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M••.• Fa lls Media Analysis

PrepaNd FrId8y November 30 2012CcMrtnc from evenInI of Thursdlly Nov 29 to en d of day Friday, Nov 30

There has been a sl lniftcant ~ of Muskrat Falls media ooverale over the pest 24hours, almost entirely dedicated to the announcement of the federallo8n .uaf1lntee.Early Thu..c:tay evenin& media startin. reportln. the possibility of the Io8n lUaranteebeinlannounced in HIIppy Valley-Goose Bay on Friday. Media reported that PremierDunderdale did not seem to be aware of the announcement durinl her post-QPlICNm. Rumours were swtrIina in the media and social media that talks had hatted,back Oft, etc. but by Friday momlnl I t was belnl confirmed that an announcementwould tJlke place in Labrador tDday, with PrIme Minister Harper, Premier Dunderdaleand Premier Dexter In.attendance.

Coverqe of the announcement was carried by all local media, as well as national

media outlets including cae Newsworld. Reports have focused on how this winsignif icantly reduce borrowing costs for the project and the signif icant environmentalbenefits.

Lorraine Michael did a serum pbst announcement at the Confederation BUlldin&-Shewas not pleased with the announcement She called the terms of the loan"problematic"' because we don't know the am ount of equity the· province would beresponsible for, Impact of cost overruns. etc. She said that the Premier should beembarrassed over not being aware of the event until after PMO announced itan dquestioned the level of involvement of the Premier/ProvIncial Government In thenelOtiations. f inally, she questions govemment for "rushing ahead· with the projectwithout regulatory review.

Media coverage has not been clear on how much the loan002 or 003 figure. Reports are varying.

Issue/  Stau.ergina: Federal loan lUarantee:

Impending sanction

Emerging: House of Assembly Debate / Filibuster' Opposition

parties have been in the media

threatening to filibuster.

The Uberal party's allegation that someHolding: Immigration Investor Fund or a ll of the funds may be used to

support Muskrat Falls ined somemedia traction.

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Holding: NunBtslawt Government'sconcerns and call for Nalcor to assist intheir further researchHoldin&: Wind and small hydro as poweroptions tor Labrador coestHoIdin&: NunatuK8vut CommunityCouncil and Sierra Qub court chalten,es

Holdin&: MQO Poll results / PUB/ government handling of project

Holdln, Cost analysis results not bein,made ubl ic

Holdin&: private companies and mlninJcompanies investlnl in MF In order tomitil8te the risk on rate payers/taxpayers

Holding: Buying power from Quebec

Holding: interest durinJ constructioncosts

This remains in the media with littleupdate after the weekend. While the polshowed support for the project. It . a.found &reat support for PUBreview and areferendum (slim majority). _ 

45 million for construction work. Thishas been clearly addressed by thePremier and M inister Kennedy (and M r.Martin In the past) but It has pinedmomentum In the media and

Mr. Martin's messaglnJC-&eneratlonal-nature of the project means it shouldbelonl to the province, not privlltecorporations) on this was stron

This has come up In the media a coupleat  t imes In the s t day or so and

This was raised In the media a couple oftimes over the weekend. It was also partof Gordon Well's reasonlna on C8C Hereand Now yesterday on why final costsunknown.

Gordon Welllndfcates that the ProvincialGovernment has not revealed final costs,Y Jones says Nalcor will not release costs

of contracts already awarded, Vardy andPenney questioning the interest onconstruction and the Impact of thefederal loan uarantee on the f inal costs.

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Holding: labour Issues - potentialshortaaes and what the ProvincialGovemment Is doing to address

Holdln • Benefit to mining companiesHolding: PR campaign

Holding: Water ri&hts

Dissipating: Premier meeting withPremier Marois

Dissipating: CRA poll: Supportive ofProject

There Is ongoing discussion In the mediaabout the tone of the materials and thecost. Fair level of twitter activ aboutth

Focus of an article In the Weekendtelegram. Provincial Governmentannounced$2 million towards aJourneyperson Mentorshlp Program onWednesday. Not mucfl pick up at thistime.This has been brought up twice by

Wan andThis seems to come and go. Keymessa es have been effective and

Gilbert Bennett was very clear In Nalcor'sposition that It Is not a concern.'This had some media traction however, ItIs likely over.

