Premiers' war of words continues
Published Monday November 2nd, 2009
Politics: Graham says Williams misleading the public about proposed agreement
FREDERICTON - The verbal volleys between Premier Shawn Graham and Danny Williams continue, with Graham now accusing the verbose Newfoundland and Labrador premier of misleading the public on the proposed NB Power-Hydro-Québec deal.
In the most recent exchange between the two premiers, Graham labeled Williams' recent criticism of the Hydro-Québec takeover as "unfair" and full of "animosity."
"Danny Williams is elected to defend the interests of Newfoundlanders and I'm elected to bring forward the best opportunities for New Brunswickers," Graham said.
"I felt it was highly unfair that he was critical of a deal he had not even seen. I called him personally and explained that we would not be giving up our sovereignty - that as a province we could continue to set energy policy," Graham continued.
"Yet he is still misleading the public by making statements that are not correct."
On Thursday, Graham and Quebec Premier Jean Charest announced a tentative deal that would see most of New Brunswick's public utility handed over to Hydro-Québec - in exchange for lower power rates and a wiping of NB Power's $4.75-billion debt.
Williams was quick to publicly criticize the proposal - even before it was formally announced.
Williams took a number of shots at the agreement throughout last week. For example, he talked about his province's painful past in dealing with Hydro-Québec, and also lamented about giving Hydro-Québec a monopoly that could hinder power development elsewhere in Atlantic Canada.
"I have great fears and reservations about the stranglehold that Hydro-Québec could put in place over the Atlantic region," Williams wrote in a letter to Graham on Wednesday.
Williams also said he's disappointed that his province was not made aware of the extent of New Brunswick's negotiations with Quebec.
The Tory premier has accused Hydro-Québec of trying to block his plans to develop the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project and sell the energy from that development to the United States, and of taking an unfair share of profits from the 1969 contract to develop the Churchill Falls project in Labrador.
"Our province feels compelled to look into the potential of anti-competitive behaviour on the part of Hydro-Québec given the potential monopoly that could exist as the result of an agreement between them and NB Power," Williams wrote.
For his part, Graham said he has always been supportive of Williams' efforts to secure offshore oil and gas revenues for his province.
So, Graham said he doesn't appreciate Williams' "animosity" at a time when New Brunswick is also trying to better its financial position.
"Danny Williams has a wealth of oil and gas reserves and he has received a wealth of income from the federal government through offshore accords," Graham said.
"As Atlantic Canadians we celebrated that success and I think New Brunswickers have to be asking the question: Why is Danny Williams trying to take away some of the success we're trying to achieve in our province?"
Williams was not made available for further comment. But Don Desserud, a University of New Brunswick political scientist, says Graham has little to gain from verbal sparring with Williams.
"It's not a pretty sight and I don't know how useful it is one way or the other," Desserud said.
"Graham should avoid a shouting match with Williams. I don't think he can possibly win that one."
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Perhaps it is time for an Coalition of Atlantic Provinces to better look after the needs of Atlantic Canadians, as the proof is already written on the wall that Ottawa has had no interest in Atlantic Canada since the St Lawrence Seaway opened in 1959.
Couldn't the same be said of Graham??
Oh wait a minute....New Brunswickers just give it all away...
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"Danny Williams is elected to defend the interests of Newfoundlanders and I'm elected to bring forward the best opportunities for New Brunswickers," Graham said.
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How many times did we hear that exact phrase ( at least you can memorize talking points, Shawn).......so Williams has his comments and Graham has his talking points...(and don't forget to say "bring forward" as manay times as possible Shawn.)
What a farce........if Graham is not the worst premier this province has had, surely he's among them!!!!
The same could be said about Charest. He is only interested in Quebec. He has no interest in helping NB in any way.
When it comes to energy, Que is basically the Saudi Arabia of Canada. Nobody can really compete against $2/bbl Saudi oil just as nobody will be able to compete against green and cheap(to produce) hydro from Que, once they get the market cornered.