdictions - when we remain industry poor? Why?
Why are we the third largest producer of hydro-power in the country - yet falling to last place when talking about associated industry? Why?
So Ross Reid who slides out of a senior government job to PC campaign chair as easily as we change socks should really stand above this continued insult to our people and their intelligence by planning to buy them with their own money.
And now finally before I even finish this post Steve Kent is on challenging my points by NOT dealing with one of them - he did not answer the economics, the need, the best utilization, or anything else. He quite obviously does not understand the history, the resource, the potentials or even the deal itself. He answered nothing. He failed.
I know this has been the practice since the beginning of votes - but this practice is designed under the assumption that the electorate is stupid. I hate that word and use it very rarely - but that's actually what these backroom planners think.
They won't dazzle us with vision, or articulate and debate sound public policies, no they want to slap money at municipalities, organizations, and most importantly at people with minimum income.
Throw some siding on houses, create a few daycare spaces, announce oil rebates for seniors, and create some part-time make-work opportunities - and that to the politicians means the work is done.
Tom Marshall wants to provide housing to people - now - for votes - to curry favour. Create a housing plan a month before an election when you have been in office for 8 years.
Yet with all the cash - children still go hungry - people still live in dumps - seniors decide between heat and food - and low-income families still go without and remain unable to provide their children with advantages of personal, arts, sports, and educational programs outside the school system.
The tidbits of townie oil cash sent to rural communities for fire-trucks, playgrounds, or brush-cutting does nothing in the long run for these communities who are still in the process of dying. They remain without a real plan for these beautiful places and the naturally caring and giving people who live in them.
These rural towns and livyers who have watched their industry disappear, their livelihoods eliminated, their children and grandchildren leave, are certainly going to appear grateful when anything is announced for their community. People needing a doctor - or hoping to avail of medical treatments near or in their community - will possibly thank anybody who does something that makes that part of their lives easier.
Public Service Pensioners - who have pretty much had to beg to be heard - are still treated like a nuisance by a Minister of Finance who should know better. Seniors who worked their lives for our province - retired on incomes that are below poverty level are being ignored by a young pup, a lawyer, and a person who will be entitled to more pension after 8 years of service than these pensioners are receiving after 40 years of service. What's the plan? The plan is wait till they die. Problem fixed.
Why do we still have food banks? Why?
Why do we have people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes - unable to afford a proper diet? A diet that would keep them healthier or avoid having to resort to insulin - when perhaps that could have been avoided. Why?
Why do we have seniors, those with physical and or mental illnesses, or children living in sub-standard housing? Why?
Why have we not recovered from the cod moratorium? Why are we continuing to let this vital renewable resource die - continuing to let foreigners control our future - and still doing nothing to seek proper redress from Ottawa? Why?
Why are we still suffering record unemployment rates in rural areas? Why are we still hemorrhaging skilled workers and their families to Ontario and Alberta? Why? We are resource rich and benefits poor - why?
Why is a sea-faring, boat building people with the Centre for Marine Excellence located in our province - unable to successfully bid on federal shipbuilding contracts? Why?
Why will a government speak to any out-of-province business - but yet ignore and refuse to meet with local business owners with 100 million dollars invested - mostly in rural communities? Why?
Why would any government continue to ship out the "best" energy potential in North America to competitive jurisdictions - when we remain industry poor? Why?
Why are we the third largest producer of hydro-power in the country - yet falling to last place when talking about associated industry? Why?
So Ross Reid who slides out of a senior government job to PC campaign chair as easily as we change socks should really stand above this continued insult to our people and their intelligence by planning to buy them with their own money.
And now finally before I even finish this post Steve Kent is on challenging my points by NOT dealing with one of them - he did not answer the economics, the need, the best utilization, or anything else. He quite obviously does not understand the history, the resource, the potentials or even the deal itself. He answered nothing. He failed.
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Prove your Case on Muskrat Minister Skinner - stop Labelling Critics
Today I listened to some of what Minister Shawn Skinner had to say on Back Talk with Pete Soucy.
The Minister was calling to refute what an earlier caller had said regarding the development of Muskrat Falls. I did not hear that caller.
The Minister prefaced his commentary by saying that there are those who do not want to see Muskrat Falls developed and those that agree with government.
This is an insulting and ignorant comment to make.
Minister there are many people - and I am one - who are not fundamentally opposed to developing the Lower Churchill Falls assets. We disagree - however - with the proposal that this government has brought forth.
There are those who believe that the marketplace is not right for development, those who believe the market is right but the partnership is wrong, and those who believe that this power should be developed for use in Labrador - particularly to develop significant industry.
All of these positions are valid - as is the position of one who believes that the Lower Churchill should not be developed for hydro-electric power.
What we all need to do is weigh the positives and negatives of all options and try to establish through reason and due consideration being given to all citizens - the best possible approach.
First - the majority if not all the current sitting government members do not have enough knowledge - acquired through good old hard work and researching such a decision without prejudice, without partisan political zealotry, and with due consideration of genuine criticisms. Unfortunately this has not been done. Minister Skinner - an otherwise rational, reasonable, and self-directed individual - has been reduced to you are either for or agin Government.
The Government has not yet made up its mind as to why this particular development is proceeding.
Examples:
1. We want to contribute to the greening up of Canada.
2. We need the power on the Island.
3. We need to help Atlantic Canada grow stronger as a region.
4. It's a good deal for the Crown Corporation - owned by the people - for future revenues.
5. It allows us to avoid Quebec and Hydro-Quebec.
And no - it's not for all these reasons - they have tried to sell this swamp in Georgia the same way they sold the Fibre Optic fiasco.
The Government routinely and unfairly labels those who have real reasons for opposing the deal. They unfairly categorize all parties that have shown longstanding commitment to natural resource developments - and in particular hydro-electric resources and who disagree with this proposal.
The same PC party fought vehemently against the Clyde Wells administration when privatization of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro was proposed. They fought the process, they fought the logic or lack thereof, they fought the lack of transparency, they fought the lack of debate, and they fought the same officials they are now using to promote their own idea.
It is somehow acceptable to shove this inferior proposal down the throats of Newfoundland and Labrador - now that it's a PC deal?
It's somehow acceptable to thwart real debate and discussion on the proposal?
It's somehow acceptable to have hydro-officials act in a juvenile manner when members of the public are asking questions at a public hearing process. If this administration could do this without legislated environmental and social assessment processes - they would.
This is a government who has not proven its case. They have not proven the need for the power. They have not proven the markets. They have not proven the cost of the power. They have not proven this is the best deal for the development.
Further the idea that Newfoundland and Labrador has not already contributed more per-capita to greening up Canada with its donation of 5000 MW's of power from the Upper Churchill - is one that continues to insult the people of this province who continue to pay dearly for such a failed agreement.
They have failed to prove that a deal with Hydro-Quebec would not be better for the province - and that further they have failed to deliver a promise of redress on the Upper Churchill.
They have failed to provide a reason that they are unable to develop markets for this resource in Labrador. If power is to be subsidized by the taxpayers - as is proposed to deliver power to Emera - would it be better to subsidize industry in Labrador?
They have not and will not address that every other comparable geographic region with hydro-potential has attracted industry - except Labrador.
Minister Skinner - prove your case.
The Minister was calling to refute what an earlier caller had said regarding the development of Muskrat Falls. I did not hear that caller.
The Minister prefaced his commentary by saying that there are those who do not want to see Muskrat Falls developed and those that agree with government.
This is an insulting and ignorant comment to make.
Minister there are many people - and I am one - who are not fundamentally opposed to developing the Lower Churchill Falls assets. We disagree - however - with the proposal that this government has brought forth.
There are those who believe that the marketplace is not right for development, those who believe the market is right but the partnership is wrong, and those who believe that this power should be developed for use in Labrador - particularly to develop significant industry.
All of these positions are valid - as is the position of one who believes that the Lower Churchill should not be developed for hydro-electric power.
What we all need to do is weigh the positives and negatives of all options and try to establish through reason and due consideration being given to all citizens - the best possible approach.
First - the majority if not all the current sitting government members do not have enough knowledge - acquired through good old hard work and researching such a decision without prejudice, without partisan political zealotry, and with due consideration of genuine criticisms. Unfortunately this has not been done. Minister Skinner - an otherwise rational, reasonable, and self-directed individual - has been reduced to you are either for or agin Government.
The Government has not yet made up its mind as to why this particular development is proceeding.
Examples:
1. We want to contribute to the greening up of Canada.
2. We need the power on the Island.
3. We need to help Atlantic Canada grow stronger as a region.
4. It's a good deal for the Crown Corporation - owned by the people - for future revenues.
5. It allows us to avoid Quebec and Hydro-Quebec.
And no - it's not for all these reasons - they have tried to sell this swamp in Georgia the same way they sold the Fibre Optic fiasco.
The Government routinely and unfairly labels those who have real reasons for opposing the deal. They unfairly categorize all parties that have shown longstanding commitment to natural resource developments - and in particular hydro-electric resources and who disagree with this proposal.
The same PC party fought vehemently against the Clyde Wells administration when privatization of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro was proposed. They fought the process, they fought the logic or lack thereof, they fought the lack of transparency, they fought the lack of debate, and they fought the same officials they are now using to promote their own idea.
It is somehow acceptable to shove this inferior proposal down the throats of Newfoundland and Labrador - now that it's a PC deal?
