Spinmeister Powers Come Clean

Tim Powers is reaching new levels of arrogance as he pontificates on the courage of Tweeters who are opposed to the Muskrat Falls deal.

He questions the courage of the convictions of many Newfoundland and Labrador bloggers and tweeters - because he says they will not go on his open-line show and talk to him directly.

He calls Twitter the cheap seats and tin-foil sales the activity.

Tim Powers you control the mic on your show - therefore one would have to be sufficiently confident that you will use it equitably to allow a contrary Nalcor opinion.

I have every reason to believe this is not the case. I would host your show on alternating dates and would invite people to call - the same way you do - but perhaps different people. In this way you do not control the mic at all times and therefore a thorough debate and discussion could be had.

The criticism's and altering positions that many of us hold and express through twitter and blogs are free from your prejudice interference and control. You can have a 3-4 minute conversation with me - then hang up and spin away for 2 hours. In a real debate this would not occur.

Today you were being challenged rightly on your contractual obligations as a lobbyist for Nalcor - to which predictably you answered in the affirmative - but only after the challenge occurred and also because that information is public - therefore readily available to all. You did however say that your company did work for Nalcor - not that you were the lobbyist.

So for the record:

 

Client name: Nalcor Energy

Lobbyist name: Timothy Powers, Consultant

Initial registration start date: 2006-09-18

Registration status: Active

Registration Number: 777504-14002

Client name: Alderon Iron Ore Corporation

Lobbyist name: Timothy Powers, Consultant

Initial registration start date: 2013-02-01

Registration status: Active

Registration Number: 777504-308605

 

So Mr. Powers you've got a bit of skin in this game and those seeking their positions in mining and energy are using your services to advance their case. 

 

I do have to ask though if you are not in violation of the lobbyist acts either federally or provincially by not adjusting your lobbyist registration activity to include allowing your clients preferential access to a talk show that operates in the jurisdiction where the clients do business.  When your clients come on your show and you carefully guide them through a series of questions - that will permit the advancement of their projects - is this not a lobbyist activity. 

 

For certain however - you are not an independent host of a program - totally arms length from the significant and costly projects being discussed. 

 

You then have the gall to question the courage of those people who choose not to participate in this lobby. Just think for a minute Tim - I or others could go on and do our stint - then you could allow other guests invited or otherwise to come on and spin their tale. In this way you are having the critics dealt with for your clients. Do you get it yet? 

 

Then there's always this:

 

Client name: Efficiency Nova Scotia Corporation

Lobbyist name: Timothy Powers, Consultant

Initial registration start date: 2013-08-21

Registration status: Active

Registration Number: 777504-319585

 

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:

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...

What does Alcoa want?

Back to Registry of Lobbyists - Newfoundland and Labrador


For months now people have asked questions about the Energy Plan - and possible markets for Lower Churchill Power. For his part - the Premier has not lived up to prior commitments on the release date of the energy plan - and frankly does not care to answer legitimate concerns of people on the significant power potential in Labrador.

Kathy Dunderdale does not respond at all - either by choosing to ignore - or told to keep quiet.

Heavy industry is wheeling and dealing globally to enter into power contracts that provide cost competitive - renewable - and reliable supply.

Alcoa has an interest in the Lower Churchill development - we need to know what that interest is.

The provincial registry of lobbyists contains the following:

Particulars: Lower Churchill Development
Registration Number: CL-204-168
Lobby Activity Date: 2007-01-15
Status: Approved
Effective Date: 2006-12-20
Amended Date: 2007-01-15
Approval Date: 2007-01-22

William Wells Consultant Alcoa Canada

Bill is a past CEO of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and arguably has much more experience negotiating on a potential Lower Churchill deal than Ed Martin. If he has been hired by Alcoa to lobby respecting the Lower Churchill development - what is Alcoa interested in?

An aluminum smelter in Labrador?

Let me remind the reader that Danny Williams - when leader of the Official Opposition - wanted all details of negotiations or potential deals on the table in the House of Assembly.

We are still waiting to find out why Conservative strategist and Harper supporter - Timothy Powers - has been hired by Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro - how much has he been paid - and what exactly are his terms of lobby.

What happened to Bob? The tale of two values!

