(January 26, 2022) – David Brazil, PC Official Opposition Leader and MHA for Conception Bay East-Bell Island, says the people of Newfoundland and Labrador need full transparency on talks progressing between Newfoundland and Labrador and the federal government regarding the Atlantic Loop.

“The people of Newfoundland and Labrador deserve to know what we’re getting into by partaking in the Atlantic Loop project. Details so far have been scarce, and while Premier Furey says there is urgency surrounding the project, the Federal Minister is tossing cold water on expectations,” said Brazil.

“Any deal between governments involving electricity on the Churchill River or transmission assets needs to be publicly discussed to ensure Newfoundland and Labrador is a beneficiary – and not overshadowed by the interests of other provinces.”

Brazil encouraged Premier Furey to make a full presentation of the intention of the Atlantic Loop project, how much revenue could be generated by the project for this province, and how Quebec’s interests compete with Newfoundland and Labrador’s.

“Will this project be using electricity coming from the Muskrat Falls project? Where does electricity generated at Churchill Falls after 2041 factor in? Or is all the electricity due to come from the Gull Island project? There are serious questions to answer here, and Furey is not being proactive with his transparency,” said Brazil.

“Moya Greene recommended the sale of electricity transmission assets in her report to Premier Furey. I remind the Premier: these assets belong to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador – not you. The people of our province deserve to be engaged every step of the way on the Atlantic Loop.”
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Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca