Tory introduce referendum bill on power pact
Published Thursday November 26th, 2009
FREDERICTON - David Alward wants New Brunswickers to decide the fate of NB Power's proposed sale to Hydro-Québec.
On Wednesday, the Opposition leader called for a referendum on the deal, which would lower power rates but is being assailed as overly generous to the province's biggest industrial users.
"The shareholders are the people of New Brunswick - not the premier and not the minister of energy - and we believe they deserve the right to vote on the deal," Alward said after tabling a bill called the NB Power Referendum Act. "Ultimately it should be the people's choice."
Alward said the Progressive Conservatives have been deluged by voters who are angry about the accord, announced last month by Premier Shawn Graham and Jean Charest, his counterpart in Quebec.
Because of that, the Tories introduced the bill, even though it has little chance of being affirmed by Graham's majority Liberal government.
"People don't believe the government has a mandate to do this and this bill allows people to be heard as part of the democratic process.," said Alward.
"A sale that is forever needs to be debated in the House."
Alward tabled the motion at the end of a morning session at the Legislative Assembly. The debate over the proposed sale dominated question period.
"This issue is important to the people of New Brunswick, and we will continue to do our job," Alward said, surrounded by reporters in the rotunda outside the legislative chambers. "We will continue to focus on the issue.
"We have many more question periods, and good questions, still to come."
For the second day in a row, three Tory MLAs introduced petitions signed by voters they said were opposed to the deal.
Energy Minister Jack Keir said the government is ready for the debate.
"This is probably one of the most important issues debated in this house in a long, long time," he said. "Look, we have been elected to lead, and that is exactly what we are getting to do."
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This isn't about David Alward. This is about Shawn Graham. The people of NB want a say on this deal. It's not good enough to tell us we can cast a vote six months after the deal closes.
The Premier should call an early election or have a referendum. I don't know what the Liberal Party is afraid of. The people of NB would respect a Premier who risked electoral defeat with a deal that he believes is the best we can do.
Let's see the Premier put his money where his mouth is, and let's put this to the people.
He skipped step 1, call you opponent emotional or a fear monger.
He got step 2 though, deflect criticisms onto your opponent.
"Not very confidence-inspiring as a provincial party leader."
But where he really shined is in step 3 and 4.. Change the subject, and keep changing the subject.
"I saw him being interviewed on the evening news by Terry Seguin shortly after this story broke a few weeks ago. He looked like a deer in headlights."
Your liberal masters would be proud...if they actually cared about you. (Of course I'm assuming you aren't an Irving)