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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Fear of power
An open letter signed by 19 engineers, including the former CEO of Manitoba Hydro, appears on the page opposite today. The 19 are united in their opposition to the NDP government's decision to prevent Manitoba Hydro from building a high-voltage transmission line on the east side of Manitoba, forcing it instead to build on the west side at an additional cost of at least $1 billion. The reasons for their opposition to the west route are clearly and fulsomely stated. But they leave out, or rather, only hint at, one of the most disturbing consequences of the government's decision -- the damage the government has done by politicizing and thus undermining the professional operation of a Crown corporation. They decided that they would include in the list of signatories only "retired" professional engineers -- persons with careers of accomplishment and distinction who could not be made to suffer as a consequence of openly questioning the government's competence on this issue. They deliberately excluded young engineers who might seek careers at Hydro.
After 11 years in power, has it come to this? That professions and careers can be endangered by pointing out that the emperor has no clothes?
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 8, 2010 A12
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