NDP reveals Liberal plans for an early election, calls for sale of NB Power to be withdrawn, not amended

January 18, 2010

FREDERICTON - New Brunswick New Democratic Party leader Roger Duguay,
reacting to Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock's statement that he
"could not have voted for the deal [to sell NB Power] as it's been presented
up to now", today warned that the Liberal government was preparing new
gift-wrap for the same old sell-off of NB Power to Hydro Quebec.

"Look at what Minister Lamrock says: it's all there. He says he 'could not
have voted for the deal as it's been presented up to now'. But the
Premier has been saying for weeks that he will change the deal, so the
deal Minister Lamrock is talking about is already dead," said Duguay.
"What matters is whether Minister Lamrock will vote for the new deal Premier
Graham is about to table. On that, he's silent. That is the deal that
matters, the one the government is patching together, in secret, guided by
Washington spin doctors. So I ask Minister Lamrock the same question I keep
asking the Tories: will you vote against any deal to pass control of NB
Power to Hydro Quebec?" said Duguay.

Citing information received by the NDP that the NB Liberals are planning to
call a snap election, Duguay went on to say, "New Brunswickers are not going
to be fooled by another Liberal PR trick. It's like something from a spin
doctors handbook: have an outspoken Minister condemn a deal that's already
dead. Introduce a new deal that 'critics' like Lamrock can embrace, and then
call a snap election and hope the public can be fooled." The NDPs
information includes evidence of communications and other materials being
contracted by the party, from a company in Ontario.

Duguay concluded, "To the Liberals this is just a game, but for New
Brunswick it's a question of our sovereignty. The NDP will fight any deal to
sell NB Power. We will fight the Liberals' Washington spin doctors, their
Toronto suppliers, and their deals with Hydro Quebec. Premier Graham, I have
to ask, is there any part of your political vision that includes New
Brunswick?"

-30-

For more information contact NB NDP Provincial Office:
Office: (506) 458-5828
Cell:   (506) 261-6339