Premier Danny Williams is threatening to go to the Competition Bureau or take other legal action if Hydro-Quebec completes a rumoured plan to take over the assets of NB Power.
Media reports have been circulating since last week that a deal is in the works and New Brunswick wants to get rid of the heavily indebted utility.
"When this deal rolls out, we will analyze it and if it looks like this deal is not good for the people of Atlantic Canada, the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, the people of the country, then we would certainly look at going before the Competition Bureau with an anti-competitive claim. Then if there's other legal recourse we'd have to look at, we're quite prepared to do that as well," Williams told reporters Monday.
He accused Hydro-Quebec of making a "despicable" power grab and trying to block Newfoundland and Labrador's access to the U.S. Eastern Seaboard so it can get Lower Churchill power for a meagre rate and make a big profit from its resale.
"Hydro Quebec is saying, 'We've got the Upper Churchill, we're going to take that up to 2041. And now we're going to try to bring them to their knees on the Lower Churchill,'" Williams said.
"I gotta tell you that will be over my dead body."
By going after NB Power, he said, Quebec is trying to monopolize the grid and become the gateway to the U.S. electricity market.
"It's an attempt to hold us to ransom. It's never enough for Hydro-Quebec. They have the benefit of a deal to Newfoundland and Labrador that takes them out to 2041 whereby they are going to get over a billion a year from us," he said.
Williams came out swinging on the weekend at the Tory convention in Gander, where he lambasted Hydro-Quebec for walking away Friday from signing a water-sharing agreement for the Churchill River.
It's now up to this province's Public Utilities Board to arbitrate an agreement between Hydro-Quebec and this province.
"It's a heavy-handed tactic they are taking. But you know, Newfoundland and Labrador is not going to put up with that from Hydro-Quebec," Williams said Monday.
He said it's up to New Brunswick whether or not to sell its power assets, but he warned the deal could be bad for people in that province in the long run.
"I have a word of caution to the people of New Brunswick: make sure you don't do something shortsighted that's going to cut off the future for New Brunswick," Williams said.
He said if Hydro-Quebec takes over the NB Power's debt, "you can rest assured Hydro-Quebec is going to get that back."
Meanwhile, NDP Leader Lorraine Michael said while Williams boasts about his negotiating prowess, recent events surrounding Hydro-Quebec indicate the opposite.
The legislature was convened in September for a special two-day session to change the wording of the legislation on water rights for the Churchill River after Hydro-Quebec's lawyers raised concerns. Michael said that suggested barriers were being overcome to the Lower Churchill negotiations.
"We're putting a lot of money into energy company Nalcor - $589 million invested. ... Yet here we are not able to get anywhere with Quebec," she said.
"It doesn't bode well for the future. ... If (Williams) is such a brilliant negotiator, why can't he and his people come up with ways to thwart what Quebec is doing?"
As for Williams' fighting words, she said Williams should realize - based on his getting nowhere with Prime Minister Stephen Harper - that his public antagonism isn't effective.
"Maybe it's a sign of desperation on his part," Michael said.
Liberal Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones said in a news release the proposed sale of NB Power demonstrates how unprepared the Williams government is when dealing with route options for the Lower Churchill development.
Jones noted that in September, Natural Resources Minister Kathy Dunderdale downplayed the missed opportunity to bid on transmission capacity through New Brunswick when requests for proposals were issued in 2008. Instead, Hydro-Quebec purchased all excess capacity on the New Brunswick grid.
"This is a continuous cycle of this government. When they haven't done their homework, they throw their hands up in the air and find someone else to blame. If government participated in the request for proposal process in 2008, we would be in a better position today with more transmission options available," Jones said
"We've seen this haphazard approach from the premier before on the Lower Churchill, " she said.
"He was willing to put transmission lines through Gros Morne National Park, but recently took that option off the table, saying he was only kidding. It appears the premier is unprepared to deal with the real circumstances facing the transmission of power from the Lower Churchill."
bsweet@thetelegram.com
Premier vows to stop Hydro-Quebec's power grab
Premier Danny Williams speaks with reporters Monday outside the House of Assembly. - Photo by Gary Hebbard/The Telegram
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Published on
October 27, 2009
- Published on June 30, 2010
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Barb Sweet
Danny Williams calls utility 'despicable' in its attempt to take over NB Power
Premier Danny Williams is threatening to go to the Competition Bureau or take other legal action if Hydro-Quebec completes a rumoured plan to take over the assets of NB Power.
Media reports have been circulating since last week that a deal is in the works and New Brunswick wants to get rid of the heavily indebted utility.
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Comments
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- Michael
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:04:51
People think that a contract is unbreakable. That is totally false. As long as the party involved is compensated, then the contract can be broken. It is done in business all the time and also in politics.
Newfoundland has every LEGAL right to break the Upper Churchill contract. The only catch is to live up to the actual contract. Newfoundland can pay Quebec their allotted price and then say, F--- O--. I was waiting for Mr. Williams to take on the Upper and Lower Churchill situation, and I am so that it will happen now. The next couple of months will be monumental and a lot of things will be changed. I can't speculate on the outcome, but I am 100% sure that Mr. Williams will win.
A just cause is everything to a JUST person. I believe that Mr. Williams will go all the way with this cause. I am surely glad that the Upper and Lower Churchill is finally on Danny's radar. I, personally, wanted him to do this fight earlier, but it is happening now, so it is OK. I wholeheartedly believe that we can win this fight. I say, support the fight!! -
- B
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:04:22
Ah taxpayer did you read the story it states that we have already invested $589 million into Nalcor. I guess you are a typical PC, hiding what you spent and where.
