Roland Martin and a Question for Critics
Roland Martin in today’s Globe and Mail:
- An eight-year time limit on any new revenue-sharing mechanisms.
- Roland suggests 16 years - Insistence that the deal only apply to one new project; which in the case of NL would only cover Hebron.
- Why shouldn’t the 2005 agreement cover all existing and future offshore projects? - NL and NS achieve and maintain debt/GDP levels healthier than any other Canadian province.
- Why should they be penalized for sound financial management?
You might want to compare this with the Williams’ government official statement.
For Williams critics, I understand how you take issue with some of his tactics. I don’t understand your basis for criticism if a deal is reached tomorrow, or later, that has some financial wins for our province. If Williams took the Manitoba deal, we’d be having a different conversation right now. If Williams gets a better deal, then how has he failed?
Before I get accused of blindly throwing support behind Williams, with no critical thought whatsoever, take a minute to read my question again. In the vacuum of the Atlantic Accord debate, an offer was made. Williams turned it down (loudly). I don’t for a second think that blind, carte blanche support for any elected official is a good thing, but if Williams achieves a better deal, hasn’t he done a good job for the people of the province in this matter?
In that vein: have you contacted your Newfoundland and Labrador MP yet? We might really need their support next week.
18 Comments
Leave a comment
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
The tactics Williams is using may be irksome to some, but if they are doing the job they’re intended to do in the face of the political and societal obstacles that exist, then he’s doing what he has to do to win the best deal.
He’s obviously not hankering for the job of prime minister, as some of our former premiers have done. So, he’s not trying to court Canadians. Williams is known as a tough negotiator, and when he picks up the cause of the underdog, he fights to win. Right now, this province is the underdog he’s fighting for. It’s a knockdown fight for the tools to survive, to be a stronger province.
Getting elected again is not foremost in his agenda. His talent for business and negotiation has brought his own sucess, and he’s been known to be quietly generous with the proceeds of that success. He’s stated, and it’s consistent with what’s known of Williams, that he entered the political ring because he felt he could do something about our fiscal mess and use his experience to negotiate a better place in Canada. I think he looks at it as his personal challenge, a contest to use his skills to the max to achieve a level playing field - hell, an advantage if possible - for the province. He is acting as the troubleshooter. Why else would a multi-millionaire put himself out there?
He appears to have no political aspirations. And he’s been in the middle of a firestorm more than once since he was elected. You can see his skin is not quite thick enough not to bruise when he takes criticism from his own, and he’s hurt when someone he considered a comrade breaks a promise. But, he didn’t get where he is, or achieve what he has without learning to put those things behind him.
Now, please understand I am not about to nominate him for sainthood, but you must give the man his due. He’s a hockey player who’s quick with an elbow to get his goal, not dirty, but not afraid to be rough. He plays for the team. I’m glad he’s playing for us.
Comment by Debra — 1/27/2005 @ 10:48 amYes, many of us on this blog rallied almost blindly behind Danny Williams. We saw an, “It’s about friggin’ time,” political angle which we felt could finally make up for years of shortsightedness and missed opportunities by previous premiers who were manipulated in the true sense of the word pawn, by former federal governments.
Oh, I know Ed, yeah, yeah, it started as this whole fresh issue that was as stale as the Accord which was force fed to the PEOPLE of N & L in ‘85, as if nothing went wrong in N & L since confederation. Your obviously partisan PR style (or should I say spin?) to TRY to diffuse the compassion, and take the passion out this province, this argument… the ultimate insult from the PM are some thing’s that I’ll never be able to accept. That the very country I signed on to protect for 25 years could do (and perhaps may still be doing) this to my chosen province, my new home, finally demonstrated to me that the elected officials were not representing the best interests of not only Newfoundland and Labrador but they aren’t even representing the best interests of Canada. They’d rather create an insurmountable political molehill, just to try to create a greater surplus of even more cash for their undeserved pensions. Although this is my first personal involvement (as I’ve said from the beginning) in a fight for my new friends and family of NL, it once again reeked of the same ol’style of federal usury I have read about.
That was until our heroine from her ivory “sears” tower at the Globe and Mail (yes, heroine) started makin’ fun of Newfoundland and Labrador as if she knew anything about it. That’s right, as controversial as the flag move was, without her moronic comments and racist remarks we’d probably not have all gotten so riled up… How very ironic that her love/hate column gave us the final provincial nationalist boot in the arse to get behind Danny even more than the first group that was here in this blog early on!
