Stephen Harper is a fundamentalist.
Stephen Harper likes privatization.
Stephen Harper scared Canadians - most of us believed he wanted private health care.
Stephen Harper "con"vinced enough Canadians that he had changed his ways.
Stephen Harper is a liar.
Stephen Harper has just announced a take it or leave it offer to provinces for health care funding.
Stephen Harper knows that this will cause hardship that can be eased (wink) through privatization.
Stephen Harper knows that provinces disagree on the future approach to universal health care.
Stephen Harper knows that Quebec's funding is entirely different than that of all other provinces.
Stephen Harper stands poised to attack universal and equal health care.
Stephen Harper does not believe in patient-centric care.
Stephen Harper does not believe in patient up care.
Stephen Harper believes in private corporate down care.
Stephen Harper is quite manipulative.
Stephen Harper employs exceptional strategists.
Stephen Harper is entertaining proposals from European Brand Drug Companies.
Stephen Harper is entertaining CETA - which will cost us Billions in Prescription Drug Costs.
Question is will the Premiers allow this to happen?
Showing posts with label Dunderdale. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dunderdale. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
And so the smell of Muskrat continues...The Perfect Storm for the next Giveaway
I hardly got the words off the keyboard regarding Penashue's position on the budget - when I read at the CBC website the "New Dawn" agreement between the Innu and Government of Newfoundland and Labrador - is now scheduled for a ratification vote.
Surprise - Surprise - So the deal sits there for almost three years - and now the vote is scheduled? Clearing Lower Churchill hurdles to assist Ms. Dunderdale in pushing the Muskrat deal through. This at the same time as Penashue supports Harper - so he can shove through a loan guarantee for the project - that sees everybody benefit but the people of Newfoundland and Labrador?
1. Kathy announces new love for Harper (drops ABC Campaign)
2. Harper quasi promises the loan guarantee for the Lower Churchill
3. Penashue runs and "wins" Labrador seat
4. Harper names Penashue Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
So Todd Russell, Metis, loses - everybody is shocked. Peter Penashue, Innu - everybody is shocked.
Harper now has ally for Old Harry to be awarded to Quebec. Romaine River will remain unchallenged. Metis will be blocked from Lower Churchill deal. Kathy Dunderdale hastily moves forward on deal ignoring the people of Newfoundland and Labrador while ignoring her position that an unelected Premier sign a major resource deal. The New Dawn deal suddenly comes up for ratification clearing another hurdle for Muskrat development. Harper gives loan guarantee which satisifies Nova Scotia and Peter MacKay.
The New Dawn - will not only see the Innu benefit from a development - they have been so opposed to (loss of land and habitat) - and further will see you and I pay the Innu compensation for the Upper Churchill.
Dunderdale drunk on power and fuelled by ignorance has no interest whatsoever in the people she serves - moves forward despite significant reservations of people who understand the development and proposed deal. Dunderdale, Skinner, Martin and Nalcor's Gil Bennett treating the resource as a privately owned property.
This is the Perfect Storm for a very bad outcome. Please review the series of events - and while a "New Dawn" might be enjoyed by the Innu Nation the future for our province will sink below the horizon - and be lost for generations to come.
Two questions: Has Shawn Skinner taken the kool-aid accidentally and is Tom Marshall his own man?
Surprise - Surprise - So the deal sits there for almost three years - and now the vote is scheduled? Clearing Lower Churchill hurdles to assist Ms. Dunderdale in pushing the Muskrat deal through. This at the same time as Penashue supports Harper - so he can shove through a loan guarantee for the project - that sees everybody benefit but the people of Newfoundland and Labrador?
1. Kathy announces new love for Harper (drops ABC Campaign)
2. Harper quasi promises the loan guarantee for the Lower Churchill
3. Penashue runs and "wins" Labrador seat
4. Harper names Penashue Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs
So Todd Russell, Metis, loses - everybody is shocked. Peter Penashue, Innu - everybody is shocked.
Harper now has ally for Old Harry to be awarded to Quebec. Romaine River will remain unchallenged. Metis will be blocked from Lower Churchill deal. Kathy Dunderdale hastily moves forward on deal ignoring the people of Newfoundland and Labrador while ignoring her position that an unelected Premier sign a major resource deal. The New Dawn deal suddenly comes up for ratification clearing another hurdle for Muskrat development. Harper gives loan guarantee which satisifies Nova Scotia and Peter MacKay.
The New Dawn - will not only see the Innu benefit from a development - they have been so opposed to (loss of land and habitat) - and further will see you and I pay the Innu compensation for the Upper Churchill.
Dunderdale drunk on power and fuelled by ignorance has no interest whatsoever in the people she serves - moves forward despite significant reservations of people who understand the development and proposed deal. Dunderdale, Skinner, Martin and Nalcor's Gil Bennett treating the resource as a privately owned property.
This is the Perfect Storm for a very bad outcome. Please review the series of events - and while a "New Dawn" might be enjoyed by the Innu Nation the future for our province will sink below the horizon - and be lost for generations to come.
Two questions: Has Shawn Skinner taken the kool-aid accidentally and is Tom Marshall his own man?
Penashue tows the well worn Party Line - Follows Hearn and Manning
Well at least we did not have to wait long to see if Penashue would follow Manning and Hearn - yes he did.
Penashue's comment that massive budget cuts were "painful" but "responsible" - is the Conservative line.
With cuts in the Department of Fisheries - recovery of stocks and necessary science for sustainability will be impacted. That cannot really sit well with an aboriginal leader - can it?
As a Labradorian - is Peter concerned that cuts to Defence may spell trouble for Happy Valley-Goose Bay?
The 4 billion dollars budgeted to be eliminated - will mean ramifications to essential services - and Peter supporting that - does not seem to jive.
There is a possibility though - that Peter has made a deal for his people - the Innu - and perhaps the Nation will gain direct benefits from a deal.
The Innu Nation claims to protect its people from outside threats - that does include the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Government of Canada. The Innu Nation has fought industrialization which impacted their traditional life and lands (Lower Churchill). This was fixed by letting the Nation in on the project.
I prefer to let the Nation speak for itself on these issues: Below are statements taken from the Innu Nation site:
...It also made it mandatory for Innu children to attend school and threatened to stop welfare and family allowance payments to families whose children did not attend class.
As a result, many Innu families had to live in the communities for most of the year, despite their concerns that doing so would threaten their migratory way of life and connection to the land.
Innu parents also felt the school curriculum taught their children more about white North American society than their own and worried younger generations were being alienated from their cultural traditions.
Compounding these concerns were a string of post-Confederation forestry, mining, and other industrial developments that occurred on Innu land, but without Innu permission.
Most dramatic among these was the Upper Churchill Falls hydroelectric project, which flooded thousands of kilometers of land in Labrador, including valuable caribou habitat and Innu burial grounds. Although the Innu people used and depended on much of this area for centuries, the provincial government did not consult them before damming the Churchill River.