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- Truth
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:01:03
Calvin, you are blinded by the man's personal fortune, and he IS in it for his insatiable ego, need for control and power, and for his own personal legacy. Anyone trying to claim otherwise is a fool and a pure Danny sycophant.
Don, tell it like it is, brother!!! -
- Orville
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:00:54
If Newfoundland separates from Canada, the hydro deal between Quebec (as a province of Canada) and Newfoundland (as a province of Canada) ceases to exist. We throw the switch, keep our billion dollars a year, control our own fishery and coastal waterways/limits and tell Ottawa to take a flying leap.
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- IdiotDon
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:00:47
Don. You sir are an Idiot.
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- Michael
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:57:42
Quebec did try to stop Newfoundland from moving 250 megawatts of power from Upper Churchill, but the United States electricity regulator sided with Newfoundland and made(forced) Hydro Quebec to abide by the rules. This only happened in 2008, but it took Newfoundland almost 5 years to gain this advantage, because Hydro Quebec stalled, lied, appealed, and misrepresented the facts and requests of Newfoundland Hydro. When Mr. Williams announced that the 2008 agreement was monumental, it was because the US regulator made Quebec allow Newfoundland power go through the US.
Hydro Quebec was pissed!! After almost 5 years Newfoundland did succeed. If you want to google and try most words associated with the Lower Churchill terminology, you will find the articles from the US which clearly states that Hydro Quebec was challenged by Newfoundland and lost. Mr. Williams and Nalcor is doing a lot more than meets the eye. I can assure you of that!!
Mr Ed Howlett(some PR guy who uses his PR as facts)(JOKE) ,NDP Leader Lorraine Michael, and Liberal Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones are always calling Mr. Williams a liar and I think they are so off base. Maybe Mr. Williams should show every appeal and letter that he sends to everyone, but knowing the oppositions stupidness, it wouldn't matter!! -
- Taxpayer
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:57:26
Yes Joan, we need a strong, well spoken leader like Ms. Jones to take over the negotiations. Then we would see real progress...right?
And...(yawn) Nalcor didn't really cost us anything...it was already there.Hebron is on track, and ahead of schedule, as well the White Rose field announced yesterday that they are going ahead with a multi billion dollar upgrade.
C'mon desperate Liberals...you can do better than that...can't you?LMAO -
- Newfoundlander
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:57:25
Ok
To Orville-- separation to solve the hydro issue is simplistic at best. While I doubt your analysis that separation would void the contract , lets assume for a moment it is true. newfoundland would still have no route for the power (since any access rights would have become void at the same time would they not??)-- You would again be faced with Quebec saying what it wanted.
Hebron-- Without Premier William's relatively last minute intervention, a Chevron led project team would have moved to NL in 2006 and first oil was scheduled for 2012-13. Premier Williams got his few very visible concessions so he could proclaim a win but I seriously doubt how much of a win it was considering the at least 5 year delay in the project so he could purchase equity . Plus now Hebron is led by ExxonMobil who are the most combative of the oil companies.
This matter-- I wish Premier Williams well in any Competition Act fight but in this case he will be fighting for access for power generation that does not yet exist nor is it yet scheduled to exist. I don't know why NB Power would want to sell out but that is fundamentally the right of NB to do what is best for their province. So while I understand Premier Williams fears, much of this is something that the parties involved would see as none of his business -
- Gerry
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:57:22
Wouldn't it be a pleasant and sensible departure for Jones and Michael to toss off their partisan political blankets, just for one occasion, and direct their support behind premier Williams and the majority of residents of this province in the stance being taken against Quebec? The powers that be, and the people, in La belle Provence, must be getting their thrills just watching the angered reactions of Premier Williams as they further tighten the screws on him and the residents of our Province, while at the same time howling with laughter at the fact that the Opposition leaders Jones and Michael are being among his strongest critics. Since Quebec has so successfully screwed Newfoundland in the past and continues to do so, why would Jones and Michael and their parties want to be so blatant in what appears to be their position of support for Quebec?
Politics is surely a rotten game. Even when a major part of our future's financial well-being (and that of future generations of our children and grandchildren) are at stake, the Opposition
says Yes Quebec, screw Danny and the rest of Newfoundland in whatever way you can, and Yes Go for It New Brunswick, we would rather you two do this to us than give any backing to the the present NL Government and Danny Williams .
It is so painful to watch dirty politics as it plays out its most juvenile performance. And in this instance the players are Quebec and New Brunswick supported (so it appears) by the two ladies in waiting in Newfoundland , Jones and Michael.
Premier Williams and the people of Newfoundland & Labrador need strong backing in this an on-going battle with that part of Canada which is always out to hammer us into the ground. I only wish Jones and Michael would do some very serious personal internalizing and
contemplation on this issue in the best interests of the Province, as opposed to the interests of partisan politics. -
- JohnL
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:55:08
It does not matter what Premier Williams wants not what the people of New Brunswick would like.
It is what the Irvings want and they own New Brunswick.
A phone call from one of the Irvings could stop or let this happen -
- Telling it Like
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:54:36
Joan, as a previous Fort Mac boy I can honestly say, you're full of it.
Hebron Ben Nevis...that project the entire province and then some is hoping will get them a job, is not happening until at least 2018 because that's the time Chevron and it's partners plan to have it happen with Front-End-Engineering and design work.
Danny Williams is demanding the attention and respect of his neighboring provinces and all you do is complain that he's doing a shyte job.
