A Lotta Moxie
Posted by Kevin on 1/18/2005 @ 10:12 pm
Roy MacGregor follows the Accord dispute with another column today in the Globe and Mail:
Newfoundland and Labrador – $11-billion in debt and facing a deficit of $130-million – wanted a moratorium on the clawback that would give the province sufficient time to reap the royalty benefits from a resource that is expected to decline dramatically around 2012. With no new oil discoveries since the Atlantic Accord was signed in 1985, the province had become convinced that this last remaining resource would join a long line of dashed hopes, ranging from the failed cod fishery to the botched deal to sell electricity from the Upper Churchill River in Labrador.
A man of moxie vows he won’t give in
Globe and Mail, January 18
MacGregor, as the title suggests, goes on to talk about Danny Williams’ reputation and history, with the aim of shedding some light on The-Premier-That-Took-The-Flag-Down.
A man of moxie vows he won’t give in
Globe and Mail, January 18
While this campaign is not about Premier Williams—it’s about keeping a promise and getting a fair deal—I’ll certainly steal his sound bite if it inspires a few activists out there, reading this blog, to put up a Fair Deal poster, write a letter to their MP, tell just a few more friends or send a fax to the PM’s office (613-941-6900). Williams: “I can go to war. I’m tough. I’m dogged. I will persevere. I don’t give up”.
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If Rory wants another column read by Newfoundlanders and supporters he should get a job elsewhere…
Hope you’re enjoying you well deserved break Danny! Bravo to U and your stance!
Fred from CBS
Comment by Fred Harris — 1/18/2005 @ 10:30 pmI certainly agree with you Fred. To be honest, I’m tired of reading the ramblings of the mainland media. My husband cancelled our Grope and Fail subscription several years ago because it did not live up to its reputation. He found far more superior sources of info especially as it relates to business.
That being said, I believe the Premier is returning from vacation today. Does anyone know if he will be responding publicly to the PM’s letter? I think what evolves over the next week between these two men is far more important than what any columnist says from here to Timbuktu!
Comment by Brenda S. , St. John’s — 1/19/2005 @ 8:33 amIt appears that the Feds in Ottawa have hit a brick wall and his name is Danny Williams. The way I see it is that the Liberals cannot bribe this man with a Senate seat or a cushy government appointment because Danny is not one bit interested in it. The crooked Liberals are so use to screwing Canadians and giving out bribes to whoever poses a threat to them, they have actually forgotten how to negotiate or for that matter keep a promise. Danny and Newfoundland poses a serious threat to their criminal organization because we cannot be bribed like so many who came before us. Danny Williams is all business and Paul Martin can’t deal with that type of politician. I say if Danny Williams comes home empty handed after January 28 we should start to seriously consider our future within this so called Confederation.
Comment by Roger — 1/19/2005 @ 10:18 amNewfoundland and Labradoreans: We have our leader
The real question
For many proud Newfoundland and Labradoreans my age, the question is not ‘Are we being short changed by the federal government’ the question is ‘Why is it happening and what can be done to stop it’?
While it’s painfully obvious to some that the economic relationship between Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador has always been one-sided in favor of Canada, what hasn’t been so clear is how to stop this injustice, until now.
We only need to use common sense to see this unequal distribution of wealth facilitated by an abuse of power. How else can such an abundance of resources, like Newfoundland and Labrador offers confederation, reap so few financial rewards for its citizens while stolen revenues supply federal fat cats with enough milk for their friends at home and abroad? And if a little milk is spilled or mismanaged, no need to cry, Newfoundland and Labrador will provide them with more revenue and the option to get a little fatter.
No more will we stand idly by assuming fairness will be reciprocated.
I do believe however, the responsibility for our, to put it mildly, less than optimum fortunes, lies with the politicians and citizens at both national and provincial levels.
It happens federally by politicians seizing an opportunity to embezzle and provincially by politicians allowing it to happen, whether through ignorance or personal reward. While unfairness by the former seems commonplace from a Newfoundlander’s prospective, betrayal by the latter always seems to hurt no matter how often it happens. It would seem that John Efford is now doing what so many other pathetic, provincial representatives have done after an election: put away the campaign signs and replace it with a for sale sign. What’s for sale? Integrity, fairness, loyalty, oh yeah, and a little thing called trust that was granted to him and those other ‘representatives’ by the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. Trust that they would just simply do what they promised; represent the best interests of the people who put them there.
Maybe I’m being too harsh. After all, if given the choice, wouldn’t everyone throw past, present and future family and friends to the wolves, just to be one of the many, yappy, lap dogs in the federal kennel? Not everyone and we’re betting Premier Williams and his supporters will show that to be the case.
