Tony Wakeham returned to the hardcourts of MUN yesterday, not as a player, coach or ref, but to bestow the annual Premier’s Athletic Awards on the province’s top young athletes.
He then spared a few minutes for VOCM News on the MOU and the outgoing premier of Quebec.
“It’s been a few years now since I ran up and down on this floor …”
Wakeham was in his element at the Field House as he gripped and grinned with dozens of up-and-comers, along with household names like Abby Newhook and Gavin Baggs.
Following the formalities, the premier paused for a few questions, first reiterating that the pending departure of Quebec Premier Francois Legault doesn’t change a thing for the MOU, saying it’s only about what’s best for this province.
Wakeham also said he’ll work with whoever replaces Legault, but he’s had no contact with potential successors.
Same goes for the independent committee reviewing the MOU, with no correspondence since they began their work last month.
Finally, asked if he’s given any thought to the question for a referendum, the premier said it’s too soon to think about.
“It’s too early to talk about that yet,” he said. “I mean we’ve got to wait until we have a deal in place; right now we only have an MOU.”
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Energy Critic says Time is Ticking to Get Deal Done
Fred Hutton (VOCM News file photo)
The energy critic is puled as to how Premier Wakeham could declare that nothing has changed with the resignation of Premier Legault.
MHA Fred Hutton says everything has changed since the signing of the MOU, and he believes that time to legally solidify the tentative agreement to do away with the current Churchill Falls agreement is whittling away.
Hutton says not only has there been a change in government in this province, but also a change in the leadership at Hydro Quebec since the MOU was signed in December 2024. He says the changes indicate to him that the window of is closing to get a definitive agreement in place.
