People must have a say in sale of NB Power

MONCTON, NB, Oct. 27 /CNW Telbec/ - New Brunswickers should be mad as hell to hear that since June, our government has been secretly negotiating the sale of our power utility to Quebec Hydro. This according to Ervan Cronk, the Atlantic Regional Vice-President for the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada .

"Equally offensive is that our premier and Energy Minister Jack Kier are trying to convince us that the sale would be good for us," says Mr. Cronk .

"There is no evidence whatsoever that New Brunswickers would be well-served by this sale.

"In fact, the evidence that does exist, supports the argument that our Liberal government is prepared to replace their short-term gain for our long-term pain.

"Premier Graham has dug a hole in New Brunswick with his energy hub program and now that the wheels are falling off, he and his government are preparing to fill the hole as poorly as he is filling pot holes on our highways.

"If ever there was a time when New Brunswickers should be given an opportunity to be consulted and to vote on a matter which so directly and so negatively will impact upon them for a long time to come, this is it.

Mr. Cronk and his union are calling for an immediate end to any negotiations for the sale of NB Power.

"This is our utility," he continues. "It belongs to the people of New Brunswick , not to Premier Graham."

"Any decision about selling NB Power should be fully and publicly debated by the people who actually own the utility. And any decision to sell should also be made by the people of New Brunswick , not by Premier Graham.

"Yes, there are a number of people who will benefit from the sale, but you can rest assured that the average New Brunswick worker is not included in that number.

"Our union will not sit quietly by while these talks continue."

For further information: Ervan Cronk, [phone] (office) or [phone] (cell)