I do not believe the cuts will impact the Innu Nation or Peter's people - it will however continue to hurt Newfoundland and Labrador. This will be very interesting - and educational.
Penashue's comment that massive budget cuts were "painful" but "responsible" - is the Conservative line.
With cuts in the Department of Fisheries - recovery of stocks and necessary science for sustainability will be impacted. That cannot really sit well with an aboriginal leader - can it?
As a Labradorian - is Peter concerned that cuts to Defence may spell trouble for Happy Valley-Goose Bay?
The 4 billion dollars budgeted to be eliminated - will mean ramifications to essential services - and Peter supporting that - does not seem to jive.
There is a possibility though - that Peter has made a deal for his people - the Innu - and perhaps the Nation will gain direct benefits from a deal.
The Innu Nation claims to protect its people from outside threats - that does include the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Government of Canada. The Innu Nation has fought industrialization which impacted their traditional life and lands (Lower Churchill). This was fixed by letting the Nation in on the project.
I prefer to let the Nation speak for itself on these issues: Below are statements taken from the Innu Nation site:
...It also made it mandatory for Innu children to attend school and threatened to stop welfare and family allowance payments to families whose children did not attend class.
As a result, many Innu families had to live in the communities for most of the year, despite their concerns that doing so would threaten their migratory way of life and connection to the land.
Innu parents also felt the school curriculum taught their children more about white North American society than their own and worried younger generations were being alienated from their cultural traditions.
Compounding these concerns were a string of post-Confederation forestry, mining, and other industrial developments that occurred on Innu land, but without Innu permission.
Most dramatic among these was the Upper Churchill Falls hydroelectric project, which flooded thousands of kilometers of land in Labrador, including valuable caribou habitat and Innu burial grounds. Although the Innu people used and depended on much of this area for centuries, the provincial government did not consult them before damming the Churchill River.
I do not believe the cuts will impact the Innu Nation or Peter's people - it will however continue to hurt Newfoundland and Labrador. This will be very interesting - and educational.
Saturday, March 05, 2011
Willderdale Government and Sensational Distractions
Russell Wangersky continues his justified written assault on "tobacco gate" today in the Telegram. He stirs up more questions and comparisons that causes one - who wants to believe in the Willderdale government - to necessarily plug their nose and ears and place a blindfold over their eyes.
Several media outlets have continued to semi-probe the Matthews appointment to the CNLOPB - leaving PC supporters including Ministers like Shawn Skinner to come up with ridiculous excuses to justify the move. Pass out those plugs and blindfolds again.
Since Williams resigned unexpectedly and hurriedly almost immediately after a proposed deal was cut with a publicly traded company (Emera) to develop Muskrat Falls - bits and pieces of sensationalism have cropped up - almost on a weekly basis.
1. The Cabana Fiasco - kept the media hopping for weeks as if somebody really relevant had stepped forward. (That has nothing to do with Brad's CFA status - rather the fact that he is a rookie relative to Newfoundland and Labrador affairs). A guaranteed pass apparently into the "new" Liberals club.
2. The Dumeresque Enlightenment on the resale of Upper Churchill power - pointing an already complicit finger at the PC's - while he himself was involved with a) the attempted privatization b) responsible for a deal that made the already inept Churchill Falls deal with Hydro-Quebec even worse.
3. The almost "pee in one's pants" return of the great one as he inserted himself hypocritically into the Humber West by-election.
4. The awarding of the tobacco lawsuit to Danny's former and maybe current business buddies and former partners in his old law firm - including the Phoenix rising from the ashes piece as the "Firm" moved into new offices - after an investigation found nothing on cause of the fire and rendered it "undetermined".
5. The release of the Fisheries Report - designed apparently to show us the way forward on that Ottawa battered and fried resource. The provincial Minister Clyde Jackman claimed the report was useless and not what they were looking for - particularly in an election year. Then we had everyone from Earl McCurdy to Lorraine Michael to Derek Butler weighing in on it.
6. The fibre optic deal - with another of Danny's former business buddies - Dean MacDonald got the go over by the Auditor General - and apparently has us left stranded and unlit.
7. Of course the Elizabeth Matthews nomination by the Willderdale government to be the Vice-Chair of the CNLOPB. That has the whole gang singing her praises - as beautifully and choreographed as if a maestro was hiding behind curtain number one.
All of these things have kept us a safe distance from the real issue before the people now and one which won't cost us $200,000 a year but may risk the future of several generations of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians - the proposed deal on the Lower Churchill. These billions and billions of dollars of potential - the hundreds of millions and thousands of hundreds of thousands ... you know what Joey meant - is sitting unprotected - unquestioned - not debated - in hopes of slipping this Legacy of Shame through.
If you really want history to repeat itself - continue your blind journey into this abyss - and while Emera shareholders and likely Hydro-Quebec delight in the folly - your children and grandchildren will have to make the U-Haul journey across the rails to roads ruts and take an inadequate ferry service to the great Canada beyond - and Labradorians will be left still unserviced providing economic nutrition needed to strengthen Atlantic Canada.
The Liberals, the NDP, and the media must stop this unimpeded Williams parade into this devastating energy giveaway - by truly engaging the people in debate and discourse designed to ensure we are not marching ourselves into decades of regret and moaning over what could have been. Those in power in the sixties could have stopped the Upper Churchill and those in power now must stop the Emera deal.
Several media outlets have continued to semi-probe the Matthews appointment to the CNLOPB - leaving PC supporters including Ministers like Shawn Skinner to come up with ridiculous excuses to justify the move. Pass out those plugs and blindfolds again.
Since Williams resigned unexpectedly and hurriedly almost immediately after a proposed deal was cut with a publicly traded company (Emera) to develop Muskrat Falls - bits and pieces of sensationalism have cropped up - almost on a weekly basis.
1. The Cabana Fiasco - kept the media hopping for weeks as if somebody really relevant had stepped forward. (That has nothing to do with Brad's CFA status - rather the fact that he is a rookie relative to Newfoundland and Labrador affairs). A guaranteed pass apparently into the "new" Liberals club.
2. The Dumeresque Enlightenment on the resale of Upper Churchill power - pointing an already complicit finger at the PC's - while he himself was involved with a) the attempted privatization b) responsible for a deal that made the already inept Churchill Falls deal with Hydro-Quebec even worse.
3. The almost "pee in one's pants" return of the great one as he inserted himself hypocritically into the Humber West by-election.
4. The awarding of the tobacco lawsuit to Danny's former and maybe current business buddies and former partners in his old law firm - including the Phoenix rising from the ashes piece as the "Firm" moved into new offices - after an investigation found nothing on cause of the fire and rendered it "undetermined".
