Quebec's minister of natural resources has rejected this province's request for new negotiations on the Upper Churchill hydroelectric deal.
"This isn't the first time that Newfoundland has tried to challenge the agreement that was signed on Churchill Falls," Natural Resources Minister Nathalie Normandeau said in Quebec City Tuesday. "The Supreme Court ruled in 1988 in favour of Quebec. So, for us, there is nothing new and I'm not going to comment any further."
Premier Danny Williams' declined comment on Normandeau's remarks. His spokeswoman told The Telegram he would wait until the Churchill Falls (Labrador) Company Corp. (CF(L)Co's) receives an official response from Hydro-Quebec.
Earlier in the day, emotions ran high in the House of Assembly, as the Liberals continued to ask more questions about CF(L)Co's request to reopen negotiations.
Liberal Leader Yvonne Jones asked Williams to table the legal opinions the province has in relation to reopening the 1969 deal.
But Williams replied "absolutely not."
"The level of betrayal of the honourable member opposite to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador never ceases to astound me," he said.
The premier said if he tables the documents in the House - and therefore makes them public - Hydro-Quebec will have this province's side of the case if the matter ever goes to court.
"You don't give the other side, in a legal case, your legal opinions," Williams said. "You don't sit down in a game of cards, at a poker table or game of 120s and show your cards on the table."
He then accused Jones of trying "to accommodate Quebec."
In addition, Jones wanted to know what precedents have been set under Quebec law, which add to CF(L)Co's case.
"The honourable member opposite is frightened to death that we're going to be successful," replied Williams to the boisterous applause of the government side of the House, which also heckled Jones every time she asked a question.
"I'm not frightened to death, but I'd be shocked," Jones said from her seat.
During the debate, Natural Resources Minister Kathy Dunderdale also accused Liberal Kelvin Parsons of inaccurately presenting information to the House Monday about how much the government has spent on an Ottawa lobbyist to garner support for the proposed Lower Churchill project.
But Parsons didn't back down and offered to table the document he has from the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada.
"I'm prepared to table what I have," he said. "I challenge the minister and ask the minister will you table what you're referencing which says that I'm not right?"
Dunderdale said the amount of $960,000 on the document the Liberals have was money Nalcor got from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, not what Nalcor paid a consultant.
In a subsequent news release, Dunderdale said the amount paid to the lobbyist was only $298,500 over a three-year period and was not used for the Lower Churchill, but for the province's Northern Strategic Plan for Labrador for things like fuel subsidies.
The Telegram contacted the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying to clarify the dispute.
In an e-mail response, a spokeswomen directed The Telegram to the same document, available online, which the Liberals gave reporters Tuesday.
That document outlines that the lobbyist was hired to specifically work on the Lower Churchill project.
"The amount of $960,000 in the Registry of Lobbyists was declared by Robin MacLachlan of Summa Strategies Canada about his client Nalcor Energy for the financial year ending 2007-12-31," the e-mail states. "Although the Lobbying Act requires registrants to declare the amount and the source of government funding received, there is no requirement to declare any other information on this funding."
dbartlett@thetelegram.com
Quebec rejects province's request
- Published on December 2nd, 2009
- Published on July 1st, 2010
-
The Canadian Press
Williams says Jones questions on Upper Churchill a "betrayal"
Quebec's minister of natural resources has rejected this province's request for new negotiations on the Upper Churchill hydroelectric deal.
"This isn't the first time that Newfoundland has tried to challenge the agreement that was signed on Churchill Falls," Natural Resources Minister Nathalie Normandeau said in Quebec City Tuesday. "The Supreme Court ruled in 1988 in favour of Quebec. So, for us, there is nothing new and I'm not going to comment any further."
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Comments
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- Jon
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:35:09
Eugene from Town, Newfoundland writes: Can't say I've ever voted Liberal, but Yvonne Jones for Premier will be my banner
hahahah...that is the funniest thing I've heard so far today. Keep the comedy coming Eugene. -
- Funky
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:35:08
I like the government's approach this time with this matter. I hope they do fight and take it to court once again and do have the opportunity to renegotiate. It would be great and right.
But I hate and ashamed of the treatment of the premier of anyone that opposes him. Calling a person who questions him a traitor is beneath him. The Liberals are not saying don't go for it, they are just asking questions. That is democracy. They should ask all the questions they can. It's not an attempt to undermine the government. It's the government working as it should. Grow up. -
- Wince
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:34:49
Not exactly shocking news. Quebec will never renegotiate this contract. We just have to suck it up and accept the fact that Joey signed us into possibly the worst contract ever negotiated. It was upheld by the Supreme Court in 1988, so we're stuck with it.
