Beware of spin promoting NB Power/Hydro-Québec deal

FREDERICTON – Opposition leader David Alward is warning New Brunswickers to watch out for a massive government public relations campaign aimed at convincing them that surrendering NB Power to the province of Quebec is a good thing.

“The Shawn Graham Liberals are preparing to launch a million dollar campaign, using the people’s own money to persuade them they shouldn’t be critical of this deal. Watch for not only paid advertising, but also for letters and commentaries in the newspapers from various people whom they are persuading to speak out in favour. The government undoubtedly realizes it’s a terrible deal, especially for small businesses and residential customers, but they are banking on the fact that if they sugar coat it enough and run enough ads, that people will come around.”

Alward predicts it won’t work.

“We have a saying that no matter how much lipstick you put on a pig, it’s still a pig. And I have full confidence that the people of New Brunswick aren’t going to be sucked in by whatever the PR firms assigned to this come up with. It’s insulting that the Premier thinks the people of New Brunswick are that gullible”

Meantime, Alward says Premier Graham’s interview on the ATV news Thursday evening confirms that his commitment to consult with the people on this decision is a sham. When asked directly if he would back away from this deal if it becomes obvious the public doesn’t agree with it, he failed to give a straight answer.

“The Premier’s waffling on that question speaks volumes. It is obvious he has no intention of doing anything but using his majority in the legislature to ram this through. And since he is refusing to delay this until after next fall’s election or to call the election early, he is saying what the people think doesn’t matter. Given that it is the people of the province who own NB Power, not Premier Graham, we on the Tory side vehemently disagree. We reiterate he has no authority to sell off what belongs to the people, but that’s where he is heading. It is arrogant, dictatorial, and ultimately it will be disastrous for our long term future.”

Our pledge is to do everything in our power to stop this massive mistake from happening, and compromising the very future of our province. We will need the help of the New Brunswick citizens far and wide to help stop Shawn Graham, and in the coming days we will be finalizing plans of how together, we can save our province from this course the Premier has set us on.

We will be setting up a toll free line in the next few days, however for now you can phone 506-453-3456, or visit the website www.pcnb.ca where you can send us your comments or email us at info@pcnb.org. Also, we are in the process of setting up a website and it too will provide an outlet for your concerns and ideas.