5. The release of the Fisheries Report - designed apparently to show us the way forward on that Ottawa battered and fried resource. The provincial Minister Clyde Jackman claimed the report was useless and not what they were looking for - particularly in an election year. Then we had everyone from Earl McCurdy to Lorraine Michael to Derek Butler weighing in on it.
6. The fibre optic deal - with another of Danny's former business buddies - Dean MacDonald got the go over by the Auditor General - and apparently has us left stranded and unlit.
7. Of course the Elizabeth Matthews nomination by the Willderdale government to be the Vice-Chair of the CNLOPB. That has the whole gang singing her praises - as beautifully and choreographed as if a maestro was hiding behind curtain number one.
All of these things have kept us a safe distance from the real issue before the people now and one which won't cost us $200,000 a year but may risk the future of several generations of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians - the proposed deal on the Lower Churchill. These billions and billions of dollars of potential - the hundreds of millions and thousands of hundreds of thousands ... you know what Joey meant - is sitting unprotected - unquestioned - not debated - in hopes of slipping this Legacy of Shame through.
If you really want history to repeat itself - continue your blind journey into this abyss - and while Emera shareholders and likely Hydro-Quebec delight in the folly - your children and grandchildren will have to make the U-Haul journey across the rails to roads ruts and take an inadequate ferry service to the great Canada beyond - and Labradorians will be left still unserviced providing economic nutrition needed to strengthen Atlantic Canada.
The Liberals, the NDP, and the media must stop this unimpeded Williams parade into this devastating energy giveaway - by truly engaging the people in debate and discourse designed to ensure we are not marching ourselves into decades of regret and moaning over what could have been. Those in power in the sixties could have stopped the Upper Churchill and those in power now must stop the Emera deal.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Politicians on a Polygraph continued - why we need this!
Looks like Politicians on Polygraphs would be a popular CBC reality series.
Exceptions to The Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) USA
Lie detector tests can be administered under the following circumstances:
Then of course there are military jobs requiring the test depending on security clearance.
So let's make the argument.
First be it the House of Assembly or the Parliament of Canada - it is clear that these members are involved with legislation that impact financial markets or policies that may benefit one corporation over another. Then there have been instances around the country at various levels of government - where elected members have served jail time or found guilty of impropriety with tax payer dollars.
Then there is this bit about the protection of corporate proprietary information - when your government is dealing with a private or publicly traded company on the development of a resource. This means you and me - the people and owners of the resource do not get to take part in negotiations or perhaps pick up on details that would leave us holding the short end of the stick. You must admit that happens all too frequently.The politicans got clever and even subject Nalcor to this - and we own the company!
You see we must not see an election as a replacement for polygraphs. How many of you have been mislead or lied to during an election campaign? Newfoundland and Labrador is 10 billion dollars short as a result of the Harper lie. If our Prime Minister - while campaigning can lie as easily as this - no doubt they all can.
Up until a few years ago they would not even allow the House of Assembly to be audited - look what the results were.
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have been shafted too many times - to go blindly under the cape of a political leader or party. We require more information if they want the legislative right to negotiate assets worth hundreds of billions of dollars. Based on what I seen out of the West Coast the other day or various instances in our past - banks should consider the same thing.
Finally - these people who want to get elected - say anything - do anything - just to get your vote and an unearned lucrative pension. They are all excited about going on open-line for the first time - going to weddings, funerals, christenings, and anniversaries - and all excited to show you how sincere they are and how entering politics is a sacrifice on their behalf. Well then - they should have no problem answering all that under a polygraph examination. How many of them do you think might volunteer to do this?
This type of reality show would be a smash hit - so CBC should consider spending some of our tax dollars on it. They might not get corporate support via commercials - as many advertising would end up being cut-off from the public welfare trough.
Lies - Lies and how much has this cost us?
Exceptions to The Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) USA
Lie detector tests can be administered under the following circumstances:
- Polygraph (a type of lie detector) tests to be administered to certain job applicants of security service firms (armored car, alarm, and guard) and of pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors and dispensers.
- Subject to restrictions, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act permits polygraph testing of certain employees of private firms who are reasonably suspected of involvement in a workplace incident (theft, embezzlement, etc.) that resulted in specific economic loss or injury to the employer.
Then of course there are military jobs requiring the test depending on security clearance.
So let's make the argument.
First be it the House of Assembly or the Parliament of Canada - it is clear that these members are involved with legislation that impact financial markets or policies that may benefit one corporation over another. Then there have been instances around the country at various levels of government - where elected members have served jail time or found guilty of impropriety with tax payer dollars.
Then there is this bit about the protection of corporate proprietary information - when your government is dealing with a private or publicly traded company on the development of a resource. This means you and me - the people and owners of the resource do not get to take part in negotiations or perhaps pick up on details that would leave us holding the short end of the stick. You must admit that happens all too frequently.The politicans got clever and even subject Nalcor to this - and we own the company!
You see we must not see an election as a replacement for polygraphs. How many of you have been mislead or lied to during an election campaign? Newfoundland and Labrador is 10 billion dollars short as a result of the Harper lie. If our Prime Minister - while campaigning can lie as easily as this - no doubt they all can.
Up until a few years ago they would not even allow the House of Assembly to be audited - look what the results were.
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have been shafted too many times - to go blindly under the cape of a political leader or party. We require more information if they want the legislative right to negotiate assets worth hundreds of billions of dollars. Based on what I seen out of the West Coast the other day or various instances in our past - banks should consider the same thing.
Finally - these people who want to get elected - say anything - do anything - just to get your vote and an unearned lucrative pension. They are all excited about going on open-line for the first time - going to weddings, funerals, christenings, and anniversaries - and all excited to show you how sincere they are and how entering politics is a sacrifice on their behalf. Well then - they should have no problem answering all that under a polygraph examination. How many of them do you think might volunteer to do this?
This type of reality show would be a smash hit - so CBC should consider spending some of our tax dollars on it. They might not get corporate support via commercials - as many advertising would end up being cut-off from the public welfare trough.
Lies - Lies and how much has this cost us?
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Super Bowl Syndrome - a state of mindlessness - and the Lower Churchill?
Of one thing I can be sure - despite the economic woes of the United States or the plight of the fishery and communities in Newfoundland and Labrador - grown men passing a ballie and grunting while hitting each other chest to chest - will always take precedence.
In Canada or Newfoundland and Labrador that may be replaced by Sydney Crosbie taking a piece of wood and albeit - skillfully - guiding a rubber disc into a net .
Somehow - the willingness to change ones schedule - skip an important anniversary or birthday - ignore anything else going on around amazes me - one will find a way to watch their "favorite" "athletes".
Most of these same people - a good chunk of the population - will not make the same effort to vote, attend a public debate on critical public issues, enter into the public fray of discussion, and/or be actively concerned that their children may not have a future in this province.