Bob Mills - MP for Red Deer Alberta - who came from the Reform Party - then to the Alliance Party - and finally to the Conservative Party of Canada - followed thew same path as his leader Stephen Harper. The same views on democracy - transparency - and apparently political lobbyists.

Back in 1997 Mills had his knickers in a knot when 2 ex-Liberal MP's Paul Zed and Doug Young formed a company called Summa Strategies - an Ottawa lobby group. He was speaking in the House of Commons - as recorded by Hansard - about foreign policy.

Conservative MP Mills had this to say:

Basically this shows a real lack of foreign affairs initiative and policy by this government. It makes you wonder who is in charge of the foreign affairs department when a company, Summa Strategies, directed by ex-Liberal MPs Doug Young and Paul Zed, can in fact put forward a deal like this at such a critical time.

Shortly after the 1997 election these two gentlemen set up Summa Strategies as an Ottawa lobbying group. Obviously they are now taking great advantage of their contacts within the government. Mr. Young is acting for Canadian National Railways, a crown corporation he helped to privatize when he was minister of transport. No wonder Canadians are so skeptical of government and ex-ministers when they are involved in this sort of lobbying activities.

We need to tighten up these arrangements dramatically. Just imagine proposing to deal with a government like that of Saddam Hussein. While all the time arguing that this was a humanitarian deal for trucks and a number of items which were not listed, they went further to invite the foreign affairs minister, Tariq Aziz, to visit Canada, to visit the Prime Minister of New Brunswick, for which he claimed he had an invitation.

We in this House get tired of the government standing up, beating its chest and saying how wonderful it is. It talks about standing up to Saddam Hussein, yet we let this billion dollar deal to go ahead. Maybe the UN will scuttle it. We talk about how great we are in saving the world with land mines, meanwhile we are selling nuclear plants to India, Romania, China, Turkey and Korea, to name a few.

We talk about how we have solved all the financial problems, when in reality we have a $600 billion debt. We talk about a Zaire mission which we championed because the Prime Minister saw it on television. Then we found out that the day before the President of the United States called and suggested that that is what Canada should do.

We get tired of this sort of double standard and double talk. I question who is in charge over there? Doug Young, Paul Zed and Summa Strategies or the foreign affairs minister.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now let me ask the same question of Bob Mills today. Who is in charge over there the Prime Minister - the government - or Summa Strategies - now that conservative strategist Tim Powers is a VP of the company?

Where is all your concern now? Isn't it ironic that Tim who comes from the Alliance ilk (Grant Hill's Campaign for Alliance leadership) is now not only agreeing with the lobbyist mentality but has become one - and for Summa no less.

Punishment by Premier - Select and Inconsistent

This anything but conservative (ABC) campaign by Premier Danny Williams is apparently limited and a matter of convenience.

It apparently applies to votes but not money.

You see while Danny says we must punish Loyola Hearn - Norman Doyle - and Fabain Manning - he turns his head and ignores our province paying a lobbyist who feels the Prime Minister keeps his promises to Canadians.

Here's an example - as we already know - Conservative strategist and Summa VP Tim Powers has been hired as a lobbyist for Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro on the Lower Churchill development and an east-west energy grid. CLICK HERE

Tim Powers was commenting to a CTV reporter in March - after the federal budget - on a poll showing Harper was making gains in Quebec. That is the budget which seen our province take a big hit on equalization based on the pre-election promises by Harper.

The CTV Story included the following:

Conservative party strategist Tim Powers says that while Quebecers, like many other Canadians, might not be enthralled with Harper personally, they appreciate what he's accomplished.

"You're seeing that reflected in the polls," Powers said. "They see that Harper's kept his promises to them."

Tell me something Danny - why is it we have hired this fellow to lobby for us on such a significant file - the Lower Churchill?

Why is Danny punishing our Conservative MP's but not the strategists that spin their message?

Why is your punishment select and inconsistent?

Why does your ABC strategy not extend to Conservative Lobbyists?

Welcome Summa - Welcome to Democracy

I love a lobbyist under oath. Jack Abramoff super lobbyist appearing before a US Senate hearing. From an NBC story.




Summa appears to be spending time here at Sue's Blog - so I have some questions.

The Tory Strategist and Summa VP Tim Powers - has his fingers in many pies.

Currently Tim is a lobbyist for CTV globemedia. That's great Tim - and you also appear on CTV programming too right - speaking conservatively of course.


