N.B. premier stands firm on election date despite opposition to power deal

BATHURST, N.B. - Premier Shawn Graham said Monday he has no intention of pushing back this fall's election date despite widespread public opposition to the sale of parts of NB Power.
Graham said the Sept. 27 election date is firm and he has no regrets about setting it so far in advance, even though the public debate over the power deal doesn't appear to be going away.
"We have a set date in place on Sept. 27 and well be honouring that," he said to reporters.
"We're the first government in New Brunswick to bring forward a set election date. Political parties can plan around that and that's why we put it in place - to level the playing field."
Graham shrugged off any suggestion that the fallout from the energy pact would negatively affect his chances in the next election.
He said governments are elected to make difficult decisions and the decision to sell off $3.2-billion worth of NB Power assets to the Hydro-Quebec is a prime example.
Graham reiterated his belief that the deal will equate to a lower dependence on fossil fuels, more affordable energy costs for ratepayers, and will serve as an attractive incentive to large industry and subsequently create jobs and strengthen the provincial economy.
The premier also touched on the weekend dismissal of Stuart Jamieson as tourism and parks minister.
Graham accused the Saint John-Fundy member of flip-flopping his stance on the Hydro-Quebec deal and said letting Jamieson go needed to be done.
"It is unfortunate that Stuart Jamieson made a decision to change his position after he initially supported it," Graham said. "It was a difficult decision to ask him to leave cabinet, but it was the right decision because we truly believe that by moving forward we have to change the way we deliver energy in the province of New Brunswick."
Graham said he has the full support of his caucus when it comes to the deal, even though five other Liberals, including Jamieson and Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock, came out against the original $4.8-billion memorandum of understanding during a caucus meeting last month.
The premier announced a revised sale agreement days later, which would see Hydro-Quebec seize control of the Point Lepreau generating station, two hydroelectric dams and two smaller generating units. The province would retain control of its transmission lines and systems operator.
"I recognize today that this is a difficult file for many MLAs and for many New Brunswickers, but this is the right thing to do and we can't lose sight of that," Graham said.
"We are disposing of some of the assets, but it's going to mean substantial savings to ratepayers for generations to come. In fact, over $500 million in savings over the next five years alone."