NB Power says it needs lower rate increase after settlement with insurers
Utility, province won't reveal value of settlement worked out over cost overruns at Point Lepreau
CBC News· Posted: Mar 26, 2018 10:35 AM AT
43 Comments
Roy Kirk
One hopes the Board will have them file the agreement so that it can make an independent examination of it. Taking the executives at their word would seem to be imprudent at this point. This point being the countdown to an election.
Douglas James
@Roy Kirk Same tactic used by the city of Saint John. Taxpayers paid for an "independent' consultant's report on the fairness of the refinery water rate deal. The city refused to release even one word of the document because "it would give away our negotiating strategy". It took 14 years to negotiate the deal. Of course, in the real world, that means there was no strategy and likely no negotiations. Irving refused to sign until it was convenient for them to do so.
David Amos
@Douglas James Methinks the dudes who made out like the bandits they truly are are the lawyers who delayed it for 14 years N'esy Pas?
Douglas James
If he received intelligence reports from the hamlet of New Brunswick, Vlad Putin would be laughing his head off. We're talking about 'weather taxes' and 'smart meters' while, according to the CIA, the Russians have the ability to hack into and knock out the entire North American power grid. Maybe NB Power should apply for a rate increase to pay for candles?
David Amos
@Douglas James FYI Russians read my blog daily No kidding
Douglas James
@David Amos Lol. From Pushkin to Amos, they read it all.
David Amos
@Douglas James Why insult me?
David Amos
@Douglas James Perhaps you should talk to your friend Mr Jones Trust that he has watched me in action at the EUB hearings
ME TOO PARTICULARLY WHEN I DISCOVER AFTER THE SMILING BASTARD INSULTS ME THAT HE HAS USED THE SAME EXPRESSION A IT IN OTHER ARTICLES THEN RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE UNDER THE GREEN MEANEY BANNER AND BRAGS ABOUT IT TO YOUR BEST BUTT BUDDY CHUCKY LEBLANC
We tend to think that markets are fluid due to economics , the reality is a comparative to a school of minnows being the prey of pike hiding in the weeds and striking when hungry
David Amos
@carl tyrell {dit antaya) Well put sir
Ed Munn (FrogLips1)
New applications for unemployment insurance benefits plunged by 41,000 to 220,000 in the second week of 2018, the Labor Department reported Thursday, the lowest level in nearly 45 years. The report easily beat forecasters expectations for new jobless claims to drift down to around 250,000. Low jobless claims are a good sign because they suggest that layoffs are relatively scarce. Federal Reserve officials and investors watch the numbers because they come out weekly, providing an early warning sign of any trouble.
The Trump administration and congressional Republicans have stated that they want to maintain a high level of job creation not only decrease unemployment, but also boost the labor force participation rate by encouraging people who have retired or quit the workforce to seek out jobs.
David Amos
@Ed Munn (FrogLips1) "Federal Reserve officials and investors watch the numbers because they come out weekly, providing an early warning sign of any trouble"
Too Too Funny Methinks thou doth jest too much N'esy Pas? .Everybody in the know knows the Federal Reserve officials aka Banksters are the ones who orchestrate this wicked game with with others peoples money and "Futures" in more ways than one.
David Amos
@Ed Munn (FrogLips1) Why don't you explain to the folks why i sued 3 US Treasury Agent amongst a host of lawyers in 2002 then ran for public office fives times after I was involved in US Senate Banking Committee Hearing?
Anybody can Google the following correct?
David Amos Bank Fraud
Douglas James
Me thinks the CBC once again is making a mountain out of a molehill. Market corrections are normal. Hardly a "meltdown". I guess perspective doesn't drive enough online views.
CBC ban on anonymous comments will be complicated, expensive, expert says
Difficult to verify if names are real and extra screening will take more resources, says Tim Currie
Jacques Poitras· CBC News·
The CBC's new ban on anonymous comments on its websites will be complicated and expensive to put into effect, according to an expert on online media.
