Vancouver Information and Newspaper

FREDERICTON – New Brunswick’s Conservative Opposition Leader is asking Quebec Premier Jean Charest to hold off finalizing the proposed acquisition of NB Power.

In the letter, David Alward asks Charest not to finalize the deal until there’s a referendum in New Brunswick on the issue or the provincial election in September.

Alward has repeatedly asked Premier Shawn Graham to do the same, to no avail.

Alward says the deal is bad for New Brunswick and will do nothing to improve the province’s financial situation.

Under the proposed deal, Hydro-Quebec would assume all the major assets of NB Power, including transmission lines, for $4.75 billion dollars.