It's somehow acceptable to thwart real debate and discussion on the proposal?
It's somehow acceptable to have hydro-officials act in a juvenile manner when members of the public are asking questions at a public hearing process. If this administration could do this without legislated environmental and social assessment processes - they would.
This is a government who has not proven its case. They have not proven the need for the power. They have not proven the markets. They have not proven the cost of the power. They have not proven this is the best deal for the development.
Further the idea that Newfoundland and Labrador has not already contributed more per-capita to greening up Canada with its donation of 5000 MW's of power from the Upper Churchill - is one that continues to insult the people of this province who continue to pay dearly for such a failed agreement.
They have failed to prove that a deal with Hydro-Quebec would not be better for the province - and that further they have failed to deliver a promise of redress on the Upper Churchill.
They have failed to provide a reason that they are unable to develop markets for this resource in Labrador. If power is to be subsidized by the taxpayers - as is proposed to deliver power to Emera - would it be better to subsidize industry in Labrador?
They have not and will not address that every other comparable geographic region with hydro-potential has attracted industry - except Labrador.
Minister Skinner - prove your case.
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Shawn Skinner -The Minister without his Own Clue - Legacy of Shame
So Shawn Skinner has finally given us the answers to our questions on the Lower Churchill fiasco. The officials who have been keeping the lights on for years told him.
I hope I don't alarm the Minister this morning - but the same officials he has been relying on also predicted we would run out of power by the 1980's 1990's and for sure by 2000. Guess what Minister - they were wrong.
The Minister says or the officials told him to say that we are growing in the commercial and residential sectors. I have a few questions:
The population is not growing - it is moving. So where are they anticipating the growth?
Industries are disappearing almost monthly - so where is the industrial growth?
Appliances and electronic equipment are becoming more - not less - efficient so where are those power savings?
As usual - when the price of oil is up at all people are converting to electric heat. How much of that is Skinner putting in his numbers and passing off as growth?
If industrial growth is your objective - why are you exporting power and subsidizing it for the Maritimes and elsewhere instead of using it to attract industry in Labrador - where the transmission costs would be minimal?
How is it Minister Skinner that jurisdictions surrounding Labrador to the West, East, North and South can all attract industry with hydropower - yet this - "the best hydropower potential left" in North America can't draw any interest?
You get industry in Quebec, Iceland, Greenland, Russia, Norway, and the USA but none for Labrador. Why?
Have you read all the hydro reports on energy needs dating back to the 1970's? What did you find out?
The same officials also advised government to sell Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro - that was going to be a great move also.
The people that keep our lights on also include Fortis as a major distributor. What have you asked those officials?
If Hydro-Quebec ever gets its hands on any part of Emera what does that mean for us?
If you are getting a loan guarantee from the feds - who legislatively for years were to be our "partner" on such a development. Why do you need Emera?
And by the way Minister - I was about 10 when the power flowed from the Upper Churchill development and clearly have been injured by such a bad deal. My children will continue to be injured as will their children. What compensation will be offered to all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for this egregious error? My children and theirs will also pay for the mistake made by politicians in the past who injured aboriginal peoples. How do you square that circle?
I know one thing for certain - that this deal - as bad if not worse than the Upper Churchill - being done this time by you Minister Skinner and not Joseph R - will be another loss for generations to come - and when that happens you like Smallwood, Rowe, Crosbie and the rest will lower your head and duck. You have no right to be flippant by telling me or any other Newfoundlander and Labradorian - that officials made you do it.
I hope I don't alarm the Minister this morning - but the same officials he has been relying on also predicted we would run out of power by the 1980's 1990's and for sure by 2000. Guess what Minister - they were wrong.
The Minister says or the officials told him to say that we are growing in the commercial and residential sectors. I have a few questions:
The population is not growing - it is moving. So where are they anticipating the growth?
Industries are disappearing almost monthly - so where is the industrial growth?
Appliances and electronic equipment are becoming more - not less - efficient so where are those power savings?
As usual - when the price of oil is up at all people are converting to electric heat. How much of that is Skinner putting in his numbers and passing off as growth?
If industrial growth is your objective - why are you exporting power and subsidizing it for the Maritimes and elsewhere instead of using it to attract industry in Labrador - where the transmission costs would be minimal?
How is it Minister Skinner that jurisdictions surrounding Labrador to the West, East, North and South can all attract industry with hydropower - yet this - "the best hydropower potential left" in North America can't draw any interest?
You get industry in Quebec, Iceland, Greenland, Russia, Norway, and the USA but none for Labrador. Why?
Have you read all the hydro reports on energy needs dating back to the 1970's? What did you find out?
The same officials also advised government to sell Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro - that was going to be a great move also.
The people that keep our lights on also include Fortis as a major distributor. What have you asked those officials?
If Hydro-Quebec ever gets its hands on any part of Emera what does that mean for us?
If you are getting a loan guarantee from the feds - who legislatively for years were to be our "partner" on such a development. Why do you need Emera?
And by the way Minister - I was about 10 when the power flowed from the Upper Churchill development and clearly have been injured by such a bad deal. My children will continue to be injured as will their children. What compensation will be offered to all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for this egregious error? My children and theirs will also pay for the mistake made by politicians in the past who injured aboriginal peoples. How do you square that circle?
I know one thing for certain - that this deal - as bad if not worse than the Upper Churchill - being done this time by you Minister Skinner and not Joseph R - will be another loss for generations to come - and when that happens you like Smallwood, Rowe, Crosbie and the rest will lower your head and duck. You have no right to be flippant by telling me or any other Newfoundlander and Labradorian - that officials made you do it.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Watt's Up Minister Skinner
While we are hard at work in Newfoundland and Labrador getting rid of everything and anything renewable - Hydro-Quebec is humming along. Minister Skinner you should read this because you Sir had an opportunity to embrace and develop the same sort of partnership. Watt's Up?
Not only did Hydro Quebec embrace the Mitsubishi challenge to introduce the Mitsubishi i-MiEV's to its operations and businesses in Quebec - but now this (story from the Canada Business Review)
Hydro-Québec and partners announced the creation of “The Electric Circuit,” Canada’s first public charging network for plug-in electric vehicles. Expected to be in operation in early 2012, the charging stations will be at founding partners’ business sites and several AMT facilities.
The project will originally consist of approximately 100 240-V charging stations. Additional quick charge 400-V stations will also be distributed in 2012 after achieving Canadian certification.
“We are proud to be able to count on partners of this caliber whose banners can be seen at over 900 locations in Québec. These are solid, well-established companies that, like Hydro-Québec, put a high priority on sustainable development, customer satisfaction and growth in electric vehicle use,” said Hydro-Québec CEO Thierry Vandal. “While the vast majority of recharging will be done at home and at work, the availability of a public charging network is essential to meet customers’ backup or emergency needs.”
The Dunderdale government should really reflect on the legacy of shame Emera deal - before Newfoundland and Labrador loses what's left.
Not only did Hydro Quebec embrace the Mitsubishi challenge to introduce the Mitsubishi i-MiEV's to its operations and businesses in Quebec - but now this (story from the Canada Business Review)
Hydro-Québec and partners announced the creation of “The Electric Circuit,” Canada’s first public charging network for plug-in electric vehicles. Expected to be in operation in early 2012, the charging stations will be at founding partners’ business sites and several AMT facilities.
The project will originally consist of approximately 100 240-V charging stations. Additional quick charge 400-V stations will also be distributed in 2012 after achieving Canadian certification.
“We are proud to be able to count on partners of this caliber whose banners can be seen at over 900 locations in Québec. These are solid, well-established companies that, like Hydro-Québec, put a high priority on sustainable development, customer satisfaction and growth in electric vehicle use,” said Hydro-Québec CEO Thierry Vandal. “While the vast majority of recharging will be done at home and at work, the availability of a public charging network is essential to meet customers’ backup or emergency needs.”
The Dunderdale government should really reflect on the legacy of shame Emera deal - before Newfoundland and Labrador loses what's left.
Friday, April 29, 2011
WikiLeaks is the dam which is the Lower Churchill (open the floodgates)
So the news is starting to trickle out - like a small wikileak in a hydro dam. There is no question that this deal was never meant to be - should not be - and must be stopped.
It must of been a real eye opener for members of the Dunderdale caucus and Cabinet - as they got a glimpse into what was really going on. Imagine being a Jim Baker or a John Hickey as you find out for the first time what people will say and do to rob the people of Labrador of their liquid gold (hydropower).
Imagine being a Vaughn Granter (the Principal with no democratic Principles) or a Derrick Dalley (Danny's Coat-tails) upon looking at the words from the WikiLeaks document - and realizing what a nodding senseless head you've been.
Fortunately for us - partisan is not the top priority for those of us who truly care and are passionate about Newfoundland and Labrador. We put our children first - not the shareholders of Emera. We put our Newfoundland and Labrador ahead of "Kathy Kathy rah rah rah sis boom bah".
So the quotes of importance from the American Consulate in Halifax attributed to Emera's General Counsel - James Spurr are the following:
1. Emera's core business strategy is to diversify and expand its interests with a simple goal in mind - increasing the profits for its shareholders.
2.The unknown factor, as Spurr explained, is N-L Premier Danny Williams. Spurr explained that N-L had been the victim of bad resource deals in the past which have left Williams very cautious if not suspicious in his business negotiations.
