PEI’s Premier Ghiz in the dark on NB Power sale
PEI's Premier Robert Ghiz, is this the face of a man in control? photo: CBC
Ghiz plays Pollyanna in multi-billion dollar energy game
PEI’s Premier Robert Ghiz is in the dark on the outcome of Hydro-Québec’s purchase of NB Power. PEI is out of the loop having discarded it’s low-energy price deal with New Brunswick under the Binns Tories.
“So at the end of the day, we know hydro that’s produced in Quebec is cheap, renewable power and if now we’re able to receive more of that here in the Maritime region, that could be a good thing.” CBC
Ghiz realizes but doesn’t want to articulate that Hydro-Québec has cheap energy for the people of Quebec but not for its customers outside Quebec.
The nationalized energy giant has long been an economic arm of the Quebec government. Hydro-Québec provides Quebec industries a competitive advantage in the world.
The key to Hydro-Québec is cheap hydro electricity delivered from massive hydro dams including the controversial sweet deal with Newfoundland at Churchill Falls.
Click and see the comparison between what Quebecers pay and what we pay
According to the Hydro-Québec comparison, Islanders are paying almost three times what they pay in Montreal.
A residential customer in Montreal pays $78 a month. In Charlottetown we pay $157 and that will only go up. In Boston they are paying $207 and they rely on Hydro-Québec for power.
Hydro-Québec is not a benevolent society. Their customers in the Eastern US are paying up to 3 and 4 times the Montreal rate.
Customers outside Quebec create profits for Hydro-Québec. This allows the government of Quebec to win elections on cheap power rates for its citizens.
When I lived in Quebec, we heated an all-electric home for about $30 a month. The government was subsidizing the rates to keep people contented despite the weak economy in Quebec.
“Quebec aux Quebecois” is not just jingoistic patriotism. Quebec has played hard ball economics and it’s real power in Canada is derived from economic power as well as political will.
PEI will be just another customer, paying what the market will bear. Maritime Electric knows the deal holds nothing special for PEI.
Officials with Maritime Electric, P.E.I.’s main power utility, said they are not willing to speculate on what a potential sale might mean for the province’s electrical users. “We do have contracts that, of course, no matter who the party is, would have to be honoured,” said president and chief executive officer Fred O’Brien. “Until we have more information, that’s about all I can say.” CBC
PEI’s Energy Minister Richard Brown is playing Pollyanna along with Premier Ghiz.
P.E.I. Energy Minister Richard Brown said a takeover could decrease transmission costs. “Potentially, it could mean a lower cost of transmission because now, you’re bringing two big transmission systems together,” he said. “That will result in a lower cost overall.” CBC
PEI has substantial wind energy resources that could mean financial independence; however, the Ghiz government shows no interest or capacity to manage them wisely.
The only people profiting from PEI’s wind energy are Suez and its lobbyist Jamie Ballem. No doubt Ballem is happy he lost the election and can make commissions from PEI’s wind energy bonanza that were denied him when he was Energy Minister.
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6 Responses to 'PEI’s Premier Ghiz in the dark on NB Power sale'
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Good reporting and the picture made everyone uncertain and nervous of what the Ghiz posse were attempting to cover up this time.
I thought you informed your readers, Robert is a poker player…..he certainly looks uncertain in this photo… I am really beginning to have empathy for the Ghiz gov’t…..all across Canada, Hong Kong,Middle East, people are laughing at what is occurring here,and the rate we are incurring debt is extremely dangerous..
The petition is up for anyone interested in signing for a public inquiry into the administration of the Provincial Nominee Program. Send a message to the Ghiz gov’t to smarten up or move along. Find out the truth…The truth will set you free; at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/peipnpinquiry
Wayne MacKinnon
29 Oct 09 at 9:54 pm
Hows that new party coming Wayne?
Curious George
29 Oct 09 at 10:38 pm
Curious George, this model of gov’t practiced here on P.E.I. is not sustainable when both political parties only serve the “Chosen Ones”. Our tax dollars, gov’t handouts,and untendered contracts have made the Chosen Few millionaires at the expense of all Islanders.
Our health care,education,and social programs are all underfunded to the detriment of all Island families both young and old.
Our brightest, young people are forced to leave P.E.I. to find meaniful opportunities to succeed in life instead of having the opportunity to stay at home and build and grow our Island economy.
The New Island Party is not about me,it is about empowering Islanders young and old to join together and change the corruption that is rampant in our Province.
So to answer your question George,if Islanders desire to start a new party to give all Islanders a voice-farmers,fishermen,farm/fishery workers,seniors,students,minimun wage earners,the disabled, new immigrants- then the Island Party will come to life with honest people operating the Party.
The Island Party will provide an effective opposition to hold the two main stream parties accountable instead of taking turns at the trough. Ensure all Islanders have access to quality health care,education opportunities and meaniful employment, not just for the “Chosen Ones.”
All Islanders will have a voice in developing the policy to move the Province forward into the future, give all Islanders a platform to express their views,develop sustainable policy the two main stream Parties have been unable to do so in the last 40 years.
Paving roads will not help with the crisis facing agriculture,fisheries,healthcare,and education. Nor will it ensure the future world food crisis will not affect all Islanders looking for food to sustain their families.
If Islanders are truly happy with their lot in life and believe the two mainstream parties are doing an adequate job; the two main stream party will continue to rape the taxpayers of their hard earned money while they are cold and hungry in their homes.
If Islanders desire a level playing field they will decide to support the New Island Party (N.I.P.) and NIP corruption at the top-the 5th floor of Shaw Building.
Wayne MacKinnon
30 Oct 09 at 2:21 pm