Trevor's Turn

Trevor's will get with the program as he tries to contribute to IT'S POLLING PERIOD.
The Minister of ITRD let a News Release fly yesterday once again chastising the Opposition for opposing the government's obvious attempt to beef up a poll. Remember now Danny wants ALL seats and 80% popularity just will not do.
When you're shagging around with the Lower Churchill you better have ALL the seats, I allow that dominence in the polls is what gave Joey the luxury of screwing up the last hydro deal.
Trevor starts with the usual;

"The people of this province deserve to have an accurate picture of what this administration is doing to help rural Newfoundland and Labrador, so they are not swayed by the political rhetoric of the Opposition."

That's true Trevor - so what have you got for us? First he's got the background from 2005;

"After gathering input from businesses, individuals, economic development groups and industry associations throughout the province, government announced a Comprehensive Regional Diversification Strategy (CRDS) for the province in March 2005."

Thanks for that Trevor what else have you got?

"The strategy is based upon principles such as sector development, building upon the strengths of each region of the province, and helping ensure programs and tools are in place to support sustainable business development throughout the province."

Okay so we have some of "building on our strengths" and some "ensure programs and tools are in place."
That helps me quite a bit...I'm feeling strong and holding the hammer...What else Trevor?

"One size doesn't fit all when it comes to economic development" "That is why we are taking an approach that focuses on the strengths of each region and putting the tools in place to build on those strengths, such as funding for businesses and economic development groups, and supporting the development of necessary economic infrastructure."

Now we are moving - we are getting fitted for our sneakers so our toes don't get squat. We also have reiterated the strength thing again. More political vitamins; A, B complex, C, and E. Then he re-announces the budget for his department.

"Since government announced CRDS last year, it has provided over $11 million in assistance to companies and economic development organizations. Of that amount, almost $5 million was provided through the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Fund (SME Fund) for loans and equity to assist small businesses. Over $6 million in non-repayable contributions was provided to not-for-profit economic development agencies, such as regional economic development boards, chambers of commerce, municipalities and tourism associations, for initiatives that enhance regional economies and provide jobs.

Minister Taylor cited several examples of rural initiatives supported by this government. The recently-opened water bottling plant in St. Anthony, Canada Ice Inc., is in operation partially as a result of a $250,000 investment from the province's SME Fund. Dynamic Air Shelters were given EDGE status and have established a production facility in Grand Bank. The company expects to create 25 full-time, permanent positions in the short term, while long-term projections include upwards of 100 employees. Government provided an investment of almost $100,000 to Versatile Stones in Centreville to help establish a stone and brick manufacturing operation, providing jobs to people in the region. Government has also invested three quarters of a million dollars in various fur farming operations throughout the province that provide jobs to people in rural areas."

Now the Minister re-announces all amounts individually announced before including the third or fourth announcement for Versatile Stones in Centreville, as Harry Harding has already announced it twice in a month. Now don't take this the wrong way every job is important in Newfoundland and Labrador - that is why the Minister should announce all the jobs lost and companies closed as a result of the Stephenville Mill and the fish plants. Everything is relative, right Trevor?

"Aquaculture is a strategic growth sector for the south coast of the island. Towns such as Harbour Breton, Bay d'Espoir and St. Alban's have and will benefit from investments made in aquaculture by this government. This government developed the Aquaculture Working Capital Loan Guarantee Initiative to promote the continued development of the province's salmonid aquaculture industry. In 2005, government approved a loan guarantee of up to $7.2 million for Natures Sea Farms Inc. to help build their south coast operation, which has facilities in the Pool's Cove, Bay d'Espoir/Gaultois Passage and St. Alban's areas. In 2006, government will invest another $4.2 million, more than doubling last year's expenditures, to assist the sector expand at a quicker pace. This includes $3.5 million this year, as part of the three-year, $10 million Aquaculture Capital Investment Program to help attract new investment and expand existing mussel and/or finfish operations more rapidly. It is projected the program will add approximately 150 full-time jobs to the industry within the next two years. As well, government provided $410,000 for directed industry assistance programs, including the Aquaculture Innovation, Marketing Intelligence and Human Resources Development programs. Commercialization of cod aquaculture is another initiative government is pursuing. Developing cod as a major farm species is a high priority in Newfoundland and Labrador and has a significant level of potential for the province. Government has invested $500,000 to help further the progress of this initiative, and we will match this investment over the next three years, for a total of $2 million."

This was the Minister's opportunity to reflect on a time when he was fisheries minister and he re-announced all the aquaculture portion of the budget again. 150 new jobs the Minister announces, okay Minister how many have been lost in the wild fishery? How many more are left to go. He knows that aquaculture while promising is still experiencing problems from a science and economics point of view. My god Trevor what are you going to do when China starts growing fish in competition with us? 28 to 30 million dollars in our fishery... Already announced. Not a mention of early retirement, a lawsuit against the feds instead of picking on Rulokke, and/or custodial management.

"A lot of work is being done every day by government, businesses, communities, and economic development and industry associations to strengthen and diversify the economy of this province - work the Opposition neglects to mention," "Work in manufacturing, aquaculture, tourism, agriculture and agrifoods, information and communications technology, marine technology, for example, is happening in communities all throughout this province. The Opposition's comments, while aimed at criticizing government, only serve to diminish the hard work being done by those groups."

This next bit deals with the operations and accomplishments of everybody outside government - basically a feel good pat on the back to business and community volunteers. He then critisizes the Opposition for not mentioning these people. Last time I checked the Opposition was not questioning the motives or the commitment of these people or businesses - nevertheless it flows from the rest of the Polling Pony edict.

"When the MHA for Grand Bank was the Minister of Industry, Trade and Technology, she acknowledged the difficulty in diversifying the economies of rural Newfoundland and Labrador, and that building businesses and attracting investment to rural areas wasn't easy. It's very convenient for her to now have all the answers and to criticize the work being done to build our economy."

The Minister then attacks Judy Foote about the time she was the Minister a very long time ago. Hey Trev - the war is over you won almost 3 years ago. At that time you claimed you understood the short-comings of the Grimes government and you had the answers. What was or was not done then - is irrelavent. By the way Trev if you check ITRD News Releases from the last government you'll find they do not read differently than your own.

"There is no question we are facing challenges in some rural areas right now; its happening in rural regions across Canada and around the world. Export-based industries in Canada, including the fishery and forestry, have been particularly hard hit because of market conditions, the high Canadian dollar and the rising cost of energy, and industries in this province have not been spared. That is why it is critical we work together to identify opportunities to diversify our economy. Building diversified economies is going to take time, but it has to be done right, and input from the community and regional levels is crucial in this process. Making the issue political, based on unfounded rhetoric, doesn't help."

This is the final piece of it's POLLING PERIOD news. Here the Minister talks about all the things he claims the government has no control over. That is the fishery and the forestry! In other words skip the bull - you do not have the answers, it is not all related to matters of which we have no control. Trev, I expect with your comment on high energy costs you'll be front and center when it comes to giving away to Ontario and Quebec Lower Churchill power - that way Trev we will never have control. Hey Trev, you got the FPI act, you can buy the mill and try out some new technology or something - like Hydro Quebec would do. Then the final words;
-done right
-input
-take time
-diversified communities
To sum it all up.

IT'S POLLING PERIOD