More than 4,000 people protested the planned sale of NB Power assets to Hydro-Quebec in Fredericton yesterday.
Board member and Saint John chapter activist Leticia Adair reports that, “Our chapter was there in force.” She adds that there was a “great turnout from the whole province and all walks of life.”
CTV reports, “Carrying placards and chanting, the demonstrators took over the front lawn of the legislature in what organizers said was the largest rally of its kind so far.”
THE COUNCIL OF CANADIANS
Along with our participation in this rally, highlights of our work on this issue to date include:
December 8, 2009
OPEN LETTER: The Council of Canadians sends an open letter to the premier and party leaders “to express serious concerns with the plan to sell the assets of NB Power and certain subsidiaries of NB Power.”
http://canadians.org/energy/documents/Letter-NB-power-sale-1209.pdf.
November 8, 2009
ACTION ALERT: Raise questions about the sale of NB Power: The approach by the provincial government thus far for public engagement on such a monumental decision has been lacking. There remain a number of unanswered questions about the sale and insufficient plans for consulting with residents of New Brunswick. In particular, the Council of Canadians is concerned about the sale’s impact on the capacity to expand in-province local renewable energy sources, as well as the lack of clarity for a fair worker transition plan and the rights of future workers, and the precedent being set in affirming an export-oriented energy vision.
http://canadians.org/action/2009/08-Dec-09.html.
November 3, 2009
NEWS: Council of Canadians raises concerns about the export focus of NB Power sale: The Halifax Chronicle-Herald article notes, “Andrea Harden Donahue, Council of Canadians energy campaigner in Ottawa, said the deal between NB Power and Hydro-Quebec is based on a business model to sell exports into the northeastern U.S., which is demanding more supplies of renewable energy.”
http://canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=2144.
October 24, 2009
NEWS: Council of Canadians says NB Power should remain public: The Daily Gleaner reports that, “The Council of Canadians says New Brunswickers should object to any effort to privatize their utility and sell it off, in whole or in part.”
http://canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=2083.
The CTV report adds that, “(Premier Shawn) Graham has said he hopes to finalize the agreement with Quebec by May 21.”
