NB Power sale queries dog politicians

Two provincial cabinet ministers are not ruling out the sale of NB Power to Hydro-Québec.

"What I would say to you is everything is on the table at this point," Energy Minister Jack Keir told reporters Friday.

He was responding to questions following Opposition leader David Alward's call on the government Thursday to clear the air about growing speculation about the future of the public utility.

New Brunswick and Quebec have been talking for months about energy co-operation, said Keir.

"If there's a partnership opportunity, if there's a win-win for each province, regardless of who it is — we've signed a MOU [memorandum of understanding] with the state of Maine, looking at opportunities, we've talked to Emera in Nova Scotia about what opportunities there are, we've talked to Newfoundland about what opportunities they may have and what would be a win-win for these provinces — and that's exactly what's occurring here," he said.

Business New Brunswick Minister Victor Boudreau also said everything is on the table, but he expects a decision about the government's future relationship with Hydro-Québec will be made soon.

"My understanding is that within weeks we will be in a position to have received a more formal report from these discussions and then government will be in a position to get into more detail," he said.

'Obviously we're concerned because the rumours are a sale of some or all of NB Power.' —Ross Galbraith, NB Power union rep

But if big changes are coming, Ross Galbraith, business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 37, wants to know now.

"Obviously we're concerned because the rumours are a sale of some or all of NB Power," said Galbraith, who represents about 2,200 unionized employees at NB Power.

He wants to separate fact from fiction and has requested a meeting with the government.

"If this develops any further we'd like to be part of the process. We'd like a seat at the table, like to have some input into anything that does occur," he said.

Premier Shawn Graham began discussions with Quebec Premier Jean Charet last summer about energy issues, including possible relationships between Hydro-Québec and NB Power. 

But Graham has repeatedly promised that the sale of NB Power was off limits to a Liberal government, including the 2002 debates in the legislature and the 2006 election platform, Charter for Change.

"Our position is 'Look, this is an asset of the province and we want to keep it in the ownership of New Brunswickers,'" he said at that time.

NB Power has been owned by the province since 1920.