Tuesday 20 June 2023

Prime minister pushes idea of hydro loop connecting Quebec, Atlantic region

 
 

Prime minister pushes idea of hydro loop connecting Quebec, Atlantic region

Trudeau also made stops in Hammonds Plains, N.S., Monday to thank firefighters

But the promise was quickly criticized by Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, who said Ottawa hasn't put enough money into the idea to make it work.

During a speech to delegates at the Atlantic Economic Forum, Trudeau pointed to Volkswagen's decision to create an electric-vehicle battery plant in St. Thomas, Ont., saying the firm was attracted by the availability of low-carbon emission electricity.

"We want to see investment like this coming to Atlantic Canada, too. That's what our commitment to building the Atlantic Loop is all about," Trudeau told several hundred people gathered to discuss economic development at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S.

Trudeau was speaking after an introduction from former prime minister Brian Mulroney, who emphasized national leaders need to be capable of seeing the long-term impact of their policies.

Before the speech, the former Progressive Conservative leader gave the prime minister a tour of Mulroney Hall on the campus, showing him a replica of his centre-block desk.

Two men, one middle-age and one older, both wearing suits, stand in a wood-clad room next to a Canada flag and a desk. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, is offered a seat at the desk by former prime minister Brian Mulroney. The men were touring a replica of Mulroney's former parliamentary office in Mulroney Hall at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S. (Darren Calabrese/The Canadian Press)

During their meeting, Trudeau recalled how Mulroney had established the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency in the 1980s in an effort to lift the region's struggling economy.

Trudeau said that creating a loop of hydro power bringing electricity from Quebec and Labrador into Nova Scotia, mainland Newfoundland and New Brunswick would become a similar investment in the region's economic prosperity.

"Just think of it, the East Coast should and could be a clean-energy powerhouse and this federal government will be there to help make it happen," said Trudeau.

"Not only is (the Atlantic Loop) the fastest and most cost-efficient way to get off coal, it will also make sure the Atlantic region has power to meet growing electricity demands."

However, after meeting with Trudeau and hearing the speech, Houston responded that the federal Liberal government's offers aren't sufficient.

"I don't know where it lands but we'll have a discussion and we'll continue to exchange information ... but at the moment what the federal government is talking about, it's just not an economically feasible project for Nova Scotians," said the premier.

A group of six people walk across a parking lot next to a firetruck. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, centre, walks with Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Chief Ken Stuebing, right, while visiting Fire Station 50 in Hammonds Plains, N.S. before meeting with firefighters who battled the wildfires in Nova Scotia. (Darren Calabrese/The Canadian Press)

Documents released to The Canadian Press and CBC News last week indicated Ottawa has ambitious goals to hammer out an Atlantic Loop agreement in principle this summer and complete the project by 2030.

The source, who communicated on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said Ottawa has also offered to invest $4.5 billion to help the project along.

The documents show the energy project would involve two interprovincial power lines connecting power from Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

The line between Quebec and New Brunswick is estimated to cost $6.1 billion, while the other would cost $700 million, according to the notes, which are dated last month.

Houston's office has said the federal proposal is for a long-term loan, and it would involve Nova Scotia's electricity ratepayers helping pay for infrastructure in Quebec.

"Nova Scotia ratepayers paying for new infrastructure to be built ... in another part of the country is just not something I'm interested in," the premier told reporters on Monday.

Roughly a dozen people, many firefighters in blue uniforms, smile and laugh as they pose for a photo. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, centre, meets with firefighters who battled the wildfires in Nova Scotia. Trudeau was visiting Fire Station 50 with, top second from right, Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair and Sean Fraser, top right, minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, in Hammonds Plains, N.S. (Darren Calabrese/The Canadian Press)

The prime minister also noted during his speech that climate change issues are becoming a greater concern for the region's economy, noting the recent wildfires and the damage created by hurricane Fiona last fall.

Earlier in the day, Trudeau visited a fire station in Hammond Plains, just a few hundred metres from where a wildfire burned a few weeks ago, destroying 151 residences.

A "Nova Scotia Strong" flag waved on the roadside.

Trudeau met with dozens of volunteer and full-time firefighters, as well as the fire department's management and union representation, posing for photos.

He then addressed the group, thanking them for stepping up for their community.

"I also thank you for all the things we don't know about, the things you don't tell your partners or families about," Trudeau added.

"I know you are all going into very scary situations regularly, and Canadians rely on you so deeply for everything you do."


