And so it begins…
Posted by Kevin on 1/31/2005 @ 9:02 am
Premier Williams’ deserved granite base of power and popularity will be steadily tested in the coming weeks and months. He has come home with good news and lots of money; everybody is going to watch his government with fierce scrutiny — and this is as it should be. Folks are lining up already:
Re-open contacts with offshore cash: unions
“As everybody well knows, our contracts were legislated last year, and we want to sit down with the premier and have a discussion about where do we go from here,” Lucas says. “There’s a feeling now that the province has come into some wealth, and we believe that should be shared with all the citizens, especially the ones who toiled in the public sector.” NAPE president Leo Puddister also wants the contract revisited, and for the premier to recall 400 workers who were laid off.
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Not quite in the same ballpark, but John Efford is hoping to reap some benefits from this deal as well:“As everybody well knows, our contracts were legislated last year, and we want to sit down with the premier and have a discussion about where do we go from here,” Lucas says. “There’s a feeling now that the province has come into some wealth, and we believe that should be shared with all the citizens, especially the ones who toiled in the public sector.” NAPE president Leo Puddister also wants the contract revisited, and for the premier to recall 400 workers who were laid off.
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Efford hopes for rebound following deal
“After eight, nine months of being bashed in Newfoundland and Labrador, it feels tremendous,” says Efford….
Judging from participation in this campaign, Efford has an uphill battle ahead of him. In less than four days, four hundred fifty-one letters were sent to Efford, using this web site, by his direct constituents.
“After eight, nine months of being bashed in Newfoundland and Labrador, it feels tremendous,” says Efford….
“I’m also grateful to Minister Efford…who is in a very key portfolio as minister of natural resources,” Williams said.
Sources tell CBC News that Williams’ words of praise were a condition of the deal, and that - after months of Williams’ shredding Efford’s reputation - it was time for Williams to help restore Efford’s credibility.
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And the Oscar goes to John Efford. On June 20, 2001, Efford was quoted in the Telegram:
“Before we even get to that stage of the resources, unless we get the equalization quotas changed in Ottawa, we are going nowhere.” Then as his rear end warmed in a federal cabinet chair, he lost appetite for that approach.
Most of Paul Martin’s career as finance minister was spent opposing any action to fix the clawback. Midway through the 2004 federal election, Efford said the Atlantic Accord issue was “too important” to discuss! Within days of that his leader not only discussed it, he made a promise. Over the summer months Efford politicked on the promise. By October, the promise had soured. With another about-face, John Efford spent the lead-up to Christmas scolding Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and their premier for not simply taking a lesser deal. Without any outward signs of whiplash, Efford’s position had spun around yet again so that by January 28, 2005, he had forgotten his earlier Christmas scoldings.
On same sex marriage, Efford managed to go from musings of quitting cabinet (something he didn’t openly consider when a billion bucks for Newfoundland was at stake) back to his usual well-whipped cabinet boy posture. The great crusaders against democratic deficits have developed an allergy to democracy.
John Efford’s policy positions spin faster than a windmill out at the Wreckhouse. If we could only find a way to attach a turbine to him, we’d have quite a supply of power. . . and . . . perhaps . . .fertilizer . . .
Comment by Liam O’Brien — 1/31/2005 @ 11:20 amLiam, that last line was hilarious.
Comment by Kevin — 1/31/2005 @ 11:23 amLiam, your point is well taken. Although not as witty as you, I do, to some degree, hold your view towards John.
Unfortunately, we do not have the power to vote him out. Well, at least I do not have the power to vote him out. And many who are directing their dissatisfaction towards him are from outside the district of Avalon.
The electorate there will be the ones who decide if John Efford gets ‘4 more years’ in Ottawa. And they also must decide if the alternative is in their best interest.
I personally have no idea if John is in trouble within his own district or not. But given his past electoral successes, it will not be an easy defeat for any of his competitors.
On another note, the premier will be giving a press conference at the Fairmont Newfoundland Salon A. Media and the general public are welcome. http://www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2005/exec/0131n01.htm
Cheers.
Comment by Brenda S. , St. John\\\’s — 1/31/2005 @ 12:00 pmI found this story interesting. Time to focus on the next battle?
Ontario interested in Churchill power
WebPosted Jan 31 2005 09:56 AM NST
CBC News
ST. JOHN’S — Ontario Energy Minister Dwight Duncan wants to hold formal talks with this province about a new power project on the Churchill River.
Duncan says the idea was raised the last time Premier Danny Williams met with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.
Ontario has pledged to close coal-fired electricity plants, as part of the country’s Kyoto Protocol commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Duncan says he hopes power from the Lower Churchill River will supplement his province’s energy needs.
First, Duncan says, Ontario wants to conclude a negotiation with Manitoba on an east-west power grid.
“Then we will turn our attention to Newfoundland, provided Newfoundland has an interest in talking to us,” says Duncan.
