N.B. First Nations upset over lack of consultation
Last Updated: Wednesday, February 3, 2010 | 2:17 PM AT
CBC News
IN DEPTH: NB Power sale
Internal links
- SPECIAL COVERAGE: Power Play website
- Quebec balked at NB Power sale costs
- Reaction from NB Power deal collapse
- NB Power deal collapse could hurt jobs
- Quebec's NB Power deal cut to $3.2B
- Province retains control of NB Power in revised deal
- 3 Liberal ministers won't vote for NB Power deal
- Hydro-Québec should not fear changes to NB deal: expert
- Quebec minister changes tune on NB Power deal
- NB Power deal has 'out' clause: energy minister
- Hydro-Québec CEO speaks to Saint John business group
- NB Power controversy helps PCs: poll
- Power rate savings overblown
- Cabinet minister clarifies his NB Power view
- Irving firms benefit from NB Power deal
- N.B. throne speech pushes NB Power sale
- Lord government considered NB Power sale
- N.B. Liberals critical of NB Power deal
- McKenna hails NB Power sale as 'courageous'
- Power rate hikes could pass inflation after 2015
- Hydro-Québec CEO says rate structure not his idea
- Mactaquac Dam could cost NB Power ratepayers
- Industry big winner in NB Power sale
- Energy minister defends NB Power sale
- Long-term power rate cap needed: analyst
- Opposition demands election over NB Power sale
- Dalhousie mayor wants help over power plant closure
- Quebec, N.B. strike $4.8B deal for NB Power
- Energy deal must bring N.B. lower rates: Graham
Audio
- N.B. Liberals at a weekend party conference take questions for 90 minutes on the proposed sale of NB
- Liberal Kelly Lamrock discusses his views of the proposed NB Power deal
Photo gallery
Video
External links
- NB Power's website
- Hydro-Québec's website
- Government of New Brunswick: Lower Rates for New Brunswickers' website
- DOCUMENT: Memorandum of Understanding for proposed NB Power sale
- DOCUMENT: Assessment of the Rate Impacts of the MOU between N.B. and Quebec regarding NB Power
- FAQS: Government of New Brunswick on proposed NB Power sale
- TIMELINE: Government of New Brunswick on proposed NB Power sale
New Brunswick First Nation leaders are considering legal action against the provincial government for not consulting with them in the proposed NB Power deal with Quebec.
A group of First Nations chiefs met in Fredericton on Wednesday to express their frustration against what they believe is the New Brunswick government turning its back on a promise to consult on issues impacting their communities.
'By dealing with these massive assets that clearly have unresolved issues relating to our rights, without consulting us, is really a violation of the spirit of that agreement.'— Stewart Paul, Tobique First Nation chief
Tobique First Nation Chief Stewart Paul said the provincial government signed an agreement in 2007 that First Nations would be involved in decisions on issues that involve them.
He said that hasn't been the case with NB Power, even though resources on First Nation lands would be part of the deal.
Paul said it's not whether the proposed sale is a good idea or a bad one, what they're angry about is that it was set up without their involvement.
"By dealing with these massive assets that clearly have unresolved issues relating to our rights, without consulting us, is really a violation of the spirit of that agreement," he said.
Paul said if the provincial government does not consult New Brunswick First Nations about the deal, the matter could end up in the courts.
"I really think we have a very strong legal ground. We have constitutionally defined and protected rights that just can't be disregarded," Paul said.
"This is a very serious thing. And the constitution has to be upheld."
The New Brunswick government is proposing to sell a majority of NB Power's generation assets to Hydro-Québec for $3.2 billion.
The deal includes selling the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station, the utility's fleet of hydro dams and two smaller units.
It's not just the proposed NB Power deal that has First Nations concerned.
Pabineau First Nation Chief David Peter Paul said the provincial government called for proposals for more than 30 licences to search for oil and gas in January.
He said some of that land involved includes traditional aboriginal territories but they were not consulted before the announcement.
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