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122 Comments



David Amos 
I must say that the photo of Justin Trudeau and Brian Mulroney made my day 
 
 
John Holmes  
Reply to David Amos
Birds of a feather, as the expression goes 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to John Holmes  
Yup 
 
 


David Amos
Reply to David Amos 
April 7, 2008: David Johnston releases his report recommending that the public inquiry should be limited  
 
 
 
 
 
Anne Mailis 
I agree that NS should not pay anything for the infrstructure in Quebec. NS and the other Atlantic provinces should only have to repay their own infrastrucutre costs, and, over a very long period of time so that this isn't expensive electricity. Otherwise, it's a business venture for Hydro Quebec - brokered of the feds. However, one would think the carbon tax would fund all of this infrastructure to create clean energy. 
 
 
Harold Reagan 
Reply to Anne Mailis  
Too many of us are whining already about the needed carbon tax. 
 
 
Colin Seeley
Reply to Harold Reagan
Nope. We need to whine all the more. The tax should not be rebated and not used to rental and dental.

It needs to be dedicated to rail and bus mass transportation and not EV’s for the rich.

 
Jos Allaire 
Reply to Colin Seeley   
EVs will be cheaper to build than ICE vehicles once infrastructure is well in place. Much cheaper vehicles for everyone, rich and poor. 
 
 
Colin Seeley
Reply to Jos Allaire  
In your dreams buddy. EV’s will never be cheap.
 
 
Guy Trembley 
Reply to Colin Seeley  
So why are the car manufacturers of the world going to EVs? The Crop, Bit and Whip manufacturer felt the same way.”, I’d suppose. 
 
 
Marguerite Deschamps 

Reply to Anne Mailis  
I don't expect reactionaries 🦖 like you to understand progress, like the ones with the 🐴 & 🛒 before. 
 
 
Jos Allaire 
Reply to Colin Seeley  
Hardly no moving parts compared to ICE vehicles.  
 
 
Colin Seeley
Reply to Guy Trembley   
The auto manufacturers know where the money is. And the Govt is the mark. They are licking their chops.
 
 
Ricky Wendel
Reply to Colin Seeley
Supply and demand not your forte? EV’s ‘for the rich’ until they aren’t.

Kinda like all new gadgets…

 
Ricky Wendel
Reply to Colin Seeley
Get a better job buddy. Quit the whining. 
 
 
Andrew Gilmour 
Reply to Anne Mailis 
Canadian Mythology section is that-a-way -----> 
 
 
David Amos

Reply to Marguerite Deschamps 
Little Lou fades away and you reappear?  
 
 
 
 
 
Jeffrey McCluskey
Apparently CBC does not like the idea, that they are not going to get the scoop on the Eco Guards IES Story, that's alright, they'll see it soon anyways.
 
 
Ricky Wendel 
Reply to Jeffrey McCluskey  
You seem to be the only one that cares.  
 
 
Jeffrey McCluskey 
Reply to Ricky Wendel
content deactivated –

It's interesting, that no one is talking about all the private property owners, that will be affected by their Atlantic Loop agreements. To say that they all have true environment concerns at heart. Is truly one of the biggest CON Jobs in history. Watch over the next few months, as the Eco Guards IES in NB, will show much of those truths. Our facility location is right in their way. And after all the current damages that NB Power and the Memramcook Municipality has already done, all will be made public SOON.

 
Ricky Wendel
Reply to Jeffrey McCluskey 
Ok. Plz keep me posted. 
 
 
Michel Forgeron 
Reply to Jeffrey McCluskey    
Tell us please, whay exactly have they done? 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Jeffrey McCluskey  
Hmmm





Jeffrey McCluskey 
NB POWER and the MEMRAMCOOK Municipality destroyed an Not for Profits Eco Groups and Church property, for their agenda's. The LOOP, will not cause any real change in the devastating causes of climate change.  
 
 
David Amos

Reply to Jeffrey McCluskey   
FYI I put your comment in your Facebook




 
 

Brian Mulroney defends Trudeau, says Parliament Hill gripped by 'trash, rumours, gossip'

'History is only concerned with the big ticket items that have shaped the future of Canada,' Mulroney says

Speaking at the Atlantic Economic Forum, a symposium at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S., the former Progressive Conservative prime minister said the Liberal Trudeau has had a good run in office. He praised the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, its renegotiation of NAFTA and its ongoing support for Ukraine in its war with Russia.

"I have learned over the years that history is unconcerned with the trivia and the trash of rumours and gossip floating around Parliament Hill. History is only concerned with the big ticket items that have shaped the future of Canada," Mulroney said.

He said Trudeau and the premiers "conducted themselves as well as anybody else in the world" in dealing with COVID, something Mulroney called "the greatest challenge that any prime minister has dealt with in Canada in 156 years."

WATCH: Former PM Brian Mulroney defends Trudeau's record as prime minister 

Former PM Brian Mulroney defends Trudeau's record as prime minister

Duration 5:52
Mulroney says voters will be looking at the 'big ticket items' on which PM Trudeau has delivered.

