For Immediate Release
December 13, 2024
NL NDP Leader Jim Dinn (St. John’s Centre) says on the surface, the new Churchill Falls deal between Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec looks promising, but the devil is in the details.
“This 1969 deal has been a source of much political and public debate and burden, but we cannot rush this deal,” said Dinn. “I feel the push already that this is the best deal, and we need to sign off on it as soon as possible, but we can’t forget our past with megaprojects. We owe it to everyone in this province, and for our future generations, to get this right. We need to push for independent oversight, and fulsome transparency with new projects. We can’t make the same mistakes again.
“We have questions about what this deal would mean for rate payers in the province. Will our costs go down? We question what will happen to this deal if a new government should be elected in either province in the coming year. There are so many moving pieces, and it is easy to get excited about the ‘billions’ coming to the province, but we have to be thorough.
Dinn says that while he waits to get into the details, it is important to focus on where this money needs to be invested in the province, and what needs to be done to prepare the province for these new projects.
Unfortunately, the NDP is not receiving a briefing until Monday. However, Dinn says he is looking forward to doing his own consultations, along with MHA Jordan Brown, and speaking to people who are already reaching out with questions.
“When it comes down to it, we have a responsibility to ensure that this deal will brighten the future of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. These new jobs need to be good, unionized jobs for our workers. This means investing in Labrador, including housing, transportation, and access to healthcare. This means investing in MUN and CNA to prepare to train Newfoundlanders and Labradorian workers.
“We want to see a bright future for this province and all residents. That doesn’t mean we should rush and agree to something without all the details ironed out and looked at from many perspectives. This is our resource. We deserve the best.”
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For further information, contact Stephanie Curran, Media and Communications Officer, NDP Caucus at 330-0328 (o), or stephaniecurran@gov.nl.ca
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