3.Given that legacy, Spurr remarked that he and his senior colleagues are equally cautious in dealing with the premier, with knowledge it makes more financial sense for N-L to do a deal with Quebec than with them.
4. In fact, Spurr indicated he wouldn't be surprised if William ended up doing just that, and leaving Spurr and colleagues to speculate that Williams might be using them to exert more pressure on Quebec to offer a better deal for N-L.
5. After all, unlike its provincially-owned counterparts in the neighboring provinces, Emera's growth is not confined to its own province. Instead, the company plans to expand to areas that promise the best returns to its shareholders, not what might be best politically.
Starting with the last one - the interpretation for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians should be clear. Emera unlike a publicly owned utility like Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro which operates for the benefit of the people - actually operates for the benefit of ITS shareholders. You see it is not politically wise for a government to rip the value of a natural resource owned by the people of Newfoundland and :Labrador and turn its potential over to a group of wealthy investors.
Then of course - is the acknowledgement that a deal with Quebec versus Emera makes "more financial sense" for our province - therefore Emera was concerned where Danny Williams might actually go with it. This should be of extreme concern to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador - and all should take stock and demand to see all the information surrounding the achievement of a Term Sheet. Further one might as well read into it - that Emera was and is taking advantage of the "feud" with Quebec.
Then there is the whole Danny fighting with Kathy thing. Danny leaves unexpectedly, then turns the reigns to Dunderdale who apparently proceeds to cut him out of government affairs.
Either the feud is real or concocted.
If real - was the Term Sheet supposed to be held up until new terms could be made with Quebec - perhaps including some redress on the Upper Churchill? Is it that Dunderdale forged ahead with what Danny knew was a bad deal for the people of the province?
Dunderdale clearly does not know what she is doing regarding energy policy and equally as clear Williams was always in charge of that file until he quit.
This certainly answers why Emera, the American Consulate, and Washington were monitoring blogs from this province - that were questioning the deal.
This deal must be stopped and stopped now. This is a sellout of our resources and Labradorians are being taken to the cleaners. This should raise enough doubt in the minds of Labrador MHA's and Island MHA's that want to be re-elected - that they stop Dunderdale from this disaster.
As always more to follow on this deal. There's another shoe left to drop.
Can we finally put to bed the spin - that Nova Scotia is part of the deal - no this is Emera - a corporation. We are not doing a deal with another province. Further this is not about warm and fuzzy greening up of Atlantic Canada - it's about money and lots of it for wealthy Emera shareholders.
For documentation Press Here
It must of been a real eye opener for members of the Dunderdale caucus and Cabinet - as they got a glimpse into what was really going on. Imagine being a Jim Baker or a John Hickey as you find out for the first time what people will say and do to rob the people of Labrador of their liquid gold (hydropower).
Imagine being a Vaughn Granter (the Principal with no democratic Principles) or a Derrick Dalley (Danny's Coat-tails) upon looking at the words from the WikiLeaks document - and realizing what a nodding senseless head you've been.
Fortunately for us - partisan is not the top priority for those of us who truly care and are passionate about Newfoundland and Labrador. We put our children first - not the shareholders of Emera. We put our Newfoundland and Labrador ahead of "Kathy Kathy rah rah rah sis boom bah".
So the quotes of importance from the American Consulate in Halifax attributed to Emera's General Counsel - James Spurr are the following:
1. Emera's core business strategy is to diversify and expand its interests with a simple goal in mind - increasing the profits for its shareholders.
2.The unknown factor, as Spurr explained, is N-L Premier Danny Williams. Spurr explained that N-L had been the victim of bad resource deals in the past which have left Williams very cautious if not suspicious in his business negotiations.
3.Given that legacy, Spurr remarked that he and his senior colleagues are equally cautious in dealing with the premier, with knowledge it makes more financial sense for N-L to do a deal with Quebec than with them.
4. In fact, Spurr indicated he wouldn't be surprised if William ended up doing just that, and leaving Spurr and colleagues to speculate that Williams might be using them to exert more pressure on Quebec to offer a better deal for N-L.
5. After all, unlike its provincially-owned counterparts in the neighboring provinces, Emera's growth is not confined to its own province. Instead, the company plans to expand to areas that promise the best returns to its shareholders, not what might be best politically.
Starting with the last one - the interpretation for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians should be clear. Emera unlike a publicly owned utility like Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro which operates for the benefit of the people - actually operates for the benefit of ITS shareholders. You see it is not politically wise for a government to rip the value of a natural resource owned by the people of Newfoundland and :Labrador and turn its potential over to a group of wealthy investors.
Then of course - is the acknowledgement that a deal with Quebec versus Emera makes "more financial sense" for our province - therefore Emera was concerned where Danny Williams might actually go with it. This should be of extreme concern to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador - and all should take stock and demand to see all the information surrounding the achievement of a Term Sheet. Further one might as well read into it - that Emera was and is taking advantage of the "feud" with Quebec.
Then there is the whole Danny fighting with Kathy thing. Danny leaves unexpectedly, then turns the reigns to Dunderdale who apparently proceeds to cut him out of government affairs.
Either the feud is real or concocted.
If real - was the Term Sheet supposed to be held up until new terms could be made with Quebec - perhaps including some redress on the Upper Churchill? Is it that Dunderdale forged ahead with what Danny knew was a bad deal for the people of the province?
Dunderdale clearly does not know what she is doing regarding energy policy and equally as clear Williams was always in charge of that file until he quit.
This certainly answers why Emera, the American Consulate, and Washington were monitoring blogs from this province - that were questioning the deal.
This deal must be stopped and stopped now. This is a sellout of our resources and Labradorians are being taken to the cleaners. This should raise enough doubt in the minds of Labrador MHA's and Island MHA's that want to be re-elected - that they stop Dunderdale from this disaster.
As always more to follow on this deal. There's another shoe left to drop.
Can we finally put to bed the spin - that Nova Scotia is part of the deal - no this is Emera - a corporation. We are not doing a deal with another province. Further this is not about warm and fuzzy greening up of Atlantic Canada - it's about money and lots of it for wealthy Emera shareholders.
For documentation Press Here
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Connections SNC, Desjardins, Emera, Hydro-Quebec Lower Churchill
Desjardins - is there a connection - with the Lower Churchill project?
Just finishing off some research with respect to this Quebec company and the potential loans required for the mega-project in Labrador.
What will it mean for us - what does it mean for them?
I will report as I find the connections - as with Emera, Hydro Quebec, SNC Lavalin.
What will be Quebec's haul be in this?
What will Nova Scotia's haul be in this?
And apparently least important to all involved what is in it for us? Particularly the bigland.
As I said before - grab some popcorn.... Is there really a good Tory in Newfoundland and Labrador who wants this legacy attached to them. What will their grandchildren say?
Just finishing off some research with respect to this Quebec company and the potential loans required for the mega-project in Labrador.
What will it mean for us - what does it mean for them?
I will report as I find the connections - as with Emera, Hydro Quebec, SNC Lavalin.
What will be Quebec's haul be in this?
What will Nova Scotia's haul be in this?
And apparently least important to all involved what is in it for us? Particularly the bigland.
As I said before - grab some popcorn.... Is there really a good Tory in Newfoundland and Labrador who wants this legacy attached to them. What will their grandchildren say?
Monday, October 01, 2007
Yet another aluminum smelter for Iceland?
Here we go again - this time Norsk Hydro is looking at establishing an aluminum smelter in Iceland.
Chief executive of Norsk Hydro Eivind Reiten made the following quotes found in a story at CNN Money:
Hard to know Premier which one to cheer on - Norsk Hydro or Iceland - or both. What I do know is that Labrador power should be available for industry in Labrador - instead of committing it to 3 million Ontario homes!
Give it up boys - there is too much evidence that aluminum is following renewable cost-competitive hydro - where as the politicians in Newfoundland and Labrador are following Danny's experts into the abyss.
Anybody going to give Reiten a call - he's bent on being an international player in aluminum production and is committed to major expansion. Yoo Hoo - is anybody home?
Chief executive of Norsk Hydro Eivind Reiten made the following quotes found in a story at CNN Money:
Reiten told a press briefing in Olso that his aluminium group is bent on becoming a major international player and will be focusing on major expansion of capacity in years to come.
What I can confirm is that we are having a dialogue with a power company in Iceland regarding opportunities in Iceland,' Reiten said. He said Iceland is still one of the places where energy is freely available for such a smelter.
Iceland is a good place to be.
Hard to know Premier which one to cheer on - Norsk Hydro or Iceland - or both. What I do know is that Labrador power should be available for industry in Labrador - instead of committing it to 3 million Ontario homes!
Give it up boys - there is too much evidence that aluminum is following renewable cost-competitive hydro - where as the politicians in Newfoundland and Labrador are following Danny's experts into the abyss.
Anybody going to give Reiten a call - he's bent on being an international player in aluminum production and is committed to major expansion. Yoo Hoo - is anybody home?
Monday, September 24, 2007
Read - Reid - Read - to succeed...
Danny Williams is now learning Labrador politics - they no longer want to be a colony of Newfoundland. They will not allow the development of the Lower Churchill unless they are the "primary" beneficiaries. Thanks to them - another townie government will not repeat the Upper Churchill fiasco.
Now it's time for "read - REID - read" to succeed.