We’ve got our leader with the three Bs
Unfortunately, in the past we have not had what we have now, a premier with the right combination of BRAINS and BUSINESS SAVVY to know the difference between a mutually beneficial agreement and theft and the BALLS to stand up for what’s right. Of course, it also helps when those qualities that earned Mr. Williams financial freedom and a nine figure net worth are also the same qualities that allow him to expose some elected officials for what they are/were, political prostitutes rented by the federal government. We do have high expectations for you Mr. Williams but if any Newfoundlander is up to the task, our money is on you.
How do we, the citizens, factor in?
Although we vote to choose our representatives it is naïve to assume that unmonitored these people will do what’s right for the masses. Maybe there are good intentions to start with but apparently for us, the road to have-not is paved with those. No more will we let politicians blatantly disregard their promises. They are given their positions by the people because of commitments to the people and it is our duty to see they carry them out to the best of their ability. No valiant effort, then get out of office.
Education is the key to change.
While this economic unbalance we’re faced with requires different degrees of participation by politicians and citizens on both sides, conversely, the road to recovery also requires collaboration from both sides.
I believe education to be the key and for Newfoundlanders to provide each other and Canadians with that needed education. And I don’t mean pay for a university education, for that doesn’t necessarily provide rationale. I am talking about supplying facts surrounding Canada’s aggressive pursuit of Newfoundland to join Confederation. A pursuit which officially began back in 1869, included two referendums less than 7 weeks apart in June and July of 1948, and of course the subsequent looting of our human and natural resources once the hunt was complete. We need to do what people like Kevin McCann and Gil Dalton are doing; exchange real information to help people form accurate opinions and then do what is just.
Given current circumstances, education through informed discussion is more important than a university degree because apparently a university degree doesn’t necessarily equal useful intelligence. Case in point: Margaret Wente, an American expatriate who grew up in Chicago and now a Canadian citizen writing for the Globe and Mail. Even with her two university degrees she is still incapable of assessing facts accurately. Instead, her skills allow her only to regurgitate contrived rhetoric she may overhear in media and political circles in hopes she might offend someone, help sell an extra newspaper and get a pat on the head from her editor. You are right Mr. Premier, how sad.
While I do support Mr. Williams on that and many other points, I must disagree with the last comment made in his reply to her article stating that she should be ashamed of her comments. She need not be ashamed for clearly she just doesn’t know any better. In displaying such ignorance, she and others like her deserve our pity and we should offer them the same as we would offer a child displaying the same type of senseless prejudice: truth and education.
“You, Mr. Premier, are no poodle”
To live in such a naturally beautiful and bountiful environment in the North Atlantic means we deal with some harsh weather conditions. But instead of giving up the benefits, we learn to smile in the face of adversity. We realize that life is about give and take, soon the conditions change and balance is restored. However, 50 plus years of nasty political weather coming from the west is enough. No more smiling in the face of that adversity. It’s time for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador to continue what’s been started.
We should continue to feel proud about our contribution to Canada until the time when that feeling coincides with public opinion and not in spite of it. It would seem we have our leader with ‘the three Bs’ and as proud citizens we should continue to support him and each other regardless of political affiliation. We should continue the campaign to get from Canada what is rightfully ours: not charity as some would have us believe but justice and our place among the more prosperous economies in the world. With that accomplished it is time to turn our sights on inviting the world’s business and tourist community to come see what our wonderfully unique part of the world has to offer. This is not a dream. It is a reality which is long overdue. Economic prosperity: we’re on our way!
My intention was to write a quick note to support Newfoundland and our Premier, but I guess trying to harness feelings on such matters is not so easy.
In December of 1999, while visiting a home in Kilbride, I ‘discussed’ my opinion on the type of leader needed for Newfoundland to succeed economically. When I said, “We need a guy like Danny Williams” it was met with aggressive statements like, “lawyers are thieves and that’s what got us in trouble in the first place”. For those who know there is some truth in that statement, I give them this, “A poodle is a dog but not all dogs are poodles”. To misquote Lloyd Bentsen, “You, Mr. Premier, are no poodle”.
Go get ‘em, Mr. Premier
We know it is a daunting task ahead but we have our leader and we have right on our side. Please do not give up the fight, Danny Williams; we support you and count on you to be there for the long haul. You have your integrity, our loyalty and trust and we doubt either is for sale.
Go get ‘em, Mr. Premier.
Wayne Corrigan
Comment by Wayne — 1/20/2005 @ 7:09 amA proud Newfoundlander
waynecorrigan@go.com
Way to go Wayne !!! Wow - Right On. I am with you. I could not have said it better - I tried - I sputtered and stammered, but what you said is exactly what I wanted to say, exactly how I have been feeling. Danny, stay strong, don’t waver, don’t give in, this is it for us. All of us, all Newfoundlanders & Labradorians, from all over the world - come together - stay together !!!! Support our Premier, support each other. Let’s educate everyone, let everyone know that we have a solid foundation of FACTS to support our claims.
