Well, surely you've noticed that since 2007 (and a comfortable stranglehold on democracy, the ruling Conservatives have shown themselves to be nothing like the spitting and spewing populists they were. Stephenville and Abitibi are but a dim memory.
So anyway so let's carry on with the delusion of some that this province is run by ProvGovCo, a wholly owned subsidiary of DW Enterprises.
Let's also imagine that there is an imaginary stockholders meeting in which all of us with shares in this little escapade get to put questions to the senior management. Basically, this is cable Atlantic where four guys ran the whole thing. This is more like ExxonMobil where even the lowliest shareholder can grill The Suits at least once a year. Surely if its good enough for Big Oil it should be good enough for Big Oil's newest big buddies.
Anyway, there are a couple of fairly simple questions about AbitibiBowater and the provincial government's subsidies over the past couple of years. Dunderdale puts it at $20 million. The figure is likely more like $30 million, based on earlier comments, but the $20 million is a good starting point.
- How much is the provincial government subsidizing the paper mills at Grand Falls and Corner Brook, annually? Break it down by mill, and by the purpose of the subsidy. Go back a decade so we can see any trends.
- How much does the provincial government make every year from the mills in the forms of taxes, leases, rents, including income taxes and sales taxes resulting from mill activity? Break it down, again, by category and amount and go back at least a decade to see what the trends have been.
No one should hold his breath expecting any answers, at least without forking over cash.
-srbp-