NDP Leader Earle McCurdy says the Labrador Land Protectors should not have to demonstrate on the steps of the Nalcor building to have their concerns about the Muskrat Falls project addressed and commitments honoured.
Land Protectors demonstrated at the Nalcor headquarters at Hydro Place in St. John’s this morning seeking a meeting with Nalcor CEO Stan Marshall. An agreement to meet has been reached but no date has been set.
“The Muskrat Falls project has been economically and environmentally reckless from the start. The Liberals had an opportunity and an obligation to do a full-fledged inquiry into this project early on in their mandate. Instead they proceeded full speed ahead, ignored concerns raised by many, and most recently broke promises made to Labradorians,” said McCurdy.
McCurdy says in October 2016 the Premier made a commitment to the leaders of the province’s Indigenous governments to lower water levels in the reservoir to allow for mitigation efforts. Last week, Nunatsiavut President Johannes Lampe said he was disappointed that the commitment by government to help mitigate methylmercury impacts downstream from Muskrat Falls was not being honoured.
“The Premier is the Minister responsible for Indigenous Affairs. Government must implement the agreement reached with the Nunatsiavut Government, the Innu Nation, and the NunatuKavut Community Council, as well as establish an independent expert review of the stability of the North Spur and establish an inquiry, including a forensic audit, on all aspects of the project,” said McCurdy.
The NDP has made repeated calls for an inquiry and a forensic audit of the Muskrat Falls project.
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To speak with Earle McCurdy, phone 709-739-6387 or e-mail news@nl.ndp.ca.