Oh, as for that claim of people wanting to move home....that was just a ploy by the real estate companies. They saw you, him, her, everyone who purchased when that deal was signed coming. Ha! -
- Jon
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:54:05
Joan, a gravity based structure doesn't get built in a week. Your posts are useless.
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- Taxpayer
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:53:04
To B. The moneies that have been spent on Nalcor are the same monies that would have been spent before all the separate entities were put under one umbrella. To Don, I did some research and couldn't find any info on the State of Maine disallowing a cable, or the Irving group of companies generating, and trasmitting power to the U.S. Could you point out where you got this information. As well, Mr. Williams is doing his best to address the situation with NB Power, and HQ.
Let me also remind Don, and the rest of the poor 'ol desparate Liberals that Premier Williams was democratically elected, and by repeatedly calling him a dictator proves how petty and childlike you, and your co-horts really are. -
- RODGER
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:52:20
DANNY . KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK ,DON'T GIVE ANYTHING AWAY ,THIS IS OUR FUTURE.
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- Michael
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:52:07
Who is Joan??????
All she does is moan and complain. What a joke, I hope she doesn't smoke??
Anyway, Why does everyone think that Danny runs the whole show? How stupid!
Danny is a guide, and a good one, I would say. He is mirroring what average Newfoundanders have to say. He does have a staff and they are performing well. I, personally, don't see any problem with being told what to do. You have to work for your employer!! It sounds like everyone on this blog doesn't like their job or respect their boss.
Join the real world of work. I wish I didn't work, but it affords me the luxuries of life and being able to use high speed internet.
I am totally disgusted with the opposition in Newfoundland. Instead of them rallying around Mr. Williams and his LEGITIMATE fight, they are complaining. What a joke!!
I believe in gender equality, but if all the women we elect only believe in spending money in order to make people happy, then we are in BIG trouble!! -
- Truth
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:51:53
Danny doesn't like being beaten at his own game and not having total, um, POWER!!!
Looks good on ya, Dictator. And that picture just captures the essence of this man. -
- John
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:51:02
The province of Newfoundland and Labrador sure is fortunate to be located next to the nation of Quebec. The Quebecois are such good friends -- they would never dream of engaging in beggar-thy-neighbour skulduggery. Churchill Falls (upper and lower) and the Labrador boundary are just two examples of Quebec's goodwill. Newfoundlanders should be overjoyed to be part of such a wonderful country as Canada where provinces co-operate with one another for the mutual benefit of all. Oh, by the way, it was only yesterday that I saw pigs flying outside my window!
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- Charles Morriseau
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:49:58
Before someone calls me a hater you should know I married a lovely lady from Corner Brook over 40 years ago that makes me a lover not a hater. To Mr Bones the resident know everything about Danny Williams person. Please sir get some original material with substance not just come here and call all of us Danny haters. We know how much you love him. Sorry about some of the spelling mistakes French being my first language and all, but believe it or not I am getting better. Have yourself a great day and remember there was before Danny Williams and there will be life after Danny Williams. The world dosent actually revolve around him. sorry if I may have offended anyone with that comment but I think its true.
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- Funky
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:49:22
I applaud the premier on his stance on this issue and trying to protect a valuable asset for Newfoundland and Labrador. But sometimes I wish he would tone down the rhetoric. He can still be strong and forceful in the media without using a lot of the language he uses now.
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- Taxpayer
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:48:45
I just have to add that you costantly hear that because of Mr. Williams' ABC campaign, and his tough stance with Ottawa, we get little from Harper. Don't forget that we always received nothing from Ottawa. At least now we are not sucking up to them and receiving nothing, at least now when we get our usual slap in the face from ottawa we let them know how we feel.
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- Dic
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:48:16
B from NL is now quoting misquotes - too funny. Just because something was already there doesn't mean nothing was ever spent on it previously. Kinda like your education, you've clearly spent nothing on it, but your parents spent taxes to put you through at least grade school didn't they ? What a waste of money...
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- B
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:47:57
Hey there Dic your name says it all. I have a top notch education which I paid for myself, and it was money well spent. I am not a Liberal and I certainly don't support this current excuse for a government. Where is all the money? Where are the jobs and prosperity? Why is it that property values are only going up in St.John's? The oil will be long gone before 2041, so is Churchill falls gonna pay your EI/Welfare cheques for you? Talking about my education, just read your second sentence and tell me if that jumbled garble is supposed to represent a sentence. But I am not here to insult people with inferior IQ's, just pointing out some things that people disregard for their own convenience. It doesn't matter when or what the money was spent on, but it was still tax payers dollars, and it was still spent for nothing. When Hydro Quebec buys out NB power we are screwed, and you may as well have invested your money in unicorns, because we will be dead ended and have noone to sell our power to. If this government could see past their next oil paycheque and had been paying attention to the fact that NB power was their only corridor to the US market, and that the company could be bought, we wouldn't be here held hostage by Quebec. But if you like to be Quebecs b!tch for the rest of it then by all means enjoy supporting Dummy Dan, his little mans syndrome is his biggest downfall.
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- Bones II
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:47:36
You haters really need to read some books and git a bit a learnin' on, lol. Quebec jerked NL completely out of Upper Churchill profits and are now milking an NL RESOURCE to the tune of 1 billion annually. They will do this until 2041! Why on earth would anyone believe they are in this for any other reason than to do some more milking? It looks like NB is hurting for cash, just as NL was, and Quebec Hydro is right there to ream them too. Once they buy this, NB's fate and future is sealed, make no mistake.
