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A protester outside Government House in FrederictonANDREW VAUGHAN

The New Brunswick government has reworked the proposed deal to sell NB Power to Hydro-Québec following a public backlash and criticism within the Liberal caucus.

The government's house leader, Greg Byrne, said Monday that caucus members voiced their concerns at a meeting last Tuesday, prompting a number of "significant" changes to the proposed deal.

"Then, on Thursday, an amended agreement was brought forward to caucus again," he said. "Following that meeting, caucus supported the amended agreement."

Mr. Byrne said the full details of the amended agreement will be released Wednesday.

Indications of changes began to emerge last week when Premier Shawn Graham changed his standard line to defend the deal by saying the province would retain "ownership and control" of the province's energy future.

Under original terms of the tentative agreement announced in October, Hydro-Québec would assume the major assets of the New Brunswick utility, including transmission lines, hydroelectric dams and the Point Lepreau nuclear power plant, for $4.75-billion, which equals NB Power's debt.

Residential power rates would be frozen for five years and industrial rates would be cut by about 30 per cent to put them in line with industry in Quebec.

Last week, Conservative Opposition Leader David Alward told the legislature that he'd heard the deal had been changed and that transmission lines and the system operator were no longer for sale.

On the weekend, a source told The Canadian Press that changes in the deal would reduce the amount of power rate reduction promised for industry in New Brunswick, but the five-year freeze for homeowners would be honoured.

Mr. Graham did not reveal details of the amended deal Monday, but told reporters his government has listened to the public's concerns.

"New Brunswickers wanted further control and security, and we've listened and we're going to be able to respond," he said.

A number of Liberal members have openly expressed their concerns with the original proposal and have faced protests at their constituency offices and at the legislature.

Social Development Minister Kelly Lamrock told CBC News on Monday he can't support the proposed deal, and said there are others who feel the same. However, Mr. Byrne told reporters the amended agreement got the unanimous support of caucus.

"This has always been a fluid process and there have been concerns expressed by members," Mr. Byrne said. "This agreement didn't come about overnight and caucus members have played a role in bringing input forward."

Meanwhile, Mr. Alward said Mr. Graham needs to provide full details of the new proposal and allow voters to have their say.

"He needs to resign immediately, go to an election and give the people of New Brunswick a voice," Mr. Alward said. "This is a government in crisis and a premier who is in survival mode."

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