May 15, 1980 (32nd Parliament, 1st Session)

Mr. Bob Corbett (Fundy-Royal):

Madam Speaker, 1 rise, under the provisions of Standing Order 43, on a matter of urgent and pressing necessity.
According to recent reports, the Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources has initiated action within his department which would alter an agreement between New Brunswick and Maine whereby New Brunswick sells electrical power to Maine from its oil-fired thermal generating station in Saint John. In view of the fact that the contract has enabled New Brunswick to construct the facility which employs 140 workers, and was entered into in good faith, I move, seconded by the hon. member for York-Sunbury (Mr. Howie):
That the minister assure the province, through this House, that he will not jeopardize either the contract between New Brunswick and Maine nor the future operation of the plant by fiddling with oil subsidies as they apply to generating stations.