Quebec Quebec Quebec Quebec Quebec

Quebec Quebec and there's no end in sight.

I don't know about the rest of the country but we must be really getting annoyed here in Newfoundland and Labrador. While thousands of people get in line at a recent job-fair to move away from our province - while the Government of Canada runs out of money for naval fisheries patrol - while federal offices shut down and further erosion of federal jobs - the Accord benefits hanging in limbo - the fisheries falling apart - all we hear about is the boost - boost - boost for Quebec.

Okay this week we learn the upwardly mobile equalization is going to?????
Quebec!!!

This quote from a story in the Globe and Mail Online

Many provincial leaders fear that Mr. Harper will resolve the thorny question of how to divide Ottawa's riches by pleasing Quebec Premier Jean Charest because that would offer the surest way of solidifying a Conservative breakthrough in the next federal election.

Their fears were confirmed when the provinces received a letter this week from federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty saying Quebec will see its equalization payments soar by nearly $1-billion to $6.46-billion in 2007-2008. At the same time, the other five provinces that receive equalization payments will see a significant reduction.
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Now - another story that demonstrates the weakness of our MP's - the weakness of the federation - and the weakness of our Prime Minister.

You may remember that the federal government ordered it's first military cargo aircraft from Boeing - the purchase is worth 3.4 billion dollars (1/3 of the cost to develop the Lower Churchill).

As the G&M reports Boeing had to guarantee certain economic benefits to Canada.

To obtain the contract, U.S.-based Boeing Co. has to pledge to buy supplies and services worth the exact value of the purchase in Canada. This package of regional benefits can be spent directly to build or maintain the Boeing C-17s, or any other current and future Boeing aircraft.

Where's the problem? Well Quebec's unelected Senator Michael Fortier - who just happens to be the Public Works Minister (the fellow who signs the contract) is fighting hard for Quebec to get 60% of the Canadian benefits - and the racket may jeopardize the delivery of the aircraft as well as the price.

The Globe reports that:

Under the current proposal, Ontario would get about one-third of the benefits, while the western provinces would share 20 per cent. The eastern provinces stand to get slightly less than 10 per cent, with the remaining portion still to be allocated.

Well Quebec wants 60% because they already have that % of the market. Well then let's start getting in on the action - our dollars and federal contracts for fisheries - airspace - coastline - ships - boats - nickel - oil - gas - hydropower - and everything else the rest of Canada sucks out of us for processing - should be astronomical.

As the Globe goes on to say:

The lobbying over regional benefits will not end with the C-17 negotiations. The government is planning to purchase $4.7-billion in Chinook helicopters from Boeing and $5-billion in Hercules C130J aircraft from Lockheed-Martin this year.

Now let's take the time to congratulate the unelected Quebec Minister of Parliament - appointed by Mr. Democracy himself the PM - and congratulate Jean Charest for sticking up for - bullying - threatening - anybody they can to develop Quebec.

If you are interested here's the breakdown of the Canadian Aerospace Industry
The approximate share of Canada's $22-billion aerospace industry, by economic region:

Western Canada: 10%

Atlantic Canada: 5%

Quebec: 55%

Ontario: 30%

Source: Industry Canada

We can't do any of this right?

What next Harper? What do you propose to do next to keep the Quebec voter happy?
The Newfoundland and Labrador MP's should be ashamed of themselves. The feds could not find a few million for the naval/fisheries patrol - and are trying their best to ignore our fish crisis and diminish our ability to manage offshore oil and gas. This is yet another reason why not 1 MW leaves Labrador for the rest of Canada. Suck on somebody Else's teat for awhile.