The Premier’s announcement that he will reverse course and call
a public inquiry into the Muskrat Falls project has attracted much comment on
this Blog and in other forums. The public’s worst fear is that the inquiry will
accomplish little and result in another waste of money.
Scepticism abounds that government will restrict the inquiry’s
mandate.
mandate.
Nalcor meddling is an undercurrent of the debate. Another is
that the government will placate the many politicians and restrict the inquiry from having them testify and face examination.
that the government will placate the many politicians and restrict the inquiry from having them testify and face examination.
Only the Premier can quell those fears with announcement of
the broadest possible inquiry mandate.
the broadest possible inquiry mandate.
An Anonymous commentator enumerated eight reasons as to why the inquiry might be ineffective in response
to a piece on this Blog entitled Nalcor Meddling A Threat To Muskrat Inquiry.
(Cabot Martin also wrote a Piece called Inquiry Needs Engineering Capability to “Uncloak Big Scheme Comprising Many Smaller Schemes”. David Vardy will write, on Monday, his views as to how the terms of reference should be constructed.)
The fifth reason cited by the Anonymous commentator expressed
doubt that any of the $12.7 billion, the estimated cost of Muskrat, will
be returned. Such a doubt could easily be said to be a guarantee. I suggest,
however, that particular concern may constitute a measure of overreach but others are far more legitimate
and reasonable.
doubt that any of the $12.7 billion, the estimated cost of Muskrat, will
be returned. Such a doubt could easily be said to be a guarantee. I suggest,
however, that particular concern may constitute a measure of overreach but others are far more legitimate
and reasonable.
Within just a few years the bills will go out to ratepayers. Those
high rates and the subsidies (aka “rate mitigation”) required to repay the capital
borrowed and the operating expenses of the project will have adverse
consequences for public policy of all kinds, especially public services.
high rates and the subsidies (aka “rate mitigation”) required to repay the capital
borrowed and the operating expenses of the project will have adverse
consequences for public policy of all kinds, especially public services.
Public outcry will translate into a demand to know how such a
debacle could have occurred, how so many people could have been duped,
who is responsible and if punishment is warranted.
debacle could have occurred, how so many people could have been duped,
who is responsible and if punishment is warranted.
Those answers will need to be ready especially if the pain of the debt
is borne solely by members of the public. Is there another volunteer?
is borne solely by members of the public. Is there another volunteer?
Exactly because the opportunity afforded by a public inquiry
should not be wasted, readers might want to consider this one commentator’s
reservations. Indeed, as another reader who gave the commentary particular
note suggested: “all (Premier) Ball has to do is turn those negatives into positives”.
should not be wasted, readers might want to consider this one commentator’s
reservations. Indeed, as another reader who gave the commentary particular
note suggested: “all (Premier) Ball has to do is turn those negatives into positives”.
Here is the Anonymous writer’s commentary:
“First of all let me say this inquiry will be a waste of money
because of the following:
1. There will not be any criminal charges laid.
2. The inquiry will not have the power to force people such as
Williams, Dunderdale,
Kennedy and Marshal to answer questions.
Williams, Dunderdale,
Kennedy and Marshal to answer questions.
3. Ed martin will not answer to this inquiry and neither will
Stan Marshall.
Stan Marshall.
4. There will not be a forensic audit to determine where all the
money went.
money went.
5. None of the money will be paid back.
6. Such things as contracts and contract workers will hide behind
the confidentiality laws-
laws that will
not be changed to once and for all prevent this type of secrecy from
preventing
governments releasing information to ensure a much needed democratic, free
and
open process will be in place for the future projects.
the confidentiality laws-
laws that will
not be changed to once and for all prevent this type of secrecy from
preventing
governments releasing information to ensure a much needed democratic, free
and
open process will be in place for the future projects.
7. The province is already on the hook for the $12.7 Billion owed
due to this project so
nothing is going to change that.
due to this project so
nothing is going to change that.
8. In order for to prevent this Boondoggle from repeating itself
in the future the
system of government has to change and that isn’t going to happen while we have
three
parties with vested interests in more projects, more spending and more
high priced
construction jobs to elect them in the future.”
Perhaps readers share some of this commentator’s concerns. Perhaps you should tell the Premier now. After he releases the Inquiry’s terms of reference it will be too late.
Not sure how you can contact the Premier’s Office? Here is the info:
in the future the
system of government has to change and that isn’t going to happen while we have
three
parties with vested interests in more projects, more spending and more
high priced
construction jobs to elect them in the future.”
Perhaps readers share some of this commentator’s concerns. Perhaps you should tell the Premier now. After he releases the Inquiry’s terms of reference it will be too late.
Not sure how you can contact the Premier’s Office? Here is the info:
Governments everywhere on earth are thoroughly corrupt. All governments need to be changed regularly like diapers and for the same reason. Unfortunately we have a party system that makes it very hard to get something new and the last election certainly proved there is no real difference between the PC and Liberals.
Ed Hollett documented Ball`s response once the PCs announced Muskrat was to proceed…….he was all in favour of it for many reasons. His words are a matter of record, and helps explain his not stopping the project 2 years ago. He has continued the secrecy of the Tories and little concern of the consequences……….and will try to have terms of reference to limit the scope, if he can get away with it.
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Just get 40 INDEPENDENTS and LOCK DOWN THE AIRPORT. They Changed the LAWS to suit themselves and I will Change them to Suit Us, the PEOPLE! THEY WILL go to JAIL and ALL, ANYONE involved will have Bank Accounts FROZEN and ALL ASSETS SEIZED. The People are NOT going to PAY. If anything it can be WIPED off with a Promissory NOTE. Just got to know the system they created and use it against them. Simple. Whenever anyone say "Can't" They just ar not educated enough to know HOW!