Say we allow exclusive provincial control over resources like energy.
We could ask ourselves why the third party, the Reform Party, has changed its mind on this fundamental point. Perhaps it is nothing more than political opportunism.
Lost her last election, in 2006, with 39% of the vote.
Churchill Falls September 26th, 1996
Say we allow exclusive provincial control over resources like energy.
We could ask ourselves why the third party, the Reform Party, has changed its mind on this fundamental point. Perhaps it is nothing more than political opportunism.
Churchill Falls September 26th, 1996
We should think about the future. I have in front of me a document from the Reform Party called "Twenty Proposals for a New Confederation". Let me read one small part which is under the heading "Realigning The Powers". It says: "To make government more effective we propose eliminating federal interference in the following areas-".
The first area enunciated is natural resources.
Churchill Falls September 26th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I have no intention this afternoon of dwelling on the past.
Churchill Falls September 25th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I would suggest that since the leader of the third party seems to be intimately acquainted with the National Energy Board, he would know that the National Energy Board has no jurisdiction to interfere and modify the terms of an existing contract.
Churchill Falls September 25th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, with all due respect, it seems to me the leader of the third party misses the point. Is he possibly suggesting that it is the role of the federal government to be the arbitrator and determine the fairness of every contract entered into by any two parties in this country? Surely not.
Churchill Falls September 25th, 1996
Do you want me to respond? The question of fairness is not for the federal government. The question of fairness is for the two parties that entered into the deal some 30 years ago.
I have taken heart today from the fact that my Quebec counterpart, the minister of natural resources, Mr. Chevrette, has indicated an openness and willingness to sit down with the province of Newfoundland and talk about the possibility of negotiation on future projects and the terms on which they might go ahead. The premier of Quebec has indicated his openness to discuss and
negotiate the issue of open access transmission of electricity through the province of Quebec.
I would suggest that the two parties should sit down and talk about their differences and attempt to renegotiate the deal if that is their wish.
Churchill Falls September 25th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I come back to the point that-
Churchill Falls September 25th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member well knows, what we are dealing with is a contract between two parties and two governments in the provinces of Newfoundland and Quebec. The federal government is not a party to this contract.
I find it very strange that this party that comes into the House every day defending provincial rights would ask the federal government to interfere in a situation involving two provinces.
Churchill Falls Hydro Project September 24th, 1996
Mr. Speaker, as I pointed out to the hon. member yesterday, this is a contract between two parties, a contract knowingly entered into by the Governments of Newfoundland and Quebec.
If in fact there is a dispute in relation to some of the terms of that contract between the two parties, I suggest that they sit down and attempt to resolve it. If they are unable to do that, there is always the possibility of recourse through the courts.
Churchill Falls September 23rd, 1996
Mr. Speaker, I cannot let the comment made by the hon. member in her question go unchallenged.
The Prime Minister on behalf of the government has made it very plain that in relation to the Sable Island gas project normal regulatory processes will be followed and whether and when that project goes ahead will be dependent on market conditions.
I want to clarify the record. The government is being quite consistent. In relation to Newfoundland and the Government of Quebec there is a contract in place between those two parties. It is for those two parties to negotiate any disagreements.