ST. JOHN'S – The new premier of Newfoundland and Labrador has made public a resignation letter from an accountant who stepped down from a panel overseeing energy negotiations with Hydro-Québec. This action comes after the previous Liberal government chose to keep the letter confidential.

Progressive Conservative Premier Tony Wakeham posted the letter from Mike Wilson online on Thursday, just a day after taking office. Wakeham stated that the public deserves access to the document. The letter, dated May 12, reveals Wilson's reasons for resigning from the three-member panel.

Wilson expressed concerns that a senior civil servant from the Liberal government was improperly directing the panel's operations. He emphasized that the panel was intended to function independently from government influence.

The panel was established by the former Liberal government in response to calls from opposition parties for an independent review of a tentative agreement with Hydro-Québec. Political scientist Russell Williams commented that had the Liberals initiated such a review earlier, they might have prevented the controversy surrounding Wilson's resignation.

The release of the letter marks a significant shift in transparency regarding the province's energy negotiations, as the previous administration had resisted calls to disclose the document, citing laws that protect sensitive negotiation information.

Wakeham's decision to publish the letter reflects a commitment to openness in governance, contrasting with the previous administration's approach. The implications of Wilson's resignation and the circumstances surrounding it continue to resonate in the political landscape of Newfoundland and Labrador.