A group of prominent leaders in Newfoundland and Labrador have banded together to try to convince the provincial government to abandon the current MOU with Quebec on hydro development in Labrador.
Former politicians, high-ranking civil servants and business people say the MOU must be restructured with each component addressed on a stand-alone basis. They call the MOU the biggest strategic error in the history of Newfoundland and Labrador in that it hands Hydro Quebec a monopoly over Churchill River power.
The Churchill River and Churchill Falls (Government of Newfoundland and Labrador)
Premier John Hogan says he welcomes questions about the deal, but is confident that the vast majority of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians want the deal to be finalized and the benefits to flow.
“We’ve had two strikes and this is our last chance to get it right,” says Premier Hogan.”
“It’s clear that Hydro Quebec feels that now is the time to figure out where they are going to get their power and if not Labrador, they will look to other markets.”
The signatories include Danny Williams, Ches Crosbie, Jack Harris, Bernard Coffey, Bob Noseworthy of the Canadian Construction Association, and former deputy minister of finance and NL Hydro board member Rollie Martin.
