You want to debate the Emera project Kathy? Ed? Shawn? Are you sure?

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU?

Now are we all willing to take a look at the chart above produced by  EDC?

When we talk about sending out raw energy versus refined product - in the case of oil and gas and in the case of using hydro-power for industry - we might start to recognize some very strange things. That is - strange to Premier Dunderdale, Minister Shawn Skinner and the rest of the geniuses on the hill.

Just curious Newfoundland and Labrador - how is it that New Brunswick is ahead of this province in exports? We do all realize the resources we have - right? Oil, gas, fishery, hydropower, forestry, iron ore, nickel, and others. Now what do we have to show for it in value? Look at New Brunswick - they don't have our oil, our 5000 MW's, our fishery, not even minerals in such quantities and quality such as iron ore and nickel.

You want the answer?

The opening of the Saint John LNG regasification plant in September 2009 will provide a significant boost to exports in both 2010 and 2011, as production ramps up and industrial production in New England recovers. However, most of the increase in energy export earnings this year will be due to higher prices for refined petroleum products, as the price of crude rises to an average of USD 77/brl in 2010 from USD 62 in 2009.

Oh my - we have the oil right? They refine it right? What we need to do now - according to Ed Martin, Shawn Skinner, and Premier Dunderdale is to ship them some more cheap reliable renewable power. That should help them pick up some more industrial development - maybe they can refine and process more resources. Anything else the gang would like to give them?

WE GOT IT - WE GOT IT  yep we got it all right. So are we allowed to refine our own oil and gas yet? No that's right it actually belongs to Canada - we can have royalties which Ottawa can then strip back - and oh yes - that's right New Brunswick and Quebec would have to exceed their refining capacity in order for us to be able to. Or is it that Irving controls that roost?

Well then in the name of growing a strong Atlantic Canada - the least we could do is throw some of that unrefined energy (that is we don't plug it into anything here) over to Nova Scotia - with any luck the Minister of Natural Resources of Newfoundland and Labrador can be hailed as the fellow who helped Nova Scotia along with it's lagging exports.

While we are at it - that much bashed (by Canada lovers) Iceland - the home to 250,000 souls - as Shawn Skinner would say - is looking at exports exceeding 5 billion - a billion of which for seafood - the majority of which is ground fish. Very healthy Atlantic cod stocks. You got to love the nice exports of aluminum. They are humming away - plugging in every industry they can attract with hydro power. Their exports are up 21% in January over the same period last year.

Not to worry because Newfoundland and Labrador has the fish right? Well no - we are third behind British Columbia and Nova Scotia - oh yeah that's right - the king cod is lost in Ottawa somewhere and we are missing a billion dollars a year. Shawn get that power to Nova Scotia quick - with our fisheries planning they are going to have to increase processing in that province - just as soon as our people are forced out.


BRITISH COLUMBIA:

• Canada’s top exporter of fish and seafood, valued at $882.8 million.
• Exported 162,834 tonnes (t) of fish and seafood products.
• The three most valuable species exported by this province were farmed Atlantic salmon (49,543 t valued at $330.9 million), herring (3,470 t valued at $57.6 million), and crab  (5,862 t valued at $54.5 million).

NOVA SCOTIA:

• Canada’s second leading exporter of fish and seafood, valued at $809.7 million.
• Exported 111,454 t of fish and seafood products.
• The three most valuable species exported by this province were lobster (23,065 t valued at $353.8 million), scallops (4,946 t valued at $88.4 million), and snow/queen crab (8,519 t valued at $72.8 million).

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR:

• Canada’s third leading exporter of fish and seafood, valued at $720.5 million.
• Exported 167,691 t of fish and seafood products.
• The three most valuable species exported by this province were snow/queen crab (31,571 t valued at $270.3 million), shrimp/prawn (52,384 t valued at $191.1 million), and mackerel (22,981 t valued at $37.2 million)

Now if we really try we can help out our "have not" partners in Ontario - they are planning to lead export growth driven by the automotive sector. How did that happen? Oh yeah we "bailed out" that sector after corporate fraud just about crushed the markets - from the USA outwards. They could really use our power and with any luck - we can help them get back to the "have side".

Maybe Ontario can get to experience a 12.4% unemployment rate instead of that backward 8%  or even worse Iceland's 7%.

Ed Martin called the Lower Churchill "low hanging fruit" in Ontario - I guess he meant it.

You wonder why - I sit and scratch my head - at our government's insistence at getting the power out of  Labrador at all costs? This valuable resource that means industrial advantage - only if we keep it here. If Ed Martin is right and Canada will be short 14,400 MW's of power by 2030 - this Lower Churchill power should be kept in Labrador at all costs. Just curious Ed - why is so much more power going to be needed? Increase in Canadian population and industry? How much of that growth are you predicting for this province? Oh - you must not be predicting growth for here - you did not say we would be short - that means we would have to attract significant industry which would attract back home significant Newfoundlanders and Labradorians that left to find WORK.

I would like to see our exports increase significantly in the fourth quarter - I have dozens of politicians available to be shipped to your jurisdiction. Any takers?