It is not possible that column after column - news story after news story - industry publication after industry publication - can be wrong when they state that aluminum chases cost competitive - reliable - renewable - and now my own word "kyotoble" power everywhere in the world but Labrador.
The continued ignorance of our collective elected reps is not acceptable anymore.
Here's another such story out of West Virginia - as Jackson County celebrates the 50th anniversary of its aluminum smelter. READ the Charleston Daily News STORY HERE
Here are a few of the interesting statements and comments in the article:
The Ravenswood plant has 660 employees. The average salary is $50,700. The plant has a $34 million annual payroll.
High energy costs have decimated the smelter industry in the United States, Hale said. In 1974, there were 34 smelters in the United States and they accounted for 34 percent of global aluminum production. Today there are only 13 smelters in the United States and they represent just 7 percent of global production, he said.
Hale said alumina accounts for 37 percent of the plant's costs, while electricity accounts for 26 percent, labor accounts for 16 percent, carbon accounts for 8 percent and other raw materials account for 12 percent.
Because aluminum is a worldwide commodity, Century can't control the price it receives for its product, Hale said. Therefore, the company focuses on costs in order to keep the plant competitive.
Century, like others in the aluminum smelter business, is expanding in locations where power costs are low. Century owns a giant smelter in Iceland powered with electricity generated using hydro and geothermal power. Century plans to have another in plant in operation in Iceland by 2013.
Most of the aluminum produced at Ravenswood is used next door at Alcan Rolled Products' rolling mill. The businesses were established as one unit in 1957, but split into two in 1999. Hale said Century just signed a new contract to supply Alcan through 2009.
Just so that we can feel more assured about this fellow Hale who is quoted throughout the story:
Wayne Hale, Century's executive vice president and chief operating officer and Hale worked here from 1986 to 1989. "It's a place where I learned about people," he said. Hale most recently worked in Moscow, where he oversaw operations at 11 aluminum plants in Russia and Ukraine for Sual-Holding.
If you export the power they will not come - once they understand that to use the superior power of the Lower Churchill they have to set up operations in Labrador - they will come. And as you can see above - the smelter is one piece - then there is the value added secondary production.
There is no argument to export that power - there is only the desire and the determination to use it for industry.
The Leader of the Opposition must do something other than follow Williams on this one - or repeat the mistakes of the Wells - Gibbons energy policy. You see if Williams can demand things of the oil companies and mining companies - he can certainly demand them for Labrador power.
So read Reid read to succeed.
Now it's time for "read - REID - read" to succeed.
It is not possible that column after column - news story after news story - industry publication after industry publication - can be wrong when they state that aluminum chases cost competitive - reliable - renewable - and now my own word "kyotoble" power everywhere in the world but Labrador.
The continued ignorance of our collective elected reps is not acceptable anymore.
Here's another such story out of West Virginia - as Jackson County celebrates the 50th anniversary of its aluminum smelter. READ the Charleston Daily News STORY HERE
Here are a few of the interesting statements and comments in the article:
The Ravenswood plant has 660 employees. The average salary is $50,700. The plant has a $34 million annual payroll.
High energy costs have decimated the smelter industry in the United States, Hale said. In 1974, there were 34 smelters in the United States and they accounted for 34 percent of global aluminum production. Today there are only 13 smelters in the United States and they represent just 7 percent of global production, he said.
Hale said alumina accounts for 37 percent of the plant's costs, while electricity accounts for 26 percent, labor accounts for 16 percent, carbon accounts for 8 percent and other raw materials account for 12 percent.
Because aluminum is a worldwide commodity, Century can't control the price it receives for its product, Hale said. Therefore, the company focuses on costs in order to keep the plant competitive.
Century, like others in the aluminum smelter business, is expanding in locations where power costs are low. Century owns a giant smelter in Iceland powered with electricity generated using hydro and geothermal power. Century plans to have another in plant in operation in Iceland by 2013.
Most of the aluminum produced at Ravenswood is used next door at Alcan Rolled Products' rolling mill. The businesses were established as one unit in 1957, but split into two in 1999. Hale said Century just signed a new contract to supply Alcan through 2009.
Just so that we can feel more assured about this fellow Hale who is quoted throughout the story:
Wayne Hale, Century's executive vice president and chief operating officer and Hale worked here from 1986 to 1989. "It's a place where I learned about people," he said. Hale most recently worked in Moscow, where he oversaw operations at 11 aluminum plants in Russia and Ukraine for Sual-Holding.
If you export the power they will not come - once they understand that to use the superior power of the Lower Churchill they have to set up operations in Labrador - they will come. And as you can see above - the smelter is one piece - then there is the value added secondary production.
There is no argument to export that power - there is only the desire and the determination to use it for industry.
The Leader of the Opposition must do something other than follow Williams on this one - or repeat the mistakes of the Wells - Gibbons energy policy. You see if Williams can demand things of the oil companies and mining companies - he can certainly demand them for Labrador power.
So read Reid read to succeed.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
How Colonial can they be?
Danny wants to hightail Lower Churchill Power to the Island - but believes it is too expensive to service areas of Labrador. Gerry wants to exploit all Labrador resources - and give them some of the revenue back.
Both are colonial - both are backward - both are experiencing Island disease - and both are wrong.
The Lower Churchill power must be used to develop Labrador - industrially - in that way Labrador can benefit from population growth - a booming economy - infrastructure development - and municipal revenues.
Here's the tough part for St. John's or Carbonear - the boys want to export the power - grab the money - and pass some back to Labrador for what they (Gerry and Danny) thinks Labrador needs.
They prefer to receive more money and let the industry - jobs - and people go to Ontario - than - receive less money and grow industry in Labrador and keep Newfoundlanders and Labradorians home. Even this colonial attitude is wrong - because mathematically - for a "society" not a "cable monopoly" it is best to use the power home.
Danny does not expect you to read the Blue Book - he just wants you to adore and follow him - blinders are in the mail. Gerry thinks all red books end up in the "trunks of cars" and that nobody really wants to read that stuff anyway.
Maybe the two gurus can much on these tasty bits from the "energy for industry" world. (That's the one everybody else lives in but us)
These statements from a story in the Gulf News out of the Middle East:
And then there is this from the The Wall Street Journal Online:
The only thing missing in these stories is a direct reference to Labrador - that is because neither the Tory nor Liberal leader have the guts and/or intelligence to do what is right with Lower Churchill power - if it is to be developed at all.
I expect there is a good reason Norsk Hydro and other Norwegian firms visit Sue's Blog - don't you think?
Both are colonial - both are backward - both are experiencing Island disease - and both are wrong.
The Lower Churchill power must be used to develop Labrador - industrially - in that way Labrador can benefit from population growth - a booming economy - infrastructure development - and municipal revenues.
Here's the tough part for St. John's or Carbonear - the boys want to export the power - grab the money - and pass some back to Labrador for what they (Gerry and Danny) thinks Labrador needs.
They prefer to receive more money and let the industry - jobs - and people go to Ontario - than - receive less money and grow industry in Labrador and keep Newfoundlanders and Labradorians home. Even this colonial attitude is wrong - because mathematically - for a "society" not a "cable monopoly" it is best to use the power home.
Danny does not expect you to read the Blue Book - he just wants you to adore and follow him - blinders are in the mail. Gerry thinks all red books end up in the "trunks of cars" and that nobody really wants to read that stuff anyway.
Maybe the two gurus can much on these tasty bits from the "energy for industry" world. (That's the one everybody else lives in but us)
These statements from a story in the Gulf News out of the Middle East:
The world is currently experiencing a shrinkage in the number of 'power islands' able to competitively support energy intensive industries such as aluminium production. In recent times, new power supply contracts at considerably higher prices in the United States and parts of Western Europe have resulted in a number of smelter output reductions and permanent closures.
In the future, new aluminium smelting capacity is expected to be concentrated in areas such as the Middle East, Russia, Iceland and South America.
And then there is this from the The Wall Street Journal Online:
With energy prices steadily increasing, the world's biggest aluminum companies are investing heavily to secure dedicated power sources, at times buying local power plants or building aluminum-making operations in remote parts of the world where energy is more abundant and cheaper.
United Co. Rusal, Alcoa Inc., Norsk Hydro ASA and others are jockeying to corner supplies of hydro power in Siberia and Iceland, and cheap natural gas in the Middle East, to fuel new metal plants. The producers are acknowledging that it is more important to be closer to energy sources than to customers...
The only thing missing in these stories is a direct reference to Labrador - that is because neither the Tory nor Liberal leader have the guts and/or intelligence to do what is right with Lower Churchill power - if it is to be developed at all.
I expect there is a good reason Norsk Hydro and other Norwegian firms visit Sue's Blog - don't you think?
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Of Lobbyists and Accountability
As Sue's Blog talked about last month - Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro has engaged a lobbyist out of Ottawa to deal with the feds on the Lower Churchill development. Timothy Powers VP Summa Strategies and a Stephen Harper Conservative strategist and talking head has been employed by NLH to lobby:
The Prime Minister's Office, Environment Canada, Finance Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, National Energy Board, Natural Resources Canada
lobbying for:
Assistance related to the Lower Churchill Project. Development of National East-West energy grid
using the following techniques:
Arrange one or more meetings, Meetings, Written communications, whether in hard copy or electronic format, Telephone calls, Informal communications
Danny still refuses to tell us why this is happening and why he needs an Ottawa and Conservative flunky to deal with the PMO and fed departments to talk about the Lower Churchill. Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro has not released how much we are paying this individual and how much progress he has made.
