Benefits are touted by the NDP, but costs are ignored

HALIFAX, NS – The NDP are not looking out for Nova Scotia ratepayers’ best interests when it comes to the $6.2 billion Lower Churchill megaproject says Progressive Conservative leader Jamie Baillie.

Premier Darrell Dexter told media today that the government will not do a cost-benefit analysis of the project. Dexter said “Newfoundland and Labrador have already done a cost-benefit analysis” and indicated the Nova Scotia government is not going to “re-do the math”.

Baillie says no project should be exempt from a proper cost-benefit analysis.

“Lower Churchill has been identified as a good opportunity for our province but no project, especially one of this size, should get a free pass from scrutiny,” said Baillie.

“Properly determining the costs and benefits to Nova Scotia is the job of the Nova Scotia government,” continued Baillie. “Relying on Newfoundland’s UARB or the opinions of the opposition parties in Newfoundland simply shirks responsibility for doing what is right for Nova Scotia.”

The NDP government is counting on energy from the Lower Churchill project to help the province meet the new renewable energy targets they have set.

“We have seen with this government that they are not forthcoming about the costs behind the goals,” added Baillie. “Avoiding a cost-benefit analysis adds to the murkiness surrounding the steady rise of power rates in our province.”

Baillie says a PC government will provide more transparency around power rates and the costs behind them, including a long-term economic analysis of Nova Scotia’s energy options and opportunities.

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