One day in the future, however, Quebec Hydro is going to find itself in the precarious position of hoping NL is going to treat them fairly - I predict 2041, lol - Watch them act all surprised and wonder why when NL tells em all to eff off.
By then, the Hebron field will be well into production too making it that much sweeter. Anyone seen the details of that deal?! I wonder if we'll discover anything on the west coast by then?
Grimes, Reid, Michael, Jones, and whoever else can only be green with envy. They have nothing beyond what-ifs. -
- Taxpayer
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:47:29
Yes it's good to see that the resident haters have found an ally...and guess who? A person from quebec no less. That beautiful province that still has a federal, and a provincial party whose manifesto has at its heart the destruction of our country. You have the nerve to look down your nose at us, and speak to us about our province, and our premier. Well, all you have to do is look at who agrees with you to see where you are comming from.
My condolences to your wife, she must be ashamed to call herself a true Newfoundlander. -
- Charles Morriseau
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:46:43
Sorry to raid your Danny Williams love in here people but did any of you ever stop to think that while your premier was so busy bitchin and complainin about everyone else our premier was out workiong on our behalf and was able to negotiate what appears to be a very good deal for our province. Here its not about him its all about us. Premier Williams on several occasions refused to negotiate with our Premier or Quebec Hydro he ranted off about going it alone. Well Premier Williams take your ego and go it alone but please stop blameing everyone else for your own failure to negitiate for your people. You are your own worst enemy Premier Williams and sadly the people of your province are paying the price for your one man show of arrogance and stupidity. Byu the way great job with that ABC Campaign Mr Premier. Your paying the price for that every day. Did any of you happen to nitice that there is hardly any talk of seperation here any more? Since we elected a new premier and a new government that has all but died and we are reeping the benefits of being a part of the Canadfian family. The Danny Williams hate campaign against the federal government and Prime Minister Harpers shows just what a childish moron he really is. Work for the people who elected you sir and give your ego a well deserved rest. If your head gets any bigger it will seperate from the reast of your body. No pun intended.
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- Oil Patch
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:46:29
Joan from NL...Hebron is moving quite fine, give it time, it not like giving a couple of people their stamps cutting brush on the side of road, takes a little more planning than that!
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- Student
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:45:42
Yvonne Jones says the PC's were not prepared I'd like for her to tell Newfoundland and Labrador why didn't the Liberals do anything? One of Brian Tobin's dreams in 1996 was developing the Lower Churchill, the Liberals were in power for another 7 years after that and did nothing and now Yvonne Jones tries to blame it on the PC's.
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- capitalist
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:45:11
Why doesn't Danny turn to his friends in Ottawa for help? Oh, that's right he doesnt have any. I think he needs professional help. Not for the economy or the energy business. He needs it for his anger issues.
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- don
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:44:55
Taxpayer from NL. The Premier of New Brunswick Shawn Graham, the Governor of Maine John Balducci and Irving Oil Ltd. announced an agreement in March 2009 which will result in a power corridor being constructed to transport 1200-1500 megawatts of electricity and which will include a natural gas pipeline from New Brunswick to Maine. Gov. Balducci has major problems with powerful lobbyists and environmentalists in Maine who are seriously opposed to offshore oil and gas drilling and are against the construction of offshore wind turbine farms and undersea electrical cables. Gov. Balducci has to decide if he wants to protect marine life and tourism or face being defeated in the next election. It seems that approving a submarine electric cable from Nova Scotia to transport Newfoundland hydro-electricity is a very long shot indeed. While Premier.. er..Dictator Danny fiddles around and issues empty threats, his competitors are working on numerous energy projects that will make the Lower Churchill hydro project look like a 25 watt light bulb. Danny attracts so much animosity from people in powerful positions in this country that soon they are going to retaliate against him and that will be the end of our so called prosperity. Nobody likes dealing with an angry, pushy thug, but deal with him they will and he won't win in the end.
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- alex
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:43:56
What is it about the PC conventions in Gander...the last one 2006 Danny attacked the Prime Minister and what did we gain.? This time he attacked the Governments of NB and Quebec. And now he expects Ottawa to step and help him fight Quebec.....really?
Not going to happen. NB taxpayers don't want it; it's 50% of provincail debt. The taxpayers will be happy to get a major reduction in electricty rates. Bring it on Quebec ! -
- Jennifer
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:43:43
Hey, B. Don't expect much from Taxpayer; his head is so far up --- her sense of reality has left her ages ago.
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- don
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:43:37
As long as Danny Williams is the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador there will NEVER be a hydro-electric power corridor approved for Newfoundland and Labrador power to get to the USA and other Canadian destinations. The Governor of Maine has stated that he will not allow an underwater power cable to make landfall in his state so the route through Nova Scotia to Maine is closed to Dictator Danny. The Irving family have signed agreements with Maine to supply energy to Maine and are therefore in direct competition with Dictator Danny. Hydro-Quebec beat Dictator Danny to the punch in 2008 by purchasing all of the existing excess capacity on the NB Power hydro lines. Dictator Danny is just hot air and sunshine on this file. The Government of Newfoundland has dithered and frittered away valuable time. Dictator Danny has been sleeping while excess capacity on NB power lines was sold to Quebec Hydro. While Dictator Danny fiddled, deals were signed between the Irvings and the state of Maine. While Dictator Danny dithered over a feasible route for a power line to the island of Newfoundland it got bogged down because he wanted to put it through our world renowned Gros Morne Park. Dictator Danny should get cracking if he wants to catch up to Hydro-Quebec. Hydro-Quebec is almost at the finish line and if they get there first it will be Dictator Danny who will be finished! Dictator Danny is just looking for someone else to blame for his own lack of foresight and initiative. Dictator Danny's threats and fake righteous anger are no substitute for his not being an astute leader. Nero fiddled while Rome burned and Danny fiddled while Newfoundland and Labrador lost a golden opportunity for a prosperous future.