Newfoundland and Labrador has asked for proposals to develop the Lower Churchill River, the last large undeveloped source of hydroelectric power on the continent.
Duncan says he expects any negotiations would be difficult, given that the 1969 Upper Churchill power contract between Newfoundland and Quebec is still a source of rancour between the two provinces.
Successive provincial administrations have attempted to develop the Lower Churchill, but without success.
The Gull Island phase of the project alone could generate more than 2,000 megawatts, or enough power to supply more than 300,000 households.
Comment by Brenda S. , St. John’s — 1/31/2005 @ 12:17 pm“I found this story interesting. Time to focus on the next battle?”
How is this a “battle"?
Comment by WJM — 1/31/2005 @ 12:29 pmWill Labrador get 100% of the proceeds from the lower Grand River projects?
Why or why not?
Comment by WJM — 1/31/2005 @ 12:29 pmO.K. Issue. Happy Now?
Comment by Brenda S. , St. John’s — 1/31/2005 @ 12:32 pmWJM why dont you seperate and develop it yourself if your so interested in seperating from NL than start the movement or are you afraid to come out of hideing?
Comment by Robert — 1/31/2005 @ 12:39 pmStop flapin your lips here and start a fairdealforlabrador site.
Comment by Robert — 1/31/2005 @ 12:40 pmPeople please. Lets work together to ensure that ALL of Newfoundland AND Labrador gets our due share. Stop biching about Island versus Labrador and get on with makinbg the development of the Lower Churchill a reality. Enough already!!!
Comment by Jen — 1/31/2005 @ 1:31 pmWasn’t it called the Hamilton river?
Comment by Robert — 1/31/2005 @ 1:43 pmGod Bless Premier Williams and Mr. Sullivan! As well, I guess, some of Gods blessings should also go to Prime Minister Martin and Finance Minister Goodale, for finally coming to realize that Newfoundland and Labrador needed this deal as was promised by him last summer. For many years to come, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will owe these individuals a great debt of gratitude (especially Danny and Loyola for not once letting up on the fight) I know there’s a long way to go and everything will not happen overnight but, at least, we’re on the way. There is still going to be some tough decision making over the next several immediate years and not everybody will be happy with some of these decisions, but, wait and see, everything will work out in the long run.
Comment by Bruce Faulkner — 1/31/2005 @ 2:07 pmAs for John Efford(less), where the hell does he get off saying that he was very instrumental in finally bringing this deal to a successful conclusion!!! For the past year or so all you could see of him were the taps of his shoes he was so far into Mr Martin. He did absolutely nothing to help or back Premier Williams and Mr. Sullivan. In fact, he did and said everything opposite of what he should have been doing and saying. Please, I ask (no, beg) anybody and everybody that reads this, to do whatever is possible to get rid of Mr. Efford(less)when the next election comes around. If the man had one grain of decency left, he would immediately resign from politics.
And just think, not too many years ago, he had a chance to be Premier of Newfoundland & Labrador. I cringe to think what it would have been like had he actually won that leadership. All I can say (even though I hate to) is thank God that Roger Grimes defeated him for the Liberal Leadership that stormy, snowy weekend at the Glacier in Mt. Pearl.
I don’t know who receives these messages and who looks after them but, if there’s any way it can be done, I’d like to see this posted so that anybody else can respond or add to it.
Thank you
Bruce Faulkner
Efford is a classic example of how the Peter Principle works. Long, long ago he passed the level where he was competent and became an embarresment. With Efford on our side in Ottawa, God help us!
Comment by Jeremiah — 1/31/2005 @ 2:52 pmJohn Efford needs to go bye bye!!He with the way he handled this matter deserved to be bashed,now hes trying to take all the credit for the deal that was made!!
Comment by Linda — 1/31/2005 @ 7:22 pmIm proud of the way Danny willaims handled this matter,but Mr. Efford is an embarassment,and a liability to Newfoundlanders and Labadorians everywhere!!
Stop picking on WJM.He has a right to a voice,and the name of this website,is a Fair deal for Newfoundland and LABADOR.so why does he have to go start his own site.labadorians have concerns to,and they are part of the province!!
Comment by Linda — 1/31/2005 @ 7:27 pmNo my family is not from labador,they are from newfoundland,500 years ago,they came to newfoundland and most stayed,but some had to leave to support the ones that were still there.
Im sure,that WJM is as proud of his heritage,as I am,and as everyone else are that are on this site.
Lets be nice,and stick together,ok?
http://www.thesignal.ca/index.html
Comment by Linda — 2/1/2005 @ 6:20 amcheck out this site.
For anyone truly interested in reforming the present parliamentary system in Canada visit www.fairvotecanada.org
“check out this site.”
Comment by Linda — 2/1/2005 @ 6:20 am
While Paul Cooper is a nice enough person, his website is opportunistic, offensive and juvenile. Paul is a well known Conservative who ran against John and lost. Me thinks he is eyeing the Avalon seat now.
