FREDERICTON - New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham's controversial plan to sell New Brunswick Power to Hydro-Quebec is expected to dominate debate when the New Brunswick legislature opens Tuesday with a speech from the throne.
The Liberal premier faces a tough task of selling the idea ahead of a self-imposed deadline of March 31.
Opposition House Leader Paul Robichaud says the Conservatives will do everything they can to block the nearly $5 billion deal that would see Quebec assume all of NB Power's major assets.
A protest in opposition to the power deal is expected outside the legislature.
Government House Leader Mike Murphy says the legislation to permit the sale won't be tabled until late January or early February, and he expects one of the longest sessions on record.