TbUlJIday Evening Media .All media outlets - radio, online and television - reported the possibility of thefederal loan guarantee being announced In Labrador Friday. The only other Muskratitems that appeared In the media were calls to VOCM Nightllne, as below:

Brad Cabana called to discuss his court challenge. He explained the challenge andhow the New Dawn Agreement allowed Inuit people to vote on this development, butIt was not offered to other people of the province. He also stated that the provincecannot operate the dam without the permission of Hydro Quebec. so there is no wayit can work.

Jim Feehan was also a caller. He said that the loan guarantee Is Important because it

affects the rate at which Nalcor will borrow for and It will be Important to know whatthe terms are. He also commented on the need for a f inal formal review.

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lorraine Michael called and stated that she is concerned about the loan guarantee

because it means that the federal government will have an iron clad agreement.

Paul Lane also called to discuss the project and respond to comments from Michael

and Feehan. He spoke about power and markets and that there is plenty of time to

debate the project.

Again, Friday's Muskrat media was all focused on the expected announcement of the

federal loan guarantee today in Labrador. It was covered by all local media outlets, as

well as the Canadian Press and the Chronicle Herald.

Telegram

Front Page: PM VISit Expected to Deliver loan Guarantee

Article reports that multiple sources have confirmed that eh prime Minister will

announce the loan guarantee in Labrador today. Article also reports that premier

Dunderdale, as of Thursday afternoon, appeared "blindsided" by the news and wasnot aware that the deal had been finalized.

A7: Opinion: Gerry Phelan: Mulling Over Muskrat Falls

The gist of the article is that the public asked for information on the project and the

Provincial Government delivered. Author refers to himself as an average voter,

seeking out information to make an informed decision. Disagrees that this is too

technical an issue to allow people to actually vote on it.

Friday afternoon media:

The federal loan guarantee dominated Muskrat Falls media coverage this afternoon.

All local and many national outlets covered the event. Reports are all referring to the

fact that Premier Dunderdale was the "last to know" about the announcement

V Q C M Back Talk

Bruno Marcocchio commented on the federal court challenge and how respecting

laws is important to the democracy of Canada. He says you don't elect a government

that ransacks the public purse while they are In power and they are gambling on our

future. He discusses the relationship between Peter Penashue's brother and the

contracts being awarded on this development.

MHA David Brazil commented on the loan guarantee and how this is a great day for

the province because now Muskrat Falls development can be moved to the nextphase which is sanctioning.

A member of the public called to say that wave and tidal power has not been studied

as an alternative.

Danny Dumaresque called to talk about the loan guarantee which he called nothing

more than a glorified photo opportunity. He says Harper is only going to guarantee

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the previous cost of the Muskrat Falls development so itwill still pay to pay the

overruns.

Muskrat Falls social media daily digestDate prepared: I November 30, 2012 (4 p.m.)

Prepared by: I Lisa Pendergast

Topic Federal Loan Guarantee

• Many RTson the news story uPrime minister poised to make Muskrat

announcemen~

• Many RTson the news story NHarperannounces loan guarantee for MuskratFalls project"

• There were also many tweets In French linking to a similar news story

• Ian Spencer tweeted: "Muskrat Falls,how to bankrupt a province you don't likeand how to save one of your rule breaking cabinet ministers. # n ! I ! 2 . l i H 

•Robert Ross tweeted: "Cdns who gave PMSH his majority have to be impressed

as he literally runs down the list of promises checking them=Muskrat Falls

NL#cdnDoliH

• Adam Case tweets: "@CochraneCBCNl I doubt this is a win for either KD or

PMSH in NL The Loan Guarantee doesn't ally concerns about MF #nlpoli"