At least there's only 31 years left on it. Hopefully, most of us will still be alive when in finally does run out and we can flip the switch and plunge la belle province into darkness! -
- Gerry
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:31:08
Joe Keough from Corner Brook, NL writes: It is time the people of Labrador make a move to seperate and join Quebec and take it,s resourses with them
Just my opinion, but do you you think that most of the Quebec political parties give a rat's ar$e about what happens outside of Quebec City, Montreal & anything within 100km of either city?? Not IMHO they don't... just ask some of folks just south of the Quebec / Labrador border here on the upper & lower north shore... -
- Watcher
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:30:45
If the shoe were on the other foot and it was Quebec being wronged, the federal government would have stepped in long ago. It's all about the number of seats the province has - our few seats won't make or break a government. I'm glad to see Danny is at least making an effort to get for Newfoundland and Labrador that which is rightfully theirs. Joey Smallwood made a very bad deal on Churchill Falls and if the liberals were still in power we'd be a welfare state still. Love him or hate him, Danny is at least trying to get this province what it has deserved for all the years since confederation.
As for Yvonne Jones for premier, dear heavens what are you thinking. She's not leadership material - has everyone forgotten that the liberals shunned her and she had to run as an independent to get a seat and then went back to the Liberals? -
- Dave in NL
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:30:34
Let's start boycotting Quebec provided goods and services and Quebec owned retail outlets.
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- CJ is Grumpy
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:30:33
for those of you who think that zChurchill Power is all Quebec has, think again. They have 40,000 MW of generation capacity in theeir system. The upper churchill has approx 5500 MW. Losing the upper churchill in 2041 will not have Quebec in darkness as one guy wrote - haha. They will lose a very profitable venture which has given them large sums of cash to be able to expand their generation capacity which is still increasing today with new projects in northern Quebec.
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- Taxpayer ll
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:29:37
Well Lie Teller your on the go with your own smear campaign today.
While you acert that Ms Jones is only doing her job(quite badly in my opinion),by the same logic isn't the Premier just doing his?
As I said here yesterday, Jones has plenty of fodder here within the provice to utilize in justifying her job and her paycheck. Why doe's she feel the necessity to allign herself wtih Charest and the rest of the naysayers when it comes to this issue?
As far as the money for lobbyist goes, I think we should flood the market with every cent we can get our hands on. Quebec spends millions of dollars on their propaganda machine in Ottawa, we should do all we can to influence the decision makers in upper Canada.
Oh, and by the way, the upper churchill is happening, it will, just take 30 years, the lower churchill will be up and running within ten years. Thanks for standing up for your province..traitor. -
- Bear
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:29:27
Did the NL Govt really expect Quebec to renegotiate ?? If the shoe was on the other foot, would you think NL would open the contract with Quebec? Not likely.
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- Bayman
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:27:23
I'm pretty sure if the shoe were on the other foot (if Newfoundland was raping Quebec of billions), Quebec would do the same, only they'd file legal complaints and write letters to request renegotiations every other year. No wait a minute, no they wouldn't. They'd go as far as to threaten separatation if they weren't getting their fair share (which to them would be the majority of royalties).
Requesting renegotiation of that brutal contract is the LEAST any leader of this province can do. Whether it's Danny, or (God help us) Yvonne or Lorraine.
And granted, Yvonne is just trying to do her job. However in using this tactic, she's doing a very poor job, and is just grasping at straws with this awful argument. She's actually coming across looking like a traitor, as if she were aligning herself with Quebec, like those who plague this forum. All just to try to take a shot at the Premier.
We all should be on the same team on the issue of the Upper Churchill. Imagine how rich this province could be. We'd have top-notch infrastructure, health care, and everything else you people constantly complain about that would be second to none. -
- Taxpayer ll
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:27:09
Mr. Mallard, why would a premier with a 80 % approval rating want to pander to the local audiance? For such a smart person, you should know it is the international audiance he is trying to get attention from, he already has our support.
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- Æ®©
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:25:19
You know, in 3 decades the deal is terminated, Quebec should think about what happens then. Unless Quebcois believe they won't be around then, they should not be so short-sighted as to not start smoothing out relations before the switch is turned off. NL is not going to care about losing 63 million dollars a year, and it will be happy to leave the switch in the off position until such time new technologies/power corridors bypass Quebec to properly benefit NL in a fair and reasonable way. This will come back and bite Quebec in the you-know-what. It's time for Quebec to start making some friends in Canada and participate in Canadian unity for the good of Canadians. Quebec will pay one way or the other, and time goes by faster than than you think. So be forewarned Quebec, if you don't pay the piper now, you'll pay more later. Guaranteed.
