Letters: Province needs to sell NB Power; tough times in today's economy

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Time to get rid of NB Power

NB Power must be sold. Our economy cannot support this gigantic operation.

What more do we need, the writing has been on the wall for many years. Fifteen years ago the government at the time pledged to pay 100 million a year for 10 years and wipe out the debt. It never happened. No payments were ever made.
How far fetched can you get? The interest would have been more than twice the payment on the debt.

The refit costs of the main plants estimated in the billions will probably double by the time of completion. The cost is beyond reason.

NB Power finally reached out to Ontario for advice in the operation of Point Lepreau. Hydro One (Ontario power) have many nuclear plants and are well versed in this field. More than two thirds of NB Power’s debt is attributed to Point Lepreau.

NB Power has been in talks with Quebec Hydro regarding the refit of Mactaguac Dam. Quebec Hydro is very knowledgeable in this field with many hydro dams.

This is all well and good but in reality, it’s too little too late.

Quebec Hydro can produce power at about half what it cost NB Power. Here we are sitting in their back yard ,struggling to keep afloat, going deeperin debt.

The provincial government should not be in the business of creating jobs. This monstrosity employs thousands of high-paying jobs. Shawn Graham nearly pulled the sale off years ago but was unable to complete the deal with Quebec Hydro because of Mactaquac. There was also fierce political opposition at the time and, because of this, the Conservatives won the election.

The NB Power debt is $5 billion, nearing the half way mark of the $12 billion debt of the province.  They continue to have large deficits year after year. This is unacceptable.

Blaine Higgs is the fearless man with enough grit ,guts, determination and knowledge to over turn this huge drain on our economy.

All of our political parties must use common sense and work towards making this huge problem right. It must be done.

Bud Cavanagh

Saint John

Times keep getting tougher

With times getting tougher and tougher, we hear of homelessness in cities like Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, etc. but a letter writer to this paper wrote it best, and said if things get any worse, there is going to be more and more people being homeless here in New Brunswick. Isn’t that the truth?

You hear of things going up and up and that’s true, and times get harder and harder. It’s sad, but true, that more people are facing hard times just making ends meet. Yes, things go up, but that means times are getting harder and harder. I hate to see people resorting to homelessness but that’s where its going.  

Hard times now adays, but people need to eat and just hope things improve so people can do the things they love, whatever it is. Things keep going up and up and people need to watch their money. 

Dave Daigle Jr.

Riverview