Muskrat Falls Inquiry invites public comments
The Commission of Inquiry Respecting the Muskrat Falls Project is inviting interested members of the public to share relevant information with the Commissioner as he prepares for his final report. The public consultation process will be managed by Memorial University’s Leslie Harris Centre of Regional Policy and Development, and will include two public sessions that will be webcast live, in addition to an online submission form for individuals to submit comments and information to the Inquiry.
“As we work toward the final stage of the Inquiry, we wanted to give the general public the opportunity to share their thoughts about the project,” explained Commission Co-Counsel Barry Learmonth. “We recognize that there are people who have been following this project and the Inquiry, who may have some very valuable insights that would otherwise not be heard through the public hearings process.”
Individuals are invited to attend one of two public sessions – one in St. John’s on July 30 (7:00-9:00pm) at the Emera Innovation Exchange, Signal Hill Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland and one in Happy Valley-Goose Bay on August 8 (7:00-9:00pm) at the Lawrence O’Brien Arts Centre, Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Alternatively, they can submit their comments online anytime until August 15.
The Harris Centre will facilitate the public sessions and provide a summary report of comments received at these sessions and through the online submission process.
“This is an important process in our province, with critical implications for future public policy and democracy,” said Dr. Rob Greenwood, Associate Vice-president, Public Engagement and External Relations, and Director of the Harris Centre. “As an independent public policy centre we are very pleased to be working with the Commissioner and his team on this consultation.”
Individuals wishing to speak publicly at the open sessions should register ahead of time, and may do so online or via telephone. Individuals interested in providing their comments should also consider the Inquiry’s overall scope, which is available for review on the Inquiry’s and the Harris Centre’s websites.
“The Commissioner is only able to act on comments that fall within the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference,” said Mr. Learmonth. “This includes things related to the economic case and costs of the project, as well as the management of the project, but does not include any criminal or civil responsibility or current or pending court cases.”
For more information about the Muskrat Falls Inquiry, please visit www.muskratfallsinquiry.ca. For more information about the scope of the Inquiry and what comments will be considered during the consultation process, please review the summary of the Terms of Reference.