Cat got tongue?

On February 23rd, Hospitality Newfoundland and Newfoundland put out a press release (with a terrible headline) in which it categorically and unambiguously took sides in the Gros Morne powerline debate:

Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador supports Parks Canada position on no transmission lines through Gros Morne National Park

St. John’s, February 23, 2009 – The tourism industry association, Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador (HNL), is weighing in on the development plans for the Lower Churchill project. HNL supports Parks Canada in opposing the proposed route through Gros Morne National Park.

“As the tourism industry association of Newfoundland and Labrador, we fully support Parks Canada in opposing the proposal that will see towers and lines run through Gros Morne National Park,” said HNL Chair Bruce Sparkes.

The next day, HNN was quoted to the same effect in a CBC report:

"Running towers in front of dynamic and dramatic landscape is going to take away from the natural beauty of it," Sparkes said.

"From a photographic, awe-inspiring point of view, it's going to take away that. And who wouldn't say, 'Gee, too bad they put that pole line there?'"

And the day after that, the same spokesman for the same organization told the two daily newspapers:

"It's the crown jewel in our park system," says Sparkes.

"To run a major power line down through this crown jewel ... there must be a better way."

The End.





That was the last time Mr. Sparkes or HNN have commented on the issue in the media, and have, as of late, taken to declining comment altogether.