Being a poor province, PEI has no real autonomy. Autonomy follows economic wealth. PEI has little of both.

When the Joe Ghiz Liberals were first elected in 1986, then Agriculture Minister Tim Carroll said the only job for PEI politicians was to go to Ottawa and get more money. The cavalier view of PEI’s economic prospect did not help him on the job. He lasted a mere 2 years.

Successive governments have largely reduced PEI to a rump province with 4 seats up for grabs in Federal elections. While the have-not and perennial welfare Province of Newfoundland fought Hydro-Québec and the Federal Government over resources, PEI contentedly whiled its time overspending on largess and patronage.

Of the 4 Atlantic Provinces, only Newfoundland has a hope of economic and political autonomy.

Nova Scotia is deeply in debt despite gas off Sable Island. New Brunswick has sold its energy birthright to Quebec for Premier Graham’s next election win. PEI is squandering wind energy to whomever former energy minister Jamie-Ballem brings to the table.

Our elected officials know they are economically and politically bankrupt. We have a Legislature that shows it feel powerless by enacting no laws of consequence. It’s members indulge in personal aggrandizement while giving the modest appearance of good governance.

The Hydro-Québec sale will put another nail in PEI’s political coffin.

As an Acadian and former resident of Québec, I cannot help but admire Québec’s pride and independence in the midst of an Anglo continent. They have created an economic and cultural world of which they are justly proud.

Paul MacNeill publisher of the Eastern Graphic has his concerns as well on the Hydro-Québec deal.

NB Power deal demands scrutiny

By Paul MacNeill, Eastern Graphic

It’s the type of deal that makes you stand up and take notice, especially when you live in a province with among the highest energy rates in the country.
The blockbuster agreement between NB Power and Hydro-Quebec holds immense potential. It also is incredibly alarming. Without significant change the agreement will be a short-term winner and a long-term loser for New Brunswick. That makes it a long-term loser for PEI, because we import most of our power from our Maritime neighbour.

The agreement will see Quebec buy NB Power for its debt, $4.8 billion. It will deliver an immediate 30 per cent reduction in rates charged to existing industrial users (new industries or expansions will pay market price). Residential rates will be frozen for five years.

It’s these rates that make the deal so enticing today, but after five years all bets are off. Rates will increase according to the consumer price index. There is no protection for New Brunswick when Hydro Quebec costs go up – and they will.

In addition to rate uncertainty, there are many smaller items compounded to conclude the New Brunswick government is selling its soul for a short-term political victory. Key to this is the sale, forever, of the transmission grid to New England. This has potential repercussions on our plans to expand wind energy exports.

It is too early to say this is a bad deal for PEI. It is too early to say that PEI should not allow Maritime Electric to be sold to Hydro-Quebec. But it is an ideal time for the PEI government to ask some very tough questions and be prepared to fight this agreement if necessary.