1. Conference Board provincial economic outlook
The Conference Board of Canada is predicting the central Canadian economy will slow in 2007, in tune with a slowdown in the American economy.
Newfoundland and Labrador is forecast to see economic growth at 5.7%, up from 2.9% in 2006. Growth is attributed entirely to resumed production at Terra Nova and Voisey's Bay.
No comparable new economic initiatives are on the table for Newfoundland and Labrador. In April 2006, the $10 billion Hebron development was shelved in a dispute over taxes and the provincial government's demands for an ownership position among the operators of the project.
No other initiatives - including a proposed second refinery at Southern Head, Placentia Bay or the Lower Churchill - are likely to receive approval.
2. Ontario/Quebec upgrade power connection
Ontario and Quebec will announce shortly plans to improve the electricity interconnection between the provinces.
"It will allow us to access more power from Quebec and ideally, over time, from Newfoundland, as well," said Ontario energy minister Dwight Duncan.
3. Cable smackdown draws crowd
Government's announcement it would acquire a 28% interest in a private sector cable deal is generating growing controversy across the province.
The Williams administration has been deploying cabinet ministers, back-bench members of the legislature and the usual parade of planted callers on Open Line shows to attack anyone criticising the deal.
So far, none of the deal's supporters have been able to explain why the provincial government invested in a private sector venture that the private sector had already started and was clearly able to fund.
Work began on the project when it was priced at $82 million. Government stepped in with a 28% interest in a project estimated to cost $52 million.
Meanwhile, at vocm.com, the public wasn't looking kindly on the deal. The on-line survey "Question of the Day" is not scientific but Williams and his Pitcher Plants have been known to try and skew the thing.
This time out, vox populi won out over TMV [Their Master's Voice] despite a last minute flurry from the crew who get their call-in scripts from the Premier's Office.
On Tuesday, the votes were running 60/40 against the Premier's plan to pump $15 million in public money into the deal. Despite a last minute flurry of activity by the Pitcher Plants, official results show opposition to the deal running at 51% to 47%.
4. Offshore Board tackles Hibernia South
The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board met on Monday and Tuesday to tackle the development application amendment for Hibernia South. Decision on the application was delayed pending appointment of a new chairman and chief executive officer.
No word on when a decision is expected.
5. Patrick new Mass governor
Massachusetts' new governor is Deval Patrick.
Among the campaigns, Patrick's most recent television spots are an example of American end-game positive messaging.
