How they voted

On December 16, 2008, the House of Assembly rammed through, at all stages of debate, Bill 75, An Act To Return To The Crown Certain Rights Relating To Timber And Water Use Vested In Abitibi-Consolidated And To Expropriate Assets And Lands Associated With The Generation Of Electricity Enabled By Those Water Use Rights.

Sadly, and all-too-commonly for the feeble excuse of a legislature, the vote was not a recorded division, but a voice vote only. Hansard captures the moment of the final vote on the motion of Minister Burke (as she then was), seconded by the Minister of Natural Resources (whoever that was):

MS BURKE: Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the hon. Minister of Natural Resources, that Bill 75, An Act To Return To The Crown Certain Rights Relating To Timber And Water Use Vested In Abitibi-Consolidated And To Expropriate Assets And Lands Associated With The Generation Of Electricity Enabled By Those Water Use Rights, be now read a third time.

MR. SPEAKER: It is moved and seconded that Bill 75 be now read third time.

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion that Bill 75 be read a third time?

All those in favour, 'aye'.

SOME HON. MEMBERS: Aye.

MR. SPEAKER: All those against, 'nay'.

The motion is carried.

CLERK: A bill, An Act To Return To The Crown Certain Rights Relating To Timber And Water Use Vested In Abitibi-Consolidated And To Expropriate Assets And Lands Associated With The Generation Of Electricity Enabled By Those Water Use Rights. (Bill 75)

MR. SPEAKER: Bill 75 has now been read a third time, and it is ordered that the bill do pass, and that its title be as on the Order Paper.

On motion, a bill, "An Act To Return To The Crown Certain Rights Relating To Timber And Water Use Vested In Abitibi-Consolidated And To Expropriate Assets And Lands Associated With The Generation Of Electricity Enabled By Those Water Use Rights," read a third time, ordered passed and its title be as on the Order Paper. (Bill 75)

You will notice that there were no nays.

Of the 48 current Members of the House of Assembly, 28 were sitting MHAs at the time of the December 16 vote on the Danny Williams Memorial Nail Abitibi Act. They are identified by traditional party colours on this chart. Dark blue indicates current cabinet minister. If they were present for the voice vote, they voted for Danny Williams' $100-million blunder.

MHAs whose blocks are left white have a valid alibi. They were not members in December 2008.