Also I believe that all leaders, from all of the other provinces should be supporting us. I find it leaves a bad taste in my mouth when I hear some of the other provinces taking a wait-and- see attitude. It sounds a bit like “well you gave it to them, we should get it too". Sitting back while we do all the work for them. This is not just about our province. This is also about any and all issues concerning other provinces, about working together to make sure that the federal government will never be able to abuse or take advantage of any other province - either now or in the future. And a word of caution to our fellow Canadians - do not think that only Newfoundland & Labrador or only the atlantic provinces can be treated this way. Do not make that mistake. Take a stand - stand with us !!!!
Again to Wayne, God Luv Yer Old Cotton Socks, by”
Comment by Cheryl Phillips — 1/20/2005 @ 9:15 amCheryl
while i know this deal is about a promise the pm made to the premier of nf.it should also be noted that it s not just about the promise ,it aboutnf.getting the benefit of its resources.and i might add nf.and lab is only asking for 100% of its royalties which is 47% attawa still gets53%for itself.
Comment by charles — 1/20/2005 @ 12:41 pmNewfoundland enters into a so-called partnership with supposedly the fairest nation in the world in1949 april1 April fools day. I guess we have truly found out what fools we were
we entrusted the world’s richest fishing grounds to this great nation what a tremendous mistake. This recourse is still bartered off for international trade. Newfoundland is left with the scraps that are left.
Today we are hearing about more plant closurers. Another 6or 7hundred workers out of work. To bad they are not in the textile industry in Quebec. That would bring swift movement from this fair nation.
There are approximately 13 foreign nations fishing off our shores with approximately 10000 people employed at any given time and a peak of 30000 to40000 at times during the year. That seems to be the same amount of people that was displaced in1992 when the misstatement of this tremendous country completely devastated the stocks out there.
Can you imagine the uproar that would have happened in Quebec or Ontario if this happened in a single industry in either of these provinces?
If Newfoundland had the value of these stocks taking by foreign nations since 1949 we would be a have province.
In conversations with Mr. john Efford before he became a member of this fantastic nation. He indicated that the problem with our fish stocks was foreign over fishing and we need custodial management of the nose and tail of the grand banks. If we ever receive this I certainly hope we find better managers than we have john also said there are far to many studies discussions and comities we need action .he is presently agreeing with another study headed by art may. Enough is enough get on with the action.
If the people in harbor Breton and fortune had the worth of the paper that has been used in the past they could all retire.
That was one of our great recourses that should have sustained us forever had this astounding nation had treated this province fairly.
We also bought into Canada the largest renewable hydro recourse in Canada at the time. This project because of our poor situation at the time and the outcry from Quebec we were forced to develop this project for a few jobs.
Quebec would not allow us a power corridor through there povince. That was the flq. days and what Quebec wanted they got. some things don’t change. I can tell you about the limited amount of employment we received there as well when residence of Quebec were given preference to Newfoundlanders for positions on this projects. We were given the scraps again
today this industry brings income to Newfoundland approximately 30million dollars. Hydro Quebec receives 800million fair for shore what a country who would not want to be a part of this;
this money paid to hydro Quebec been at arms length from government is not subject to claw back or included in the equalization formula wonderful I guess
I wonder what would happen if Newfoundland was taking 800million out of the James bay project under same deal.
I suspect the government of this great nation would come to the defense of the party Quebecois the only separatist party in this completely fair nation. I can imagine Mr. martins say we have to do something with this contract. This unfairness would not be tolerated we have to make this fair to Quebec. If we don’t the rest of the free world would surely frown on us. we need to be seen as a fair and just country in the eyes of the world. this cannot this will not go on sounds about right to be
now we come to the offshore accord promise of june5.another word for how do we make this seem like a great deal for Newfoundland. It doesn’t matter after the election well send john Efford down he will sell them what we want. Not going to happen Mr. Effords heart is in the right place. Unfortunally he in his trusting manner is no match for the unscrupulous bearcats that make up this tremendously fair great nation.
They were not anticipating the diehard deviation of our Mr. Williams.
This deal seems fair if you don’t take in to account the unfair amount of royalties that the oil companies are paying to start. They are laughing all the way to the bank’ another newfie joke.
I believe Mr.Efford to say we received 439million this does not include claw back. If calculations are right the federal government recieved2.billion fair for shore if compared to the devastation of our fish stocks or the pittance we receive from the Churchill Falls deal.
All we want in this province is a chance to become a fair and equal partner with the rest of this great country. The people of Canada are not at fault just the bauracey that is ran by industry in central Canada.
Thank you
Kevin Slaney
please send copies to
Comment by kevinslaney — 1/30/2005 @ 8:35 pmPaul Martin
John Efford