On NAFTA, Mulroney said he saw first-hand how Trudeau made "big decisions at crucial moments" and won "a significant victory for Canada."

"It's due to the leadership that we saw from the government of Canada," Mulroney said. "This was secured despite (then U.S. president Donald Trump's) opposition. This was secured by Prime Minister Trudeau and his colleagues. Trump was out to sabotage Canada in many important ways and it took vision and a steady hand."

Mulroney's government first negotiated a free trade deal with the U.S. and then later a trilateral trade deal with Mexico.

Trudeau also leaned on Mulroney's expertise when going toe-to-toe with Trump in the 2017-20 period when the deal was restructured.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is pictured while touring a replica of Mr. Mulroney's former office at Mulroney Hall at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, is offered a seat at the desk by former prime minister Brian Mulroney while touring a replica of Mr. Mulroney's former parliamentary office in Mulroney Hall at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S. on Monday, June 19, 2023. (Darren Calabrese/The Canadian Press)

Mulroney said his government was the first to recognize Ukraine's independence from Russia as the Soviet Union disintegrated in the early 1990s.

It's important that Canada, a country with a large Ukrainian diaspora, supports Ukraine's fight against Russian tyranny, Mulroney said.

"Trump says, 'Well, I don't care who wins,'" Mulroney said. "I care who wins and the prime minister cares. And it has to be Ukrainians."

He also praised Trudeau's efforts to stimulate economic growth in Atlantic Canada. The region is richer and more populous than it has been in a long time, Mulroney said.

Mulroney said historians won't dwell on the "nonsense" he said is emanating from Parliament right now.

Mulroney didn't specify what he regarded as "nonsense."

In recent days, Trudeau has faced questions about his government's handling of Chinese election meddling, the state of the economy amid high inflation and the transfer of murderer Paul Bernardo to a medium-security prison. The prime minister also has been accused by the opposition Conservatives of pushing "woke nonsense."

Former prime minister Brian Mulroney in Mulroney Hall at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S. Former prime minister Brian Mulroney in Mulroney Hall at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S. on Monday, June 19, 2023. (Darren Calabrese/The Canadian Press)

Mulroney's praise comes after he readily endorsed former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole in the last federal election. 

In 2021, Mulroney said O'Toole was "steady and strong" and a "visionary" who could be trusted to lead the country.

O'Toole, like Mulroney, pushed a more moderate vision of conservatism in his bid for the top job.

During a speech accepting Mulroney's endorsement, O'Toole said he wanted to build a party where "every Canadian can feel at home," a party that is "inclusive, diverse, forward-looking, progressive and worker-friendly."

Mulroney did not mention the party's current leader, Pierre Poilievre, in his Monday speech.

Trudeau took the podium after Mulroney's speech, joking that he doesn't like to speak after a respected orator like Mulroney. "It's a little more embarrassing when you're speaking about me in such glowing terms," he said.

At the end of his own remarks at the event, Trudeau took a thinly veiled shot at Poilievre.

"You know Brian, there seem to be two kinds of politicians today — those who want to burn things down, and those more like you were, constantly wanting to build things up," he said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


John Paul Tasker

Senior writer

J.P. Tasker is a journalist in CBC's parliamentary bureau who reports for digital, radio and television. He is also a regular panellist on CBC News Network's Power & Politics. He covers the Conservative Party, Canada-U.S. relations, Crown-Indigenous affairs, climate change, health policy and the Senate. You can send story ideas and tips to J.P. at john.tasker@cbc.ca.

 
 
 
 
5916 Comments

 
 
Bill Lindsay  

Two "winners" on the same stage!  
 
 
Joe Martimer 
Reply to Bill Lindsay
Yes and the country ends up losing  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Bill Lindsay 
Too Too Funny

Deja Vu Anyone?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/the-investigations-2007-2009-1.844125

April 7, 2008: David Johnston releases his report recommending that the public inquiry should be limited

 
Ellen Simpson 
Reply to David Amos
Back when we used get investigative journalism.  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Ellen Simpson 
Not really I was involved too 
 
 
Ellen Simpson 
Reply to David Amos
Could you elaborate please? 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Ellen Simpson  I talked to Karlheinz Schreiber and published the email exchanges I had with him and the Commission in my old blog long ago  
 
 
Ellen Simpson 
Reply to David Amos
I have looked you up and see I have some interesting reading ahead of me - Thank you! 
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Ellen Simpson   
Google Fundy Royal Debate 2015  
 
 
David Amos
Reply to Ellen Simpson  
and Federal Court File No T-1557-15 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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