Archive for November 11th, 2008
Audit says pork plant may have accessed more PNP money than allowed
Editor – while the Liberal government insists it was hands off when grant PNP units to MLA’s, the facts contradict that thin alibi.
The Guardian reports “One such government agency, Island Investment Development Inc., granted the plant’s owners more than $350,000 through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).”
This program always was tightly controlled by the government, both Liberal and Conservative.
TERESA WRIGHT
The Guardian
P.E.I.’s failed pork-processing plant accessed money from the Provincial Nominee Program and may have accessed more than the rules allowed, according to findings in the P.E.I. auditor general’s investigation of the plant’s finances.
The audit, released late last week, details the millions in loans advanced by the province to the Natural Organic Food Group (NOFG) plant between 2006 and late 2007 as the owners tried to get into new markets for organic pork.
One such government agency, Island Investment Development Inc., granted the plant’s owners more than $350,000 through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Ghiz, wolf in sheep’s clothing
Premier Robert Ghiz, wolf in sheep
Kate MacDonald wrote an informed and readable opinion on the wind energy issue Where the Island Wind is Blowing. Her focus was on carbon credits.
We ask: why are we shipping 300 MW or 85% of the energy off-Island. We need that energy on PEI by anyone’s estimation.
For decades we wanted to own our energy and dreamed of being energy self-sufficient. Ontario keeps energy for its people first and sells the excess. So does Quebec. Ghiz is not a loyal Islander: his loyalties lie elsewhere.
Our new Liberal premier is giving away the farm and for what? Will we get paid? Not likely. Ghiz’s plan is about as dumb as allowing new construction in Charlottetown without parking. The consequences of parking congestion are annoying. Ghiz’s plan will impoverish us forever.
Where the Island’s wind is blowing
GUEST OPINION
KATE MCDONALD
Prince Edward Island is recognized for its significant wind energy potential and for being a leader in renewable energy upon establishing and meeting a renewable portfolio standard for electricity of 15 per cent.
The provincial government has now mapped out the direction for wind energy’s future in their recently released 10-Point Plan. Government’s goal is to see the generation of 500 megawatts (MW) of wind energy on P.E.I. by 2013. From where development stands today this will require 350MW of new wind development, designated in the strategy as 300MW for export and 50MW for on-Island use.
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Getting to the bottom of the PNP program
Why are government members objecting to calling top bureaucrats to testify before the public accounts committee?
It’s disappointing that Liberal MLAs object to calling former and current deputy ministers and top bureaucrats before a legislative committee to shed light on the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Surely these individuals, who oversaw and administered the program, would be in the best position to address concerns about it. Islanders deserve to hear what they have to say.
