Back by popular demand! ...and in no small thanks to the provision of a whole chapter's worth of material, we're "wheeling" full chapters of Orwell, instead of simply selling small bits of it at the mercy of our neighbours.
Quebec's Minister of Natural Resources, Claude Béchard, explained that not much has changed in the new agreement. A power-purchase agreement with Hydro-Québec that expired Tuesday gave Newfoundland many of the same advantages, Mr. Béchard said.
What has changed, he added, was that the new five-year deal puts to rest fears that Ottawa would subsidize a transmission line for Newfoundland through Quebec without the province's consent.
Quebec has argued that if Newfoundland wants to develop the Lower Churchill project it will need to play by the rules and use Quebec's transmission lines to access the U.S market.
(Today's Globe and Mail)
Mr. Pilkington, of Foxwood, had stood up, his mug in his hand. In a moment, he said, he would ask the present company to drink a toast. But before doing so, there were a few words that he felt it incumbent upon him to say.
It was a source of great satisfaction to him, he said-and, he was sure, to all others present-to feel that a long period of mistrust and misunderstanding had now come to an end. There had been a time-not that he, or any of the present company, had shared such sentiments-but there had been a time when the respected proprietors of Animal Farm had been regarded, he would not say with hostility, but perhaps with a certain measure of misgiving, by their human neighbours. Unfortunate incidents had occurred, mistaken ideas had been current. It had been felt that the existence of a farm owned and operated by pigs was somehow abnormal and was liable to have an unsettling effect in the neighbourhood. Too many farmers had assumed, without due enquiry, that on such a farm a spirit of licence and indiscipline would prevail. They had been nervous about the effects upon their own animals, or even upon their human employees. But all such doubts were now dispelled…
…He would end his remarks, he said, by emphasising once again the friendly feelings that subsisted, and ought to subsist, between Animal Farm and its neighbours.
(Animal Farm, Chapter 10)
Premier Danny Williams says a new power agreement with Nova Scotia company Emera Energy Inc. is partly about building a partner in the Martimes for future power corridors around Quebec.
On Thursday, Williams announced the province was selling power directly into the North American market for the first time, a deal that could net $40-$80 million a year for the province.
The province has signed a five-year service agreement with Hydro Quebec under its Open Access Transmission Tariff to transfer power through that province, and a two-year deal with Emera to buy and market that power.
(The Telegram, yesterday)
There was enthusiastic cheering and stamping of feet. Napoleon was so gratified that he left his place and came round the table to clink his mug against Mr. Pilkington's before emptying it. When the cheering had died down, Napoleon, who had remained on his feet, intimated that he too had a few words to say.
Like all of Napoleon's speeches, it was short and to the point. He too, he said, was happy that the period of misunderstanding was at an end. For a long time there had been rumours-circulated, he had reason to think, by some malignant enemy-that there was something subversive and even revolutionary in the outlook of himself and his colleagues. They had been credited with attempting to stir up rebellion among the animals on neighbouring farms. Nothing could be further from the truth! Their sole wish, now and in the past, was to live at peace and in normal business relations with their neighbours. This farm which he had the honour to control, he added, was a co-operative enterprise. The title-deeds, which were in his own possession, were owned by the pigs jointly.
He did not believe, he said, that any of the old suspicions still lingered, but certain changes had been made recently in the routine of the farm which should have the effect of promoting confidence stiff further.
(Animal Farm, Chapter 10)
On Friday, Williams responded to comments out of Quebec that Newfoundland and Labrador needs to go through that province in order to sell power.
But Williams said Quebec is simply trying to put a stranglehold on the electricity market and get another cheap source of energy once the Lower Churchill project is developed.
"What Quebec would like to do is sort of think they have a monopoly on transmission," he said. "The last thing Quebec wants to see happen is for us to build our own transmission lines east and south and go into the market that way."
(The Telegram, today)
There was the same hearty cheering as before, and the mugs were emptied to the dregs. But as the animals outside gazed at the scene, it seemed to them that some strange thing was happening. What was it that had altered in the faces of the pigs? Clover's old dim eyes flitted from one face to another. Some of them had five chins, some had four, some had three. But what was it that seemed to be melting and changing? Then, the applause having come to an end, the company took up their cards and continued the game that had been interrupted, and the animals crept silently away.
But they had not gone twenty yards when they stopped short. An uproar of voices was coming from the farmhouse. They rushed back and looked through the window again. Yes, a violent quarrel was in progress. There were shoutings, bangings on the table, sharp suspicious glances, furious denials. The source of the trouble appeared to be that Napoleon and Mr. Pilkington had each played an ace of spades simultaneously.
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