Charest treads carefully in debate over Que purchase of NB Power

MONTREAL - Premier Jean Charest treaded carefully Monday in response to a poll suggesting New Brunswickers opposed Hydro-Quebec purchasing their provincial power utility.
The premier argued that the deal was good for New Brunswick, but declined to be drawn into discussing poll numbers.
Charest simply said he did not want to interfere in a neighbour's political debate.
"It's not for us to intervene in New Brunswick's internal affairs," Charest told a news conference on another matter, when he was asked about the deal.
The tentative agreement to buy NB Power assets for $4.75 billion has stoked fears that Quebec could become a regional powerhouse and has divided the premiers in Atlantic Canada. The governor of Maine has also expressed concerns about the deal.
But Charest called it a win-win solution. If the deal's accepted, he said, New Brunswick would also keep its independence in deciding its energy policy.
"What we are proposing is good for New Brunswick, it's good for New Brunswick consumers, it makes sense," he said.
"New Brunswick will keep its sovereignty on its energy decisions."
Charest would not comment on a Leger Marketing-QMI poll that indicated 60 per cent of New Brunswickers opposed the deal.
The premier said he plans to discuss the implications of the deal with Maine Gov. John Baldacci but a date hasn't been set for a meeting. The governor has said he wants to know more about the deal, and its implications for the northeastern U.S.
Also Monday, Charest confirmed that Quebec and New Brunswick were talking with Prince Edward Island about a possible 100-megawatt deal that would create a three-province "energy hub" in Eastern Canada.
"At all levels, the file is very active, we're talking to all our partners," Charest said.