Emera party 'ill advised,' Dexter says

Premier Darrell Dexter says Emera showed 'very poor judgment' by throwing a party for executives the day after a request was made for higher power rates.

EmeraNova Scotia Power's parent companyheld a party for itsboard of directorslast Wednesday at Salty's, a restaurant on the Halifax waterfront.

A day earlier, Nova ScotiaPowerasked theUtility and Review Boardthe provincial regulatorto raise rates by six per cent over two years. Public hearings on the application are scheduled for September.

Dexter said Emera should have been more sensitive.

"This was a time when they should know that Nova Scotians are very concerned about the impact on their pocketbook of proposed rate increases. I don't think the timing could be any more unfortunate," the premier told reporters on Tuesday.

"[It] was ill advised and very poor judgment on behalf of the company."

Opposition calls party'insulting to Nova Scotians'

Dexter is the latest politician to condemn the move. All three parties spoke out about it on Monday.

Andrew Younger, the Liberal's energy critic, called it "insulting to Nova Scotians."

"They're asking people to sacrifice, yet they're out there partying at a level that most ratepayers in Nova Scotia could never possibly afford," Younger said Monday.

Progressive Conservative Leader Jamie Baillie said the party showed that executives are out of touch.

"The board of directors of Nova Scotia Power have not done their job," he told reporters on Tuesday.

"If they continue to fail to do their job when it comes to things like bloated executive salaries, I believe the premier should step in and direct the Utility and Review Board to review those salaries."

Energy Minister Charlie Parker said it didn't appear that Emera was setting a good example.

About 28 people were on the guest list. A spokesperson for Emera said the party was a chance to build stronger ties with executives, whocame to Halifax for meetings from around Canada and theU.S.

The spokespersonwouldn't reveal how much the party cost, but said it was paid for by Emera shareholders and not Nova Scotia Power customers.

The partyfeatured performances by Cape Breton comedian Maynard Morrison, the Halifax Titanic Orchestra, and the Mellotones, a popular band in Halifax.

Dexter defends jet trip

Meanwhile, Dexter defended his decision to hitch a ride on a plane leased to carry Emera executives to an event in Saint John's late last year.

The premier took part in a ceremony to formally mark the partnership between Nova Scotia, Newfoundland andthe power utilities in each provincein thedevelopment of hydro facilities on the Lower Churchill River.

The province of Nova Scotiareimbursed Emeraby $2,100 to cover the cost of the trip for Dexter and two staff members.

Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil said Dexter should have booked his own travel.

"This is a premier that has protected and apologized for Nova Scotia Power's thirst for profit and now we find out that he's been flying to Newfoundland with their executives," McNeil told reporters.

"The perception of that? He should know better. Anyone sitting in his position should know better and they shouldn't be doing it."

Dexter said he believed the move was appropriate.

"They're going back and forth to the same place. They're going to sit next to me at the table. They're going to sign the agreement with me," he said.

"It's simply a matter of us being able to get there, sign the agreement and then come back here for the press conference that allowed Nova Scotians to understand the whole scope and benefit of the Lower Churchill Project."