The NB Power deal with Quebec continues to be unpopular - even among some of the people Premier Shawn Graham says it's designed to help.

Graham has said the $3.2 billion-deal will help preserve jobs in forestry towns through lower power rates for industry, but some people in Nackawic aren't convinced.

"Oh it's a pretty good idea, but I think there's a better way to cut our power rates besides selling out our assets," said Steve Seleck, who works at the AV Nackawic mill.

Chris Lagacy contends any jobs saved at the mill, where he does occasional carpentry work, will be offset by NB Power job losses.

'They're giving rebates to places like McCains, Irvings, all these mills. What about us lower-class people, or middle-class people?'—Andy Lindsay, Nackawic resident

"Pretty well everybody you talk to is against it," he said.

Under the proposed deal, Hydro-Québec will take over the majority of NB Power's generation assets, but the province will maintain control of transmission and distribution.

New Brunswick's residential ratepayers will get a five-year rate freeze. Medium-sized industries will see a roughly 15 per cent cut in power rates and will have those rates locked in for five years while large industrial customers will see their power prices fall by roughly 23 per cent.

After five years, rates will increase with inflation and be regulated by the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board.

Industry big winner

Andy Lindsay, who works at the convenience store closest to the Nackawic mill, said it's not right that industry is getting a rate cut while people like him will only get a rate freeze.

"They're giving rebates to places like McCains, Irvings, all these mills. What about us lower-class people, or middle-class people?"

Lindsay doesn't buy the argument that the rate savings will trickle down to help preserve mill jobs.

He said a lot of industry jobs were created with government subsidies and now government is taking more from ordinary people to preserve them.

On Feb. 26, the Graham government said it will hold a full public debate on the controversial deal, but House Leader Greg Byrne said the public consultations won't lead to any changes in the agreement itself.

The full text of the agreement with Quebec, and legislation to enact it, will be introduced in the legislature by the end of March. The March 31 deadline to sign the agreement has been pushed back until May 21.

The deal was watered down from the original $4.8-billion deal announced in October after a public outcry and open dissent within the Liberal caucus.

The Opposition contends the government doesn't have a mandate to sell the majority of NB Power's assets and the public deserves to have a voice on the issue through a referendum, or the deal should be delayed until after the Sept. 27 provincial election.