I can assure you that there are as many people or more willing to go to bat for their "favorite" hockey player and contact Don (clown) Cherry rather than go to bat for a pediatrician who may save a child's life.
Example: How many people made sure to watch the Super Bowl commercials to the point of being well-versed in them versus the number of people who read the Auditor General's Report or the Provincial or Federal Budgets?
How many people know more about the biography of Sydney or another "favorite" "athlete" versus the biographies of candidates seeking election in their district?
How many people would make sure they got out to see their favorite musician (in from the States or Upper Canada) or Bobby Orr etc, despite a snowstorm versus how many would use the snow as an excuse to not get to the polls?
57 million viewers watched the presidential debate 2008 versus 111 million watched the Super Bowl this weekend.
An estimated 59.1 per cent of Canadians cast votes in 2008 general election — a figure that appears to be a record low in the history of Confederation. Newfoundland and Labrador was at 48.1 per cent for that election.
What happens when a soap opera is preempted for an important political statement? Ask NTV!
We complain about a surgeon's salary - responsible to save the lives of relatives - while we are disgusted when our "favorite" "athlete" is traded after unsuccessful contract talks.
Average Salary of a NHL Hockey Player - 2008 estimates $1,906,793
Average Salary Cardiac Surgeon - 2010 estimates $ 275,000
Average Salary of a NFL Football Player - 2009 estimates $1,700,000
Average Median Salary of Canadian Soldiers - 2002 estimates $50,000
To make matters worse - the "hero's" of football, basketball, etc have real issues with anger management, drugs, alcohol, cheating.
I can certainly conclude that Sydney Crosby's concussion has received much more media attention than significant homelessness issues during the same time. Why? Because that is what we demand. Kate (the princess to be) will dominate the news from here to wedding day - every single detail will be examined and reported by panels of journalists in a way that I could only hope to see the Senate or Equalization examined. Why? Because this is what we demand.
While we watch populations of people around the world - fighting hard to get a democratic system - we will sleepwalk our way out of one. Democracy requires participation and it is not the responsibility of a few people - it is not the job of a few politicians - it is not make-work for sign manufacturers or volunteer canvassers or the lucrative payday for PR firms - it does not belong to corporations but does belong to you and me (despite how our politicians behave) - it is not a word but it is state of who we are and what we stand for.
We must take control of the following issues:
The Fishery
The Lower Churchill
The Forestry
Mining/Oil and Gas
Employment
Social Issues (Education, Health, Poverty, Crime, Child Advocacy and Protection, Housing)
Outmigration
Corporate Influence
Seniors Pensions
It must be our priority over the coming months if we are to secure our childrens' future.
Partisanship must stop and we must demand that government stop intimidating those who ask questions and criticize policies.
We must seek the best people to elect to public office and head up government agencies - not people chosen for us by an elite party club or through rewarding partisan loyalty.
Who do you think is ultimately responsible for decisions we are making for the children of today and generations to come?
The Super Bowl Syndrome - the puppet masters of politicians depend on it!
oops I interrupt this blog for an important announcement from your beer company...
In Canada or Newfoundland and Labrador that may be replaced by Sydney Crosbie taking a piece of wood and albeit - skillfully - guiding a rubber disc into a net .
Somehow - the willingness to change ones schedule - skip an important anniversary or birthday - ignore anything else going on around amazes me - one will find a way to watch their "favorite" "athletes".
Most of these same people - a good chunk of the population - will not make the same effort to vote, attend a public debate on critical public issues, enter into the public fray of discussion, and/or be actively concerned that their children may not have a future in this province.
I can assure you that there are as many people or more willing to go to bat for their "favorite" hockey player and contact Don (clown) Cherry rather than go to bat for a pediatrician who may save a child's life.
Example: How many people made sure to watch the Super Bowl commercials to the point of being well-versed in them versus the number of people who read the Auditor General's Report or the Provincial or Federal Budgets?
How many people know more about the biography of Sydney or another "favorite" "athlete" versus the biographies of candidates seeking election in their district?
How many people would make sure they got out to see their favorite musician (in from the States or Upper Canada) or Bobby Orr etc, despite a snowstorm versus how many would use the snow as an excuse to not get to the polls?
57 million viewers watched the presidential debate 2008 versus 111 million watched the Super Bowl this weekend.
An estimated 59.1 per cent of Canadians cast votes in 2008 general election — a figure that appears to be a record low in the history of Confederation. Newfoundland and Labrador was at 48.1 per cent for that election.
What happens when a soap opera is preempted for an important political statement? Ask NTV!
We complain about a surgeon's salary - responsible to save the lives of relatives - while we are disgusted when our "favorite" "athlete" is traded after unsuccessful contract talks.
Average Salary of a NHL Hockey Player - 2008 estimates $1,906,793
Average Salary Cardiac Surgeon - 2010 estimates $ 275,000
Average Salary of a NFL Football Player - 2009 estimates $1,700,000
Average Median Salary of Canadian Soldiers - 2002 estimates $50,000
To make matters worse - the "hero's" of football, basketball, etc have real issues with anger management, drugs, alcohol, cheating.
I can certainly conclude that Sydney Crosby's concussion has received much more media attention than significant homelessness issues during the same time. Why? Because that is what we demand. Kate (the princess to be) will dominate the news from here to wedding day - every single detail will be examined and reported by panels of journalists in a way that I could only hope to see the Senate or Equalization examined. Why? Because this is what we demand.
While we watch populations of people around the world - fighting hard to get a democratic system - we will sleepwalk our way out of one. Democracy requires participation and it is not the responsibility of a few people - it is not the job of a few politicians - it is not make-work for sign manufacturers or volunteer canvassers or the lucrative payday for PR firms - it does not belong to corporations but does belong to you and me (despite how our politicians behave) - it is not a word but it is state of who we are and what we stand for.
We must take control of the following issues:
The Fishery
The Lower Churchill
The Forestry
Mining/Oil and Gas
Employment
Social Issues (Education, Health, Poverty, Crime, Child Advocacy and Protection, Housing)
Outmigration
Corporate Influence
Seniors Pensions
It must be our priority over the coming months if we are to secure our childrens' future.
Partisanship must stop and we must demand that government stop intimidating those who ask questions and criticize policies.
We must seek the best people to elect to public office and head up government agencies - not people chosen for us by an elite party club or through rewarding partisan loyalty.
Who do you think is ultimately responsible for decisions we are making for the children of today and generations to come?
The Super Bowl Syndrome - the puppet masters of politicians depend on it!
oops I interrupt this blog for an important announcement from your beer company...
Thursday, February 03, 2011
There are good PC MHA's on the Hill and they need to Act on Churchill
- got a message from Sarah - who if she's reading this needs to attach her email so I can return her message -
Here's the test of a good project for a natural renewable resource development - unlike what Steve Kent leads you to believe on person-years of employment - it relies on full benefits forever.
