Premier John Hogan says the Churchill Falls MOU with Quebec remains on track for signing next spring regardless of Ottawa’s potential involvement.
Both the massive hydro development and the offshore Bay du Nord project made the cut for the feds’ so-called nation-building projects, which can be fast-tracked due to national significance.
Prime Minister Mark Carney praised both projects during a stop in St. John’s yesterday to announce millions in tariff relief for the Atlantic region.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier John Hogan (VOCM News)
The PM also met with Hogan, who later told media while he’d welcome federal help to develop Churchill Falls faster for cheaper, he insisted the MOU stands on its own merits and benefits to this province.
Hogan welcomes ‘informed opinion’
As for the naysayers, Hogan says he’s always open to informed opinion on the topic.
“As I continue to look at it as a whole, and answer the questions, look at the allegations that are out there … some of which are just not factually correct, I continue to be comfortable that we’re moving in the right direction, but also knowing that I appreciate the questions and concerns and I’ll always look at those as we move toward finalizing those agreements.”
Energy NL CEO Charlene Johnson (VOCM News file photo)
Two projects on federal list a ‘turning point’ for province says Energy NL
Meanwhile, Energy NL’s Charlene Johnson described having two projects on the federal list as “the TSN Turning Point” for the industry.
Johnson also had the ear of the PM yesterday, bending it on the potential of other energy sources in the province, including liquified natural gas (LNG) and onshore wind.
Johnson says there’s been a serious sea-change in policy in a short period of time.
“Hearing Churchill Falls and Bay du Nord on this list really represented the TSN Turning Point for us,” she said. “”If you look at my seven years here and the previous federal government, it has been a struggle to even hear the word ‘oil,’ with talk of Bay du Nord being probably the last oil project in Canada. (But) I haven’t seen this level, this feeling of opportunity in a very long time.”
