The Globe and Mail - March 24th, 2010

1. Headline: New Brunswick kills controversial power deal with Hydro-Québec

Shawn Graham, New Brunswick Premier, has pulled out of the unpopular plan to sell much of New Brunswick’s power generation to Hydro Quebec, costing the province $3.2 billion. Graham insists he initially believed in the deal, though it is speculated he is ridding himself of a political millstone before September provincial elections. Mr. Graham pulled the plug on the deal after meting with Quebec Premier Jean Charest. Hydro Quebec cited more risks than it was willing to take, and so New Brunswick Power will remain a New Brunswick-owned Crown corporation.

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2. Headline: Irish bishop resigns in Catholic sex abuse scandal

The Vatican has confirmed Pope Benedict XVI’s acceptance of Bishop John Magee’s resignation. The 73-year-old Irish Bishop, who served as secretary to Popes Paul VI, John Paul I and John Paul II, has been accused of mishandling child sex abuse complaints against priests in his diocese of Cloyne. Investigations have found that Magee appeared to have obstructed investigations about child sex abuse allegations against two priests since 1995. The Pope has apologized for decades of abuse, yet has taken no action against bishops blamed for cover-ups.

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3. Headline: Departure of Canadian Forces hampers Jacmel’s reconstruction

At the end of their two-month relief mission, Canadian Forces have dismantled their camps and pulled out of Jacmel, Haiti. Canada’s soldiers are being criticized for destabilizing aid efforts by taking the fleet of heavy lift machinery, delivered to Jacmel after the earthquake, back to Canada. This makes receiving large shipments at the airport difficult, if even possible. Canadian troops also abandoned stations set up at the Jacmel seaport, leaving the port “not secure at all”.

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4. Headline: U.K. election budget charts path out of spiralling deficit

Britain’s Labour government has announced a 2010 budget that promises a £2.5 billion package to boost growth, higher taxes for high-income groups and less borrowing. Finance Chancellor Alistair Darling is confident England’s economy has improved under Labour government, saying “the recovery has begun, unemployment is falling and borrowing is better than expected.” However, the Conservatives argue the plan is too late and the economy is too fragile. Conservative leader David Cameron has responded, “[Labour government] are just going to carry on spending, carry on borrowing and carry on failing. The biggest risk to our recovery is five more years of this prime minister”.

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