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- Micheal
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:24:57
Hope Danny focuses on the real power issue! My oil heat bill subsidy!
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- Saucy Face
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:23:36
A recent independent pole concluded that 80% of voters in Newfoundland and Labrador would vote for Danny Williams.
One thing I have concluded from reading the constant negative remarks against Williams in The Telegram everyday is that the 20% that would vote against him such as Truth Teller have very little to do in their lives except make stupid personal attacks against a premier who has massive public support.
Seems like Ms. Jones is one very desperate lady. -
- Truth
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:22:51
You contradict yourself. We are people. You called us traitors, so you called people traitors. The name-calling, including Lie Teller is childish and unproductive. That's what people do when they cannot counter with intelligent, reasoned rebuttals.
Number 1 and vinegar isn't going to change squat. What is needed is a conciliatory approach, but with Williams, Mr. Ego, that isn't likely. Cutting down all detractors, and anyone who dare scrutinize or critically analyze this, let alone ask Him questions in the people's House, is definitely not going to work in our favor in this matter. But, then again, this contract is so iron clad that I have a greater chance of flapping my arms and flying then Williams and cheerleaders do seeing this contract amended, let alone repealed!
And that's the truth. It's not undermining efforts. It's being realistic about the chances for success here, which are slim to none. Which are none, actually.
If I am wrong, I will scarf down the biggest humble pie ever. -
- david
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:22:48
I don't know why everyone is worried about NALCOR paying out large sums of money for whatever because it's not tax payers money being used. Don't people know they have their own slush fund which brings in as much money as the Upper Churchill yearly. They got it by expropriating hydro from Abitibi, they say the money being made belong to all NFLDers and GFW don't have a right to any of it. The truth is it belongs to NALCOR and may be spent anytime and anywhere on anything from oil wells to who knows what, and they don't have to tell anyone a darn thing.
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- Greg Mallard
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:22:29
As a practicing corporate lawyer in Quebec for the past 32 years I can clearly tell you that the request to re-open the Churchill falls contract with Hydro Quebec is untenable in law.
This is a political move designed to play to the local audience.
Nothing More.
Greg Mallard, LLB. -
- Morley
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:22:25
When Danny disagrees with anyone it is because they are always wrong.
When anyone disagrees with Danny he refers to it as betrayal. (has he use the term treason yet?)
We express shock when leaders from other countries use such strong and divisive language to squash any dissenting opinions. It is more than a little discouraging to see such poor leadership characteristics displayed in our own province and country. -
- Æ®©
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:22:09
Dear Mr. Mallard,
It seems to me that you can't be a very successful lawyer if you hang around making unthoughtout comments in other Canadian cities' online newspapers. Or are you singling out NL in particular ?
A successful lawyer is one with $300m in the bank and who has risen to the stature of Premier in his home province.
Interesting... on a simple search of the Barreau du Quebec your name does not show up in any variation or permutation.
http://www.barreau.qc.ca/?Langue=en
Given all the above, I believe you are a ficticious character. -
- W
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:20:47
Danny personally attacking someone wioth an alternative view. That's a new one, he especially like attacking woman, Jones, Forward.............it's kinda getting old.
How come teh PC's cannot attract high profile NFLDers to the party and end up with ex-MHA assitants drooling over the salary & free pension. I think he might have something to do with our leader. Just ask Manning, Loyola, Rideout, Hearn or Beth Marshall.
The major issue is when DAanny leaves who is gonna be left, one of those MHA's who went up thru the party as a secretary, yeah we'll be in great hands then. -
- Robert
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:20:32
Not sure where the Premier is going with this file but he certainly owes Ms. Jones an apology.
If enough people had asked questions and demanded answers during the Upper Churchill negotiations things would be different today.
To even suggest betrayal is beyond in house chatter. I am quite certain that Ms. Jones' heart is exactly the same as the Premier's heart, which hopefuly has our best interests at heart.
And I find it impossible to believe that HQ or the PoQ need Newfoundland's opposition party to state it's position on this file. -
- Truth
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:20:13
There goes Danny again, using his divisive, personal attacks. ALWAYS. The rhetoric towards anyone who disagrees with Him, or even dare questions Him is repugnant, and a man of his stature should be totally ashamed.
His smearing of Jones, who is merely doing her job, is completely gross and classless. It's typical Williams politics. Demonize and rally everyone around him. Typical schoolyard bully.
Sorry, Danny Boy. The Upper Churchill ain't happenin' just like the Lower Churcill ain't. You lost. -
- Bones II
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:20:05
Public acknowledgment that the energy corporation is in breach of the provincial law.
