We can't stop Muskrat now!

You know the old saying If you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it.

We are the proverbial people spoken about.

Lie 1

We need the power

Lie 2

This is the cheapest alternative

Lie 3

We need to get around Quebec

Lie 4

Holyrood will be eliminated

Lie 5

It will cost 7-8 billion dollars

Lie 6

We need it for industry

Lie 7

We will own the transmission line to the Island

Lie 8

Ed Martin quit/retired

and now the biggest whopper of them all

Lie 9

We can't stop Muskrat now

For each and every lie above we had head-bobbing from ignorant MHA's and Ministers, we had a media in report but not research mode, and we had and have leaders who lead us down a garden path.

Each and every one of these lies was repeated, reported, repeated, reported, and repeated and reported.

Each and every one without a modicum of real and unfettered independent investigation.

The first big whopper - "we need the power" was one leader and the last big whopper  "we can't stop Muskrat now" from our current leader.

Both of them have tried to back up the statements with "input" from experts. The current expert Stan Marshall - riddled with government exempt conflict - has proclaimed "this is a boondoggle" but "we can't stop it now".

The first part of his statement "this is a boondoggle" is something that should be used in the Captain Obvious Hotels.com commercials. The second part "we can't stop it now" is coming without real proof or true independent review - that should be demanded by the people.

We suspect there has been/is some form of corruption going on. We know for certain incompetence has been abound and continues. We know we were lied to. Any reasonably minded person would say - it is time to stop the boondoggle, forensically audit the boondoggle, review the results publicly, and then look at all options.

Not here though. Lie repeat. Lie repeat. Lie report repeat.

It is unfathomable.

 

A lie told often enough becomes the truth. Vladimir Lenin
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/v/vladimirle132031.html

A lie told often enough becomes the truth. Vladimir Lenin
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/v/vladimirle132031.html

MandaTORY Muskrat Material

What a difference it makes if you are a PC Opposition in Manitoba or a PC Government in Newfoundland and Labrador.

On the heels of the Quebec review of hydro project potentials - Manitoba Conservatives are asking the government there to put the brakes on hydro projects in that province.

But oh no - wait - that's Manitoba Hydro - didn't they do a review for us?

A quote from a story in the Winnipeg Sun

Progressive Conservative leader Brian Pallister said a recommendation made to Hydro-Quebec last week highlights a bleak economic outlook for such investments. A Quebec commission called on government to postpone or cancel a $6.5-billion, four-dam Romaine River hydroelectric project. The commission claimed a boom in cheap natural gas means the energy created by the project would sell for less than it costs to produce.

“This Quebec report should be a clear cause for reconsideration,” Pallister said.

Pallister labeled Manitoba Hydro’s expansion plans “a mega gamble” that would triple the Crown corporation’s debt. (emphasis added)

And yes it gets worse - the Manitoba government in its response to Opposition concerns said:

Stan Struthers, the minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro, was not available for comment Tuesday.

In a statement on his behalf, a spokesman said Manitoba continues to profit off export sales and secured more than $9 billion in such contracts since 2010.

“This means that from the first day (of the proposed $6.2-billion) Keeyask (generating station) goes into operation, U.S. customers will be paying down the debt on an asset that will generate clean electricity for a century — keeping rates low for Manitoba families and businesses,” (emphasis added) the statement said.

So the Manitoba Conservatives see the issue and the only comeback from the government is - who cares - because Americans will pay the bill and our customers will get cheap power.

So let's see now, we have weak markets, we are paying the bill, and out power rates will soar.

The Muskrat Falls development must be stopped. We cannot keep exposing our children and grandchildren to this disastrous legacy.

Take the time and read the story HERE - become engaged in this most important issue and let the leaders know how you fell.

But one last thing - the story says this: (please read carefully) Manitoba’s Public Utilities Board has hired eight independent firms to review the value of Hydro’s plans and ensure they’re economically viable.

Our project is the most studied in the world - right? Oh and yes - it's not Manitoba Hydro calling the shots it's their Public Utilities Board.

A Chair is a Chair is a Chair - How does Nalcor's Compare?

How do we compare?

We are the shareholders of Nalcor - we deserve the best people available on our Board of Directors. 

Do we have that? 

Chair of the Board, Hydro Quebec

Michael L. Turcotte obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Montréal (Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf) and a Master’s degree from the School of Business of Laval University. He enjoyed a lengthy career with the Royal Bank of Canada and became Senior Vice-President, Québec, in l984.

Since his retirement from the Royal Bank in l998, Mr. Turcotte has served as a Corporate Director. Until 2004, he was Chair of the Board of Management of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, Chairman of the IRCM Foundation and Québec Chair of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council.

In November 2005, he became Chairman of the Board of Hydro-Québec. He continues to serve as a Director of various private corporations and institutions of the public sector.

Mr. Turcotte is Governor Emeritus of the Arthritis Society, of which he is also a past Québec President. Over the years, he has been a Director and Chairman of the Board of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal.