Here's the registration basics.

Mr. Timothy Powers
Consultant Lobbyist
Lobbyist number: 13527
Registration number: 13527-29
Effective date: 2007-01-09
It also says on that particular registration document - that your client CTV globe media has subsidiaries which have a direct interest in the lobbying activities.

They are:
CTV INC.
BCE Inc
THE GLOBE AND MAIL

Your work includes:

Any policies or programs with respect to broadcast matters within the Department of Canadian Heritage, Canadian Radio Television Commission, Industry Canada and any other related issue that impacts CTVglobemedia .

Who you may lobby includes:

Prime Minister's Office, Finance Canada, Health Canada, Privy Council Office, Public Works and Government Services Canada, Canadian Heritage, Treasury Board of Canada, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

Let's see if I can get this all straight. You sit on television and defend the Conservatives - on the same station you lobby for to the Prime Minister - seems everybody is happy here.

The question is - how do you have such access to the Prime Minister's Office?
Why do you have such access to various government departments?


Remember now this is the Prime Minister that's going to clean all this up - renew democracy. So Harper replaces the Liberal lobby hacks with his own.

Who is this person Timothy Powers? He is not elected is he? He has a job where we sells the ear of the Prime Minister. Wonderful! How about the Conservative MP's - the people we elect and pay - their staff including Minister Hearn and staff - John Fitzgerald the Province's connection to the feds in Ottawa - our Premier - his staff - the Minister of Business - Minister of Energy - Chairperson of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro or the CEO of NLH - all paid for by the people - except the Chairperson - but he got 15 million from government for his communications company - all get off their behinds and do their jobs. Why is it necessary for Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro to pay some unelected Conservative hack in Ottawa to have "communications" with the PM and Ministers?

What specifically are you paid to lobby for Tim?
Have you been instructed on what to ask the feds for with regard to the Lower Churchill development? Have you seen the elusive energy plan or draft thereof? How much are you paid by our Crown Corporation? Who do you speak on behalf of? What have been the results? What have any of the office holders said to you?

You see as one of the owners of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro - I for one want the details. Next time you are on CTV sparring with Scott Reid - give us some answers.

Here's how a reasonably minded person could see this. You hop in a cab - run down to the CTV studios - while there you spin the Prime Minister's message - then you hop back in the cab and run to the PMO and spin CTV's message. You call it lobbying - I call it political prostitution. It would be good to remember Tim this is a democracy - and likely will be more of one when Harper is defeated.

On your issue with the IFAW - why not take the reference to them off the Summa site -if you don't want to recall the services and strategy you provided them. It remains however all over the Internet. Why don't you tell us specifically what advice and strategy you gave them. You are originally from Newfoundland and Labrador Tim - so I assume you know the damage that organization has tried to cause this province and our fishermen.

Of course Hydro is just one client:
Here are some of your others.
How do you get all those interests packed into a cup of tea at the PMO or Privy Council?

The Canadian Transit Company
Oracle
CANADIAN INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS (CICA)
Invista (Canada) Company
and more....

Remember Tim - none of these clients (organizations or companies) are voters - we are - and the access you sell to the PMO's ear is interesting. Is that what it takes to get something done in Canada?

I am not a fan of lobbyists - unless it is unpaid and for the public good.

One last question - how do the "informal" conversations on hydro go? Something like this? I know you and the Premier really can't stand each other - and he's promised to wipe you out of Newfoundland and Labrador - but how about that loan guarantee for the Lower Churchill? Loyola is really not up to meeting with you today and Dean and Ed are tied up so - it's all on me now?

Simm's fair in lobbyist Coverage

Update:
I am pleased - as we all should be - that VOCM open-line lived up to it's name. Host Randy Simms let free speech flow this morning (August 9-07)- and allowed questions on real lobbyists - who we have employed. Kudo's to Randy! Maybe we will be all the more educated for it.


That is what is being practised on VOCM - when we cannot mention the name Summa Strategies Inc. as lobbyists for Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and former lobbyists for the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

This is public information. This at least can be verified. Summa lists IFAW under their Track Record section - as an organization which has benefited from their services. Further Summa and the Federal Lobbyist Registry confirms that they are employed to lobby on behalf of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.

