In a quest to wrap my brain around all of this, and strictly off the top of my head, I made a list of issues that seem to keep coming up regarding the proposed NB Power/Hydro Quebec deal. Some of these are coming from both sides of the debate, some only from one. This list is very vaguely worded, often because I simply don’t know enough to make them more detailed. Primarily, however, I kept it vague because for most items several details come up, as well as views. My list (no doubt incomplete):
- Public trust – how the deal was made, absence of public discussion, input
- After five years – what happens?
- Lack of ongoing revenue (taxes etc.) from Hydro-Quebec
- Remaining assets (ones remaining with NB) and costs pertaining to
- Control (sovereignty) – is it wise to cede? Will New Brunswick’s regulatory abilities under the arrangement have teeth?
- Difference between consumer/industrial benefits
- Quebec regulations must be met by NB – wisdom of this?
- Other options – were they explored? Are there better deals to be made?
- Language of MOU – will terminology used have legal standing/recognition
- Why a specific timeline? Is it enough time for discussion etc.? If not met, what happens?
- Long term impact – what is gained, what is lost
And here are some questions I have as someone who has no background in the area of arrangements such as this. They are:
- What is a MOU (Memo of Understanding), specifically in Canadian legal terms? What is its legal standing?
- What would a final agreement be?
- What process would a final agreement go through? Before signing, would a final agreement be vetted through public input? What kind of legal review would it go through to determine the legal standing of the language? What legal review would it go through to determine how the language could/would be interpreted?
I’ve tried to make this post impartial. I simply would like more information and also some kind of organized thought on all of this as currently the debate seems chaotic with a good deal of posturing and emotional cloudiness.
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