Minister rejects Dobbin criticism

Mines and Energy Minister Walter Noel says the provincial government negotiated a good deal for development of Voisey�s Bay, and came close to negotiating one for the Churchill River. Craig Dobbin is wrong to suggest otherwise, as he did in a speech to the Newfoundland Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) on Wednesday, February 26, and in later media comments.

"Mr. Dobbin is wrong to suggest �raw ore will be shipped to Ontario and Manitoba.� Ore will be processed into a nickel concentrate at Voisey�s Bay creating hundreds of jobs in our province. It will only be shipped after the demonstration processing facility at Argentia is operational, and only on the condition that it be replaced for processing in our province at a later date. The project will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity for decades to come. It is a sound business deal which was supported by a substantial majority of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, including Mr. Dobbin, according to Premier Grimes.

"Mr. Dobbin is also mistaken if he believes we were prepared to agree to a Churchill River development deal which would have been �another massive give-away ... worse than the original�. Does he really believe he is the only honourable and capable man? We almost achieved an agreement we were prepared to recommend to the people of our province, which is part of what we were elected to do. It was not completed because certain requirements were not met. We are now seeking assistance from the federal government, which might be more readily available because of Canada�s commitment to implementation of the Kyoto protocol, the kind of �financial underwriting� Mr. Dobbin advocates.

"While I do appreciate Mr. Dobbin�s implicit support for our government�s efforts to get a better deal in confederation, he would be more helpful if he worked with those of us who work at that on a daily basis. Making a periodic speech reiterating what has been said many times is a good way to get media attention, but does not produce solutions. We would all like to see change in the Terms of Union, the Upper Churchill contract, equalization, etc. But what is Mr. Dobbin�s formula for achieving it? Its easy to say, �we have no voice in Ottawa.� How does he propose we get it? Where was he when our government was fighting against the Meech Lake Accord which would have strengthened Quebec�s political influence while failing to address our own needs? What has he done to help get an elected and effective Senate? Talk is cheap. Condemning politicians is easy, even for someone who has been so close to so many. If Mr. Dobbin feels he can do better he should spell out a plan, and put his name on a ballot."

"Our government and people do not need to be "shocked" by Mr. Dobbin into realizing our problems. Those of us who live here and deal with these challenges every day know the realities better than him, and are making far more constructive efforts to accomplish our objectives."

Media contact: Darrell Mercer, Communications, (709) 729-5777.

2003 02 28                                         10:35 a.m.