Government spin on hydro line report is shocking

In this morning’s Sun, Tom Brodbeck sheds some light on the Doer government’s absurd spin job on the recently released consultant’s study into where Manitoba Hydro should build its new transmission line.

Wait a minute, you’ve never heard of this study? Not surprising, since the government waited until the heat of the Christmas shopping/dining/partying/”where the hell can I find Guitar Hero?” rush — December 19th to be exact — to release it. Any by “release it” I mean they posted a news release and Doer-approved backgrounder on the province’s website, not the actual report. Well, that’s not suspicious at all, is it?

Luckily, our intrepid city columnist got himself a copy of the report, and finds the government’s rationale for continuing to proceed with “Doer’s Daffy Detour” (yeah, I don’t think it’s the greatest catchphrase either) just doesn’t hold up.

So let’s review (again):

• The east side line would be several hundred million dollars cheaper
• The east side line would bleed significantly less power
• The east side line would be more secure
• The east side line would provide opportunities for spin-off economic benefits for aboriginal communities in the area
• Manitoba Hydro wants to build on the east side
• Several of the east side chiefs want Hydro to build in the area
• The former president of UNESCO’s world heritage committee says a power line would have no impact on Manitoba’s chances of creating a recognized heritage site in the boreal forest
• An independent consultant’s report indicates that just as much environmental damage would be done on the west side as on the east side

I’m starting to think that anything short of God (and/or the spirit of Tommy Douglas) striking down the boreal forest with lightning isn’t going to be enough to get the Premier to change his mind.

UPDATE: Brodbeck also has a new blog post up with an interesting theory about why the Premier is being so stubborn on the Hydro line issue.