As I listened to one employee of the iron ore company express reasoned support for Ron Barron of the Labrador Party in the upcoming by-election in Labrador West - I was genuinely jealous. In a positive way of course.
I would love to see Mr. Barron pull it out and become the first Labrador Party MHA - it would be a great victory for Labrador. A party not affiliated with any of the federal lot and not the typical Tory - Liberal townies or Islanders leading policy direction.
It would be a real plus for Labrador if they elected 4 LP MHA's in the next general election. It would turn the House of Assembly on its behind and force the legislature to consider the "big land" in everything it does.
If it is true that St. John's and environ will boom from oil - it is safe to say that Lab West will lead the way in tremendous economic growth over the next couple of decades for virtually every other resource. Labrador will become the hub of growth and it is only right that the region enjoy the benefits of resource development.
When I think of our future - I think of Labrador - and the sooner that is generally known the better. It will help to break down the barriers built by the political Island mentality toward this great place.
I can only imagine Question Period in the HOA where everybody gets to see the politically unfettered questions from Labrador. The logic of investing heavily in Labrador - from transportation infrastructure to secondary processing of resources - will become clear. That in turn will make the province much stronger - economically and culturally.
This time I hope Labrador wins.
6 comments:
I totally agree Sue.
The only thing I somewhat disagree with this is "Island mentality" idea. To me it's more of a St. John's mentality. Just look at the TV News every day and you'll know what i'm talking about. Ask yourself this. Is there anything taking place anywhere in the rural parts of this province? If it is, we would never know from the news, it's mostly about someone doing something in St.John's, shoveling snow, shoveling poop, anything St.John's. The TV evening news should be called "The St.John's Evening News", I think it would be a more appropriate name.
In my humble opinion, one of the key reasons this province is in the mess it's in is because our governments have been keeping Labrador down since Confederation. They have been controlling the population of the bigland by keeping industries away or by dividing them with the island. i.e.'s 1.Labrador Linerboard. 2.Voisey's Bay etc.. If, on the other hand they allowed industries to fully develop in Labrador using Labrador's low cost Hydro Power, there would be more jobs then workers in the bigland could handle. Workers would have to come from the island in the thousands to fill the work positions. Isn't that far better then them having to leave to help other provinces with their work force problems?
The government should be taking advantage of the fact that a hugh section of their province is part of the landmask of North America, Labrador isn't an island.
Labrador is the land of opportunity like Alberta with all its resources. Newfoundland has been shooting itself in the foot since 1949 by dividing and conquering this bigland called Labrador and for what? The island has been seeing their people leaving in droves, leaving for rich Alberta instead of rich Labrador. If Labrador was permitted to develop, rich Labrador would be fantastic for the whole province. The proof is in the pudding, what this province has been doing isn’t working so some major changes have to be maybe to save it. Changes that may go against the board of trade in St.John’s but so be it. What must be done, must be done in spite of their resistance. The outcome would be prosperity.
i.e There wouldn't be a problem of coming up with funds for a fixed link, that would be done in short order.
If Ontario can prosper from environmentally destructive Nuclear Power, Labrador could surely do it with Hydro Power.
The powers that be should smarten up and build a four-lane highway across Labrador to Quebec and get rid of the foolishness from Joey's days, foollishness like, "we will never build a highway to Quebec". What have that foolishness done for this province, diddly squat, I say.
Think for a minute about what mainlanders say about island of Newfoundland people, "stupid Newfies" and face it head on and maybe tell yourselves there is something to it. I mean we have continuously given our raw resources to other provinces, we chase those resources for work, and our workers turn those resources into finish products and sell them back to the island. Why can't the products be made here, especially Labrador and sent the other way?
Labrador isn't that far away for Ontario, the United States and we are on the boarder of Quebec. It's like a Geologist told me once at the Voisey's Bay and Beyond Conference. He said that we couldn't turn the Nickel at Voisey's Bay into Stainless Steel right here in Labrador because Labrador was to far from the markets. I asked him where the major markets for Stainless Steel were? expecting him to say, Europe or Asia somewhere, but he told me it was the United States. I told him I thought we were near the boarder of the United States and that we certainly had the cheep clean power to drive such an industry.
I believe that sometimes people think Labrador is on the Moon somewhere.
Way to go Ron!
http://www.labradorparty.ca
Here Here Norman - you are right on - now on with the business of Labrador.
Interesting comments norman. Your St. John's mentality comment reminds me of the "Establishment" references Sue made recently. I'm guessing it refers to an "old boys" club of St. John's business elites, the old money - please correct me if I'm wrong, either one of you. Would like to know more about this idea.
Also, does the Labrador Party have detailed visions on how the Lower Churchill should be developed? I am neutral on this, just taking in different points of view to get more informed. A certain amount of smaller businesses I think, will develop over time with the completion of the TLH itself, anyway. Hey, just putting a Tim Horton's in the middle of Labrador will get line ups on both sides. But what's your position on what kind of deal ought to be sought, developing hydro just for Labrador, and/or sharing the energy in an east-west grid? How much more industry could be drawn to Labrador? I would love to think lots, but from reading others opinions on this, it is hard to say with any certainty, what kind, and how much industry will come to Labrador.
Finally, on The Labrador Party site, it says, "The Labrador Party will be the only political voice and vehicle for the people of labrador who wish to seek a self determination of our future political relationships with the regions of the Province and the Country." my emphasis. One could think that it means an independent Labrador, politically, separate from Newfoundland. Would that be one of the goals of the Labrador Party?
Anyway good luck in your efforts to get better representation for Labador.
TY Kodak for your input...
I have listened to this question about the ability of Labrador to attract industry for years - and I have watched many governments fail to do so. I will ask you Kodak to just have a quick look around the industrial sector - where they are locating industry - what the preferable power is - and the obvious problem in the world of fossil fuel prices and the new environmental age.
If you look at this independently - I believe you will be as dismayed as I am - that we would export this liquid gold.
The fact that our politicians have failed to attract industry to Labrador - is not too much of a stretch - considering what they have failed at in the past - is it?
Norman you said it very well. Labrador's resources should be used only for Labrador's development. Let us put up the biggest struggle of our lives to keep the Lower Churchill Hydroelectric Energy in Labrador for Labrador's development. It can be done, and we will not let anybody tell us otherwise. It will only be done for the development of LABRADOR.
Sue I can appreciate the argument you make. Industry and business are always looking for ways to cut expenses, and if cheaper energy to run their operations saves a net amount for them then that's enticing. But that is key I guess. The vision of a growing industry sector out of Labrador is nice to envision. However, I would like to see a scenario painted of the mechanics of how heavy industry could develop. I imagine that if ultimate costs to a car manufacturing plant were no worse in Labrador than in Ontario or Quebec, then why not develop it in Labrador. There are no guarantees with any if not most future ventures, but the possibilities are interesting to ponder as you do.
Certainly with a completed TLH, eventually, and further road infrastructures, the opportunities for many types of businesses become more realistic.
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