• Brian lee tweeted: IIGreat day for NLI Federal Gov't keeping its promise an dgiving MF an additional approval. Our future looks better every day #nlpollu

• Bruce Cheadle tweeted: IIInotice it is the G overnment of Canada guaranteeing

loans for Muskrat Falls,not the Harper Government. #Wordsmatter"

• Kevin Dougherty tweeted: lI@francoislegault says if Nl gets financial aid for

Muskrat Falls,a precedent has been created, so Hydro-Quebec can ask for thesame.

• Carl Anthony lucas tweeted: u@CdhPress Ott @tarabrautigamStephen Harper

and Lo~n Guaranty Risksfor Muskrat Falls Project, could leave Tax Payers onHook for BilLIONS $

• Heather Gillis tweets: "Dunderdale says she sees boundless opportunities for NL

in future #n!PQll#cdnpoli

• Wayne Bennett tweeted: u@HeatherMGlllis @pmharper But at what cost? In theend, someone will have to pick up the mess left by Harper #cdnpoli #nlpoli"

Topic Other

• A few tweets on the power outage, comparing It to the future in Nl if MuskratFalls Is sanctioned

• @newfienisey tweets: "Power outage. 3 yr old says hi really don't like this"

Nanny says "Get used to It cuzw hen Muskrat Fallsgo thriJ this Is how Its gonnabe "

• Dean Dicker tweeted: UKathY,1want to pay the same hydro rates as those

in #NS or New England,don't ask me to pay more for your disastrousblunder #nlpoll#cbcnlu

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Comments from known criticsCritic Comment (verbatim)

Condescendant • "@JustinTrudeau I am disappointed with the FEDLIBstand on $10+B$

(Con O'Brien, MUSKRATFALLS!No regulated review, or debate byNl GOVI We need

Twitter) HELPI"

• "@oetermansbridge How about Nl Peter? Harper Is about to give us the

golden bullet with a loan Guarantee for Muskrat Fallsl Rexwe need

helpl"

• "Get out your BLACKFlAGSI Sharpen up your AXESHarper to announce

Muskrat Fallsdeal in Labrador cbc.sh/SZ4VBog"

• "@TorbayToday @VOCMBacktalk@CONDESCENDANT@BradCabaliaTh

ere are so many what if ands and buts around MUSKRATFALLSit needs

a PUBreview?"

• "@TeleFitz I figured they need to save every cent they canl Deficit Is

eating up the Muskrat Falls equity big timel BCrude up or down

today?"

• "#D!RQ!iThe crowd at EMERA must be happy tonight, as Dexter Saidinthe NS leg "We are In the drivers seat now" /"

Brad Cabana • "@pmharperyou better think twice about tying your boat to Peter

(Twitter) Penashue and Muskrat Falls.#corruption #muskratfalls #nlpoll#cdnpoll"

• "@pmhamerWhy are you granting a loan guarantee. We dont want the

debt of Muskrat Falls.Trying to save Penashue is a big political mistake."

• "Here comes the lawsuit from Quebec for the same guarantees for its

hydro projects,probably retroactive,so predictable .. #nlpoli#cdnpoll"

• 1tr'@DesSullivan3:@DesSullivan3@WinnipegNews @Share Over $13

billion Hydro Projects on HOLo due to low U.S.demand.That's

LEADERSHIP#nlpoli"

• "@MurfADoh I would say Dunderdale is well below anything on#nlpoli.

Not too many of them have sold their own people down the *river*"• "So Harper announces trip to lab the same day Penashue asks Conflict

of Interest Commiss to examine his actions in neg New Dawn,

hmm #nlpoli"

@lntelligentNl • "@MHAPaullane You were elected by a poll, were you not? Your(TWitter) mandate is not to 'push Muskrat Fallsahead at all costs'"

• "No power. Foreshadowing of "stable" Muskrat Fallspower?"