As much as it pains me to say, Ed H, WallaceJM (and you too Kevin, though it doesn’t pain me as much, lol) made us revisit our “near blind” support for Danny. While I learned a little more about these specific talks and the Atlantic Accord in general, I still believe the common front we have held on this blog coupled with our letters to MP’s, PM’s, TV/Radio/newspaper people, etc. were extremely important to this radical and almost civilized “march” on Ottawa. This process of supporting N & L by supporting the premier during these very controversial and historical few months will, no matter what the outcome, be emblazoned in hearts and minds of not just Newfoundlanders and Labradorians but also a vast majority of supportive Canadians!
For the Globe and Mail to turn on themselves and the ugliness of their inappropriate racist editorial style, with first, a human-interest piece and now this article fully supporting Danny Williams and what was agreed to by the PM speaks volumes. I guess they talked to lawyers and PR people about how to handle the fallout from their grossest error since that paper began. It is fortunate that Kevin is still monitoring that rag so that maybe someday we may see their full-page apology for what seemed like an edgy and even humourous piece (to them) that day. Most journalists just don’t get it though they try…
Please indulge me and allow me to shift gears and take this in a different direction.
It seems to have been dished up by Newfoundland and Labrador that this is the end of an unacceptable stereotype-casting era. These proud people will no longer be the brunt of ignorance and the patently wrong assumptions they previously viewed as humour. The ignoramus’s who told “jokes” AS IF there was some measure of truth to Newfoundland’s people being any less intelligent than anyone else in the world, ruined it for everybody. What was it for them? Did the social pressures of no longer being “allowed” to make fun of visible and other minorities open some door that made it seem OK to hurtfully slam Newfoundlanders?
Has anyone noticed that I stopped writing Newfoundland and Labrador? That’s because one of the differences between N & L, as much as we’d like to grow and continue to promote a brotherhood of our provinciality, is that no one ever started a joke by saying, “Did you hear about the Labradorian…?” I did hear over the years most Labradorians in the military calling themselves “Newfs” though. It was a good association.
As an ex-military person it was NEVER taken that Newfoundlanders were really dopey. It was only recognized in camaraderie that Newfoundlanders could not only tell the best “Newfie jokes” but they were the people who were the most fun to spend time with! I gravitated to them and was accepted at every turn. But yes, even I had to educate people that the “goofy newfy” stereotype that occasionally flared up was complete and utter ignorance. The worst thing I find about this whole coming of age and rejection of racial stereotyping for Newfoundland…? Friends and family is about the only place we’re gonna be able to make fun of ourselves anymore. It’s gonna become an underground society where we still revel in allowing ourselves to laugh at ourselves. It’s just that all jokes are gonna start with, “Did you hear about the Alien from Outerspace…”
Until we actually meet one…
The time may be upon us that yes, the mainlanders pushed the humour of a truly distinct society underground. Hang on a second! Did I just call a group of people by a collective name that could be considered derogatory? Oops!
That’s OK though, I use’ta be one…
Long live the Review b’ys, may it continue unchanged as a memory of a time when people could laugh at themselves with friends.
Fred from CBS
Comment by Fred Harris — 1/28/2005 @ 5:09 ambefore anyone gets too excited about Roland Martin, I have posted a copy of the letter I wrote to the ditor of the Globe in reply.
Mr. Martin makes a series of errors of fact in his artcile. The most significant one to notice is that his “indicators” for stability are contrary to the current Williams government position.
That said, I notice that the provincial government has been making very loud signals that it has abandoned the June 10 letter in some fashion. What a deal might look like on Friday is anyone’s guess. Odds are very high however, that it will NOT be 200% of revenues until oil production ceases.
Comment by Ed Hollett — 1/28/2005 @ 6:41 amThe simple answer to your question Kevin is that his June 10 standard is an open-ended doubling of oil revenues. Coupled with his statement that “I won’t say yes to less", we have a very simple standard of performance on which to judge Premier Williams.
Anything less than his June 10 position is a loss. Period. That is at least judging from the benchmark he established for himself.
Bear in mind he also said there are no negotiations because in negotiations you have to lose something. He is now negotiating. Bear in mind, he also said there would be no compromises, yet a few days ago he said he was premared to compromise.
The Premier set the bar for judging him. If he settles for anything less than 200% of oil revenues for the life of production, including as yet undiscovered fields (another of his own inclusions), then he has failed and failed utterly.