No openness and no accountability!
From a government perspective John Fitzgerald our "non-talking head" in Ottawa should be able to set up meetings - have informal chats etc. regarding the Lower Churchill development - we pay him to do such things. Secondly we have a Minister of Natural Resources who is employed to do that. Thirdly we have the CEO of Hydro Ed Martin who is employed to do that. On top of all this we have Danny appointee Dean MacDonald who could and should do this - especially considering his close relationship with Tobin - the corporate and federal golden boy. If all that is not enough the Premier can talk to the Prime Minister. In light of all this "talent" - who needs a Tim Powers to have informal chats. The boys and girls I have mentioned above can swing a golf club right?
From Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro's perspective - it is an energy company with a membership in the Canadian Hydropower Association.This Association employs both in-house and external federal lobbyists to promote the development of hydropower for the members.
Example:
Pierre Fortin is the president of the CHA and is a registered federal lobbyist. Under his documentation is the following:
Any results from this yet Ed? Have you engaged the Association you are a member of to forward our policies? What about the Lower Churchill? How about the east-west grid?
Why is NLH employing Summa and Timothy Powers?
How much are they paying the company?
What results have they achieved?
What meetings have been arranged?
Who attended the meetings?
What informal discussions have taken place?
What was discussed?
Has Summa or Timothy Powers submitted a written progress report for NLH?
What has Ed Martin directed him to do?
Why was a federal Conservative strategist and defender of Stephen Harper been hired to forward our position on the Lower Churchill?
Let's see how accountable the Premier wants to be...
The Prime Minister's Office, Environment Canada, Finance Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, National Energy Board, Natural Resources Canada
lobbying for:
Assistance related to the Lower Churchill Project. Development of National East-West energy grid
using the following techniques:
Arrange one or more meetings, Meetings, Written communications, whether in hard copy or electronic format, Telephone calls, Informal communications
Danny still refuses to tell us why this is happening and why he needs an Ottawa and Conservative flunky to deal with the PMO and fed departments to talk about the Lower Churchill. Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro has not released how much we are paying this individual and how much progress he has made.
No openness and no accountability!
From a government perspective John Fitzgerald our "non-talking head" in Ottawa should be able to set up meetings - have informal chats etc. regarding the Lower Churchill development - we pay him to do such things. Secondly we have a Minister of Natural Resources who is employed to do that. Thirdly we have the CEO of Hydro Ed Martin who is employed to do that. On top of all this we have Danny appointee Dean MacDonald who could and should do this - especially considering his close relationship with Tobin - the corporate and federal golden boy. If all that is not enough the Premier can talk to the Prime Minister. In light of all this "talent" - who needs a Tim Powers to have informal chats. The boys and girls I have mentioned above can swing a golf club right?
From Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro's perspective - it is an energy company with a membership in the Canadian Hydropower Association.This Association employs both in-house and external federal lobbyists to promote the development of hydropower for the members.
Example:
Pierre Fortin is the president of the CHA and is a registered federal lobbyist. Under his documentation is the following:
THE CANADIAN HYDROPOWER ASSOCIATION'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE THE LEADERSHIP FOR THE RESPONSIBLE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF THE CANADIAN HYDROPOWER INDUSTRY. THE PRINCIPAL VOICE OF CANADA'S HYDROPOWER INDUSTRY, THE CHA TAKES AN ACTIVE ROLE IN FORMULATING AND SHAPING PUBLIC POLICIES RESPONSIVE TO THE INTERESTS OF ITS MEMBERS. THE PRINCIPAL MANDATE OF THE CHA IS TO PROMOTE HYDROPOWER NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY AS A SOURCE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY, TO MAKE THE ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANTAGES OF HYDROPOWER BETTER KNOWN AND TO PUBLICIZE THE BENEFITS OF HYDROPOWER IN THE SEARCH FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS. THE CHA MEMBERS REPRESENT 95% OF THE HYDRO GENERATING CAPACITY IN CANADA
Any results from this yet Ed? Have you engaged the Association you are a member of to forward our policies? What about the Lower Churchill? How about the east-west grid?
Why is NLH employing Summa and Timothy Powers?
How much are they paying the company?
What results have they achieved?
What meetings have been arranged?
Who attended the meetings?
What informal discussions have taken place?
What was discussed?
Has Summa or Timothy Powers submitted a written progress report for NLH?
What has Ed Martin directed him to do?
Why was a federal Conservative strategist and defender of Stephen Harper been hired to forward our position on the Lower Churchill?
Let's see how accountable the Premier wants to be...
Quebec does it...Iceland does it.... now Russia is doing it....
Russian metal producers eye hydro power is the headline for a Reuters UK story. Now this is certainly not a surprise - as all jurisdictions with significant hydro potential - are creating industrial economies around the resource.
Russia's energy giant Hydro OGK is making moves to attract industry by dangling the hydro-power carrot.
OGK senior executive Vyacheslav Sinyugin says metal producers are approaching them for possible joint ventures and investment.
Here are some of the direct quotes from Sinyugin:
For some reason these large energy consumers are looking everywhere but Newfoundland and Labrador. They must be absolutely certain that in order to use Labrador power - they will have to follow it to the jurisdiction we export it to. This is just not acceptable anymore. Our plans for the export of hydro-electric power must change - and industry must be sent a clear message.
If you want to use the power from the Lower Churchill - then you must set-up in Labrador.
Russia's energy giant Hydro OGK is making moves to attract industry by dangling the hydro-power carrot.
OGK senior executive Vyacheslav Sinyugin says metal producers are approaching them for possible joint ventures and investment.
Here are some of the direct quotes from Sinyugin:
"Major energy consumers are very important clients for hydroelectric companies the world over. Russia is no exception."
Sinyugin said large energy consumers such as metals producers were attracted by stable prices for long-term supply.
"What attracts these clients? First and foremost, price stability. The only factor influencing prices is tax payments, compared with fuel prices that can fluctuate widely.
For some reason these large energy consumers are looking everywhere but Newfoundland and Labrador. They must be absolutely certain that in order to use Labrador power - they will have to follow it to the jurisdiction we export it to. This is just not acceptable anymore. Our plans for the export of hydro-electric power must change - and industry must be sent a clear message.
If you want to use the power from the Lower Churchill - then you must set-up in Labrador.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Iceland Exports geo-thermal expertise not energy...
Sue's Blog is always harping on the importance of using hydro to attract industry. Many times I use Iceland as an example - develop hydro for industrial development.
Then the usual critic from Labrador suggests that Iceland has to use it there - as it is an island. Lucky them - too bad Labrador was continentally connected during the Upper Churchill fiasco.
Of course the important point to be made - that industry will follow superior energy supply - thus Iceland has aluminum smelters - we do not. If we placed into law that export of Lower Churchill power cannot be achieved without approval of the House of Assembly - industry may start treating Labrador as an island. They will develop industry in Labrador from Labrador based power supply.
The other issue associated with energy mega-projects is technology intelligence and expertise. Hydro-Quebec has done this for years by exporting their knowledge - while taking a piece of the action in other countries developing hydro resources. This has been a very lucrative proposition for that province and its crown owned utility and the benefits achieved did not require the export of any generation.
Now - Iceland is also utilizing this opportunity by exporting expertise in geo-thermal supply. Iceland along with Norway are taking advantage of the thirst of Americans to find new sources of energy.
Glitnir said Wednesday it's planning to invest up to $ 40 billion in geothermal energy projects in North America by 2025 as the Nordic financial group eyes growth in the business of harnessing heat from the earth to produce electricity.
The firm is readying a formal announcement of a financing deal of more than $ 10 million behind Iceland America Energy Inc., a geothermal specialist with a deal to provide energy to PG&E (PGE) through the Truckhaven project in California, Magnusson said.
Glitner - Iceland's investment bank which has paved the way in the past for fisheries financing - offshore vessel financing - and energy projects has grown to an international company with offices world-wide. The goal now - to take advantage of others renewable resources - by providing financing - while Iceland America:
Iceland America Energy, through its Icelandic shareholder Enex, brings world class technical expertise and over 70 years experience in geothermal energy to the US and Canadian market. Enex, hf, a 50% owner of IAE, is a consortium composed of every significant Icelandic entity, both public and private, which comprise its geothermal industry. In late 2004 Enex joined with three domestic companies, Geolectric Power LLC, Feanaro LLC and DLFC Lawyers to form IAE.
Here we sit - with one of the most successful(technically)hydro-projects in the world - the Upper Churchill - and another on the way with the Lower Churchill and we do none of this.
Both Quebec and Iceland use their renewable energy resources for major industrial developments and their expertise for global developments. They both also finance projects in many countries and deliver the financial bacon home.
We need new vision - a new direction - and some sense of real value of the resources we have. If a government cannot deliver these types of benefits to Labrador let the river flow.
Then the usual critic from Labrador suggests that Iceland has to use it there - as it is an island. Lucky them - too bad Labrador was continentally connected during the Upper Churchill fiasco.
Of course the important point to be made - that industry will follow superior energy supply - thus Iceland has aluminum smelters - we do not. If we placed into law that export of Lower Churchill power cannot be achieved without approval of the House of Assembly - industry may start treating Labrador as an island. They will develop industry in Labrador from Labrador based power supply.