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- joan
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:42:56
Danny Williams is so full of it--The lower churchill will never proceed as long as he is around.He has wasted our money on this useless thing called ,Nalcor,.Where is Hebron ben Nevis these days.The boys in ft mac.were expecting to be home by now,or has that become another Danny lie????
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- B
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:42:09
Well said Mr. Morriseau, it is nice to have an outside opinion to sjow the Danny lovers what a joke they are, and what his little hissy fits are doing for his province. Oil prices went through the roof when that little weasel was in power, thats what has given Newfoundland money, but Danny Williams feels he is the one who put the oil in the ground and he made the prices rise. A dog could have been in power and they would still have made that money, except now we would have more to show for it.
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- Realist
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:39:34
Maybe Williams could ask teh Feds for help to thart Quebec from monopolizing the routes to teh US. I am sure they owe us a favour after teh ABC. Nver burn your bridges, you never know when you will need to go back over them.
And our province is on fire with burning bridges. -
- Calvin
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:38:31
Anyone notice how Lorraine Michael has no trouble trying to make Danny look bad to the public, saying If (Williams) is such a brilliant negotiator, why can't he and his people come up with ways to thwart what Quebec is doing? However, she has nothing to say concerning what her negotiation tactics would be. I can tell you what it would be, it would be to take whatever deal she was offered by Hydro Quebec and then strut around like she won some huge battle. Do people think Danny is in this for fame or fortune? The man is worth a little over $254 million dollars. If I had that much money I would move to Hawaii, buy a corvette and mary a playboy bunny. But he didnt, he decided, Hmmmm, now that I have my fortune made maybe I could use my economic prowess to help the people of the province that I love. Get over it haters. If we're lucky our children and grand children will have so much more than we do thanks to this man. And don, the Dictator Danny foolishness is getting old. Do you even know what a dictator is? Call a country who actually is being ruled by a dictator and I assure you that you're view of what a dictator is may change a little, Dictator Don.
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- Michael
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:54:27
People think that a contract is unbreakable. That is totally false. As long as the party involved is compensated, then the contract can be broken. It is done in business all the time and also in politics.
Newfoundland has every LEGAL right to break the Upper Churchill contract. The only catch is to live up to the actual contract. Newfoundland can pay Quebec their allotted price and then say, F--- O--. I was waiting for Mr. Williams to take on the Upper and Lower Churchill situation, and I am so that it will happen now. The next couple of months will be monumental and a lot of things will be changed. I can't speculate on the outcome, but I am 100% sure that Mr. Williams will win.
A just cause is everything to a JUST person. I believe that Mr. Williams will go all the way with this cause. I am surely glad that the Upper and Lower Churchill is finally on Danny's radar. I, personally, wanted him to do this fight earlier, but it is happening now, so it is OK. I wholeheartedly believe that we can win this fight. I say, support the fight!! -
- B
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:53:35
Ah taxpayer did you read the story it states that we have already invested $589 million into Nalcor. I guess you are a typical PC, hiding what you spent and where.
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- Truth
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:49:18
Calvin, you are blinded by the man's personal fortune, and he IS in it for his insatiable ego, need for control and power, and for his own personal legacy. Anyone trying to claim otherwise is a fool and a pure Danny sycophant.
Don, tell it like it is, brother!!! -
- Orville
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:49:03
If Newfoundland separates from Canada, the hydro deal between Quebec (as a province of Canada) and Newfoundland (as a province of Canada) ceases to exist. We throw the switch, keep our billion dollars a year, control our own fishery and coastal waterways/limits and tell Ottawa to take a flying leap.
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- IdiotDon
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:48:51
Don. You sir are an Idiot.
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- Michael
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:45:21
Quebec did try to stop Newfoundland from moving 250 megawatts of power from Upper Churchill, but the United States electricity regulator sided with Newfoundland and made(forced) Hydro Quebec to abide by the rules. This only happened in 2008, but it took Newfoundland almost 5 years to gain this advantage, because Hydro Quebec stalled, lied, appealed, and misrepresented the facts and requests of Newfoundland Hydro. When Mr. Williams announced that the 2008 agreement was monumental, it was because the US regulator made Quebec allow Newfoundland power go through the US.
Hydro Quebec was pissed!! After almost 5 years Newfoundland did succeed. If you want to google and try most words associated with the Lower Churchill terminology, you will find the articles from the US which clearly states that Hydro Quebec was challenged by Newfoundland and lost. Mr. Williams and Nalcor is doing a lot more than meets the eye. I can assure you of that!!
Mr Ed Howlett(some PR guy who uses his PR as facts)(JOKE) ,NDP Leader Lorraine Michael, and Liberal Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones are always calling Mr. Williams a liar and I think they are so off base. Maybe Mr. Williams should show every appeal and letter that he sends to everyone, but knowing the oppositions stupidness, it wouldn't matter!! -
- Taxpayer
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:44:55
Yes Joan, we need a strong, well spoken leader like Ms. Jones to take over the negotiations. Then we would see real progress...right?
And...(yawn) Nalcor didn't really cost us anything...it was already there.Hebron is on track, and ahead of schedule, as well the White Rose field announced yesterday that they are going ahead with a multi billion dollar upgrade.