If we go a step further, he has also failed on several other grounds. His so-called “tactics” have succeeded in straining relations with Ottawa and pretty well all the other provinces. Making a situation worse is not a sign of success. His flag stunt was a big failure since it brought un-needed critical attention to the province and hardened attitudes against the Premier’s position.
At the end of it all, if the Premier accepts a deal that is less that his insane June 10 position, I will certainly not be criticising him. Rather I think he deserves praise for finally acting like a political leader, using judgement to acheive what can be achieved rather than use hysteria to flap up public opinion for no purpose. We have had enough of Peckford and Tobin and we don’t need them reincarnated.
Comment by Ed Hollett — 1/28/2005 @ 6:48 amFred from CBS I think you are doing a fine job in your support for your adopted province. It is really nice to see and to let people know that you do not have to be from here to appreciate and see the truth of what is going on. Ed H. it seems would like to discredit you at ever turn. I don’t believe he has accomplished that in the least. I have directed a question to Ed in the Comments head lined with “Never let it happen again” but never got a response, I did get one from WJM which I also asked for a response if Ed could not give me one. So Ed now that I have found you again why don’t you go back to that section of the blog, read my question, as well as WJM’s response with my rebuttal and try to comment for me please.
Comment by B. Scaplen — 1/28/2005 @ 9:28 amI hate to interrupt but I heard an impromptu scrum with Premiers Williams and Hamm attended by reporter David Cochrane, CBC St. John’s.
They were being asked questions by the media as they walked to meet the Prime Minister. Both sounded very positive but in particular, Premier Williams was particularly upbeat. I believe the ongoing discussions between the Premier and Mr. Alex Himmelfarb, Clerk of the Privy Council, have proven to be extremely successful. Let us all hope that success continues today.
Cheers.
Comment by Brenda S. , St. John’s — 1/28/2005 @ 12:54 pmB. Scaplen,
Thanks for your kind words, I believe that Ed stopped getting paid for direct arguements with individuals or he feels that we are too far gone for him to effectively sway. So like any good PR man, he ignores us.
And after I thanked him and WJM, who had both said some things which made me review a few things and take a little more care to think as “critically” as I can. WJM totally assasinated one of my last pieces in the other blog where I said that B Thistle expressed EXACTLY what my understanding of the Accord and the last 4 major dates/letters/statements. He basically said I wasn’t allow to ride on B. Thisles coattails… Fair enough. There were a ton of other things in that same blog but he just bulldozed it with out giving anything I said any critical thought, either. Anyways, I provided other issues for him to rip apart.
It’s 2:55 pm in N & L, nothing on NTV yet? I wonder how long they’ll be? I guess real fast would have meant the PM caved or Danny walked out again, so I guess we’re getting something in between.
A good clean fight… Like years gone bye, not from these federales.
Fred from CBS
Comment by Fred Harris — 1/28/2005 @ 1:34 pmAny word on the deal they have reached tonight?
Comment by Robert — 1/28/2005 @ 8:39 pmIt’s done. I could not have asked for a better gift for my birthday. Let’s all celebrate!
PM makes offshore revenue deal with Nfld., N.S.
CTV.ca News Staff
It’s a deal. Ottawa has reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Nova Scotia and Newfoundland over sharing of offshore resource revenue, federal sources say.
The agreement follows talks today between Prime Minister Paul Martin and Nova Scotia Premier John Hamm and Danny Williams of Newfoundland in Ottawa.
Both provinces want to keep all offshore resource revenue without losing their annual equalization payments – money sent by Ottawa to less wealthy provinces.
“The crisis is over. They’ve got a deal,” said CTV’s Craig Oliver, reporting from Ottawa.
Oliver said Williams, who pulled down Canadian flags over the issue, got slightly more than what he wanted from the prime minister, but not much more.
“His hope that he would continue to get equalization forever, even after Newfoundland was not a have-not province, has been taken off the table,” Oliver said.
“He will claim that he got as much as he demanded to get, but in fact Williams got much less than he originally claimed he should get.”
Friday’s session between the PM and the two provincial leaders had been set for one hour, but instead lasted all afternoon – an early indication that progress was being made.
Both sides went into the meetings saying they were hopeful a deal could be reached.
The get-together is the first such meeting since Williams called a federal offer “insulting” and ordered the Canadian flag removed from all provincial buildings in December.
The flag flap arose after negotiations broke down between the province and Ottawa over the revenue. The flags went back up this month.