• ".@COchraneCBCNl @pdmcleodHope you're wrong. Harper has no right

to push LGthrough with the recent events unresolved. #nlpoli#cdnpolr

• "Harper going to Nl tomorrow to announce a loan guarantee that

bypassed our independent regulator. Loss of

democracy#cdnpoli #nlpoll #nspoIY'

@Eastportorgani • "The EMERAoption Isthe most profitable one 4 private interests. Wec (Jason Bull, need to follow the money & take control of NAlCOR

Twitter) ASAP#nlpoli #cdnpoli"

• "EMERA is here for more than electricty - Water Market Will Be Bigger

Than Oil, Analysts Predicthuff.toN9ldTt #nlpoll #cdnpali"

• "Wake up NL- AB is already privatizing water- Explanation of the Issues

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lOur Water Is Not For Sale bit.lvN9Hm4X #nlpoli #cdnpoli"

• "Two options will be presented: bankrupt NALCORor sell assets. Follow

the movement towards total grid privatization &water markets#nlpoli"

• "PEOPLEI We are about to be subject to a very large corporate takeover

with guaranteed rates of returnl Private interests will own uS#nlpoli"

• "Why are opposition parties not bringing up the FACTthat EMERAwillown ONLYprivate transmission system off the Island? #nlpoli#cdnpolr'

• "We need to dig around EMERA'sdeal, how it rolled out and where the

money will flow once this thing gets going

IMHO #nspoli #nlpoli#cdnpoli"

• "@dannydumaresgue that should put nalcor over the brink of the

bankruptcy edge eh? forced sell-off of assets? private transmission 4

emera?"

@EdHollett • "With Muskrat Fallssanctioned, the most important political question

(Twitter) left Is how long It will be until Kathy Dunderdale resigns. #nlpoli"

• lI@mclabradore @Whiff83 Facts like the Prem's claim that the PUB

endorsed Muskrat falls. #nlpoli"

• Ed Hollett wrote a blog entry on technical aspects of Churchill Falls

production

Oseliharris • II@Andrew Parsonsl@SandyRCollins Try not to insult the citizens of Nl

(Stephen Harris, while you're talking about Muskrat Falls Sandy. Know it's hard for you"

TWitter) • IIAny day is dark when Harperis in the Province, but today is especially

so. #NLpoli #Cdnpoli"

• "PROTESTTODAYNov 30 NOON in Happy Valley-Goose Bay - At the gate

leading onto Base.Tell Government they have to respect

democracy! #~"

• "can we go back to bad talking and exposing dirty behavior from

Penashue again now? -#MuskratFalls #NLpoli"

@BigLandMan • "@VOCMNightline How can Harper Issue a Loan Guarantee while the

(Norman Muskrat Falls issue is before the Supreme Court?"

Andrews • "Is Harper afraid of Oanny Williams, what he might do if Muskrat Falls

Twitter) Loan Guarantee doesn't come truer

• "@CBCNL@PeterCBCUnreal! WhatR they afraid of? That Labrador

people don't want Muskrat Fallsdeveloped like this?"

• "@BigLandMan Harper shoul keep In mind that alllNNU do not Muskrat

Fallsdeveloped. e.g.Peter Penashue's mom = very wise, Elizabeth

Penashue"

• "@BobSter19 @Avalon709 and who would stay or come back 4

temporary jobs during construction at Muskrat Falls?"

• "@GovNL @kathy 2 announcements by Harpe:, 5 Wing Goose Bayone

to take the heat off the Muskrat Falls Loan Guarantee one.1 won't be

there!LOl"

Inaccuracies/opportunities for responseUser Comment (verbatim)

@jOmamatweets "Muskrat Falls does and will continue to pollute the water with

mercury and other pollutants but once again no one cares. Money

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 _ _ _ _ _ _ 1 over health'"