C'mon desperate Liberals...you can do better than that...can't you?LMAO -
- Newfoundlander
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:44:53
Ok
To Orville-- separation to solve the hydro issue is simplistic at best. While I doubt your analysis that separation would void the contract , lets assume for a moment it is true. newfoundland would still have no route for the power (since any access rights would have become void at the same time would they not??)-- You would again be faced with Quebec saying what it wanted.
Hebron-- Without Premier William's relatively last minute intervention, a Chevron led project team would have moved to NL in 2006 and first oil was scheduled for 2012-13. Premier Williams got his few very visible concessions so he could proclaim a win but I seriously doubt how much of a win it was considering the at least 5 year delay in the project so he could purchase equity . Plus now Hebron is led by ExxonMobil who are the most combative of the oil companies.
This matter-- I wish Premier Williams well in any Competition Act fight but in this case he will be fighting for access for power generation that does not yet exist nor is it yet scheduled to exist. I don't know why NB Power would want to sell out but that is fundamentally the right of NB to do what is best for their province. So while I understand Premier Williams fears, much of this is something that the parties involved would see as none of his business -
- Gerry
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:44:46
Wouldn't it be a pleasant and sensible departure for Jones and Michael to toss off their partisan political blankets, just for one occasion, and direct their support behind premier Williams and the majority of residents of this province in the stance being taken against Quebec? The powers that be, and the people, in La belle Provence, must be getting their thrills just watching the angered reactions of Premier Williams as they further tighten the screws on him and the residents of our Province, while at the same time howling with laughter at the fact that the Opposition leaders Jones and Michael are being among his strongest critics. Since Quebec has so successfully screwed Newfoundland in the past and continues to do so, why would Jones and Michael and their parties want to be so blatant in what appears to be their position of support for Quebec?
Politics is surely a rotten game. Even when a major part of our future's financial well-being (and that of future generations of our children and grandchildren) are at stake, the Opposition
says Yes Quebec, screw Danny and the rest of Newfoundland in whatever way you can, and Yes Go for It New Brunswick, we would rather you two do this to us than give any backing to the the present NL Government and Danny Williams .
It is so painful to watch dirty politics as it plays out its most juvenile performance. And in this instance the players are Quebec and New Brunswick supported (so it appears) by the two ladies in waiting in Newfoundland , Jones and Michael.
Premier Williams and the people of Newfoundland & Labrador need strong backing in this an on-going battle with that part of Canada which is always out to hammer us into the ground. I only wish Jones and Michael would do some very serious personal internalizing and
contemplation on this issue in the best interests of the Province, as opposed to the interests of partisan politics. -
- JohnL
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:41:13
It does not matter what Premier Williams wants not what the people of New Brunswick would like.
It is what the Irvings want and they own New Brunswick.
A phone call from one of the Irvings could stop or let this happen -
- Telling it Like
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:40:24
Joan, as a previous Fort Mac boy I can honestly say, you're full of it.
Hebron Ben Nevis...that project the entire province and then some is hoping will get them a job, is not happening until at least 2018 because that's the time Chevron and it's partners plan to have it happen with Front-End-Engineering and design work.
Danny Williams is demanding the attention and respect of his neighboring provinces and all you do is complain that he's doing a shyte job.
Oh, as for that claim of people wanting to move home....that was just a ploy by the real estate companies. They saw you, him, her, everyone who purchased when that deal was signed coming. Ha! -
- Jon
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:39:28
Joan, a gravity based structure doesn't get built in a week. Your posts are useless.
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- Taxpayer
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:37:54
To B. The moneies that have been spent on Nalcor are the same monies that would have been spent before all the separate entities were put under one umbrella. To Don, I did some research and couldn't find any info on the State of Maine disallowing a cable, or the Irving group of companies generating, and trasmitting power to the U.S. Could you point out where you got this information. As well, Mr. Williams is doing his best to address the situation with NB Power, and HQ.
Let me also remind Don, and the rest of the poor 'ol desparate Liberals that Premier Williams was democratically elected, and by repeatedly calling him a dictator proves how petty and childlike you, and your co-horts really are. -
- RODGER
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:36:34
DANNY . KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK ,DON'T GIVE ANYTHING AWAY ,THIS IS OUR FUTURE.
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- Michael
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:36:10
Who is Joan??????
All she does is moan and complain. What a joke, I hope she doesn't smoke??
Anyway, Why does everyone think that Danny runs the whole show? How stupid!
Danny is a guide, and a good one, I would say. He is mirroring what average Newfoundanders have to say. He does have a staff and they are performing well. I, personally, don't see any problem with being told what to do. You have to work for your employer!! It sounds like everyone on this blog doesn't like their job or respect their boss.
Join the real world of work. I wish I didn't work, but it affords me the luxuries of life and being able to use high speed internet.
I am totally disgusted with the opposition in Newfoundland. Instead of them rallying around Mr. Williams and his LEGITIMATE fight, they are complaining. What a joke!!
I believe in gender equality, but if all the women we elect only believe in spending money in order to make people happy, then we are in BIG trouble!! -
- Truth
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:35:47
Danny doesn't like being beaten at his own game and not having total, um, POWER!!!
Looks good on ya, Dictator. And that picture just captures the essence of this man. -
- John
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:34:14
The province of Newfoundland and Labrador sure is fortunate to be located next to the nation of Quebec. The Quebecois are such good friends -- they would never dream of engaging in beggar-thy-neighbour skulduggery. Churchill Falls (upper and lower) and the Labrador boundary are just two examples of Quebec's goodwill. Newfoundlanders should be overjoyed to be part of such a wonderful country as Canada where provinces co-operate with one another for the mutual benefit of all. Oh, by the way, it was only yesterday that I saw pigs flying outside my window!