You see the proposal here does offer employment - just like its predecessor the Upper Churchill - it has to the infrastructure is massive. That's where the benefits stop and the giveaway begins.
First: financing for the project -oh yeah you and me and escalating power bills.
Who is doing that financing and how much will they make? What will you and I pay for the privilege of shipping out our wealth and Labrador's potential for industrial development?
When developing hydro-electric power - one must consider the environmental impacts of such a development and whether or not that impact can be justified by socio-economic benefits. There must also be consideration for what the power is being developed for and whether or not at the end of that assessment - that Labrador particularly will continue to benefit from not only power sales but permanent jobs from industry plugged into the power. All advanced societies develop hydro developments for that purpose. NOBODY gives away this power potential without first advancing significant industrial developments and a reduction of fossil fuels in the development region and reducing the cost to domestic consumers (you and me). That is the model which we know as Hydro-Quebec. Make no mistake - they are the most progressive and successful energy company in the world. This is measurable amounts due from the Upper Churchill development.
Newfoundland and Labrador has significant energy potentials - natural gas, oil, wind, wave, tidal, peat, and of course hydro-electric both small and large scale projects.
Which ones do we prefer to export? All of them if we have enough hydro-electric power - which we do - unless these PC Cabinet Ministers go ahead with this legacy of shame.
Wind is something like aquaculture - still developing - still with problems...
Wind also needs to be backed up by reliable sources - which makes it great for export - that is we can ship it while it is producing. We cannot rely on it for domestic uses - it is not as reliable as hydro-electric and it is more expensive. There are also real concerns as to where these costs will be going and also that most developments are by the private sector - which is not preferable for energy domestically as it is an essential product. That is why we continue to own Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.
We have failed if we do not accomplish the following:
1. Employment - virtually all by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with emphasis on Labradorians.
2. Newfoundland and Labrador retain ownership of the resource and project.
3. Hydroelectric power the entire province particularly all of Labrador for domestic purposes.
4. 90% of energy produced from large scale projects such as the Lower Churchill be used to fuel industry in the region where it is produced.
5. Offset environmental effects using every means possible.
6. Achieve federal support for the project as partners - wherein we utilize federal funds for financing - similar to the Hibernia arrangement - with the exception that we do not pay it back - but accept it as partial payment for the lost ground fish resources.
Wind energy to be developed should be exported at market prices as well as other non-renewable potentials. Wave and tidal power potentials should be researched and developed by Nalcor for future growth and export potentials.
I will further explain to PC mha's the following - not difficult - the fuel that drives hydro-electric power is free - it is water - the fuel that drives thermal generation is not free and volatile, oil gas coal. Which one should we use for our domestic and industrial use? The answer is very simple.
Wind although arguably a good source of renewable energy does have problems with reliability, storage, and continued infrastructure costs. One must also remember how many turbines it would take to generate 700- 1000 megs of power needed for an aluminum smelter. In either case you have to back it up with another source.
This is just the beginning of the assessment and we will have to explore fully the role of the proposed partners, the gouging expected by the private sector. The vulnerability to Quebec as the proposed partner, Emera is a publicly traded company and open to takeover - hostile or other.
The examination of what it will mean to the future of our province - particularly Labrador as we continue to export and giveaway our best industrial advantage.
Then for getting nothing, giving it all away, and ruining our potential - we as consumers will see astronomical increases in our light bills. The same thing was anticipated when we proposed to sell Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.
Last but not least - Labrador communities will remain unconnected and reliant on either Hydro-Quebec or thermal generation for domestic power - while Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, maybe Ontario and New England States get their hands on our cheap renewable hydro power - that for some reason they can find industry to use.
Back to the basic equation - Hydro development costs + transmission + loss of energy through transmission + maintenance + marketing + administration + profit = affordable power that Nova Scotia can attract industry with.
While Hydro development costs + minimum transmission + virtually no loss of energy through transmission = more than affordable power - deliverable in Labrador to industry that our incompetent politicians cannot attract.
Without a doubt - this is a giveaway - the same as the Upper Churchill except this one will be more expensive for us. This would be a legacy of shame that these PC MHA's would have to live with as their grandchildren ask the whys.
Liberal MHA's eventually took Clyde Wells on and advised the Premier that the sale of Hydro was not acceptable. Now these PC's must look within and do the right thing - before they leave public life.
Without a doubt this is not a good deal and there will be no excuses for those who would allow this to happen this time.
Here's the test of a good project for a natural renewable resource development - unlike what Steve Kent leads you to believe on person-years of employment - it relies on full benefits forever.
You see the proposal here does offer employment - just like its predecessor the Upper Churchill - it has to the infrastructure is massive. That's where the benefits stop and the giveaway begins.
First: financing for the project -oh yeah you and me and escalating power bills.
Who is doing that financing and how much will they make? What will you and I pay for the privilege of shipping out our wealth and Labrador's potential for industrial development?
When developing hydro-electric power - one must consider the environmental impacts of such a development and whether or not that impact can be justified by socio-economic benefits. There must also be consideration for what the power is being developed for and whether or not at the end of that assessment - that Labrador particularly will continue to benefit from not only power sales but permanent jobs from industry plugged into the power. All advanced societies develop hydro developments for that purpose. NOBODY gives away this power potential without first advancing significant industrial developments and a reduction of fossil fuels in the development region and reducing the cost to domestic consumers (you and me). That is the model which we know as Hydro-Quebec. Make no mistake - they are the most progressive and successful energy company in the world. This is measurable amounts due from the Upper Churchill development.
Newfoundland and Labrador has significant energy potentials - natural gas, oil, wind, wave, tidal, peat, and of course hydro-electric both small and large scale projects.
Which ones do we prefer to export? All of them if we have enough hydro-electric power - which we do - unless these PC Cabinet Ministers go ahead with this legacy of shame.
Wind is something like aquaculture - still developing - still with problems...
Wind also needs to be backed up by reliable sources - which makes it great for export - that is we can ship it while it is producing. We cannot rely on it for domestic uses - it is not as reliable as hydro-electric and it is more expensive. There are also real concerns as to where these costs will be going and also that most developments are by the private sector - which is not preferable for energy domestically as it is an essential product. That is why we continue to own Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.
We have failed if we do not accomplish the following:
1. Employment - virtually all by Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with emphasis on Labradorians.
2. Newfoundland and Labrador retain ownership of the resource and project.
3. Hydroelectric power the entire province particularly all of Labrador for domestic purposes.
4. 90% of energy produced from large scale projects such as the Lower Churchill be used to fuel industry in the region where it is produced.
5. Offset environmental effects using every means possible.
6. Achieve federal support for the project as partners - wherein we utilize federal funds for financing - similar to the Hibernia arrangement - with the exception that we do not pay it back - but accept it as partial payment for the lost ground fish resources.
