NB Power and Historical Institutionalism: Why the People of New Brunswick Could Not Accept the Sale

Abstract

Why did the people of New Brunswick fail to accept the agreement between the governments of New Brunswick and Québec to sell NB Power to Hydro-Québec? This research seeks to answer that question by examining the arguments both for and against the proposed sale of NB Power using historical institutionalism. It determines that NB Power is on two concurrent paths that are linked, yet distinct. This research then determines that the agreement to sell NB Power was a critical juncture that failed, since it was never finalized, but succeeded in creating a new momentum for change in New Brunswick.