I am very afraid for Newfoundland and Labrador. The perfect political storm is forming and if we - as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians - do not take severe and immediate action - our place may be lost.
Kathy Dunderdale inherited the post of Premier - and since the swearing in she has shown everything but leadership. Yes her ego is doing quite well - she seems to enjoy being the woman in power - but only in controlled and friendly environments. Dunderdale is uncomfortable dealing with the people - and she prefers not to do it.
The media and ordinary citizens are the enemy and she must find "friends" in other places.
Dunderdale relies on being recognized by people like Harper and Oil executives and relies on people like Ed Martin (Nalcor) to remind her that she is strong and doing the right things.
Hard to know how she is doing with Cabinet - these MHA's are so desperate to keep a portfolio - that otherwise independent people are making absurd excuses for policy failures.
Either Kathy Dunderdale is a complete political fraud or she is completely incompetent. You see Kathy Dunderdale hung off Danny's every word and move. She supported his position that unelected Premiers should not do major resource deals. She fought hard for that while in Opposition. Dunderdale basked in Danny's glory as he lowered flags, took on the feds, and politically condemned Harper. When Danny asked - she walked with Siobhan Coady door to door - to make the point that Harper must not be trusted and if he ever got a majority - Canada - particularly Newfoundland and Labrador would be in trouble. When Danny spoke - Kathy backed him up - she would call talk shows and reiterate Danny's points and talk about his greatness. When Danny bailed on our health care system and treated his illness in the USA - she was sent out to take the awkward questions and defend his decision. While she took over the Premier's role during Williams's recovery - she did nothing to change the course.
Then Kathy became Premier - and realized that she was the boss. If you think Williams was vindictive and vengeful - look out world - here comes Kathy.
The only problem is - her anger is toward the people. She adopted Williams dictatorial style without having his abilities or education (formal or street). If we are to believe Williams - the very first thing Kathy did as she took office is cut the former Premier off. For what purpose? Dunderdale hung on every word and action of Williams and now - he is not worthy of advice?
If Williams is to be believed - he recently stated publicly that hydro power from Labrador should have the right to go through Quebec and he felt this should be accomplished to allow this province to have the best opportunity to benefit from these resources. What is going on? Do we know anything really about this proposed development in the Big Land? The answer is no.
I have listened to Kathy Dunderdale speak on the Lower Churchill several times and she simply does not know enough on this potential to make decisions. Then we have to rely on the "experts" she relies on. What experts? The bureaucrats that would like to see hydro privatized? Nalcor executives who appear annoyed at having to answer questions? The companies that stand to gain short and long-term fortunes from the resource? One thing is for sure - Dunderdale is not listening to the people and she is ignoring many citizens of varying backgrounds who are warning - that this deal is bad - very bad.
Then there is Kathy's new appreciation, respect and adulation of Stephen Harper.
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| This picture says it all. |
Stephen Harper will only provide a loan guarantee to this province if it benefits other provinces. In fact the decimation of Newfoundland and Labrador resources to the benefit of other jurisdictions suits Harper just fine. This is how it has always been in Canada - and under Harper it will get worse.
Tonight as Dunderdale speaks to Harper - she may very well get the reversal on the closure of the marine rescue sub-centre - and this to keep the relationship intact long enough to rid Labrador of its industrial future.
The Emera deal is happening under very similar conditions to that of the Upper Churchill fiasco. A leader - Kathy Dunderdale - like Smallwood - who was satisfied to get compliments from those in the world of the corporate elite.
1. Joey sold the water rights in order to promote national unity and further secure Newfoundland's place in Canada. Kathy in essence is promoting the same ideas.
2. Joey quote:
“Our danger, so it seems to me, is that of nursing delusions of grandeur. We remember the stories of small states that valiantly preserved their national independence and developed their own proud culture, but we tend to overlook the fact that comparison of Newfoundland with them is ludicrous. We are not a nation. We are merely a medium size municipality, a mere miniature borough of a large city.”
Kathy has this mentality and believes we need others to develop and control our resources. This is the same thinking that went into the Upper Churchill.
* Just a quick note - Iceland - is doing just fine after the global economic meltdown and will probably fair better than fellow European nations.
3. Joey's continued assertion that the Upper Churchill deal was a good one, good for Canada, good for Newfoundland (Labrador), he'd say these are our resources, this is our falls, this is our water. Kathy is doing the same thing and once again we are heading for a catastrophic giveaway of our resources and worse dragging us into debt - which is not sustained by the market but rather by you and me on our power bills.
4. They both also harped on the tens of thousands of person-hours of work that will be created during construction. This was good for the companies that made a killing off the development and then walked away money in pocket - and shag Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Are we expecting businesses that stand to gain tens of millions - hundreds of millions are going to oppose the development? No they are going to cheer it on. They are not responsible for the future of our province. They are not responsible for the well being of our people and communities.
Naivety and personal satisfaction ruled the deal for Joey and it is ruling the deal for Kathy.
The media is not showing any real interest in the fact that we have no proof that this is a good deal - and that other options were considered. We remain absent of the proof that the Lower Churchill could not be developed for industrial development in Labrador. We have been told for years that industry demands subsidized power rates from such a development. Even if that is true - we are now going to subsidize power to Nova Scotia without one long-term industrial job created. If we are willing to subsidize lower power rates - are we not better off subsidizing it for long term jobs in Labrador?
There is no question that we are on the road to repeat one of the worst resource deals in history. If we allow Dunderdale to continue - we will repeat the Upper Churchill contract.
The only difference nowadays is that social media allows people to have their objections posted - recorded on line for the next generation to view. Sadly being able to say "I told you so" will provide little solace to our children.
What will you do to stop this disaster?
How many times must resources from this province benefit everybody but us?
How many times will the rest of Canada reap the lions share of benefits from our resources?
Do you believe any companies made fortunes from our fishery? What have we to show for it?
Do you believe any companies made fortunes from our minerals? What have we to show for it?
Do you believe any companies made fortunes from the Upper Churchill? What have we to show for it?
Do you believe any companies made fortunes from our Forests? What have we to show for that?
Despite our great wealth in natural resources - arguably more per capita than any other jurisdiction in North America; why has our population remained stagnant and aging? Why do our people have to leave to find gainful employment?
What happened to our shipyard? What's happening with Marystown? What happened to the federal ship-building contract? What happened to Bell Island? Where is our iron ore processed?
Please stop this carnage.
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