The spring brought with it the final chapter of a project that hung like a mill stone around the province’s neck for years.

After years of delays and billions in cost overruns, the Muskrat Falls project was finally commissioned on April 12. The Labrador-Island Link, the last piece of the puzzle, passed its second round of high-powered testing on April 8.

The project ballooned in cost from a forecast $7.4 billion at sanction, to over $13 billion. Critics of the project called the commissioning designation “premature“, expressing concern over the lack of testing with 900-megawatt loads.

The full financial impact of the troubled project is expected to hit ratepayers in 2024, with final costs yet to be announced.

Playing Hard Shell

The conflict in the snow crab fishery escalated in April.

The price of crab was set at $2.20 a pound, a price the FFAW called “unsustainable“. Harvesters refused to take to the water, leaving boats tied up.

What followed was a months-long back and forth between the FFAW and the Association of Seafood producers, playing out in the media, in government meetings and on the streets as harvesters rallied for a higher price. The ASP continued to hold its position, refusing to negotiate further on a price.

The back-and-forth spilled over to the House of Assembly, with the opposition and government clashing numerous times during the spring sitting. Amid calls from the FFAW, Premier Andrew Furey revealed that the province had written the federal government, requesting flexibility on EI qualifications for those affected by the delay.

There would be no resolution in the billion-dollar industry until late May.

Presidential Exit

In April, the other shoe dropped at the province’s only university.

Following a six-week paid leave of absence, Memorial University President Vianne Timmons announced she was stepping down. The decision came after intense scrutiny over her Indigenous ancestry claims, having recently accepted an Indspire Award, described as “the highest honour the Indigenous community bestows upon its own people.”

Timmons had come under fire for personal spending allotted in her contract, tuition hikes and her treatment of vocal critics of her leadership.

Following her departure, it was revealed her departure was labelled “without cause”, making her eligible for nearly $700,000 in severance pay. MUNFA and MUNSU both spoke out following Timmons’ departure, calling for a change in how the university finds its next president.

Dr. Neil Bose was appointed to the role for the time being.

Findings

On April 10, the RNC announced the arrest of two St. John’s men—80-year-old Bruce Escott and 62-year-old Tony Humby—in connection with an investigation into historic incidents of sexual assault against young people, dating as far back as 1995.

Additional charges against both men were added over the next few days and would continue to be added throughout 2023. In June, two properties near Hussey Drive were seized as part of the investigation. Police continued to add charges as both men made court appearances.

In total, Humby faces a total of 32 charges and Escott a total of 14 related to 11 people according to the RNC.

The men remain in custody and the matter is before the courts.

Easter Tragedy

On April 11, police found a body in a burned out vehicle in the area of Glover Road in Harbour Grace, later identified as 34-year-old Adam Mercer. He was last seen alive on Easter Sunday.

Later that week, police ruled the case a homicide and a widespread investigation was launched.

On April 26, police released more information, saying they believe multiple people were involved in the man’s murder and had identified multiple suspects and suspect vehicles. Police also appealed to the public to come forward with any information, as their investigation suggested there were witnesses yet to come forward.

To date, no arrests have been made and the investigation continues.