Muskrat Falls protest planned for St. John's
CBC News
Posted: Nov 17, 2012 9:58 AM NT
Last Updated: Nov 17, 2012 1:05 PM NT
Organizer Con O'Brien said everyone is invited to take part in Sunday's protest of Muskrat Falls. (CBC )
Related
External Links
(Note:CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external links.)
A new group opposed to the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric megaproject will voice its concerns on Sunday.
The People's Assembly of Newfoundland and Labrador will gather for a protest in downtown St. John's at Harbourside Park at 12 p.m., and plans to walk to the Colonial Building.
Organizer Con O'Brien said everyone is invited to take part.
"If you're pro-Muskrat Falls, if you're sitting on the fence, or if you're an anti like myself, and you have concerns, it's really important that we show the government that there are people who have legitimate concerns," he said.
Question about costs
O'Brien said what worries him the most about the deal is the proposed cost, and the possibility that Muskrat Falls could bankrupt the province.
He said while the provincial government claims the total revised cost of the project is $7.4 billion, O'Brien said it's likely to be more because the amount of interest during construction was not factored in.
"We're 500,000 people, and we, as the ratepayers of Newfoundland and Labrador, are the ones who are going to be harnessed with making the payments on the loan to build this big, big megaproject, and when you get into [a] $10-billion deal, that's an insurmountable fee," he said.
The house of assembly reopens on Monday. O'Brien said now is the time to make government aware of the opposition to Muskrat Falls.
"I would like to see the Public Utilities Board drawn back in it — that's what we're really shouting out for at this march," he said.
"With the Public Utilities Board, we could have that opportunity to have that regulated review. And once that decision came through and what their recommendations were, well then they have the opportunity for the government to make their decision or to have a referendum on that result."
Protest song
O'Brien, who's also the lead singer of the Irish Descendents, decided to write a song about the Muskrat Falls project, called "Our Daughters and Our Sons."
He said the song has been a work in progress.
"I've been working on the song for a number of months, and as the story changes, so did the song," he said.
"I was waiting for the time to put it out there. I think it's a way for everybody to get involved in a little way."
Share Tools
Latest Nfld. & Labrador News Headlines
- Woman, children OK after collision
- Three people in Bay Roberts were taken to hospital on Tuesday after the driver of a car lost control and caused quite a bit of damage. more »
- Bay Roberts couple win $2M on scratch ticket
- Wayne and Mary Hiltz of Bay Roberts are the latest lotto millionaires in Newfoundland and Labrador. more »
- CBC meteorologist describes tornado devastation

- Ryan Snoddon says he could not believe his eyes when he saw the aftermath of the tornado that ripped through Oklahoma on Monday. more »
- Snowplows, snowmen still seen in Gander area
- The ground in Gander is still white after a record-breaking 58 centimetres of snow fell on the town over the May 24 weekend. more »
Must Watch
Top News Headlines
- Kids from levelled Oklahoma schools recount deadly tornado

- Children from two Oklahoma schools levelled Monday by a powerful tornado are recounting what it was like to survive the "loud" and "scary" twister, while rescuers near the end of their search for any other remaining survivors or bodies.

more »
- Deadly Oklahoma tornado confirmed as most powerful type

- Emergency workers neared the end of their search Tuesday afternoon for survivors in Moore, Okla., following a deadly tornado that weather officials said was now classified among the most powerful type of twister. more »
- Senate debates expense audits amid greater scrutiny
- The expenses scandal dominated the first Senate session since the audits on senators Mike Duffy, Mac Harb and Patrick Brazeau were released and it was revealed Duffy's questionable expenses were repaid by a personal cheque from the prime minister's chief of staff. more »
- Only 1 set of human remains found at Millard farm, police say
- Hamilton police have confirmed that they are dealing with only a single set of human remains at the Waterloo region farm of Dellen Millard. more »
- Rob Ford faces more calls to address crack allegations
- Toronto Mayor Rob Ford went back to work after a holiday weekend, but he kept his mouth shut about an alleged video that two published reports say shows him smoking what appears to be a crack pipe. more »
- Central Newfoundland digs out from freak snowfall
- Bay Roberts couple win $2M on scratch ticket
- CBC meteorologist describes tornado devastation
- Anglican priest in Topsail facing fraud charges
- Pipe used in teen attack in St. John's
- Credit card surcharge coming for MUN students
- Duffy scandal has smeared entire Senate, Baker says
- Power | Checking in or checking out?
- Chaulk re-enters St. John's mayoral race