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- Charles Morriseau
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:32:22
Before someone calls me a hater you should know I married a lovely lady from Corner Brook over 40 years ago that makes me a lover not a hater. To Mr Bones the resident know everything about Danny Williams person. Please sir get some original material with substance not just come here and call all of us Danny haters. We know how much you love him. Sorry about some of the spelling mistakes French being my first language and all, but believe it or not I am getting better. Have yourself a great day and remember there was before Danny Williams and there will be life after Danny Williams. The world dosent actually revolve around him. sorry if I may have offended anyone with that comment but I think its true.
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- Funky
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:31:19
I applaud the premier on his stance on this issue and trying to protect a valuable asset for Newfoundland and Labrador. But sometimes I wish he would tone down the rhetoric. He can still be strong and forceful in the media without using a lot of the language he uses now.
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- Taxpayer
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:30:20
I just have to add that you costantly hear that because of Mr. Williams' ABC campaign, and his tough stance with Ottawa, we get little from Harper. Don't forget that we always received nothing from Ottawa. At least now we are not sucking up to them and receiving nothing, at least now when we get our usual slap in the face from ottawa we let them know how we feel.
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- Dic
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:29:30
B from NL is now quoting misquotes - too funny. Just because something was already there doesn't mean nothing was ever spent on it previously. Kinda like your education, you've clearly spent nothing on it, but your parents spent taxes to put you through at least grade school didn't they ? What a waste of money...
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- B
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:28:58
Hey there Dic your name says it all. I have a top notch education which I paid for myself, and it was money well spent. I am not a Liberal and I certainly don't support this current excuse for a government. Where is all the money? Where are the jobs and prosperity? Why is it that property values are only going up in St.John's? The oil will be long gone before 2041, so is Churchill falls gonna pay your EI/Welfare cheques for you? Talking about my education, just read your second sentence and tell me if that jumbled garble is supposed to represent a sentence. But I am not here to insult people with inferior IQ's, just pointing out some things that people disregard for their own convenience. It doesn't matter when or what the money was spent on, but it was still tax payers dollars, and it was still spent for nothing. When Hydro Quebec buys out NB power we are screwed, and you may as well have invested your money in unicorns, because we will be dead ended and have noone to sell our power to. If this government could see past their next oil paycheque and had been paying attention to the fact that NB power was their only corridor to the US market, and that the company could be bought, we wouldn't be here held hostage by Quebec. But if you like to be Quebecs b!tch for the rest of it then by all means enjoy supporting Dummy Dan, his little mans syndrome is his biggest downfall.
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- Bones II
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:28:22
You haters really need to read some books and git a bit a learnin' on, lol. Quebec jerked NL completely out of Upper Churchill profits and are now milking an NL RESOURCE to the tune of 1 billion annually. They will do this until 2041! Why on earth would anyone believe they are in this for any other reason than to do some more milking? It looks like NB is hurting for cash, just as NL was, and Quebec Hydro is right there to ream them too. Once they buy this, NB's fate and future is sealed, make no mistake.
One day in the future, however, Quebec Hydro is going to find itself in the precarious position of hoping NL is going to treat them fairly - I predict 2041, lol - Watch them act all surprised and wonder why when NL tells em all to eff off.
By then, the Hebron field will be well into production too making it that much sweeter. Anyone seen the details of that deal?! I wonder if we'll discover anything on the west coast by then?
Grimes, Reid, Michael, Jones, and whoever else can only be green with envy. They have nothing beyond what-ifs. -
- Taxpayer
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:28:11
Yes it's good to see that the resident haters have found an ally...and guess who? A person from quebec no less. That beautiful province that still has a federal, and a provincial party whose manifesto has at its heart the destruction of our country. You have the nerve to look down your nose at us, and speak to us about our province, and our premier. Well, all you have to do is look at who agrees with you to see where you are comming from.
My condolences to your wife, she must be ashamed to call herself a true Newfoundlander. -
- Charles Morriseau
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:26:51
Sorry to raid your Danny Williams love in here people but did any of you ever stop to think that while your premier was so busy bitchin and complainin about everyone else our premier was out workiong on our behalf and was able to negotiate what appears to be a very good deal for our province. Here its not about him its all about us. Premier Williams on several occasions refused to negotiate with our Premier or Quebec Hydro he ranted off about going it alone. Well Premier Williams take your ego and go it alone but please stop blameing everyone else for your own failure to negitiate for your people. You are your own worst enemy Premier Williams and sadly the people of your province are paying the price for your one man show of arrogance and stupidity. Byu the way great job with that ABC Campaign Mr Premier. Your paying the price for that every day. Did any of you happen to nitice that there is hardly any talk of seperation here any more? Since we elected a new premier and a new government that has all but died and we are reeping the benefits of being a part of the Canadfian family. The Danny Williams hate campaign against the federal government and Prime Minister Harpers shows just what a childish moron he really is. Work for the people who elected you sir and give your ego a well deserved rest. If your head gets any bigger it will seperate from the reast of your body. No pun intended.
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- Oil Patch
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:26:33
Joan from NL...Hebron is moving quite fine, give it time, it not like giving a couple of people their stamps cutting brush on the side of road, takes a little more planning than that!
