Peckford calls for Muskrat Falls audit

“I call on you now to authorize through your administration a formal forensic audit and that you will also authorize a public inquiry if circumstances warrant it as a result of the audit,” Peckford wrote in an open letter sent to Premier Dwight Ball on July 4.

Peckford, premier from 1979 to 1989, says time is of the essence and that he doesn’t believe an audit at this point will slow the project.

“A number of years from now will be too late — new circumstances, different political dynamics, will mitigate against the real answers being discovered.”

Peckford , who was critical of the megaproject following a keynote address at last month’s Noia conference in downtown St. John’s, called it an “ill-conceived” project from when it was first announced by then Premier Danny Williams.

The former premier takes issue with the cost overruns, the “lack of accountability and transparency,” and the SNC Lavalin risk report that was recently made public. Former Nalcor Energy CEO Ed Martin and Ball are at odds over when or if Martin saw the report.

“I think this last revelation is the straw that broke any confidence that anyone still had in the project.

“Like many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, my anxiety over the development of the Muskrat Falls Hydro Project in Labrador has increased over time.”

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