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Title
M.E.C.

Caption
"Mr. Gillespie, I am proud to say that our first major asset will be the Point Lepreau Power Station..."

Issues
Point Lepreau
The Point Lepreau power station, which is comprised of a CANDU nuclear reactor, is the only nuclear facility in eastern Canada. The station, located on the northern coast of the Bay of Fundy, has provided between 25 and 30% of the electricity used in New Brunswick since it began operation in June, 1983. It immediately came under fire for time and budget overruns, having a final cost of 1.4 billion dollars. It was also built without the American financial support that had been planned. Another point of debate is the cost and technology that will be involved in disposing of nuclear by-products when the plant is finally forced to cease production. Point Lepreau is still in operation today and a refurbishment of the plant is planned.

Persons
Richard Hatfield
- Born in Woodstock, NB, April 9, 1931
- Longest-serving premier of New Brunswick, starting in 1970, stayed four terms until 1987
- Progressive Conservative
- Leader of Progressive Conservatives in NB, 1969 to 1987
- Promoted national unity and linguistic equality
- Worked for the patriation of the Constitution and a Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as a constitutional accord, 1987
- Controversies include the Bricklin car venture, Point Lepreau nuclear power plant, spruce-budworm spraying and party fund-raising activities
- Arrested (and acquitted) for marijuana possession shortly before 1987 election (Marijuana allegedly found in his briefcase during the Queen’s visit)
- Defeated by Liberals 1987 (losing every seat), resigned as leader of the party
- Appointed to Senate by Brian Mulroney, 1990
- Died April 26, 1991