There is no problem however letting people place innuendo on the air by hosts and others that I "may" be working for somebody therefore my public commentary is purchased. The absolute crap that was permitted on by VOCM by callers - that I am working for one political party or another over the past year. Untrue - but VOCM did not block that. Yet information available on a federal government site and listed on the companies own website is "private".

Double standard. The question is WHY?

Here are the LINKS

IFAW and SUMMA

Summa and Hydro

Summa and IFAW

Summa and Hydro

Harper's Talking Head - Hydro's Lobbyist in Ottawa

MORE SUMMA NEWS

What's up Danny?
Timothy Powers - Vice President Communications Summa Strategies and Stephen Harper's talking head - has been hired by Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro to lobby Ottawa on the Lower Churchill. (You know the guy who spars with Liberal Scott Reid on the national networks)

Yep - Timothy along with Summa Consultant Lobbyist Katie Green of Ontario are helping us out with the Lower Churchill development and the east-west power grid.

Well fine team there Dean and Danny - how does that work - Steve's talking head who defends the Prime Minister for screwing Newfoundland and Labrador on equalization - is giving us a hand with the Lower Churchill.

Then there's Katie Green from Ontario - she's gonna help us how? Let me see - convince Ottawa to build an east west power grid so that Ontario can get our power?

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is paying for this?

and if all this was not enough the two of them and Chair of Summa Doug Young have all been involved with lobbying Ottawa for the IFAW - against our seal harvest.

What a joke Premier - what else don't we know? Who is writing the Energy Plan - did Summa have any input there too?

The best part - Tim gets paid whether he's successful or not.

For those Sue's Blog readers who like the details CLICK HERE TO SEE the Lobbyist Registry Information in Ottawa.

Below is a portion of Tim's registration - one of his registrations:

Registration type: Consultant Lobbyist
Lobbyist number: 13527
Registration number: 13527-34
Effective date: 2007-03-09

A. Lobbyist and Firm Information

Prefix: Mr.
Last Name: Powers
First Name: Timothy
Preferred Language: English

Position Title: Vice President, Summa Strategies
Name of Lobbyist's Firm: Summa Strategies
Business Address of the Lobbyist:
City: Ottawa
Province or State: Ontario
Country: Canada

B. Client Information

Name of Client: Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro

Name of Principal Representative: Ed Martin
Address 1: P.O Box 12400
C. Other Beneficiaries

None

D. Subject-matters: Areas of concern

Areas of Concern: Aboriginal Affairs, Energy, Environment, Fisheries, Industry, Infrastructure, Regional Development

E. Subject-matters: Particulars

Categories Particulars

Policy or Program Assistance related to the Lower Churchill Project. Development of National East-West energy grid.

F. Government Institutions

Name of department or other government institutions: 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

G. Government Funding

Is your client funded in whole or in part by any government or government agency? No

H. Contingency Fees

Payment is contingent on the success of the undertaking: No

I. Communication Techniques

Techniques of communication that you have used or expect to use in the course of the undertaking: Arrange one or more meetings, Meetings, Written communications, whether in hard copy or electronic format, Telephone calls, Informal communications
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice section G
HUH?
I think that answer must have been in error Tim.

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro has its loans guaranteed by the province and is listed as an agency of Government.

Hydro Patronizes Company who lobbied for the IFAW

Sue's Blog readers know the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is no friend of ours. Their blatant use of our seal hunt to fill their coffers should be unacceptable to us all. That's why we have choices. When a Crown Corporation does business with a company - they should check the firm out.

In this case Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro should have checked Summa Strategies Canada.

Here's what they do:

Summa Strategies Canada Inc. provides strategic consultation and government relations and the development and management of public policy.

If we need public relations - research and development of public policy - or strategic consultation - perhaps we should employ people in Newfoundland and Labrador - especially with respect to energy issues. In either case the province has chosen Summa out of Ontario.

Well Summa also lists the IFAW as a client. Great - the company who has been involved in strategic planning for an organization planning to end the seal hunt - will get a contract from Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. Not acceptable - we have control of this. There are other companies including Newfoundland and Labrador companies that can do this work. Even if government should want to hide these discussions and are planning to woo the people with energy policy messaging - they can use somebody else in Canada.

It makes us look foolish - don't you think.

So Dean MacDonald let's see if you can do something with this fiasco.

Click Here to visit Summa