Independent MHA Paul Lane is calling the Premier’s previous commitment to electricity rates “smoke and mirrors”.
According to Lane, the Premier and his Government have said throughout the spring election that “neither taxpayers nor rate payers will have to pay for the increased electricity costs when Muskrat Falls Comes on-line”.
The Independent MHA is questioning the Premier’s new commitment to keep electricity rates from doubling by saying it “represents a huge shift in policy, albeit perhaps a more realistic and truthful one”.
Lane says that for months he and opposition members have been asking to sit at the table with Government to discuss rate mitigation, and demanding to see a plan for public debate, to no avail.
Lane believes it is clear that the reason for the Government’s hesitancy is because there is no plan and it is likely to become evident when the people of the province receive their electricity bill.
The MHA is calling on the Premier to come clean and put his money where his mouth is when it comes to true collaboration within the House of Assembly.
Lane says that if there was ever an issue for which all hands should be working together for the province, it is this one.