The other issue associated with energy mega-projects is technology intelligence and expertise. Hydro-Quebec has done this for years by exporting their knowledge - while taking a piece of the action in other countries developing hydro resources. This has been a very lucrative proposition for that province and its crown owned utility and the benefits achieved did not require the export of any generation.
Now - Iceland is also utilizing this opportunity by exporting expertise in geo-thermal supply. Iceland along with Norway are taking advantage of the thirst of Americans to find new sources of energy.
Glitnir said Wednesday it's planning to invest up to $ 40 billion in geothermal energy projects in North America by 2025 as the Nordic financial group eyes growth in the business of harnessing heat from the earth to produce electricity.
The firm is readying a formal announcement of a financing deal of more than $ 10 million behind Iceland America Energy Inc., a geothermal specialist with a deal to provide energy to PG&E (PGE) through the Truckhaven project in California, Magnusson said.
Glitner - Iceland's investment bank which has paved the way in the past for fisheries financing - offshore vessel financing - and energy projects has grown to an international company with offices world-wide. The goal now - to take advantage of others renewable resources - by providing financing - while Iceland America:
Iceland America Energy, through its Icelandic shareholder Enex, brings world class technical expertise and over 70 years experience in geothermal energy to the US and Canadian market. Enex, hf, a 50% owner of IAE, is a consortium composed of every significant Icelandic entity, both public and private, which comprise its geothermal industry. In late 2004 Enex joined with three domestic companies, Geolectric Power LLC, Feanaro LLC and DLFC Lawyers to form IAE.
Here we sit - with one of the most successful(technically)hydro-projects in the world - the Upper Churchill - and another on the way with the Lower Churchill and we do none of this.
Both Quebec and Iceland use their renewable energy resources for major industrial developments and their expertise for global developments. They both also finance projects in many countries and deliver the financial bacon home.
We need new vision - a new direction - and some sense of real value of the resources we have. If a government cannot deliver these types of benefits to Labrador let the river flow.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Williams has Strengths but his Weaknesses...
...will destroy us.
Danny Williams comes to the table as a multi-millionaire. Regardless of what you think of him this financial success is part of what draws voters to him. In some respects people think some of that business acumen will rub off on them - or that he will bring the province financial success as he did with his personal projects.
Personal is the key word. Williams is used to being the boss - the only boss - Cable Atlantic was not publicly traded and his law firm was headed and essentially run by him - same with golf courses etc. He sees his success as a result of primarily his leadership. The Premier does acknowledge people like Dean MacDonald - Steve Marshall - and Ken Marshall - but only in the sense that he picked them - mentored them - and they worked out.
There is no doubt the people attracted to Williams want in on the action and they are willing to be lead. They are also willing to trade the openness of their opinion for approval from Danny.
Let me give you an example - Danny Williams has not been shy in condemning previous Liberal governments particularly the final 12 years of them. This included in large part the administration of Brian Tobin. The condemnation is aimed at fiscal mismanagement - the HOA scandal - and bad deals. He of course must include Brian Tobin in this. Tobin and Williams lieutenant Dean MacDonald have historically been very close. So MacDonald has to take the dump on his buddy to stay loyal to Williams - and so he does.
Back to the point - Williams weakness is profit versus society. Government is not a corporation it is leadership of the people for the people. Governments make choices that in the corporate world would not be made. That is because the government has a different mandate. The Corporate world does not have to focus on healthcare - transportation - unemployment - diversifying communities - social welfare - and education. They are the beneficiaries of these services that primarily are paid for by the people - not companies.
When Williams looks at developing a project he only sees profit - he does not factor in his societal obligations - or simply put - look at the big picture.
I will use 2 examples.
Fish
FPI has been the flagship company in our fishery and as taxpayers we were investors in that corporate experiment. The fishery is a common renewable resource of the people - not companies - we give them licence to harvest it. Sue's Blog just posted the latest financial results of FPI - and they are good - but they come at a high price - families and communities.
If we took the bottom line of FPI and said 2 million dollar profits a quarter are enough and the balance will come from working families and sustained or growing communities. This is good policy for society. There are corporations and business people who can survive and be happy with 2 million instead of 6 million a quarter - but they are not publicly traded and they are not headed up by owners who maximise profit despite the cost to people.
This is where government should have stepped in - used it's legislative ability and either found a buyer willing to live with reduced "profit" or until then buy it out for the people. The cost to this province of FPI being chopped and bartered will be far greater than the investment we could have and should have made. The lost population - destroyed communities - reduced transfers - reduced equalization - lost small business enterprises - will be extremely costly to all of us. It will however be great for former and present FPI shareholders.
The second example is that of the Lower Churchill development. Williams is on a path where maximum "dollars" not benefits will rule the project. This is where our Premier is weak and Ontario and Quebec Premiers are strong. They see the big picture - they know that using clean renewable cost effective hydro for industrial development is better than maximising dollars. They know that employment - retention of young graduates - community and population growth brings with it far greater benefits than a wholesale ridding of significant natural resources. They know that - on balance - choosing to use superior energy like hydro versus dumping it to other jurisdictions will guarantee the survival of their provinces.
Let's say we get maximum price for the wholesale of our power - we get money - where will that money go? We will lose thousands of jobs to Ontario or the Maritimes where the power will be used. We will continue to lose people following those jobs west. After the project is built - then what? What employment will have been created for the long-term? We will be left with an aging population - net outmigration - loss of educated youth - and basically a large retirement home. The money we make from the wholesale of our power won't keep up with the increase in healthcare requirements - or the aging infrastructure.
The policy of exporting wholesale hydro power - in a day of environmental changes - soaring fossil fuel prices - and industrial growth - is to say it mildly - stupid. It would be intelligent only if the the seller was a publicly traded corporation or entrepreneur who had minimal to no responsibility for society. If the bottom line was profits simply returned to shareholders without any responsibility to provide public healthcare - transportation - and education.
Williams can't see the big picture - and in that regard - you will not benefit from his strengths unless you are already a multi-millionaire with money to invest in wholesale power projects.
When you run a government not a corporation - personalities should not be the issue -societal vision should be. The way Williams tries to marginalize and shut-up critics is a hangover from being the boss - unfortunately this does not make a statesmen or a good Premier and it will not serve our people well.
If we export this power - we are condemning ourselves to stagnation - loss - and eventually death. The headline in 40 years - Newfoundland and Labrador dies as a result of self-inflicted wounds.
We are running out of time - Williams will win the next government - and that in large part will be because the NDP is proving itself irrelevant and the Liberals in their silence and lack of an original idea or vision are essentially saying vote for Danny. Walter Noel - John Efford - Roger Grimes - Norm Whelan - Danny Dumeresque - Judy Foote - Gerry Reid and others must let go and let the party rebuild - else the party gives Williams a pass to make the biggest mistake in our history.
Danny Williams comes to the table as a multi-millionaire. Regardless of what you think of him this financial success is part of what draws voters to him. In some respects people think some of that business acumen will rub off on them - or that he will bring the province financial success as he did with his personal projects.
Personal is the key word. Williams is used to being the boss - the only boss - Cable Atlantic was not publicly traded and his law firm was headed and essentially run by him - same with golf courses etc. He sees his success as a result of primarily his leadership. The Premier does acknowledge people like Dean MacDonald - Steve Marshall - and Ken Marshall - but only in the sense that he picked them - mentored them - and they worked out.
There is no doubt the people attracted to Williams want in on the action and they are willing to be lead. They are also willing to trade the openness of their opinion for approval from Danny.
Let me give you an example - Danny Williams has not been shy in condemning previous Liberal governments particularly the final 12 years of them. This included in large part the administration of Brian Tobin. The condemnation is aimed at fiscal mismanagement - the HOA scandal - and bad deals. He of course must include Brian Tobin in this. Tobin and Williams lieutenant Dean MacDonald have historically been very close. So MacDonald has to take the dump on his buddy to stay loyal to Williams - and so he does.
Back to the point - Williams weakness is profit versus society. Government is not a corporation it is leadership of the people for the people. Governments make choices that in the corporate world would not be made. That is because the government has a different mandate. The Corporate world does not have to focus on healthcare - transportation - unemployment - diversifying communities - social welfare - and education. They are the beneficiaries of these services that primarily are paid for by the people - not companies.
When Williams looks at developing a project he only sees profit - he does not factor in his societal obligations - or simply put - look at the big picture.
I will use 2 examples.
Fish
FPI has been the flagship company in our fishery and as taxpayers we were investors in that corporate experiment. The fishery is a common renewable resource of the people - not companies - we give them licence to harvest it. Sue's Blog just posted the latest financial results of FPI - and they are good - but they come at a high price - families and communities.
If we took the bottom line of FPI and said 2 million dollar profits a quarter are enough and the balance will come from working families and sustained or growing communities. This is good policy for society. There are corporations and business people who can survive and be happy with 2 million instead of 6 million a quarter - but they are not publicly traded and they are not headed up by owners who maximise profit despite the cost to people.
This is where government should have stepped in - used it's legislative ability and either found a buyer willing to live with reduced "profit" or until then buy it out for the people. The cost to this province of FPI being chopped and bartered will be far greater than the investment we could have and should have made. The lost population - destroyed communities - reduced transfers - reduced equalization - lost small business enterprises - will be extremely costly to all of us. It will however be great for former and present FPI shareholders.
