What a difference five years makes

In 2005, Danny Williams went to Labrador to push Our Dear Embryonic Energy Plan. As Andrew Waugh reported in the November 15, 2005 edition of The Telegram:

Premier Danny Williams guaranteed Labradorians a reserve of power from the proposed Lower Churchill hydro development at a public consultation in Happy Valley-Goose Bay Monday night.

During the meeting Williams also committed to holding consultations with the Labrador Metis Nation (LMN). The LMN recently linked their support of the project to a longstanding bid for formal recognition and have demanded the government sign a nine-point Memorandum of Understanding before any Lower Churchill talks commence.

While almost all of the 30-plus groups and individuals who gave presentations to the government team - which included ministers Paul Shelley, Tom Rideout and Ed Byrne and Lake Melville MHA John Hickey - backed the project, there were a handful of voices opposing the development.

...

"Firstly, to all of the people who think this is a done deal: nothing could be further from the truth," Williams said. "We are close to a year away from the final decision and if anyone thinks this is the final consultation ... that is not going to be the practice of this government.

"The reason we are here in Labrador is because this is your resource. We want to hear what your concerns are, what you don't want government to do with this resource.

"This province has given away your resources in Labrador (in the past). This government will not your give your resources away."

Last week, on November 18th — or was it the 17th? — Danny Williams went back to Labrador to sell his "deal" to continue talking about maybe doing something about the Lower Churchill.

His audience this time was much more exclusive:

The Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will host a reception this evening (Thursday, November 18) at the Hotel North B in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The Premier will be joined by the Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs; the Honourable Patty Pottle, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs; and, Ed Martin, President and CEO of Nalcor Energy.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. It is by invitation only and also open to members of the media.