The Conservative government promised a new, independent review panel for the MOU. What they announced today is neither.
Hand-picked by Mr. Wakeham, this so-called “new” panel is made up of members of the original Oversight Panel. The Conservatives removed the panel member they disagreed with and kept two others, including one who has already made their views publicly known and is therefore not independent.
Even more concerning, Mr. Wakeham hired a chief architect of the PC’s Muskrat Falls boondoggle to chair the panel.
“The PCs have put hundreds of billions at risk through delays and the appointment of an anti-MOU panel, and a chair who partnered with the PCs to create the Muskrat Falls disaster,” said Opposition Leader John Hogan, KC.
In January, Helen Conway Ottenheimer said, “If you’re hired by someone, that definitely calls into question your objectivity and independence.” Mr. Wakeham confirmed today that the so-called “independent” panelists will be financially compensated for their time and expertise.
Mr. Wakeham originally committed to having this review completed within 60 days, which he later extended to 90 days. As of today, his new timeline is 136 days. This further calls into question Mr. Wakeham’s ability to follow through on his commitments and to be transparent with the people of the province. This delay also further jeopardizes the MOU given the upcoming Quebec provincial election, which will be fewer than 6 months away when this review is completed.
“We’ve had multiple layers of independent and expert analysis of this MOU, including an unprecedented review in the House of Assembly that allowed all Members of the House, and the public, to hear directly from those internationally renowned financial and energy experts. The PCs walked out of that review, and all they have done here is kick the can even further down the road.” said Fred Hutton, Opposition Critic for Energy and Mines.
Mr. Wakeham and the PCs are jeopardizing our future by forgoing an opportunity to make $225 billion, create thousands of jobs, and quadruple our access to power.
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