University of King's College Prof. Tim Currie, who specializes in online journalism, says Postmedia's decision to use Facebook as its commenting platform, while not ideal, is a simpler solution (University of King's College)
Tim Currie, who researches online media at the University of King's College in Halifax, says "it's fairly difficult" to verify names people claim are real when they're posting on the internet.
"It's going to cost CBC a fair bit of money to put more resources into this," he said.
"You sign up for a user name that may not appear to be fake on its face. They're going to have to track those and put more effort into evaluating whether somebody is who they say they are."
CBC announced Thursday that "in the interest of encouraging civil conversation," it will no longer allow online comments by people who use pseudonyms instead of their real names.
The move comes after a group of more than 120 prominent New Brunswick francophones complained that the CBC's provincial news site was being swamped with anti-French comments.
The corporation also plans to do more to moderate, or pre-screen, comments so that those considered to be hate speech are less likely to get through.
Yesterday was really announcing the intent of where we want to go, but all the details remain to be confirmed.- Emma Bedard, CBC spokeswoman
But the new approach will take time to implement, said CBC spokeswoman Emma Bedard. No timeline has been given.
"We have yet to complete our evaluation of all the technical, operational implications this will have," Bedard said.
"Yesterday was really announcing the intent of where we want to go, but all the details remain to be confirmed."
Logistical challenges
The two elements of the new approach will present two different logistical challenges.
Last week, Radio-Canada's director of digital news, Pierre Champoux, said it's "not possible to check" whether all seemingly real names are actually real. Radio-Canada has asked commenters for their real names since 2011.
Moderators will flag an obviously fake name when a user registers a new account for commenting, Champoux said.
But if the name isn't obviously fake, it's not easy to spot it and ask for verification, he said.
Currie says Postmedia's decision to use Facebook as its commenting platform, while not ideal, is a simpler solution.
Facebook doesn't allow fake accounts, and the social aspect of the site deters people from pretending they're someone else.
"But with online comments with news organizations, it's still fairly easy to set up another user name, use another email address, start one up, shut one down and move on," he said.
"It's this ability to be transient in simpler commenting systems that's going to pose a lot of challenges for a news organization. Many news organizations are finding it easier to let social media services take care of this. It's simply a better use of resources."
'Better filtering process'
The other challenge will be in the content of the comments.
Michel Doucet, the law professor who organized a letter of complaint to CBC, said the goal was not to stifle a legitimate public debate about bilingualism and other language issues.
Michel Doucet, who organized the letter of complaint by a group of francophones, says moderators need to be better aware of the particularities of various regions to catch problematic comments. (CBC)
Instead he said it was to stop comments that crossed the line and were hateful.
CBC admits some comments published online "violated [its] guidelines around hate speech."
CBC comments are moderated by a third-party contractor, ICUC, a private company based in Winnipeg.
Doucet says CBC has committed to "a better filtering process" so that moderators will catch comments that might not be clear outside New Brunswick.
One recent comment said the 1755 deportation of the Acadians did not go far enough, a reference that may have been lost on Winnipeg-based moderators.
"The people who are doing the filtering probably need to be better aware of the particularities of various regions in Canada," Doucet said on Friday.
He said CBC told him stories will be flagged by local editors as potentially sensitive, and that will trigger extra scrutiny from comment moderators.
Currie says that, too, will take more effort and more resources.
"Many news organizations have been deciding that online comments simply aren't worth the trouble," he said, pointing to the Toronto Star, Reuters, and the Chicago Sun-Times.
About the Author
Jacques Poitras
Provincial Affairs reporter
Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. Raised in Moncton, he also produces the CBC political podcast Spin Reduxit.
Doug James is a former local, national and international journalist, best known for his work as a foreign correspondent for CNN, where he covered the first Gulf War, the Palestinian Intifada and the fall of the Berlin Wall. Before joining CNN, he was a correspondent for the CBC flagship current affairs program, The Journal and a reporter covering local and regional politics in Ottawa. Earlier, he was news director and anchor at ATV News in New Brunswick.
Doug grew up in a single-parent home on Lancaster Street in West Saint John, and went to New Albert School and then Voc. His family has been on the west side for a hundred years and in New Brunswick since 1823.
