NB Power | Tory leader says government to spend $1M to convince New Brunswickers utility sale is good idea

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By STEPHEN LLEWELLYN
llewellyn.stephen@dailygleaner.com

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The Liberal government is about to unleash a slick, million-dollar public relations campaign to convince New Brunswickers that the flawed deal to sell NB Power to Hydro-Quebec is a good idea, says Opposition Leader David Alward.

He said the Tories will be setting up a toll-free hotline in the next few days and a website so people can have their say.

"The Shawn Graham Liberals are preparing to launch a $1-million campaign using the people's own money to persuade them they shouldn't be critical of this deal," said Alward on Monday.

"Watch for not only paid advertising, but also letters and commentaries in the newspapers from various people whom they are persuading to speak out in favour (of the deal)," he said.

Last week, Graham signed a memorandum of understanding with Quebec Premier Jean Charest to sell most of the assets of NB Power to Hydro-Quebec for nearly $10 billion.

The deal includes a five-year freeze on residential rates and a rate reduction of up to 30 per cent for industry.

Graham said the province has hired the national communications firm Hill Knowlton, which has subcontracted work to Halifax-based Colour Creative Persuasion and Bristol Communication, to engage New Brunswickers in the process.

Ads about the proposed deal are already running in local newspapers.

Alward is promising to do everything in his power to block the deal, which the government wants signed by March.

"The government undoubtedly realizes it's a terrible deal, especially for small business and residential customers," he said. "But they are banking on the fact that if they sugar coat it enough and run enough ads, that people will come around."

Alward said the figure of $1 million is based on the government hiring multiple teams of public relations experts and that such campaigns are expensive.

"We've certainly been made aware that it is in the neighbourhood of $1 million," he said. "They are going to be using glossy brochures, big ad buys in news media, whether it is in print or on radio."

He said he spoke to Graham and urged him not to run the campaign.

Energy Minister Jack Keir said Monday that he didn't know how much it will cost, but the government is committed to informing the public about the deal.

He said the government will do so in a neutral way.

"I don't know that it is a PR campaign at all," he said. "As I have told everybody, I'm not out selling this deal.

"I am out selling the facts of what the deal is so that New Brunswickers can look at this and be informed on this proposed agreement. Nothing more than that."

He said he wants New Brunswickers to know what would happen if NB Power remains as a provincially-owned utility and what they would save under the deal that erases 40 per cent of the government debt.

"I will tell you this, I am not going to leave any stone unturned,'' he said. "I am going to be criss-crossing the province to make sure that New Brunswickers have the facts."

Keir said Alward is fear mongering and politicking.

Alward said there's nothing wrong with informing New Brunswickers about the deal. But it should be done by an all-party committee of the legislature that also has the mandate to hear from experts, he said.

Graham has neutered any possible committee by allowing it to only look at regulatory and legislative issues, he said.

"We have a saying that no matter how much lipstick you put on a pig, it is still a pig," said Alward. "I have full confidence that the people of New Brunswick aren't going to be sucked in by whatever PR firms assigned to this come up with.

"It is insulting that the premier thinks the people of New Brunswick are that gullible.''