Eugene Manning's hammer

Smart. Pragmatic. Familiar.

On Tuesday afternoon, Francois Legault told the Quebec legislature he was off to St. John’s on Thursday - exactly as he had said a couple of weeks before - to talk with Andrew Furey about Labrador hydro power and Churchill Falls. His office had tweeted a picture Monday evening of Legault meeting with Hydro-Quebec officials “to prepare the negotiation with Newfoundland-Labrador of the Churchill Falls contract after 2041.” It quickly circulated in Newfoundland as local media reported on Legault’s remarks in the National Assembly.

Caught flat, Andrew Furey’s office tweeted lamely long after the news broke:

Looking forward to welcoming Quebec Premier @francoislegault to our province later this week. There is much potential to work together to meet energy demands into the future. With expert advice, we will ensure Newfoundlanders and Labradorians get the best value for our assets.

No longer denying there was a meeting. Vague. And with that mandatory reference to “expert advice” as if no one could, should, or does trust Furey to do the job. Gotta have help. Gotta consult “experts” who will tell Furey what to do.

The line screams insecurity. Clearly not a leader’s comment. Just like Furey has been tap-dancing for weeks in response to Legault who has clearly been driving the timetable, framing the discussion, setting expectations for Churchill Falls.

The contrast between Furey as Premier and Eugene Manning’s leadership bid for the Progressive Conservatives could not have been any sharper or more clear had Manning’s team scripted every line for Furey.