The provincial government’s promised Independent Review Committee, revealed today, will examine whether the MOU being negotiated with Hydro Quebec on Upper Churchill expansion is in the best long-term interest of the people of this province – and the result will be brought to a referendum.
Premier Tony Wakeham told reporters today the process being laid out will take longer than the April deadline set to finalize the MOU, but he’s “okay with that.”
“This is about getting the best deal, not getting the fastest deal, and I will not be rushed by any artificial deadline.”
The committee will also have the ability to commission independent technical, financial, legal and “any other analyses they require.”
Former Emera President and CEO Chris Huskilson will chair the Independent Review Committee, which will also include two members of the previous oversight panel – Dr. Guy Holburn, and also Michael Wilson, who famously resigned from the same panel.
The premier says the committee will have four months to complete their work and a full final report will be tabled in the House of Assembly and shared publicly.
Premier Wakeham says he’s confident in the new committee and is suggesting that whatever the committee’s findings, the people of Newfoundland and Labrador will have a say.
Opposition energy critic, Fred Hutton speaks with reporters after the Premier’s news conference (VOCM News)
Opposition parties respond
Opposition energy critic Fred Hutton says independent reviews were conducted on the MOU before the finalization process began.
“JP Morgan came up, and did an independent review; we had Power Advisory, they did an independent review; we had two law firms, one from Toronto, one from here, working on this….and then with the cooperation of the independents and the NDP, we appointed the independent review panel. The PCs did not vote on it; they walked out of the House (of Assembly.)”
NDP Leader Jim Dinn (VOCM News)
The NDP’s Jim Dinn says he’s no more assured by the current process than he was with the one set up under the previous government.
“Overall, it’s disappointing,” says Dinn.
Earlier story
The provincial government’s promised Independent Review Committee, revealed today, will examine whether the MOU being negotiated with Hydro Quebec on Upper Churchill expansion is in the best long-term interest of the people of this province.
The committee will also have the ability to commission independent technical, financial, legal and “any other analyses they require.”
Former Emera President and CEO Chris Huskilson will chair the Independent Review Committee, which will also include two members of the previous oversight panel – Dr. Guy Holburn, and also Michael Wilson, who famously resigned from the same panel.
The premier says the committee will have four months to complete their work and a full final report will be tabled in the House of Assembly and shared publicly.
The previous government indicated that the MOU must be finalized by April.