Mr. Hamel: Can you please explain how this deal could be rationalized to conform to the law of Quebec without renegotiation? Politics aside, this type of deal is illegal in your province. Neither province could have foreseen this in 1969 making it a current, modern-day issue. Modern day negotiation or court intervention appears to be the only way to achieve an acceptable outcome conforming to the provincial law of Quebec. Your view that Williams is a poor negotiator with HQ is a little misplaced because, as you have probably read, HQ WON'T negotiate even though NL requested it of them. This deal needs to be made legal, bottom line. -
- Frankie Blackwell
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:18:53
I hope Yvonne never goes into law or any profession that requires her to negotiate. I bet the unions would love for her to be Premier. cha-ching.
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- Truth
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:18:45
They lied about the lobbyist, what else will they lie about???? (Williams') behavior in the House is astonishingly disgusting.
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- Eugene
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:18:16
Can't say I've ever voted Liberal, but Yvonne Jones for Premier will be my banner. And Kelvin Parsons deserves kudos for sticking to his guns. The arrogance of the Williams administration is reaching Smallwoodian (?) proportions; I just hope we can rally enough opposition when Danny tries to sell off the province's energy holdings in order to 'rationalize' the industry.
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- Taxpayer ll
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:17:54
Lie Teller I'm not calling people traitors, I'm calling you a traitor, just like Yvonne and her clowns are, including Roger the artful dodger Grimes.
So what if this is usless? So what if Quebec laughs it off as another attempt by the ...goofy newfies to right a wrong that is just so very wrong.
I just don't see the point in anyone who calls themselves a Newfoundlander trying to undermine any attempt, no matter how usless it may seem, to at least bring attention to our plight.
Who knows what this latest foray may bring? The premier is riding high in the polls, he doesn't need this to bolster his position in this provice. He is doing this to show Canada, and the rest of the world that we are not going to give up the fight, this is wrong. There have been many, many contracts over the years that in the end have proven to be so ill conceived that they are broken. Quebec may never renegotiate, but at least, at the very least we can give them our collective middle finger. -
- Right_Decision
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:16:51
Good attitude Truth Teller.
We've failed in the past, so why bother trying.
At least Danny Boy is fighting for us. Agree or disagree with his means, Danny is the only person we have had as Premier that stands up and defends NL.
Newfoundland has a history of sacrificing our resources for a few jobs . We have so much potential in this province to be an energy leader for North America. If we ALL believed that and fought for it half as much as Danny this province would be a much better place. -
- Taxpayer ll
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:15:39
I will apologise to you Mr. Teller. It's just that when I see someone from this province not solidly standing behind our leader on this particular issue it really gets my goat. As I have said I know how usless this is but hey, why not?
To the gentleman from Quebec...I didn't write about my knowledge of this deal, and so I can't understand how you could infer that I don't know much about the deal. I know that Quebec had people on both sides of the table, and thats criminal in my mind.
As I have said before this is all moot...in 30 years we will have three producing power projects on our river, and Quebec will have none. We will have the power forever, and PQ will have only had it for a scant 99 years. -
- Bert
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:15:12
Danny may not win this legal challange, then maybe again he might win. Who knows. But if we just sit on our hands like the Liberals want us to do we know we will lose!!! So far the P.C.'s have not been involved with this deal. The Liberals have because they made the deal. It cost us billions of dollars, why would it be considered a waste of money to spend a million or so to possibly gain hundres of millions or billions!!
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- J
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:15:02
Yvonne Jones is an idiot
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- Dr.
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:14:40
The definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over expecting a different result.
Tell me again how many times we have tried to get out of this contract? -
- TaxWatch
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:13:59
The legal opinion really scared Hydro Quebec and the Quebec Government. They had over 2 months to study and reply to this opinion; they took 2 hours or so !! And the legal opinion came from a firm involved in writing the Quebec Civil Code and the opinion couldn't put any fear in Quebec Hydro at all.
Now isn't Danny making Ed Martin look pretty stupid? How much did this legal opinion cost Nalcor? -
- Manny
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:13:45
Is this where all the losers hand out? Unbelievable, you have a premeir who fights tooth and nail for his own people and all most of you can do is insult him. WOW!
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- Nasty
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:13:29
Just what part of a contract can Danny Do Little not get his head around? Think about this for a moment. What do you think he would say to the off shore industry if they sent a letter to his office requesting a do over to lower payments on his contracts to lower the price per barrel paid to the province?
Guess you have your answer Dano. Move on, move on unless you are ready to open up every contract this province has signed onto as well. Wonder how that would go over?
