The Independent Churchill River Negotiation Oversight Panel is offering some clarification on the nature of its role and work in light of recent public discussion and questions raised about the recent resignation of a panel member.
Mike Wilson publicly released his letter of resignation this week after stepping down in May, citing his belief that the panel’s independence had become “impaired.” He also indicated that he “no longer believed the panel’s reports would meet the expectations and needs of the public.”
That’s prompted a response from the oversight panel itself.
The panel, which was created in January, was established to provide “independent, expert oversight of the ongoing negotiations between NL Hydro and Hydro Quebec.”
The panel itself does not participate in negotiations but regularly reports its findings and advice to cabinet. Each quarter, the panel provides a confidential, comprehensive report and recommendations to Cabinet, and the panel members are required to sign confidentiality agreements which prevent them from discussing details in public.
A public summary of its activities is also posted to the panel’s website, and does not disclose its findings or recommendations due to commercial confidentiality.
The panel says its reports are informed by the review and analysis of “hundreds of pages of internal documents, and by interviews with NL Hydro’s board, its executives, and with financial, legal, technical and power market advisors including JPMorgan Chase, Stikeman Elliott, McInnes Cooper and Power Advisory.”
