Return Nova Scotia Power to Public Ownership - QP
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » : Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. This April our province will mark the 30-year anniversary of a decision that continues to impact every Nova Scotian in this province. That's right, it's the decision by a previous PC government to privatize Nova Scotia Power. Since then, Emera has made billions in profits and Nova Scotians, plagued by rising power bills, poor service, and an unreliable grid, watch as executives rack up millions in bonuses.
My question to the Premier is: Does the Premier feel that his predecessor made a prudent, well-informed decision to sell off our power utility?
THE PREMIER « » : I'll answer on behalf of the Minister of Energy. The member may not be aware, but the largest power rate spike we saw in this history was in a brief window of time when the NDP governed and power rates went up 25 per cent. I will assure the member that we, on this side of the House, understand the importance of protecting ratepayers and we will do exactly that.
CLAUDIA CHENDER « » :Thank you, but I was asking about the decision to sell Nova Scotia Power and whether it was well-informed. When it comes to dealing with Nova Scotia Power and its recent application to raise power rates and impose fees that would decimate the solar industry - and I'll table that - the Premier said, "no option is off the table." I take his comments at face value but asked directly about returning Nova Scotia Power to public ownership, the Premier said that he would run some numbers. I'll table that. This is exactly what was not done in 1992, when there was no analysis done at all to justify the decision to sell Nova Scotia Power for a pittance.
Mr. Speaker, my question to the Premier is: Will he make good on his word and commit to table a study that outlines the costs and benefits of returning all or part of Nova Scotia Power to public ownership?
THE SPEAKER « » : Before I recognize the Premier, I am going to ask that the word "he" not be used, that it be "will the Premier" or wherever the question is intended.
THE PREMIER « » : Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the concern over rates in the province. Speaking about an analysis of the numbers, I wonder if the former NDP government did an analysis when they saw rates go from 12 cents a kilowatt hour up to 15 cents a kilowatt hour. (Interruption) I will assure Nova Scotians that our primary . . .
THE SPEAKER « » : Order, please. The Premier has the floor. Order, please. Once everybody calms down, we'll recognize that the Premier has the floor.
THE PREMIER « » : I assure the member, we are constantly running numbers and putting forward what we can do for Nova Scotians. People saw the analysis of the numbers and the art of what is possible. They saw it in the budget yesterday, with over $13 billion of investments on behalf of Nova Scotians.