Wind energy to be developed should be exported at market prices as well as other non-renewable potentials. Wave and tidal power potentials should be researched and developed by Nalcor for future growth and export potentials.
I will further explain to PC mha's the following - not difficult - the fuel that drives hydro-electric power is free - it is water - the fuel that drives thermal generation is not free and volatile, oil gas coal. Which one should we use for our domestic and industrial use? The answer is very simple.
Wind although arguably a good source of renewable energy does have problems with reliability, storage, and continued infrastructure costs. One must also remember how many turbines it would take to generate 700- 1000 megs of power needed for an aluminum smelter. In either case you have to back it up with another source.
This is just the beginning of the assessment and we will have to explore fully the role of the proposed partners, the gouging expected by the private sector. The vulnerability to Quebec as the proposed partner, Emera is a publicly traded company and open to takeover - hostile or other.
The examination of what it will mean to the future of our province - particularly Labrador as we continue to export and giveaway our best industrial advantage.
Then for getting nothing, giving it all away, and ruining our potential - we as consumers will see astronomical increases in our light bills. The same thing was anticipated when we proposed to sell Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.
Last but not least - Labrador communities will remain unconnected and reliant on either Hydro-Quebec or thermal generation for domestic power - while Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, maybe Ontario and New England States get their hands on our cheap renewable hydro power - that for some reason they can find industry to use.
Back to the basic equation - Hydro development costs + transmission + loss of energy through transmission + maintenance + marketing + administration + profit = affordable power that Nova Scotia can attract industry with.
While Hydro development costs + minimum transmission + virtually no loss of energy through transmission = more than affordable power - deliverable in Labrador to industry that our incompetent politicians cannot attract.
Without a doubt - this is a giveaway - the same as the Upper Churchill except this one will be more expensive for us. This would be a legacy of shame that these PC MHA's would have to live with as their grandchildren ask the whys.
Liberal MHA's eventually took Clyde Wells on and advised the Premier that the sale of Hydro was not acceptable. Now these PC's must look within and do the right thing - before they leave public life.
Without a doubt this is not a good deal and there will be no excuses for those who would allow this to happen this time.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Connections SNC, Desjardins, Emera, Hydro-Quebec Lower Churchill
Desjardins - is there a connection - with the Lower Churchill project?
Just finishing off some research with respect to this Quebec company and the potential loans required for the mega-project in Labrador.
What will it mean for us - what does it mean for them?
I will report as I find the connections - as with Emera, Hydro Quebec, SNC Lavalin.
What will be Quebec's haul be in this?
What will Nova Scotia's haul be in this?
And apparently least important to all involved what is in it for us? Particularly the bigland.
As I said before - grab some popcorn.... Is there really a good Tory in Newfoundland and Labrador who wants this legacy attached to them. What will their grandchildren say?
Just finishing off some research with respect to this Quebec company and the potential loans required for the mega-project in Labrador.
What will it mean for us - what does it mean for them?
I will report as I find the connections - as with Emera, Hydro Quebec, SNC Lavalin.
What will be Quebec's haul be in this?
What will Nova Scotia's haul be in this?
And apparently least important to all involved what is in it for us? Particularly the bigland.
As I said before - grab some popcorn.... Is there really a good Tory in Newfoundland and Labrador who wants this legacy attached to them. What will their grandchildren say?
Monday, January 10, 2011
Renewable Energy is the only future left - they have taken the rest
Oil is here - Oil is gone
To be competitive in today's world you must have an advantage.
Newfoundland and Labrador is rich in natural resources - unfortunately either by giveaways or mismanagement we have lost the industrial edge we were geographically gifted with.
Our non-renewable ores were shipped out without processing fuelling the economies of Ontario, Quebec, and even Manitoba. The rich iron ore from Bell Island was shipped out to Nova Scotia for processing and do you believe Labrador has gained properly from its iron ore?
The Upper Churchill was developed by an astute Quebec and is a major reason Hydro Quebec is an "energy giant" today. The fishery (best in the world) was taken over by Ottawa a few years after confederation and was destroyed by Ottawa in a few short decades. The forestry resources were given away and advanced industrial development on the paper mill side was non-existent.
The boom in metro is at the cost of rural communities and is only as a result of oil. Where are the real oil jobs? What of our oil do we refine or process into goods?
Politicians of all stripes have contributed to the mess we have today - short-term prosperity for Newfoundland and Labrador - long-term prosperity for others who process what we own.
We lost at least 40,000 people to the fisheries moratorium and numbers of plants while decimating rural communities. Who owns what is left of our fishery now? Is it still being plundered (shellfish) and when will that collapse?
We are down to one paper mill when we should have kept at least two. Politicians made fine work of that planning - there was grest opportunity in Stephenville but it was squandered by politicians who did not have foresight and certainly no vision. What we do now in Grand Falls-Windsor and Stephenville is manage the loss. Can we bring in a Costco or Walmart a Canadian Tire or Sobeys or Kent - that is the mantra. Maybe haul a few government agencies or divisions to (decentralize). Where is the new money in this - it is simply hauling the same money around and in this case giving to mainland companies so that reinvestment happens outside Newfoundland and Labrador instead of local companies reinvesting here. What happened to our airports?
About the only thing we have managed to hang on to is renewable hydro - and only because the people waged a three year battle against the policy. Now we are set to start giving it away again. We need this energy to attract industry. Industry goes where the power is and we are making sure that it is everywhere but our province.
We will give it to Nova Scotia to either use themselves or transport to other provinces or states to use there. Nothing in Labrador! Labrador who relies on Quebec and thermal generation for power. What a joke.
We must stop this Emera deal and start again - go back to an energy plan which uses that raw resource to generate industrial growth right here. If we go ahead with the Emera deal we will have escalating costs for our own domestic power and have nothing to offer industry which will follow our power out of the province.
We continue to have excessively high unemployment, our rural communities continue to be decimated and Labrador continues to be raped of its tremendous resources without any real return. This must stop.
Where is the vision of government - does it rest with senior faceless bureaucrats who quite often move on to the same private industrial sectors they help through policy? Is it politicians too lazy to read - to understand - or are they incapable of real vision. Do we ever really know who stands to gain personally from decisions they have played a part in?
Then there is Ottawa - Danny gains 2 billion (gets hit with the stock crisis) net??? and then loses 10 billion in the change-up of equalization while Quebec the (have-not) province continues to receive the most equalization.
When you take on the establishment the banks, brokers, investors, basically private sector greed there is a price to pay. Personally and professionally they attack you until you starve. They run political parties like they are their own assets. They move saviors in and out and ensure that their policies continue to move forward.
When they go after the last of our hopes for the future - we must take a stand - and that we will do. Premier Dunderdale and her Cabinet take note - this will not happen without thorough discussion and consultation and it will be done to benefit us not to ruin our future.