You lost your chance with NB Power and you think the third time is going to be the charm? Think again. This makes you look like a boob. -
- Paul
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:12:27
maybe the peimier should remind quebec that these people have childern and grand childen to grow up when nl have control of the upper church hill again and make these people pay big time for the power
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- benjamin
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:11:59
seeing how it was Jones' party who signed the deal with the devil, I can certainly see why Danny wouldnt want to share the info with Yvonne...she is the worst opposition the province ever had...Pray she never wins...Ween Ween Ween...Go Danny Go...
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- martin
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:11:37
taxpayer II,
Your level of language show your poor knowledge of that deal in 1969. I think ita a lost of time to explain to you that this deal was not possible economically to be done by NFLD only, so HQ took big risk at the time and thats why today it pays a lot for HQ and less for you. Its easy today to say that your politician in 69 and your lawyers made a bad deal but energy prices went higher and higher.
So what else, supreme court ofCanada in 1988 statut that the deal cant be broke. So dont you think now its time to move on. I can say to my poit of view that mister Williams is a poor negociator with HQ.
Thank you -
- Lucien
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:10:55
Serious talk between NFL and Quebec will start when the Newfundlanders will pull the Churchill Falls plug.
Meanwhile Hydro-Quebec will continue to make 4.8 millions per day with the Churchill Falls Contact. -
- mike
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:10:43
Danny. Maybe it's time for a long term mainyenance shutdown at Churchill falls.
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- Truth
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:10:24
Taxpayer, calling people traitors for scrutinizing this is really low brow. You should be ashamed.
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- Joe
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:10:16
Like most other Provincial Governments in this province Danny,s crew don,t give a care about Labrador or It,s people.It is time the people of Labrador make a move to seperate and join Quebec and take it,s resourses with them
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- Truth
- - July 2nd, 2010 at 13:08:30
Massive public support is what demagogues garner. Doesn't make them right.
The proof will be in the pudding regarding this apparent compelling legal claim, phantom right now, IF the province gets anywhere with it, which is as likely as Hell freezing over. -
- Jon
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:25:01
Eugene from Town, Newfoundland writes: Can't say I've ever voted Liberal, but Yvonne Jones for Premier will be my banner
hahahah...that is the funniest thing I've heard so far today. Keep the comedy coming Eugene. -
- Funky
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:25:00
I like the government's approach this time with this matter. I hope they do fight and take it to court once again and do have the opportunity to renegotiate. It would be great and right.
But I hate and ashamed of the treatment of the premier of anyone that opposes him. Calling a person who questions him a traitor is beneath him. The Liberals are not saying don't go for it, they are just asking questions. That is democracy. They should ask all the questions they can. It's not an attempt to undermine the government. It's the government working as it should. Grow up. -
- Wince
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:24:23
Not exactly shocking news. Quebec will never renegotiate this contract. We just have to suck it up and accept the fact that Joey signed us into possibly the worst contract ever negotiated. It was upheld by the Supreme Court in 1988, so we're stuck with it.
At least there's only 31 years left on it. Hopefully, most of us will still be alive when in finally does run out and we can flip the switch and plunge la belle province into darkness! -
- Gerry
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:19:26
Joe Keough from Corner Brook, NL writes: It is time the people of Labrador make a move to seperate and join Quebec and take it,s resourses with them
Just my opinion, but do you you think that most of the Quebec political parties give a rat's ar$e about what happens outside of Quebec City, Montreal & anything within 100km of either city?? Not IMHO they don't... just ask some of folks just south of the Quebec / Labrador border here on the upper & lower north shore... -
- Watcher
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:18:48
If the shoe were on the other foot and it was Quebec being wronged, the federal government would have stepped in long ago. It's all about the number of seats the province has - our few seats won't make or break a government. I'm glad to see Danny is at least making an effort to get for Newfoundland and Labrador that which is rightfully theirs. Joey Smallwood made a very bad deal on Churchill Falls and if the liberals were still in power we'd be a welfare state still. Love him or hate him, Danny is at least trying to get this province what it has deserved for all the years since confederation.
As for Yvonne Jones for premier, dear heavens what are you thinking. She's not leadership material - has everyone forgotten that the liberals shunned her and she had to run as an independent to get a seat and then went back to the Liberals? -
- Dave in NL
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:18:29
Let's start boycotting Quebec provided goods and services and Quebec owned retail outlets.
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- CJ is Grumpy
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:18:28
for those of you who think that zChurchill Power is all Quebec has, think again. They have 40,000 MW of generation capacity in theeir system. The upper churchill has approx 5500 MW. Losing the upper churchill in 2041 will not have Quebec in darkness as one guy wrote - haha. They will lose a very profitable venture which has given them large sums of cash to be able to expand their generation capacity which is still increasing today with new projects in northern Quebec.
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- Taxpayer ll
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:17:08
Well Lie Teller your on the go with your own smear campaign today.
