Métis accuse N.L. Tories of using landslide to pressure for Lower Churchill
Last Updated: Monday, April 7, 2008 | 4:16 PM NT
CBC News
The Labrador Métis Nation claims the Newfoundland and Labrador government is using the strength of its last election landslide to exert pressure in talks to develop the Lower Churchill megaproject.
Métis Nation president Chris Montague said provincial Natural Resources Minister Kathy Dunderdale cited the Progressive Conservatives' thundering victory during a recent meeting.
Chris Montague said the governing PCs are using their electoral success in October to pressure the Métis.
(CBC)
"She said very clearly, 'We're all one province.' They won three seats in Labrador, and she felt that their policies were endorsed by the people," said Montague, who was a Liberal candidate in Lake Melville district the Oct. 9 general election.
"I beg to differ," he added.
Dunderdale's office released a statement that rejects Montague's account of the meeting.
It said that Dunderdale views the election results as an endorsement of PC policies in general, but that the government's energy plan and the Lower Churchill project are still subject of a public consultation process that includes the Métis Nation.
Winning 69.5 per cent of the vote in the provincial election Oct. 9, 2007, Premier Danny Williams and the Tories now hold 44 of 48 seats in the House of Assembly. The Liberals hold three seats, while the New Democrats have one.
Métis not yet decided
Montague said his organization has not yet decided if it will support the Lower Churchill project, which — if it proceeds — will put two large hydroelectric plants on the Churchill River.
Montague said a 2006 Newfoundland Supreme Court decision that sided with the Labrador Métis Nation gives his people similar rights as the Innu Nation, which has been offered an equity stake in the Lower Churchill project.
The Lower Churchill could generate more than 2,800 megawatts of power if fully developed. It is a cornerstone of the Newfoundland and Labrador government's energy plan, but faces significant hurdles.
Apart from environmental review, it must pass muster with aboriginal groups. As well, proponent Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro must find a way to bring the power to market.
Only three months ago, Williams put odds at the project succeeding at just 50 per cent.