I ask the backbenchers of the Tory government - do you want to be responsible for a giveaway as great as the Upper Churchill?
And while we are at it why does the a crown corporation of Saskatchewan deliver tv service to hospital rooms in Newfoundland and Labrador
To be competitive in today's world you must have an advantage.
Newfoundland and Labrador is rich in natural resources - unfortunately either by giveaways or mismanagement we have lost the industrial edge we were geographically gifted with.
Our non-renewable ores were shipped out without processing fuelling the economies of Ontario, Quebec, and even Manitoba. The rich iron ore from Bell Island was shipped out to Nova Scotia for processing and do you believe Labrador has gained properly from its iron ore?
The Upper Churchill was developed by an astute Quebec and is a major reason Hydro Quebec is an "energy giant" today. The fishery (best in the world) was taken over by Ottawa a few years after confederation and was destroyed by Ottawa in a few short decades. The forestry resources were given away and advanced industrial development on the paper mill side was non-existent.
The boom in metro is at the cost of rural communities and is only as a result of oil. Where are the real oil jobs? What of our oil do we refine or process into goods?
Politicians of all stripes have contributed to the mess we have today - short-term prosperity for Newfoundland and Labrador - long-term prosperity for others who process what we own.
We lost at least 40,000 people to the fisheries moratorium and numbers of plants while decimating rural communities. Who owns what is left of our fishery now? Is it still being plundered (shellfish) and when will that collapse?
We are down to one paper mill when we should have kept at least two. Politicians made fine work of that planning - there was grest opportunity in Stephenville but it was squandered by politicians who did not have foresight and certainly no vision. What we do now in Grand Falls-Windsor and Stephenville is manage the loss. Can we bring in a Costco or Walmart a Canadian Tire or Sobeys or Kent - that is the mantra. Maybe haul a few government agencies or divisions to (decentralize). Where is the new money in this - it is simply hauling the same money around and in this case giving to mainland companies so that reinvestment happens outside Newfoundland and Labrador instead of local companies reinvesting here. What happened to our airports?
About the only thing we have managed to hang on to is renewable hydro - and only because the people waged a three year battle against the policy. Now we are set to start giving it away again. We need this energy to attract industry. Industry goes where the power is and we are making sure that it is everywhere but our province.
We will give it to Nova Scotia to either use themselves or transport to other provinces or states to use there. Nothing in Labrador! Labrador who relies on Quebec and thermal generation for power. What a joke.
We must stop this Emera deal and start again - go back to an energy plan which uses that raw resource to generate industrial growth right here. If we go ahead with the Emera deal we will have escalating costs for our own domestic power and have nothing to offer industry which will follow our power out of the province.
We continue to have excessively high unemployment, our rural communities continue to be decimated and Labrador continues to be raped of its tremendous resources without any real return. This must stop.
Where is the vision of government - does it rest with senior faceless bureaucrats who quite often move on to the same private industrial sectors they help through policy? Is it politicians too lazy to read - to understand - or are they incapable of real vision. Do we ever really know who stands to gain personally from decisions they have played a part in?
Then there is Ottawa - Danny gains 2 billion (gets hit with the stock crisis) net??? and then loses 10 billion in the change-up of equalization while Quebec the (have-not) province continues to receive the most equalization.
When you take on the establishment the banks, brokers, investors, basically private sector greed there is a price to pay. Personally and professionally they attack you until you starve. They run political parties like they are their own assets. They move saviors in and out and ensure that their policies continue to move forward.
When they go after the last of our hopes for the future - we must take a stand - and that we will do. Premier Dunderdale and her Cabinet take note - this will not happen without thorough discussion and consultation and it will be done to benefit us not to ruin our future.
I ask the backbenchers of the Tory government - do you want to be responsible for a giveaway as great as the Upper Churchill?
And while we are at it why does the a crown corporation of Saskatchewan deliver tv service to hospital rooms in Newfoundland and Labrador
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Silliness says Jon
"Can you please provide some discussion and proof that this is a huge giveaway as you call it. Arguing that there is a hypothetical chance that HQ may someday buy out Emera is just silliness."
Above you will see a comment to my post "timing is everything".
The comment is from "JON" who will not be published again on this blog until he identifies himself and what his interests are in this area.
Let's give Jon the benefit of the doubt right now and believe he is not a conservative zealot, a party worker, or an investor in this area - standing to gain directly. In that light let's discuss Jon's comment.
First let me respond with the obvious, arguing that there is a hypothetical chance that the price of oil will go up is just silliness - also known as the Upper Churchill. Further it is apparent that JON is ignorant with respect to the history of HQ. He needs to study.
Now let's just say Jon loves "danny". Danny "believed" that HQ would do anything to prevent Newfoundland and Labrador access to continental markets. It was in that light that he said he would not deal with Quebec. So let's follow Danny's thinking through. If HQ had any possibility of purchasing assets that would affect such prevention they would certainly do that.
For shareholders current and future of Emera the thought of a drooling suitor (HQ) means the lotto might be around the corner. But then again if in politics particularly if part of the Lieutenant Governor in Council - one might not take advantage of this.
So my blogging is more on the end of thinking about what could be and even what probably will be.
The problem is the deal-maker (danny) failed to in the terms prevent this from happening - in this instance you can drive an airbus through the deal.
Stop this giveaway.
Above you will see a comment to my post "timing is everything".
The comment is from "JON" who will not be published again on this blog until he identifies himself and what his interests are in this area.
Let's give Jon the benefit of the doubt right now and believe he is not a conservative zealot, a party worker, or an investor in this area - standing to gain directly. In that light let's discuss Jon's comment.
First let me respond with the obvious, arguing that there is a hypothetical chance that the price of oil will go up is just silliness - also known as the Upper Churchill. Further it is apparent that JON is ignorant with respect to the history of HQ. He needs to study.
Now let's just say Jon loves "danny". Danny "believed" that HQ would do anything to prevent Newfoundland and Labrador access to continental markets. It was in that light that he said he would not deal with Quebec. So let's follow Danny's thinking through. If HQ had any possibility of purchasing assets that would affect such prevention they would certainly do that.
For shareholders current and future of Emera the thought of a drooling suitor (HQ) means the lotto might be around the corner. But then again if in politics particularly if part of the Lieutenant Governor in Council - one might not take advantage of this.
So my blogging is more on the end of thinking about what could be and even what probably will be.
The problem is the deal-maker (danny) failed to in the terms prevent this from happening - in this instance you can drive an airbus through the deal.
Stop this giveaway.
Monday, January 03, 2011
The Big Flip
EXCUSE ME BUT PREMIER DUNDERDALE - IS IT POSSIBLE THAT HYDRO QUEBEC WILL BUY EMERA? DO YOU HAVE A GUARANTEE THEY WILL NOT - IT IS A PUBLICLY TRADED COMPANY!