Mr. Turcotte is Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the 6th Field Artillery Regiment. He is a recipient of the Hermès prize from the School of Business of Laval University and has been honoured by the Scouts Association of Canada. Mr. Turcotte has been a member of the IRCM Board of Directors since 2002. He chairs the Governance Committee and is a member of the Executive Committee. 

Chair of the Board, BC Hydro

Dan Doyle started his career with the Province of British Columbia as an engineer-in-training; 36 years later, he retired from the Public Service as the Deputy Minister of Transportation.

Throughout his career with the Ministry, Mr. Doyle built a legacy of B.C.-wide transportation infrastructure. In 2006, Mr. Doyle was appointed Executive Vice-President responsible for the development and building of venues and supporting infrastructure for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games by the Vancouver Organizing Committee.

A strong believer in having the right team in place to do the job, Mr. Doyle is widely known for his ability to deliver major projects on time and on budget. 

In recognition of his highly respected public service and professional expertise, Mr. Doyle was awarded the Order of B.C. in 2010. He was also awarded B.C.'s premier distinction for professional engineering, the R.A. McLachlan Award, by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of B.C. in 2006.

Chair of the Board, NB Power

Mr. Barrett is co- CEO of Barrett Corporation, a North American investment and management company.

He is CEO of Barrett Diversified Inc., which operates wholesale distribution companies in Canada and the US, and is co-founder, significant shareholder, and serves on the Board of Xplornet Communications, a leading broadband and communications company in Canada

In addition to NB Power, Mr Barrett serves on the Board of Wajax Industries, a public company traded on the TSX which is a leading mobile equipment and industrial supplies company in Canada, two private companies based out of New Brunswick, Atlantic Industries and Apex industries, and is Past Chair and Board member of Crandall University.

Chair of the Board, Manitoba Hydro

Mr. William C. Fraser, FCA served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. from 1994 to 2006 and served as its Vice President of Finance from 1986 to 1994. Mr. Fraser served as the Chief Executive Officer of MTS Media Inc., Qunara Inc., AAA Alarm Systems Ltd., MTS Allstream Inc., MTS Communications Inc., MTS Advanced Inc. In this capacity, he provided overall leadership and direction to MTS and its 7000 employees. Having joined MTS in 1986 as Vice-President of Finance and risen to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer in 1994. 

Mr. Fraser has ably steered Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. through a generation of dramatic and unprecedented change in the telecommunications industry. From 1972 to 1981, he held various senior positions in the federal government, including Director General Finance for the Department of Agriculture.

In 1981 he was appointed to the position of Assistant Deputy Minister of Finance with Manitoba government, the youngest person ever appointed to that position. He served until 1986, when then-Minister of Telephones Gary Doer, who is now Premier of Manitoba, appointed him to his first post with MTS. He is also a member of the St. Boniface Hospital and Research Foundation. Mr. Fraser is widely respected in both the telecommunications and chartered accounting industries.

He has served as a strategic and visionary leader at Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. for almost 20 years. Mr. Fraser served as Chairman and Director of MTS Media Inc., Qunara Inc., MTS Advanced Inc. and AAA Alarm Systems Ltd. He serves as a Director of Mts Communications Inc. He has been Director of IMRIS, Inc. since August 2007. He serves as Director of Bell West Inc. and Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board. Mr. Fraser is also a Member of the Board of Directors of the Conference Board of Canada. He served as Director of MTS Allstream Inc.

He served as Director of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. from January 1997 to December 7, 2005. He serves as Vice Chair of St. Boniface Hospital Foundation. In 2002, in recognition of his leadership and his high ethical standards, he was named a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Mr. Fraser received his BBA in 1970 from St. Francis Xavier University, where he was honored as the university's top graduate among the entire 1970 class. He became a Chartered Accountant in 1972.

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

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

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

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

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

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

This was in context to a significant failure of assets. 

NUPGE added the following:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ed Martin supports Crown Owned Newfoundland Power?

This is the graph that Ed Martin uses to promote the replacement from thermal Holyrood generating to clean renewable Hydro.

He points to Quebec, Manitoba, and BC.

Guess what Ed? Manitoba Hydro and BC Hydro like Newfoundland and Labrador have thermal generation and also like Newfoundland and Labrador use a majority of hydro power.

Hydro-Quebec is virtually all hydro electric with some wind and new power technologies always being developed.

Please Ed Martin - do not embarrass yourself by pretending to have the vision of a Hydro-Quebec - the last time we had those thoughts we did the Upper Churchill.

Yes and HQ is also leading the way with electric cars and charge stations.

So let's look at the first obvious reason that power rates are lower in Quebec, Manitoba, and BC.

What do they all have in common that we do not? It's not hydro power - we all have that.

What is it Ed?

Well the answer is they Generate, Transmit, and DISTRIBUTE power under the crown. We use a private monopoly to DISTRIBUTE power.

So Ed - in the name of stabilizing power rates over the long-term - guess what your argument backs-up?

We need to nationalize Newfoundland Power - a private MONOPOLY.

After we get past this little problem - next we go to the chart and see where the highest rates are - they are where Emera is and where it is all PRIVATE.

So your thought is that by partnering with the most expensive model - the people will benefit?

What a joke! Thanks for making my points.