He has a Masters’ degree from Carleton University in Ottawa and has taught broadcast journalism at the New Brunswick Community College and lectured in Media Law and Ethics at Laurier University.
In addition to his traditional journalism career, Doug also managed the ‘best government website” in the world (International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences) for the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care which, at the time, also won the highest award for technological achievement in the Ontario public service.
Today, Doug works as a freelance writer/editor and international voice-over artist. He is also a prolific blogger, holding politicians to account with sharply-worded commentaries on matters of public interest. Most recently, he served as a volunteer communications advisor to the West Side Ratepayers Association.
The West Side Ratepayers Association has postponed an all-candidates' debate planned for June 27. Photo: Robert Williams/Telegraph-Journal
SAINT JOHN • A provincial election debate on west Saint John's water issues has been postponed due to a lack of a response from candidates.
All five New Brunswick provincial party leaders were invited to the planned June 27 debate, according to a press release issued by the West Side Ratepayers Association Friday. Invitations also went out to the nine candidates currently nominated in the ridings of Saint John Harbour, Saint John Lancaster and Fundy-The Isles-Saint John West.
Only two candidates — Saint John Lancaster PC MLA Dorothy Shephard and Green Party candidate Wayne Dryer for the riding of Saint John Harbour — accepted the invitation, the press release states.
"The West Side Ratepayers Association is concerned with the lack of interest from other nominated individuals and hope that all candidates seeking election will educate themselves on the west side water issues and participate in the future meeting," wrote association member David Thompson in the press release.
Plans are to reschedule the all-candidates' debate for early September.
Green candidate Doug James calls for west side water relief
Telegraph-Journal
SAINT JOHN • Former CBC and CNN journalist Doug James announced his candidacy for the Green Party in Saint John-Lancaster, pledging to make the Port City's west side water issue a key provincial election issue.
In a press release, James called on Premier Brian Gallant, also regional minister for Saint John, to immediately establish a disaster relief fund to reimburse property owners who suffered financial damages as a result of the city’s switch to well water.
“The damages suffered by homeowners and businesses from burst pipes and associated repairs are substantial,” said James, adding ratepayers, including seniors on fixed incomes, have been left to foot the bill.
Citing the government's flood relief efforts, James asked why there isn't similar compensation for those who suffer losses as a result of human-made disasters.
“What has happened on the west side is a disaster, let there be no doubt about that,” said James.
James is also calling on the City of Saint John to provide annual water rate rebates to west side property owners to offset the cost of water softeners and to replace damaged appliances.
In his press release, James suggests a 50 per cent reduction in water rates for west side property owners over a five-year period, "which represents the approximate cost of an installed water softener and salt."
“The indifference to the plight of vulnerable citizens is a blight on Saint John’s character,” said James. James is a former local, national and international journalist, including working as a foreign correspondent for CNN. He was also a correspondent for the CBC current affairs program, The Journal. He grew up in a single-parent home on Lancaster Street in west Saint John, and went to New Albert School and then Voc.
He has served as a volunteer communications advisor to the West Side Ratepayers Association. He said his family has been on the west side for 100 years and has been in New Brunswick since 1823.
West Saint John ratepayers' association launched over water woes
5-member steering committee selected to deal with city on ongoing problems, including bursting pipes
Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon· CBC News·
Many west side residents have been experiencing problems since their water source was switched over to the South Bay Wellfield in September. (Matthew Bingley/CBC)
Frustrated west Saint John residents and business owners have launched a west side ratepayers' association to deal with the city on ongoing water problems, including bursting pipes and hard water.
More than 175 people attended a community meeting earlier this week at Hillcrest Baptist Church and voted 99 per cent in favour of forming an official group, said spokeswoman Pamela Ross.
"This was an exercise in democracy, sending a solid message to city council," she said, describing the community support for having an association as "overwhelming."
A five-member steering committee, led by acting chairperson K. Owen Boyle, has been selected "to provide guidance on key issues and policies," said Ross.
