4 comments

• Tuesday, 13 September 2011 18:56 posted by Damien Gillis

  Aloyisisus, whose side are you on? Of course I know the ramifications of renegotiating or canceling a contract - spare me the lectures. The auditor general is more qualified than you or I to make that determination. I have qualified my comments amply - there are several big "IFs" in there. My point is that we need to keep any and all options on the table to deal with these secret contracts that were made in bad faith and without the interest of one party to the contract (you and me as ratepayers and shareholders in our crown corporation that is one signatory to the contract) in mind. What is your problem with leaving these options open? Why do you want to rush to close the door on revising or cancelling contracts should these options prove legally warranted? Governments change and cancel contracts all the time - including and especially this BC Liberal Government. Do you seriously think that there are no circumstances under which secret contracts made in bad faith can't be revised or cancelled, and if so, why?!!!

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• Tuesday, 13 September 2011 15:17 posted by Aloysius

  Yes and you then went on to say that if they did not provide value for money the contracts should be "ripped up" or "revised" to acceptable levels. Anyone can unilaterally rescind a contract, but there is the matter of damages that will be owed to the other party as a result of the breach of contract, and I think you can look to the IPPs to seek those damages and the courts to award them.
  I also do not share your stated belief that this was "the final nail in the coffin" for IPP purchases.

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• Monday, 12 September 2011 23:51 posted by Damien Gillis

  Aloyisius, you say, "Don't ask the NDP to tear up all the ruin-of-river IPP contracts when they come to power. That might work in Africa and Venezuala but this is Canada and the last time I looked agreements between competent counterparties were binding on both." You mean except when they involve nurses, teachers, or anyone who isn't a large multi-national corporation. No unconscionable contract need be honoured. A contract made on the public's behalf without their knowledge, consent, or benefit has no real authority - legal, moral, or otherwise. That is precisely the case with these IPPs. In any event, I called for them to be reviewed by the Auditor General to determine whether they provide value for the ratepayer/taxpayer. That is the next logical step.

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• Monday, 12 September 2011 13:20 posted by aloysius

  Damien email me some time and I will explain to you how Gordo is still winning the private power battle. 1200 characters doesnt start to suffice. Also don't ask the NDP to tear up all the ruin-of-river IPP contracts when they come to power. That might work in Africa and Venezuala but this is Canada and the last time I looked agreements between competent counterparties were binding on both.

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