The long-standing dispute stems from a promise the premiers say Martin made during his last election campaign.
According to Williams, Martin promised to allow the provinces to keep all of their oil revenues without having them clawed back from equalization payments, but never followed through on his pledge.
Under the current agreement, the provinces can shelter only 30 per cent of the revenue from Ottawa.
In an appearance on CTV’s Question Period in January, Williams dismissed critics who called Newfoundland and Labrador a have-not province that relies on the goodwill of its wealthier neighbours.
“We’re not a have-not province, we’re a keep-not province. We have it, we’re just not allowed to keep it,” he said.
With files from The Canadian Press
Comment by Brenda S. , St. John\\\’s — 1/28/2005 @ 8:45 pmA far more balanced story. Leave it to the CBC.
Cheers!
Offshore deal struck: sources
WebPosted Jan 28 2005 09:53 PM NST
CBC News
OTTAWA — Premier Danny Williams has reached an agreement in principle with the federal government over the sharing of resources, sources say.
Details were not immediately available as marathon meetings ended Friday night.
The agreement comes after eight hours of negotiations that kicked off on an optimistic note, with Williams and Nova Scotia’s John Hamm saying they felt a deal was close at hand.
“There’s a will here to get this done, and that’s clearly obvious,” Williams said.
Hamm said a deal was “within hailing distance.”
# Earlier coverage: Cordial tones as Accord talks proceed
Williams and Nova Scotia Premier John Hamm met first with Prime Minister Paul Martin.
The prime minister is understood to have met individually with each premier.
Martin did not attend all of the eight-hour sessions. The federal government was otherwise represented by Alex Himelfarb, the clerk of the privy council, and federal Finance Minister Ralph Goodale.
Natural Resources Minister John Efford also attended the sessions.
The provinces have campaigned for Ottawa to not reduce equalization payments as offshore royalties are collected.
The provinces have argued they in effect lose 70 per cent of their royalties because Nova Scotia’s industry is dominated by natural gas.
Newfoundland has two oil fields – Hibernia and Terra Nova – in production, with a third expected to start pumping oil later this year.
Comment by Brenda S. , St. John’s — 1/28/2005 @ 8:51 pmAnybody keeping tabs:
CTV News is going live within the next 15 to 20 minutes regarding the proposed deal on the offshore.
Comment by Brenda S. , St. John\\\’s — 1/28/2005 @ 9:17 pm“Newfoundland and Labrador will receive $2 billion upfront as an advance against what it would expect to receive in royalties over the eight years of the agreement, which is retroactive to the beginning of this fiscal year.”
Comment by Robert — 1/28/2005 @ 11:15 pmMaybe it’s just me but this seems a little strange.
They handing out jobs yet?
Fred from CBS
Comment by Fred Harris — 1/28/2005 @ 11:57 pmPerhaps we should turn our focus to the provincial gov now and pressure them to make sure they do the right thing for this province and force them to start making good sound decisions for both Newfoundland and Labrador.
Comment by Robert — 1/29/2005 @ 12:02 amJeeze guys, slow down. A good day yes but let’s see what we have gained before we spend it.
I would like to say to Fred from CBS that while he may not be a Newfoundlander and/or Labradorian by birth I believe he has shown that he no longer has to consider NL his adopted home. Fred, it is home and you are my neighbour.
Cheers!
Comment by Brenda S. , St. John\\\’s — 1/29/2005 @ 12:12 amI hope for his sake he didn’t come here lookin for work because he may soon have to look for a new home.
Comment by Robert — 1/29/2005 @ 12:16 amI have to agree with Robert. I don’t get this, retroactive ??
“Newfoundland and Labrador will receive $2 billion upfront as an advance against what it would expect to receive in royalties over the eight years of the agreement, which is retroactive to the beginning of this fiscal year.”
Comment by J D — 1/31/2005 @ 4:42 pmWhat’s Mr. Efford going to do now ? I feel as if he followed the orders of “Ottawa". Seems to me, Mr. Efford was taking care of Mr. Efford and not
Comment by J D — 1/31/2005 @ 4:49 pmnecessarily his “fellow Newfoundlanders".
Do you really think Danny Williams is going to help rally Mr. Efford ?
NOT Danny is not into the games that Mr. Efford seems to have fallen into.
Hurt us once…shame on Mr. Efford, hurt us twice shame on US…………I don’t think Mr. Efford will get the second chance.