Kate O'Brien replaced as Muskrat Falls inquiry co-counsel following Supreme Court appointment

Kate O'Brien will be replaced as co-counsel on the Muskrat Falls inquiry, the commission announced Wednesday.

On Tuesday, O'Brien was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, replacing Justice David Peddle of Gander.

In his opening statement at the inquiry Wednesday morning, commissionerRichard LeBlanc praised O'Brien.

"Justice O'Brien's appointment to the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador means the commission is losing a key and important member of its team," he said.

"She has made an enormous contribution to this Commission of Inquiry since its inception. And the commission's loss will certainly be the gain of our system of justice in the province. Obviously we're losing somebody very important."

O'Brien will be replaced on the ongoing inquiry into the beleaguered hydroelectric megaproject by Irene Muzychka, who will join co-counsel Barry Learmonth.

Muzychka, who has been a partner at the firm Curtis Dawe since 1994, will immediately join the inquiry full time, the commission's release said.

Because Curtis Dawe represents Newfoundland Power Inc., which has special standing at the inquiry, Muzychka will not have any involvement in inquiry matters that impact or could impact the utility company.

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