Premier Tony Wakeham is vowing to complete an independent review of the current MOU between NL Hydro and Hydro Quebec “fairly quickly.”

In Opposition, Wakeham suggested that the MOU should be paused – but with the governing Coalition Avenir in Quebec facing potential defeat in next year’s Quebec provincial election, the window of opportunity to reach a deal could close.

Some have suggested that a delay in finalizing the MOU will kill the deal with another chance to work a hydro development agreement unlikely under a Parti Quebecois government.

Wakeham says his goal is to ensure that any MOU with Quebec is in the best interests of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and he expects to appoint someone outside the political process to review the current deal in short order.

He says the full public release of former Oversight Panel member Mike Wilson’s resignation letter provides the proof necessary for an independent review.

“Looking at that letter, that will be self-explanatory” Wakeham told VOCM Open Line. “There needs to be an independent review and another analysis done…we’re talking about a 50 plus commitment here that is going to have significant impact on the people of Newfoundland and Labrador for generations to come and we have to get it right.”

The letter outlines three main reasons for Wilson’s resignation.

They include a difference in the interpretation of the panel’s scope, issues with oversight mechanisms – including being told by the clerk “how” the panel should undertake its oversight responsibilities, and a new responsibility being added that the panel must opine on the definitive agreements – which Wilson argues is not within the panel’s mandate.

Wakeham hopes to have the independent review process started in the “next couple of weeks” and have it done “fairly quickly.”