The second example is that of the Lower Churchill development. Williams is on a path where maximum "dollars" not benefits will rule the project. This is where our Premier is weak and Ontario and Quebec Premiers are strong. They see the big picture - they know that using clean renewable cost effective hydro for industrial development is better than maximising dollars. They know that employment - retention of young graduates - community and population growth brings with it far greater benefits than a wholesale ridding of significant natural resources. They know that - on balance - choosing to use superior energy like hydro versus dumping it to other jurisdictions will guarantee the survival of their provinces.
Let's say we get maximum price for the wholesale of our power - we get money - where will that money go? We will lose thousands of jobs to Ontario or the Maritimes where the power will be used. We will continue to lose people following those jobs west. After the project is built - then what? What employment will have been created for the long-term? We will be left with an aging population - net outmigration - loss of educated youth - and basically a large retirement home. The money we make from the wholesale of our power won't keep up with the increase in healthcare requirements - or the aging infrastructure.
The policy of exporting wholesale hydro power - in a day of environmental changes - soaring fossil fuel prices - and industrial growth - is to say it mildly - stupid. It would be intelligent only if the the seller was a publicly traded corporation or entrepreneur who had minimal to no responsibility for society. If the bottom line was profits simply returned to shareholders without any responsibility to provide public healthcare - transportation - and education.
Williams can't see the big picture - and in that regard - you will not benefit from his strengths unless you are already a multi-millionaire with money to invest in wholesale power projects.
When you run a government not a corporation - personalities should not be the issue -societal vision should be. The way Williams tries to marginalize and shut-up critics is a hangover from being the boss - unfortunately this does not make a statesmen or a good Premier and it will not serve our people well.
If we export this power - we are condemning ourselves to stagnation - loss - and eventually death. The headline in 40 years - Newfoundland and Labrador dies as a result of self-inflicted wounds.
We are running out of time - Williams will win the next government - and that in large part will be because the NDP is proving itself irrelevant and the Liberals in their silence and lack of an original idea or vision are essentially saying vote for Danny. Walter Noel - John Efford - Roger Grimes - Norm Whelan - Danny Dumeresque - Judy Foote - Gerry Reid and others must let go and let the party rebuild - else the party gives Williams a pass to make the biggest mistake in our history.
Friday, August 03, 2007
How can we protect the Arctic when we can't protect borders between provinces?
So the Russians have staked claim to territory in the Arctic - that is more territory - Canadian Territory.
They have planted an underwater flag and claim that because of continental shelf circumstances - they should have control and economic ownership of some areas which are Canadian.
Peter MacKay has responded - and Canada's government wants all Canadians to know they we will defend our borders.
Okay Canadians wake up. This man is unable to control the borders between provinces let alone with other countries.
Sue's Blog has informed all MPS's - the Privy Council - and the PMO that Quebec is distributing fraudulent maps. They are also submitting these same maps to the Government of Canada for hydro-electric projects under environmental review.
Not one MP in this country has the guts to speak up against this challenge to Newfoundland and Labrador's borders - while the majority of them would be steaming hot if Newfoundland and Labrador began to encroach on Quebec turf or if Manitoba started to move its boundaries into Alberta.
The difference is clear - and the main reason why this federation will not work. We have 7 federal seats. It is so important to the Conservative - Liberal - and NDP parties to make gains in Quebec - they will not deal with this significant issue. Where are all the think-tanks and national papers now? Where are the Globe and Mail and the Post - where are the Frazier Institute and/or the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives?
Look at this example of an NDP MP speaking out on the Russian Flag Planting issue in the Globe and Mail yesterday:
NDP MP Dennis Bevington (Western Arctic) criticized the Harper government on the issue Thursday, saying the Russian mission "demonstrates a troubling reality for Northern communities and all Canadians concerning Arctic sovereignty."
Where is Rex Murphy? Where is Jeffrey Simpson?
We are going to defend the Arctic? I don't think so!
See the latest Map violation CLICK HERE
When you get to the page hit Power Generation "under study". Tell me what you see.
They have planted an underwater flag and claim that because of continental shelf circumstances - they should have control and economic ownership of some areas which are Canadian.
Peter MacKay has responded - and Canada's government wants all Canadians to know they we will defend our borders.
Okay Canadians wake up. This man is unable to control the borders between provinces let alone with other countries.
Sue's Blog has informed all MPS's - the Privy Council - and the PMO that Quebec is distributing fraudulent maps. They are also submitting these same maps to the Government of Canada for hydro-electric projects under environmental review.
Not one MP in this country has the guts to speak up against this challenge to Newfoundland and Labrador's borders - while the majority of them would be steaming hot if Newfoundland and Labrador began to encroach on Quebec turf or if Manitoba started to move its boundaries into Alberta.
The difference is clear - and the main reason why this federation will not work. We have 7 federal seats. It is so important to the Conservative - Liberal - and NDP parties to make gains in Quebec - they will not deal with this significant issue. Where are all the think-tanks and national papers now? Where are the Globe and Mail and the Post - where are the Frazier Institute and/or the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives?
Look at this example of an NDP MP speaking out on the Russian Flag Planting issue in the Globe and Mail yesterday:
NDP MP Dennis Bevington (Western Arctic) criticized the Harper government on the issue Thursday, saying the Russian mission "demonstrates a troubling reality for Northern communities and all Canadians concerning Arctic sovereignty."
"It shows just how far behind Harper and the Conservatives are when it comes to asserting our legitimate claim to Arctic sovereignty," Mr. Bevington said in a release. "This clearly demonstrates what the issues are and the actions that we should be taking."
Where is Rex Murphy? Where is Jeffrey Simpson?
We are going to defend the Arctic? I don't think so!
See the latest Map violation CLICK HERE
When you get to the page hit Power Generation "under study". Tell me what you see.
Quebec is really suffering it out...
An ignorant blogger decided to find some argument for the export of the best energy in the world hydro-power. This ignorant person found some critic to suggest that selling power to industry does little more than provide jobs.
Now there's a thought. This individual felt that Danny's government along with all Newfoundland and Labrador governments before have and is making the right decision to export hydro-power.
I know why the individual makes such idiotic statements nevertheless more ridiculous concepts have stuck here before - SPRUNG.
So we are to believe that the export of power from the Upper Churchill has been much better for us than using it for industry in Labrador? Yes the tens of thousands of jobs and billions of profit for Quebec from the Upper Churchill has been a real treat for us. This has been a real bonanza. It is only because we use some hydro-power that we even have paper mills or IOC. This imbecile would like to see all potentials shipped out.
Then there is the theory that we could make more money by shipping it out. Sure we can - yeah right - we've done well with that also. Make more money? 5000 MW's at less than 1/2 a cent power? Sure we are doing great - had we offered that to industry there would be 10 thousand more jobs in this province. See you got to have people to exist. You ship out power you ship out jobs.
The profits of Hydro-Quebec at about 3 billion dollars a year - almost a third of which are from our power.
All this was happening at a time when oil ran between 5 and 15 dollars a barrel - what is it today? All this was happening at a time when the environment was not as important as health as a global public issue.
Then there are all the other resources (mineral) we have and the tremendous potential of Labrador as an industrial powerhouse.
These fools who continue to promote export of power are no friends of Newfoundland and Labrador survival - in fact they continue to encourage its demise - and continue to promote dependence on Ottawa. That includes our Premier if the Lower Churchill Power is exported.
As for this theory that selling price competitive power has not encouraged other potentials in processing and manufacturing - that is an ignorant person who has not bothered to read the history of Hydro-Quebec. They are the powerhouse of the planet and their policies and planning are watched everyday by industry everywhere. They are at the head table in international forums - they have been involved in projects on every continent - they have advanced post-secondary education involvement - they have superior R&D capabilities with industry partnerships - including automobiles for the future.
Their expertise is desired in most countries and their professionals reside all around the world. It is the pride and heritage of Quebec - versus what we suffer from the Upper Churchill - that is failed policy - giveaway of our resource - outmigration - shrinking industry - and forced to sit back and watch Quebec hold up the Upper Churchill project as their success.
If Sue's Blog readers get the chance have a look at Hydro-Quebec's website and spend some time reading their energy plans - and the legacy they leave the children of that province. Any attempt to call Hydro-Quebec policy flawed is a desperate individual looking for a some argument which is not there.
Now there's a thought. This individual felt that Danny's government along with all Newfoundland and Labrador governments before have and is making the right decision to export hydro-power.
I know why the individual makes such idiotic statements nevertheless more ridiculous concepts have stuck here before - SPRUNG.
So we are to believe that the export of power from the Upper Churchill has been much better for us than using it for industry in Labrador? Yes the tens of thousands of jobs and billions of profit for Quebec from the Upper Churchill has been a real treat for us. This has been a real bonanza. It is only because we use some hydro-power that we even have paper mills or IOC. This imbecile would like to see all potentials shipped out.
Then there is the theory that we could make more money by shipping it out. Sure we can - yeah right - we've done well with that also. Make more money? 5000 MW's at less than 1/2 a cent power? Sure we are doing great - had we offered that to industry there would be 10 thousand more jobs in this province. See you got to have people to exist. You ship out power you ship out jobs.
