Line in sand drawn over Muskrat Falls debate

The provincial government is pressing ahead with a special Muskrat Falls debate even though there's still no consensus with the opposition parties on the format.

In a letter dated Nov. 2 and obtained by CBC, government house leader Darin King asks NDP Leader Lorraine Michael to reveal the names of experts who have found evidence contrary to what the government has found to support the $7.4-billion hydro development.

"If you have evidence to contradict what Nalcor and others have said, it is incumbent on you, in the interest of public debate, to release that information," wrote King.

"To this point, all arguments against the project have been refuted by experts with their conclusions based on facts and empirical evidence."

The letter indicates the government has drawn a line in the sand over the opposition parties' call for expert witnesses to testifyduring the special debate inthe legislature.

It has also raised questions about whether the Progressive Conservative government, and opposition Liberals and NDP will be able to agree on the terms of the debate.

Ifit doesgoes ahead, the government says it will begin no later than Nov. 19.

If the three political partiescannot reach an agreement, the Muskrat Falls project may have to be debated within the usual business of the house of assembly.