While you acert that Ms Jones is only doing her job(quite badly in my opinion),by the same logic isn't the Premier just doing his?
As I said here yesterday, Jones has plenty of fodder here within the provice to utilize in justifying her job and her paycheck. Why doe's she feel the necessity to allign herself wtih Charest and the rest of the naysayers when it comes to this issue?
As far as the money for lobbyist goes, I think we should flood the market with every cent we can get our hands on. Quebec spends millions of dollars on their propaganda machine in Ottawa, we should do all we can to influence the decision makers in upper Canada.
Oh, and by the way, the upper churchill is happening, it will, just take 30 years, the lower churchill will be up and running within ten years. Thanks for standing up for your province..traitor. -
- Bear
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:16:57
Did the NL Govt really expect Quebec to renegotiate ?? If the shoe was on the other foot, would you think NL would open the contract with Quebec? Not likely.
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- Bayman
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:14:49
I'm pretty sure if the shoe were on the other foot (if Newfoundland was raping Quebec of billions), Quebec would do the same, only they'd file legal complaints and write letters to request renegotiations every other year. No wait a minute, no they wouldn't. They'd go as far as to threaten separatation if they weren't getting their fair share (which to them would be the majority of royalties).
Requesting renegotiation of that brutal contract is the LEAST any leader of this province can do. Whether it's Danny, or (God help us) Yvonne or Lorraine.
And granted, Yvonne is just trying to do her job. However in using this tactic, she's doing a very poor job, and is just grasping at straws with this awful argument. She's actually coming across looking like a traitor, as if she were aligning herself with Quebec, like those who plague this forum. All just to try to take a shot at the Premier.
We all should be on the same team on the issue of the Upper Churchill. Imagine how rich this province could be. We'd have top-notch infrastructure, health care, and everything else you people constantly complain about that would be second to none. -
- Taxpayer ll
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:14:33
Mr. Mallard, why would a premier with a 80 % approval rating want to pander to the local audiance? For such a smart person, you should know it is the international audiance he is trying to get attention from, he already has our support.
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- Æ®©
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:11:30
You know, in 3 decades the deal is terminated, Quebec should think about what happens then. Unless Quebcois believe they won't be around then, they should not be so short-sighted as to not start smoothing out relations before the switch is turned off. NL is not going to care about losing 63 million dollars a year, and it will be happy to leave the switch in the off position until such time new technologies/power corridors bypass Quebec to properly benefit NL in a fair and reasonable way. This will come back and bite Quebec in the you-know-what. It's time for Quebec to start making some friends in Canada and participate in Canadian unity for the good of Canadians. Quebec will pay one way or the other, and time goes by faster than than you think. So be forewarned Quebec, if you don't pay the piper now, you'll pay more later. Guaranteed.
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- Micheal
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:10:53
Hope Danny focuses on the real power issue! My oil heat bill subsidy!
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- Saucy Face
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:08:39
A recent independent pole concluded that 80% of voters in Newfoundland and Labrador would vote for Danny Williams.
One thing I have concluded from reading the constant negative remarks against Williams in The Telegram everyday is that the 20% that would vote against him such as Truth Teller have very little to do in their lives except make stupid personal attacks against a premier who has massive public support.
Seems like Ms. Jones is one very desperate lady. -
- Truth
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:07:29
You contradict yourself. We are people. You called us traitors, so you called people traitors. The name-calling, including Lie Teller is childish and unproductive. That's what people do when they cannot counter with intelligent, reasoned rebuttals.
Number 1 and vinegar isn't going to change squat. What is needed is a conciliatory approach, but with Williams, Mr. Ego, that isn't likely. Cutting down all detractors, and anyone who dare scrutinize or critically analyze this, let alone ask Him questions in the people's House, is definitely not going to work in our favor in this matter. But, then again, this contract is so iron clad that I have a greater chance of flapping my arms and flying then Williams and cheerleaders do seeing this contract amended, let alone repealed!
And that's the truth. It's not undermining efforts. It's being realistic about the chances for success here, which are slim to none. Which are none, actually.
If I am wrong, I will scarf down the biggest humble pie ever. -
- david
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:07:23
I don't know why everyone is worried about NALCOR paying out large sums of money for whatever because it's not tax payers money being used. Don't people know they have their own slush fund which brings in as much money as the Upper Churchill yearly. They got it by expropriating hydro from Abitibi, they say the money being made belong to all NFLDers and GFW don't have a right to any of it. The truth is it belongs to NALCOR and may be spent anytime and anywhere on anything from oil wells to who knows what, and they don't have to tell anyone a darn thing.
