Premier Kathy Dunderdale doesn’t understand the criticism of the federal government’s recent announcement of a loan guarantee for the Muskrat Falls megadebt project
Provincial NDP leader Lorraine Michael, for one, has been crapping on the announcement, saying that it isn’t a loan guarantee at all but “an agreement to agree”.
Check that link and you’ll also find new Liberal leader Kevin Aylward quoted by theindependent.ca saying:
This is not a legally binding offer and the Harper government can still back out of it,” Aylward said in a statement. “It’s no wonder Premier Kathy Dunderdale didn’t show up for the press conference.”
Kathy Dunderdale is right to wonder why Michael and Aylward are criticising the loan guarantee.
After all both Aylward and Michael support development of the Muskrat falls project as Dunderdale is proposing. All three want to saddle the provincial taxpayers with guaranteed high electricity rates and a huge increase in the public debt.
Plus, they all agree it is a good idea to send discount electricity into Nova Scotia and anywhere else people want it, all thanks to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
You can tell the two other party leaders back the deal if for no other reason than because they do not criticise it.
Nope.
Their comments on this federal announcement is a criticism of Dunderdale for not being farther along with the negotiations (Michael) and for not nailing Harper down on the guarantee. (Aylward)
Kathy didn’t hold Steve’s feet to the fire, or words to that effect.
Just to test this out, try this: if you get the chance to speak with Lorraine and/or Kevin ask them whether or not they will kill this deal.
Yes or no.
The more words they have to use to explain their position – without first saying yes or no – is a sign of how strongly they want to support this deal. The reason they can’t be open in the love for Muskrat is because they think their are votes to be had by appearing to oppose the deal.
Will you kill the deal?
Yes or no?
Try it.
You might be quite surprised at the replies.
- srbp -