Offensive? Yes. While John Efford did not act in the best interest of the province in the offshore oil resource negotiations and to date, the custodial management issue, he is not a traitor. Poor political judgement yes, traitor no.
If you want him out of office, then you are actually going to have to do some work for it to happen. That means all the opposition parties need to field a credible candidate and have a solid organization with dedicated volunteers ready to work and work hard. Not only do they have to get their message out (whatever that may be) but they have to get their vote out on that very important election day.
Also, I would like to note that because people in his district may be unhappy with John Efford over a couple of issues right now, does not mean they will not vote for him say perhaps next fall. People are fickle and so is party politics.
Comment by Brenda S. , St. John’s — 2/1/2005 @ 8:20 amgreat news for the province. Danny should be frugal with the revenue and make sure it is well spent, however the average person in this province is still suffering economically. surely, Danny can undo some of the wrongs of the past and hand over at least SOME of the cash to the people of the province, ie: public sector workers who got screwed the first time around to name only one group. I think Efford should be banished! he’s a traitor, and I am glad he wasn’t in the driver’s seat of this deal.
Comment by Jackie — 2/1/2005 @ 8:24 amI HAVE TO GIVE DANNY WILLIAMS AND HIS PARTY A HUGE CONGRATULATORY THUMBS UP.TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO E-MAILED THE PRIME MINISTER, WELL DONE. JOHN EFFORD CRAWL BACK UNDER THE ROCK, NEWFOUNDLAND CAN WELL DO WITHOUT YOU. I CAN’T BELIEVE THE PEOPLE DOWN HOME ELECTED YOU, MAYBE THEY SHOULD TAKE ANOTHER VOTE TO UNDO THE DAMAGE. Bill
Comment by Bill McCann — 2/1/2005 @ 7:28 pmUntil I worked in Voisey’s Bay I didn’t fully comprehend some Labradorian’s distain for Newfoundlanders. I thought it was a myth. From what I witnessed up there, some would rather see the leaches cross the border from Quebec and take away “their” jobs. I must say, I have some very good friends in Labrador - not all are prejudiced against Newfoundlanders.
Comment by Owen Russell — 2/2/2005 @ 12:00 pm“From what I witnessed up there, some would rather see the leaches cross the border from Quebec and take away “their” jobs.”
Why is it forbidden to insult Newfoundlanders, but perfectly acceptable to call Quebecers “leaches"?
And from the point of view of someone in Labrador who can’t get a job in the local area, while people from somewhere else, with the same qualifications, can, what does it matter whether the person perceived to be taking “their” job comes from Quebec or from Newfoundland?
Comment by WJM — 2/4/2005 @ 6:15 pm“From what I witnessed up there, some would rather see the leaches cross the border from Quebec and take away “their” jobs. I must say, I have some very good friends in Labrador - not all are prejudiced against Newfoundlanders.”
You know, it works both ways.
There are more than a handful of Newfoundlanders working at Voisey’s Bay, and other sites in Labrador, who have disdain for, and prejudice against, Labradorians.
Comment by WJM — 2/4/2005 @ 6:16 pm“And from the point of view of someone in Labrador who can’t get a job in the local area, while people from somewhere else, with the same qualifications, can, what does it matter whether the person perceived to be taking “their” job comes from Quebec or from Newfoundland?”
To make this statement, in the case of Voisey’s Bay at least, is to say that the monitors put in place by the government, the LIA, and the Innu Nation aren’t doing their jobs. In regards to trades, I can tell you, in no uncertain terms, that this is not true. Anyone who goes to work on that site has to go through a 5 step process which takes a minimum of 21 days - the first three preferences are given to the aboriginal groups, the fourth preference is given to Labradorians outside umbrella groups and finally the fifth preference is given to members of the Build Trades Council Unions from the Island. With regards to staff positions it’s a totally different ball game - the contractor and sub-contractors have full atonomy - with full blessing of the special interest groups, or so it would seem.
The first year I worked in Voisey’s Bay, I worked as a concrete surveyor along with my rodman who was also from the Island. As part our duties, we were expected to train surveyors and rodmen from Labrador. When these people were up to speed, they worked along side us. Last year, I didn’t get called back until those I had trained were employed, and all efforts had been exhausted to find a surveyor from Labrador.
To add insult to injury, those in the special interest groups are above reproach - said another way, they cannot be fired, under the terms of the adjacency clause. So to say that some qualified Labradorians can’t get work there is totally false. If there is a trade position open and a qualified Labradorian is interested, that person will get the job - it doesn’t even come down to who is more qualified - the adjacency principle supercedes this every time.
And if you don’t agree with my statements, I suggest that you take your complaint to David Nuke or the other monitors put in place on that site.
Comment by Owen Russell — 2/5/2005 @ 11:00 am