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- Greg Mallard
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:06:49
As a practicing corporate lawyer in Quebec for the past 32 years I can clearly tell you that the request to re-open the Churchill falls contract with Hydro Quebec is untenable in law.
This is a political move designed to play to the local audience.
Nothing More.
Greg Mallard, LLB. -
- Morley
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:06:44
When Danny disagrees with anyone it is because they are always wrong.
When anyone disagrees with Danny he refers to it as betrayal. (has he use the term treason yet?)
We express shock when leaders from other countries use such strong and divisive language to squash any dissenting opinions. It is more than a little discouraging to see such poor leadership characteristics displayed in our own province and country. -
- Æ®©
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:06:14
Dear Mr. Mallard,
It seems to me that you can't be a very successful lawyer if you hang around making unthoughtout comments in other Canadian cities' online newspapers. Or are you singling out NL in particular ?
A successful lawyer is one with $300m in the bank and who has risen to the stature of Premier in his home province.
Interesting... on a simple search of the Barreau du Quebec your name does not show up in any variation or permutation.
http://www.barreau.qc.ca/?Langue=en
Given all the above, I believe you are a ficticious character. -
- W
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:03:46
Danny personally attacking someone wioth an alternative view. That's a new one, he especially like attacking woman, Jones, Forward.............it's kinda getting old.
How come teh PC's cannot attract high profile NFLDers to the party and end up with ex-MHA assitants drooling over the salary & free pension. I think he might have something to do with our leader. Just ask Manning, Loyola, Rideout, Hearn or Beth Marshall.
The major issue is when DAanny leaves who is gonna be left, one of those MHA's who went up thru the party as a secretary, yeah we'll be in great hands then. -
- Robert
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:03:21
Not sure where the Premier is going with this file but he certainly owes Ms. Jones an apology.
If enough people had asked questions and demanded answers during the Upper Churchill negotiations things would be different today.
To even suggest betrayal is beyond in house chatter. I am quite certain that Ms. Jones' heart is exactly the same as the Premier's heart, which hopefuly has our best interests at heart.
And I find it impossible to believe that HQ or the PoQ need Newfoundland's opposition party to state it's position on this file. -
- Truth
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:02:46
There goes Danny again, using his divisive, personal attacks. ALWAYS. The rhetoric towards anyone who disagrees with Him, or even dare questions Him is repugnant, and a man of his stature should be totally ashamed.
His smearing of Jones, who is merely doing her job, is completely gross and classless. It's typical Williams politics. Demonize and rally everyone around him. Typical schoolyard bully.
Sorry, Danny Boy. The Upper Churchill ain't happenin' just like the Lower Churcill ain't. You lost. -
- Bones II
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:02:34
Public acknowledgment that the energy corporation is in breach of the provincial law.
Mr. Hamel: Can you please explain how this deal could be rationalized to conform to the law of Quebec without renegotiation? Politics aside, this type of deal is illegal in your province. Neither province could have foreseen this in 1969 making it a current, modern-day issue. Modern day negotiation or court intervention appears to be the only way to achieve an acceptable outcome conforming to the provincial law of Quebec. Your view that Williams is a poor negotiator with HQ is a little misplaced because, as you have probably read, HQ WON'T negotiate even though NL requested it of them. This deal needs to be made legal, bottom line. -
- Frankie Blackwell
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:00:33
I hope Yvonne never goes into law or any profession that requires her to negotiate. I bet the unions would love for her to be Premier. cha-ching.
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- Truth
- - July 1st, 2010 at 20:00:21
They lied about the lobbyist, what else will they lie about???? (Williams') behavior in the House is astonishingly disgusting.
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- Eugene
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:59:30
Can't say I've ever voted Liberal, but Yvonne Jones for Premier will be my banner. And Kelvin Parsons deserves kudos for sticking to his guns. The arrogance of the Williams administration is reaching Smallwoodian (?) proportions; I just hope we can rally enough opposition when Danny tries to sell off the province's energy holdings in order to 'rationalize' the industry.
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- Taxpayer ll
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:58:54
Lie Teller I'm not calling people traitors, I'm calling you a traitor, just like Yvonne and her clowns are, including Roger the artful dodger Grimes.
So what if this is usless? So what if Quebec laughs it off as another attempt by the ...goofy newfies to right a wrong that is just so very wrong.
I just don't see the point in anyone who calls themselves a Newfoundlander trying to undermine any attempt, no matter how usless it may seem, to at least bring attention to our plight.
Who knows what this latest foray may bring? The premier is riding high in the polls, he doesn't need this to bolster his position in this provice. He is doing this to show Canada, and the rest of the world that we are not going to give up the fight, this is wrong. There have been many, many contracts over the years that in the end have proven to be so ill conceived that they are broken. Quebec may never renegotiate, but at least, at the very least we can give them our collective middle finger. -
- Right_Decision
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:57:04
Good attitude Truth Teller.