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- Student
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:25:21
Yvonne Jones says the PC's were not prepared I'd like for her to tell Newfoundland and Labrador why didn't the Liberals do anything? One of Brian Tobin's dreams in 1996 was developing the Lower Churchill, the Liberals were in power for another 7 years after that and did nothing and now Yvonne Jones tries to blame it on the PC's.
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- capitalist
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:24:32
Why doesn't Danny turn to his friends in Ottawa for help? Oh, that's right he doesnt have any. I think he needs professional help. Not for the economy or the energy business. He needs it for his anger issues.
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- don
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:24:06
Taxpayer from NL. The Premier of New Brunswick Shawn Graham, the Governor of Maine John Balducci and Irving Oil Ltd. announced an agreement in March 2009 which will result in a power corridor being constructed to transport 1200-1500 megawatts of electricity and which will include a natural gas pipeline from New Brunswick to Maine. Gov. Balducci has major problems with powerful lobbyists and environmentalists in Maine who are seriously opposed to offshore oil and gas drilling and are against the construction of offshore wind turbine farms and undersea electrical cables. Gov. Balducci has to decide if he wants to protect marine life and tourism or face being defeated in the next election. It seems that approving a submarine electric cable from Nova Scotia to transport Newfoundland hydro-electricity is a very long shot indeed. While Premier.. er..Dictator Danny fiddles around and issues empty threats, his competitors are working on numerous energy projects that will make the Lower Churchill hydro project look like a 25 watt light bulb. Danny attracts so much animosity from people in powerful positions in this country that soon they are going to retaliate against him and that will be the end of our so called prosperity. Nobody likes dealing with an angry, pushy thug, but deal with him they will and he won't win in the end.
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- alex
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:22:28
What is it about the PC conventions in Gander...the last one 2006 Danny attacked the Prime Minister and what did we gain.? This time he attacked the Governments of NB and Quebec. And now he expects Ottawa to step and help him fight Quebec.....really?
Not going to happen. NB taxpayers don't want it; it's 50% of provincail debt. The taxpayers will be happy to get a major reduction in electricty rates. Bring it on Quebec ! -
- Jennifer
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:22:05
Hey, B. Don't expect much from Taxpayer; his head is so far up --- her sense of reality has left her ages ago.
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- don
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:21:55
As long as Danny Williams is the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador there will NEVER be a hydro-electric power corridor approved for Newfoundland and Labrador power to get to the USA and other Canadian destinations. The Governor of Maine has stated that he will not allow an underwater power cable to make landfall in his state so the route through Nova Scotia to Maine is closed to Dictator Danny. The Irving family have signed agreements with Maine to supply energy to Maine and are therefore in direct competition with Dictator Danny. Hydro-Quebec beat Dictator Danny to the punch in 2008 by purchasing all of the existing excess capacity on the NB Power hydro lines. Dictator Danny is just hot air and sunshine on this file. The Government of Newfoundland has dithered and frittered away valuable time. Dictator Danny has been sleeping while excess capacity on NB power lines was sold to Quebec Hydro. While Dictator Danny fiddled, deals were signed between the Irvings and the state of Maine. While Dictator Danny dithered over a feasible route for a power line to the island of Newfoundland it got bogged down because he wanted to put it through our world renowned Gros Morne Park. Dictator Danny should get cracking if he wants to catch up to Hydro-Quebec. Hydro-Quebec is almost at the finish line and if they get there first it will be Dictator Danny who will be finished! Dictator Danny is just looking for someone else to blame for his own lack of foresight and initiative. Dictator Danny's threats and fake righteous anger are no substitute for his not being an astute leader. Nero fiddled while Rome burned and Danny fiddled while Newfoundland and Labrador lost a golden opportunity for a prosperous future.
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- joan
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:20:32
Danny Williams is so full of it--The lower churchill will never proceed as long as he is around.He has wasted our money on this useless thing called ,Nalcor,.Where is Hebron ben Nevis these days.The boys in ft mac.were expecting to be home by now,or has that become another Danny lie????
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- B
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:19:12
Well said Mr. Morriseau, it is nice to have an outside opinion to sjow the Danny lovers what a joke they are, and what his little hissy fits are doing for his province. Oil prices went through the roof when that little weasel was in power, thats what has given Newfoundland money, but Danny Williams feels he is the one who put the oil in the ground and he made the prices rise. A dog could have been in power and they would still have made that money, except now we would have more to show for it.
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- Realist
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:14:52
Maybe Williams could ask teh Feds for help to thart Quebec from monopolizing the routes to teh US. I am sure they owe us a favour after teh ABC. Nver burn your bridges, you never know when you will need to go back over them.
And our province is on fire with burning bridges. -
- Calvin
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:13:20
Anyone notice how Lorraine Michael has no trouble trying to make Danny look bad to the public, saying If (Williams) is such a brilliant negotiator, why can't he and his people come up with ways to thwart what Quebec is doing? However, she has nothing to say concerning what her negotiation tactics would be. I can tell you what it would be, it would be to take whatever deal she was offered by Hydro Quebec and then strut around like she won some huge battle. Do people think Danny is in this for fame or fortune? The man is worth a little over $254 million dollars. If I had that much money I would move to Hawaii, buy a corvette and mary a playboy bunny. But he didnt, he decided, Hmmmm, now that I have my fortune made maybe I could use my economic prowess to help the people of the province that I love. Get over it haters. If we're lucky our children and grand children will have so much more than we do thanks to this man. And don, the Dictator Danny foolishness is getting old. Do you even know what a dictator is? Call a country who actually is being ruled by a dictator and I assure you that you're view of what a dictator is may change a little, Dictator Don.
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