She has also created a Facebook group called West Side Residents, where information can be posted and shared.
"We just all want this to be resolved," said Ross. "We're all on the same quest — for usable, drinkable water."
Complaints and class-action
About 5,600 customers on the city's west side were switched over to water drawn from the South Bay Wellfield instead of the Spruce Lake Reservoir in September, as part of the Safe Clean Drinking Water project.
Since then, 214 people have filed complaints with the city over leaking pipes and about 200 people have signed up to be part of a class-action lawsuit filed against the city earlier this month. The city has not yet filed a statement of defence.
It's like living in a time bomb.- Pamela Ross, west side resident
Many residents believe the harder water drawn from aquifers and the heavier particles found in the water have caused the plumbing damage.
Other complaints have included water heater problems, irritated skin and stained dishes.
The city has hosted a few meetings to discuss the problems with west side residents, but Ross said last Thursday's open house one-on-one format angered many and prompted the creation of the association.
Pamela Ross says her basement sustained significant damage after a water pipe broke shortly after the switchover. (Submitted)
"Taking [away] our freedom to speak publicly is what encouraged us to appeal to the people and it's been with overwhelming response that the association formed," she said. "And I think only good things can come out of it."
Ross said it's been stressful for the people affected. Her basement had to be gutted due to a leak. "It's all brand new again down there, so fingers crossed, but it's like living in a time bomb," she said.
Many people are anxious going to sleep at night, worrying about what might happen overnight, and waking up in the morning, wondering what damage they might find.
"It's really been a strain on the whole west side. It's an awful thing."
The ratepayers' association is scheduled to meet again within three weeks, when Ross expects subcommittees will be formed.
City and Saint John Water officials held two open house sessions last Thursday to share information about the ongoing water problems and field many questions they've received from angry west-siders in recent weeks.
Mayor Don Darling called for patience and a respectful meeting but was almost immediately interrupted by two people.
"We're not limiting any questions; we'll answer questions you've got," said Darling.
"I am asking for your patience and that you allow us to get through this presentation because there is a lot of misinformation, there's a lot theory, a lot of speculation, and we've brought the experts here tonight to try and share that."
A Saint John Water presentation explained the water is safe and less acidic than before, and outlined a new plan to solve failing pipes.
Chemical treatment planned
City council voted last Tuesday to add orthophosphate to the water, a chemical commonly used in other municipalities, such as Moncton, to reduce pipe corrosion.
City staff will report back to council on the new system within five months, once research is completed and results are available.
Saint John Water has also partnered with Dalhousie University and CBCL Engineering to analyze corroded copper pipes, but the results are expected to take a couple of months.
However, patience appears to thin on the west side. After the meeting several, residents told CBC News they are still at a loss for answers.
Edith Chilton, a west-side resident, said she doesn't mind adding the chemical in the water, but she remains frustrated with her water service.
"Everything is coated with calcium, and if it isn't coated with calcium, it's dirty. If you make a pot of tea and dump out the water, you've got all this brown stuff all over your tea," she said, adding she has to wash the sink and bathtub after every use.
Loss claims of $200-$100K
Charles Bryant, one of the lawyers who filed the class action lawsuit, said residents have expressed "a deep dissatisfaction" with the open house meetings.
"It doesn't seem to have allayed any of the concerns or frustrations that residents are experiencing," he said.
"In general, even the most calm and reasonable people who are signing up are expressing disappointment and frustration with the city's response. And there's also a bit of anger."
Bryant and fellow lawyer Rodney Gillis have heard complaints ranging from pinhole leaks to discoloured water and water heaters breaking down.
Losses, so far, range from a couple of hundred dollars to one business reporting more than $100,000 in damages, said Bryant, declining to divulge the name of the business.
The class-action lawsuit accuses the city of negligence and breach of contract and calls for compensation.
Once the city files its statement of defence, the lawyers have an opportunity to file a reply and will then begin the discovery process, gathering more detailed information to determine the scope of the alleged liability, said Bryant.
They hope to seek certification of the class action within a few months, he said.