We've failed in the past, so why bother trying.
At least Danny Boy is fighting for us. Agree or disagree with his means, Danny is the only person we have had as Premier that stands up and defends NL.
Newfoundland has a history of sacrificing our resources for a few jobs . We have so much potential in this province to be an energy leader for North America. If we ALL believed that and fought for it half as much as Danny this province would be a much better place. -
- Taxpayer ll
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:55:15
I will apologise to you Mr. Teller. It's just that when I see someone from this province not solidly standing behind our leader on this particular issue it really gets my goat. As I have said I know how usless this is but hey, why not?
To the gentleman from Quebec...I didn't write about my knowledge of this deal, and so I can't understand how you could infer that I don't know much about the deal. I know that Quebec had people on both sides of the table, and thats criminal in my mind.
As I have said before this is all moot...in 30 years we will have three producing power projects on our river, and Quebec will have none. We will have the power forever, and PQ will have only had it for a scant 99 years. -
- Bert
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:54:34
Danny may not win this legal challange, then maybe again he might win. Who knows. But if we just sit on our hands like the Liberals want us to do we know we will lose!!! So far the P.C.'s have not been involved with this deal. The Liberals have because they made the deal. It cost us billions of dollars, why would it be considered a waste of money to spend a million or so to possibly gain hundres of millions or billions!!
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- J
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:54:18
Yvonne Jones is an idiot
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- Dr.
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:53:39
The definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over expecting a different result.
Tell me again how many times we have tried to get out of this contract? -
- TaxWatch
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:52:34
The legal opinion really scared Hydro Quebec and the Quebec Government. They had over 2 months to study and reply to this opinion; they took 2 hours or so !! And the legal opinion came from a firm involved in writing the Quebec Civil Code and the opinion couldn't put any fear in Quebec Hydro at all.
Now isn't Danny making Ed Martin look pretty stupid? How much did this legal opinion cost Nalcor? -
- Manny
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:52:08
Is this where all the losers hand out? Unbelievable, you have a premeir who fights tooth and nail for his own people and all most of you can do is insult him. WOW!
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- Nasty
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:51:38
Just what part of a contract can Danny Do Little not get his head around? Think about this for a moment. What do you think he would say to the off shore industry if they sent a letter to his office requesting a do over to lower payments on his contracts to lower the price per barrel paid to the province?
Guess you have your answer Dano. Move on, move on unless you are ready to open up every contract this province has signed onto as well. Wonder how that would go over?
You lost your chance with NB Power and you think the third time is going to be the charm? Think again. This makes you look like a boob. -
- Paul
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:49:43
maybe the peimier should remind quebec that these people have childern and grand childen to grow up when nl have control of the upper church hill again and make these people pay big time for the power
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- benjamin
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:48:55
seeing how it was Jones' party who signed the deal with the devil, I can certainly see why Danny wouldnt want to share the info with Yvonne...she is the worst opposition the province ever had...Pray she never wins...Ween Ween Ween...Go Danny Go...
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- martin
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:48:15
taxpayer II,
Your level of language show your poor knowledge of that deal in 1969. I think ita a lost of time to explain to you that this deal was not possible economically to be done by NFLD only, so HQ took big risk at the time and thats why today it pays a lot for HQ and less for you. Its easy today to say that your politician in 69 and your lawyers made a bad deal but energy prices went higher and higher.
So what else, supreme court ofCanada in 1988 statut that the deal cant be broke. So dont you think now its time to move on. I can say to my poit of view that mister Williams is a poor negociator with HQ.
Thank you -
- Lucien
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:47:16
Serious talk between NFL and Quebec will start when the Newfundlanders will pull the Churchill Falls plug.
Meanwhile Hydro-Quebec will continue to make 4.8 millions per day with the Churchill Falls Contact. -
- mike
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:46:55
Danny. Maybe it's time for a long term mainyenance shutdown at Churchill falls.
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- Truth
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:46:22
Taxpayer, calling people traitors for scrutinizing this is really low brow. You should be ashamed.
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- Joe
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:46:09
Like most other Provincial Governments in this province Danny,s crew don,t give a care about Labrador or It,s people.It is time the people of Labrador make a move to seperate and join Quebec and take it,s resourses with them
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- Truth
- - July 1st, 2010 at 19:43:19
Massive public support is what demagogues garner. Doesn't make them right.
The proof will be in the pudding regarding this apparent compelling legal claim, phantom right now, IF the province gets anywhere with it, which is as likely as Hell freezing over.
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