The profits of Hydro-Quebec at about 3 billion dollars a year - almost a third of which are from our power.
All this was happening at a time when oil ran between 5 and 15 dollars a barrel - what is it today? All this was happening at a time when the environment was not as important as health as a global public issue.
Then there are all the other resources (mineral) we have and the tremendous potential of Labrador as an industrial powerhouse.
These fools who continue to promote export of power are no friends of Newfoundland and Labrador survival - in fact they continue to encourage its demise - and continue to promote dependence on Ottawa. That includes our Premier if the Lower Churchill Power is exported.
As for this theory that selling price competitive power has not encouraged other potentials in processing and manufacturing - that is an ignorant person who has not bothered to read the history of Hydro-Quebec. They are the powerhouse of the planet and their policies and planning are watched everyday by industry everywhere. They are at the head table in international forums - they have been involved in projects on every continent - they have advanced post-secondary education involvement - they have superior R&D capabilities with industry partnerships - including automobiles for the future.
Their expertise is desired in most countries and their professionals reside all around the world. It is the pride and heritage of Quebec - versus what we suffer from the Upper Churchill - that is failed policy - giveaway of our resource - outmigration - shrinking industry - and forced to sit back and watch Quebec hold up the Upper Churchill project as their success.
If Sue's Blog readers get the chance have a look at Hydro-Quebec's website and spend some time reading their energy plans - and the legacy they leave the children of that province. Any attempt to call Hydro-Quebec policy flawed is a desperate individual looking for a some argument which is not there.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Is NLH trying to counter my message?
NO EXPORT OF LABRADOR POWER! Read below and see what you think?
Hard to know how to take this one. Today Sue's Blog was visited by Summa Strategies Canada.
They are:
Summa Strategies Canada Inc. provide strategic consultation and government relations and the development and management of public policy.
Located at:
Suite 1000, 100 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
Customers include:
International Fund for Animal Welfare
Canadian Cable Television Association
Clearwater Fine Foods Inc.
Bombardier Services
and
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
Now that's a fine group for Newfoundland and Labrador. And why is it hydro uses them? Anyway staying on course - let's look at one of the Vice Presidents - Patrick Dion -
Read that carefully now.
So what are they doing examining Sue's Blog archives?
1. Maybe to see if they can counter the no-export of Labrador Power message
2. Maybe to check out what is being said re Ontario's hydro needs
3. Maybe because Tim Powers is also a Vice President - you know the communications guy that's on the National News Networks as a spokesperson for Harper taking on Scott Reid - another fan of Newfoundland and Labrador.
4. Maybe looking at the supportive sealing industry messages on my site for the IFAW - you know our best buds - the animal activists.
5. Maybe they were bored and were blog hopping.
Hard to know who sent them - or why they came for a visit. Danny - again - why do these people do work for Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. Wait that's right - could it be because the cable guy recommended it?
Sue's Blog readers can visit the site and take guesses themselves. CLICK HERE
If Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is using this firm for a counter message regarding the export of Lower Churchill Power - we need to know now.
We need to know what work this company has done for NLH.
We need to know what this company has done for the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
Stop keeping secrets Premier- what's up?
For the record this is the copy of when they visited Sue's Blog:
Please note they came to the site by using Google and the words "Sue Kelland Dyer"
And they entered on the page they were interested in CLICK HERE
As you can see it's energy related!
IP Address 206.191.40.# (Summa Strategies Canada)
ISP Magma Communications
Location
Continent : North America
Country : Canada (Facts)
State/Region : Ontario
City : Ottawa
Lat/Long : 45.4167, -75.7 (Map)
Language English (U.S.)
en-us
Operating System Microsoft WinXP
Browser Internet Explorer 6.0
Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; .NET CLR 1.0.3705)
Javascript version 1.3
Monitor
Resolution : 1280 x 1024
Color Depth : 32 bits
Time of Visit Jul 31 2007 4:15:46 pm
Last Page View Jul 31 2007 4:20:14 pm
Visit Length 4 minutes 28 seconds
Page Views 5
Referring URL http://www.google.ca...=Google Search&meta=
Search Engine google.ca
Search Words sue kelland dyer
Visit Entry Page http://nlpost.blogspot.com/
Visit Exit Page http://nlpost.blogsp...6_07_23_archive.html
Out Click
Time Zone UTC-5:00
Visitor's Time Jul 31 2007 3:15:46 pm
Hard to know how to take this one. Today Sue's Blog was visited by Summa Strategies Canada.
They are:
Summa Strategies Canada Inc. provide strategic consultation and government relations and the development and management of public policy.
Located at:
Suite 1000, 100 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
Customers include:
International Fund for Animal Welfare
Canadian Cable Television Association
Clearwater Fine Foods Inc.
Bombardier Services
and
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
Now that's a fine group for Newfoundland and Labrador. And why is it hydro uses them? Anyway staying on course - let's look at one of the Vice Presidents - Patrick Dion -
Mr. Dion was employed as an engineer with North America's largest public utility, supporting Ontario's large industrial customers with energy management solutions. Mr. Dion began his public service career as assistant and advisor to a Toronto-area Member of Parliament. He has capably served as: legislative assistant to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance; economist with the federal Finance Department's International Trade Policy Division; and legislative and communications advisor to the Secretary of State for International Financial Institutions.
Read that carefully now.
So what are they doing examining Sue's Blog archives?
1. Maybe to see if they can counter the no-export of Labrador Power message
2. Maybe to check out what is being said re Ontario's hydro needs
3. Maybe because Tim Powers is also a Vice President - you know the communications guy that's on the National News Networks as a spokesperson for Harper taking on Scott Reid - another fan of Newfoundland and Labrador.
4. Maybe looking at the supportive sealing industry messages on my site for the IFAW - you know our best buds - the animal activists.
5. Maybe they were bored and were blog hopping.
Hard to know who sent them - or why they came for a visit. Danny - again - why do these people do work for Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. Wait that's right - could it be because the cable guy recommended it?
Sue's Blog readers can visit the site and take guesses themselves. CLICK HERE
If Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is using this firm for a counter message regarding the export of Lower Churchill Power - we need to know now.
We need to know what work this company has done for NLH.
We need to know what this company has done for the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
Stop keeping secrets Premier- what's up?
For the record this is the copy of when they visited Sue's Blog:
Please note they came to the site by using Google and the words "Sue Kelland Dyer"
And they entered on the page they were interested in CLICK HERE
As you can see it's energy related!
IP Address 206.191.40.# (Summa Strategies Canada)
ISP Magma Communications
Location
Continent : North America
Country : Canada (Facts)
State/Region : Ontario
City : Ottawa
Lat/Long : 45.4167, -75.7 (Map)
Language English (U.S.)
en-us
Operating System Microsoft WinXP
Browser Internet Explorer 6.0
Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; .NET CLR 1.0.3705)
Javascript version 1.3
Monitor
Resolution : 1280 x 1024
Color Depth : 32 bits
Time of Visit Jul 31 2007 4:15:46 pm
Last Page View Jul 31 2007 4:20:14 pm
Visit Length 4 minutes 28 seconds
Page Views 5
Referring URL http://www.google.ca...=Google Search&meta=
Search Engine google.ca
Search Words sue kelland dyer
Visit Entry Page http://nlpost.blogspot.com/
Visit Exit Page http://nlpost.blogsp...6_07_23_archive.html
Out Click
Time Zone UTC-5:00
Visitor's Time Jul 31 2007 3:15:46 pm
About time our leader visitied...Geir Haarde touches down
Here's the announcement:
The Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will meet with Icelandic Prime Minister, Geir H. Haarde, during his visit to Newfoundland and Labrador on Tuesday, July 31. Following the meeting Premier Williams and Prime Minister Haarde will hold a media availability at 11:30 a.m. in the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building.
This marks the first visit to Newfoundland and Labrador for Prime Minister Haarde.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Now let me carry on from there.
Prime Minister of Iceland Geir Haarde is visiting Newfoundland and Labrador for one day - on his way home from a weekend of activities in Nova Scotia.
Seems only appropriate that the Province (NS) and Nation (Iceland) that are gobbling up our FPI and fishery assets - get together have a party and kick us in the arse on the way out. Let's get a photo-op and a handshake.
Oh and Danny maybe you should check to see if we can build a tunnel to Iceland to giveaway the Lower Churchill hydro-electric power to them. At least they know what to do with it.
I guess we won't give him a basket of fish - I think he's already got one.
The Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will meet with Icelandic Prime Minister, Geir H. Haarde, during his visit to Newfoundland and Labrador on Tuesday, July 31. Following the meeting Premier Williams and Prime Minister Haarde will hold a media availability at 11:30 a.m. in the Media Centre, East Block, Confederation Building.
This marks the first visit to Newfoundland and Labrador for Prime Minister Haarde.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Now let me carry on from there.
Prime Minister of Iceland Geir Haarde is visiting Newfoundland and Labrador for one day - on his way home from a weekend of activities in Nova Scotia.
Seems only appropriate that the Province (NS) and Nation (Iceland) that are gobbling up our FPI and fishery assets - get together have a party and kick us in the arse on the way out. Let's get a photo-op and a handshake.
Oh and Danny maybe you should check to see if we can build a tunnel to Iceland to giveaway the Lower Churchill hydro-electric power to them. At least they know what to do with it.
I guess we won't give him a basket of fish - I think he's already got one.
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