Sue's Blog

Friday, February 25, 2011

Who does Minister Shawn Skinner work for?

Minister of Natural Resources Shawn Skinner as quoted on a government of Nova Scotia website.

"I am pleased with the approach to work together, discuss issues, and exchange ideas to benefit a strong, united region. I was particularly pleased to discuss the development of Muskrat Falls, which will provide tremendous benefit for the region and indeed the country, and look forward to a continued partnership in support of the development."

"The people of Atlantic Canada will benefit from regional co-operation on energy issues. I am pleased with this spirit of regional co-operation among the provinces. Working together we can strengthen the energy sector, generate more economic activity, create more jobs and lower energy costs across the region."

Okay so I employ Shawn Skinner to aggessively develop Labrador resources so that the region can benefit and become strong and even the country for that matter. And I am also employing him so that we can use Labrador power to lower energy costs in the region. 

I have never witnessed in my adulthood such a skewed mandate and an absolute effort to marginalize one's own province so that other provinces in the region can move industrial development forward on our resources.
Is there anyway to put this politely? Minister Skinner your job is to use Newfoundland and Labrador energy resources to benefit our province - particularly Labrador - and if at all possible make our energy more competitive than our neighbouring provinces so we can attract industry here for our people. 

Your government's insistance on exporting the raw resource of hydropower has left us with little to look forward to. The method you have chosen to export - only makes it that much worse. Emera - a publicly traded Nova Scotian company - vulnerable to takeover by a party - Hydro-Quebec that would benefit them tremendously - all at the cost to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. 

Which Nova Scotian resource are they shipping here to Newfoundland and Labrador to assist us in developing our industries and long term sustainability? 

What Canadian resources are being shipped here to help this province develop?

As Quebec also in many cases fall within our region - what will Quebec be shipping our way? Do you even talk to them and what of your government's promise for redress on the Upper Churchill?

What of the equalization formula which continues to rip away any benefit we will get from our depleting oil resources? We already expect to lose 10 billion or so on that - while Ontario and Quebec benefit?
Why are you down on bended knee for a loan guarantee from Ottawa when they have already stripped a billion a year from us for mismanaged groundfish stocks?

If I were cynical - Minister Skinner - you are speaking like you are a Minister of Atlantica - do you support that concept of joining the four provinces together? I'd like a polygraph on that. 



2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hate this term, but Shawn Skinner seems to be the ultimate "Dumb Newf".

Unknown said...

With all due respect Shannon ,Skinner in my opinion is far from being a "Dumb Newf".Haven't we the people, in fact aided and abetted these people in their ability to climb the corporate ladder and to recognize and capitalize on opportunities in the political sphere ?

Isn't it about time that we the people take a long , hard look at what "ROLES", we are playing in this whole miserable scheme ?

Opportunists are in every walk of life , some are compassionate and are able to help others on their climb , still others use the very people they are meant to help , on their way to the top . It is the people who have to use their "smarts" , in recognizing which is which .