The only man who can save us

The closing few paras of a Telegram article by Tracy Barron — whatever happened to that fine reporter? — which appeared on November 10, 2000 under the headline "Province may go it alone: Dicks"

The province has spent tens of millions of dollars on negotiations with Hydro-Quebec. Most of that was for environmental and engineering work that would have to be done anyway, [Mines and Energy Minister Paul] Dicks said.

Still, Opposition Tory Leader Ed Byrne wants those expenditures tabled.

The province financing its own project is the preferred option, Byrne said, but it makes him wonder what the negotiations with Hydro-Quebec were all about.

"Was it to further the political aspirations of one man, Mr. Tobin, who boasted he was the only one who could negotiate a deal?"