What next, will Shawn Graham order a Mt. Rushmore-like carving made of his and Bilderberg McKenna's heads from the Mactaquac power dam once it's drained? The conspicuous and unrelenting spending on cronies and self-aggrandisement while real 'stakeholders' (as opposed to scoff-law Bermudans) are thrown into early graves must surely be enough to break through the propaganda?
I certainly hope so, as I'm sure the ethical/karmic costs of more frozen humans buried in future winters won't be worth the temporary rate freezes we've been promised, or any of the fiat dollars those Quebecers hope to make. I'm certain that no-disconnect regulations wouldn't have been put into place had HQ been owning NB power at the time, and doubtful that the existing law will be enforced once the sell-out is complete.
Consider the existing foreign-owned energy monopoly in NB - Fort Reliance (Irving's re-brand attempt). Over the years, they've reduce their company's societal obligations down to just about nothing. Why we'd expect anything different from another faceless behemoth seems naive. When it comes to something crucial like electrical power (and newspapers/gasoline for that matter) - some accountability and restraint is necessary.
When this is not the case (i.e. under the puppet Graham government in NB), millions go to deliberate waste while the needy are perennially neglected.
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Opposition slams N.B. government over death of man in unheated home
Anonymous - The Canadian Press
April 24, 2008
FREDERICTON — Opposition Leader Jeannot Volpe is demanding the government review its home-heating assistance program after a man in northern New Brunswick died earlier this month in his unheated home.
The program, which falls under the “no-disconnect policy,” is designed to ensure low-income residents are able to heat their homes during the winter months.
But Paul-Emile Durelle, 53, of Baie-Ste-Anne died in hospital April 6, five days after his brother Bertrand found him on the floor of his unheated bungalow.
<...>
Bertrand Durelle said in an interview it was “barbaric” his brother died over a $1,500 bill.
Energy Minister Jack Keir, who stressed he wouldn’t comment on any specific case, said a program review isn’t necessary because home owners are responsible to pay their bills. If they are unable, they can access the program for financial relief.
Full Article
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This one has gone down the Bermudan memory hole: (NB Power bonus outrageous, says MLA
Unknown - Miramichi Leader
(Expunged from internet searches)
MIRAMICHI — The announcement of a bonus for NB Power's CEO is insulting, says the brother of a man who died after the company cut off his electricity last ...
Original Article Link (Expunged)
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Brother of N.B. man who died after power cut off in winter wants answers
April 28, 2008
Anonymous - The Canadian Press
FREDERICTON _ The brother of a man who died after power was cut to their home in February says he´s coming to the New Brunswick legislature this week looking for answers.
Bertrand Durelle said Monday he can´t erase the image from his mind of his 53-year-old brother lying freezing on the floor of the unheated house, his toes black from frostbite, after struggling to survive for weeks in the bitter cold.
"It´s a tragedy and it shouldn´t have happened," Durelle said in an interview.
"How could the New Brunswick government let something like this happen in 2008?"
Article Continues
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N.B. no-disconnect policy reviewed after man dies
Anonymous - CBC News
April 25, 2008
The family of a man who died of organ failure after living in a home without electricity or heat for weeks in the winter is demanding to know why his power was disconnected.
The New Brunswick government implemented a no-disconnect policy two years ago. It is meant to protect people who can't afford to pay their power bills from November to March.
Bertrand Durelle and his brother Paul were living in a home in Baie-Ste-Anne in northern New Brunswick during the winter and found they couldn't afford to pay their bills to NB Power.
Durelle said he contacted utility several times to say he couldn't pay the bill, which exceeded $1,500.
"I said, 'I can't send any money, I don't have any,'" Durelle said. "[NB Power] said to contact the province."
Article Continues
