Quebec Premier-elect and PQ Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has indicated that he intends to keep the hydro deal reached with Newfoundland and Labrador intact.
St-Pierre Plamondon will form a minority government in neighbouring Quebec after a provincial election that saw the complete decimation of the former governing Coalition Avenir – and despite garnering only 30 per cent of the popular vote.
On the question of Churchill Falls, St-Pierre Plamondon has no problem with the deal in principle, and while his party has a few months to ensure the agreement serves the interest of Quebeckers, he sees the process as a typical exercise in due diligence.
Joël-Denis Bellavance (La Presse)
In the meantime, Joel-Denis Bellavance of La Presse told the Tim Powers Show, the new Quebec premier has a careful balancing act to play with a hugely popular Prime Minister who supports the deal.
He says a recent La Presse poll shows Mark Carney enjoys a 51 per cent approval rating in Quebec, something not seen in that province in decades.
PQ Not Focused on Tearing Up Deal, says Wakeham
(VOCM News)
Premier Tony Wakeham says he will underscore the potential for both provinces in the new Churchill Falls deal when he speaks with the incoming PQ premier of Quebec.
Tony Wakeham says his team reached out to the premier-elect Tuesday night with the hope that the two would speak today.
Wakeham says the PQ’s election message wasn’t about “tearing anything up;” it was more focused on review.
He says he’s looking forward to having a conversation with the premier-elect, and while “there’s work to be done” he’s optimistic both province’s will be able to move forward on the deal.
Wakeham wants to emphasize to St-Pierre Plamondon the opportunities that exist, not just now, but into the future.
He says the deal goes beyond what will happen in the next five to 10 years; it is about the opportunities long-term.
