St. John’s, NL — Fred Hutton, Critic for Energy and Mines, says Premier Wakeham, during his State of the Province address at the St. John’s Board of Trade today, made a number of statements that leave more questions than answers.
Wakeham claims the Conservatives will develop Churchill Falls and Gull Island; however, he did so without indicating whether the people of Newfoundland and Labrador will again pay for it, as they did Muskrat Falls, or whether the Conservatives intend to proceed with the MOU with Quebec. Wakeham also claimed the Terms of Reference are being drafted for another independent review, but refuses to disclose who is conducting the review, how the reviewer is being chosen, and if the reviewer will be paid by the Conservative government.
Hutton says Wakeham made an incorrect statement when referencing the Churchill Falls MOU and jobs. Wakeham claimed that jobs were not fought for and protected in the current MOU. This is categorically false. A hiring protocol exists in the Environmental Assessment for Gull Island, which ensures workers are hired in the following order: Innu Nation, residents of Labrador, residents of the island, and then the rest of Canada. It was also made clear that the Churchill Falls expansion under the MOU will require its own environmental assessment and will maintain a similar hiring priority for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians before any construction begins.
Hutton adds that Wakeham also revealed a significant concession regarding Bay du Nord. Wakeham confirmed that Equinor will not build topsides in Newfoundland and Labrador if it is cheaper or faster to do so elsewhere. This is significantly weaker than Wakeham’s position during the general election, when he insisted that no matter what, topsides would be built here at home.
All of these matters should be debated in the House of Assembly. Unfortunately, Wakeham has confirmed that he has cancelled the entire fall sitting, and the Legislature will not reopen until the spring, despite all Members now being sworn in.
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