NDP leader Jim Dinn has written to Premier Tony Wakeham raising concerns about their commitment to hold a referendum.

Dinn says he is “deeply concerned” about the party’s decision to hold a referendum, especially in light of Quebec Premier Francois Legault’s resignation last week.

He argues that if a referendum is not done in a transparent manner and without adequate public engagement it could jeopardize the deal.

Dinn asks questions around when the referendum will be held, if its results will be binding, how the public will be engaged, the estimated cost, what the threshold will be for acceptance, and clarification around timelines to get the final deals done.

Dinn also wants answers as to what the backup plan is, if the deals fall through, to ensure Labrador West has access to the power it needs to sustain itself and grow.

He doesn’t believe government has considered that possibility, noting that the Mayor of Labrador city – former NDP MHA Jordan Brown –  has said people are already worried.

Meanwhile, Dinn says government wants to have a referendum on the MOU – but what about other megaprojects? “Are we going to have a referendum on the Bay du Nord project, or are they going to let the experts make that decision? There’s an inconsistency here on so many levels, (and) that is troubling.”