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Irving-owned newspapers blasted for failing to inform citizens adequately about the sale which will mean huge benefits for the Irving family.
Fredericton (28 Jan. 2010) - The controversy over the sale of NB Power to Hydro Quebec continues with a candlelight vigil planned Thursday night at 5 p.m. at the Student Union Building on the University of New Brunswick campus.
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| Website: nbpowernotforsale.org |
The vigil is intended to focus attention on the undemocratic manner in which the Liberal government of Premier Shawn Graham has proceeded with the sale. It was announced last fall without warning or consultation with New Brunswickers and revised after intense opposition in January, again without any public hearings or input.
"Please come to the vigil to show you are upset that your voice was silenced," says the Coalition of New Brunswickers - NB Power Not For Sale. The coalition includes a long list of groups and organizations opposed to the sale, including the New Brunswick Union of Public and Private Employees (NBUPPE/NUPGE).
• Website: nbpowernotforsale.org
Meanwhile, David Hay made an abrupt announcement Tuesday that he is stepping down as CEO of NB Power with more than two years to go in a three-year contract extension he signed last March. Gaetan Thomas, vice-president of NB Power Nuclear Corp., will act as interim CEO.
The announcement comes less than a week after the New Brunswick government signed a final agreement to sell key NB Power assets to Hydro Quebec for $3.2 billion.
In other developments, a Mount Allison University professor who specializes in the media has accused the Irving-owned New Brunswick media of failing to properly inform citizens of the implications of losing control of their power utility.
The Irving family owns every English language daily paper in New Brunswick and every community paper except two. It owns four radio stations and the Brunswick News wire service, which distributes local news to the national papers. They also own a news website called canadaeast.com.
“The papers are presenting the view that what’s good for the Irving company is good for the province,” says professor Erin Steuter. “What we need is good investigative reporting to dig deep and provide New Brunswickers with a clear analysis of all sides of the proposed deal. Monopoly media ownership does not offer this and the public is paying the price.”
Irving-owned businesses including Irving Oil and Irving Tissue have come out in favour of the sale, which guarantees electricity rate cuts for five years for current, large industrial users. Irving companies stand to benefit significantly from lower power rates following the proposed sale of NB Power to Hydro Quebec because they dominate the manufacturing sector of the province.
The Irving group of companies includes over 300 companies in operations that span forestry, transportation and construction and it is not exposed to critical inquiry in its own newspapers. It has an estimated net worth of approximately $5 billion.
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More information:
• Website: nbpowernotforsale.org
• Amended $3.2-billion NB Power sale announced