You remember the flip that dean macdonald did with persona to eastlink after the government did their fibre optic - no tender called - deal?
You think Quebec is not going to end up owning another portion of our power.
This deal will be stopped!
Take note Tory MHA's do you really want a part of this?
The truth is coming.
You remember the flip that dean macdonald did with persona to eastlink after the government did their fibre optic - no tender called - deal?
You think Quebec is not going to end up owning another portion of our power.
This deal will be stopped!
Take note Tory MHA's do you really want a part of this?
The truth is coming.
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Trying to Silence Critics
Who is the real Kathy Dunderdale? Does she believe in an open and accountable democracy. No she does not. Does she believe that more women should be involved in politics? Only those she chooses. Does she have a right to sign resource deals? Not by her own standards - she is an unelected Premier.
Track record on the fishery, forestry, and energy sectors? Dismal, dismal, and attempting to be dismal.
The cone of silence will be lifted.
Track record on the fishery, forestry, and energy sectors? Dismal, dismal, and attempting to be dismal.
The cone of silence will be lifted.
Monday, January 29, 2007
BOWATER-ABITIBI to MERGE.....
New Company to be called AbitibiBowater
Bowater has agreed to merge with Abitibi-Consolidated - they have a combined enterprise value of 8 Billion Dollars
Now of course Bowater used to own the Kruger operation in Corner Brook.
This may be an important merger for all workers in this sector in Newfoundland and Labrador.
What are the plans for the merged group - the international Bowater has significant assets in Ontario and Quebec - now what does the future hold for Newfoundland and Labrador?
Minister Dunderdale what is your take on this?
Important bulletinfor pulp and paper workers in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Bowater has agreed to merge with Abitibi-Consolidated - they have a combined enterprise value of 8 Billion Dollars
Now of course Bowater used to own the Kruger operation in Corner Brook.
This may be an important merger for all workers in this sector in Newfoundland and Labrador.
What are the plans for the merged group - the international Bowater has significant assets in Ontario and Quebec - now what does the future hold for Newfoundland and Labrador?
Minister Dunderdale what is your take on this?
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Attention Natural Resources and NLH
Attention officials at the Department of Natural Resources and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro - please take note:
From Oilweek Magazine:
European Union fines 10 companies US$978 million for power gear cartel (EU-Energy-Gear-Cartel)
BRUSSELS(AP) _ EU regulators fined 10 companies a combined US$978 million on Wednesday for running a cartel to fix prices for heavy equipment used by power utilities, with Siemens AG ordered to pay more than half the total.
Several of the other companies penalized in what the EU called the largest set of fines on a single cartel were Japanese businesses that struck a deal to stay out of Europe, while the Europeans steered clear of Japan‘s market.
The European Commission said the companies rigged bids for contracts to supply power plants, fixed prices, shared projects between themselves, carved up markets and exchanged commercially important and confidential information from 1988 and 2004.
It increased Siemens‘ fine by half to 396.5 million euros ($517 million) _ making this the second-highest cartel fine it has ever levied _ because the company played a leadership role in fixing prices.
Siemens immediately said it would appeal the “exaggerated‘‘ fine, claiming the EU had made a “blanket accusation‘‘ when price-fixing had occurred only in isolated cases.
But EU spokesman Jonathan Todd said regulators were “extremely sure‘‘ their decision was legal.
Japan‘s Mitsubishi Electric Corp. had the next biggest fine of 118.5 million euros ($154.5 million), followed by Toshiba Corp.‘s 90.9 million euros ($118.5 million).
Mitsubishi said it was considering its response, while Toshiba denied any wrongdoing. “Our own investigations show that we have not engaged in any actions that violate European competition laws, and we plan to fight this decision in European courts,‘‘ Toshiba said in a statement.
France‘s Alstom SA must pay 65 million euros ($84.7 million). Areva was fined 53.5 million euros ($69.7 million) for the actions of a subsidiary it bought from Alstom just four months before investigators launched surprise raids. Both fines were increased by 50 per cent for the companies helping organize the cartel.
Hitachi Ltd. must pay 51.75 million euros ($67.5 million). It had no immediate comment.
Siemens is also responsible for its Austrian unit VA Technologie AG‘s 22-million-euro ($28.7-million) fine. It bought the company after the end of the cartel.
The commission said the parent company was responsible for the fine if it had “decisive influence over commercial behaviour of its subsidiaries.‘‘
Schneider Electric SA must pay 8.1 million euros ($10.56 million), Fuji Electric Holdings Co. Ltd. must pay 3.75 million euros ($4.9 million) and Japan AE Power Systems _ a joint venture between Fuji, Hitachi and Meidensha Corp. _ was fined 1.35 million euros ($1.76 million).
“These companies accounted for virtually all the supply of these products on the European market,‘‘ said Todd.
“The commission regards this cartel as totally unacceptable behaviour on behalf of the companies concerned and we sincerely hope that companies will see the large fines imposed as what awaits them if they were inclined to follow this bad example,‘‘ he said.
The basic fines are calculated on the companies‘ share of the European market but the Japanese fines were based on total worldwide turnover.
ABB Ltd. received full immunity for blowing the whistle, escaping a potential 215-million-euro fine. The Swiss-Swedish electrical engineering company said in 2004 that it discovered price-fixing during an internal audit and had dismissed two managers.
“The commission has put an end to a cartel which has cheated public utility companies and consumers for more than 16 years,‘‘ EU competition commissioner Neelie Kroes said.
The companies all handled gas-insulated switchgear, heavy electrical equipment used to control energy flows in electricity grids that is an important part of auxiliary power stations where electrical current is converted from high to low voltage or the reverse.
The equipment is usually sold to utilities at public tenders where companies pitch bids and the lowest is chosen.
Regulators said the suppliers co-ordinated their bids to allow each company to get a certain quota of contracts or keep to a minimum bidding price. The deal to keep Japanese companies out of Europe ultimately hurt European consumers, the commission said, fining several Japanese companies even though they sold no power gear in Europe.
Officials said management met regularly to discuss strategic issues while lower-level executives divided projects and prepared sham bids by companies who were not supposed to win the tender “in order to leave an impression of genuine competition.‘‘
The cartel tried very hard to cover its traces, using code names for rival companies and communicating via anonymous and encrypted e-mail, the commission said. It published a message from one unidentified cartel organizer to another, forbidding e-mail from home and company computers and urging the use of anonymous e-mail addresses.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please try to stay all over this - okay....And watch the communications sector as well...
From Oilweek Magazine:
European Union fines 10 companies US$978 million for power gear cartel (EU-Energy-Gear-Cartel)
BRUSSELS(AP) _ EU regulators fined 10 companies a combined US$978 million on Wednesday for running a cartel to fix prices for heavy equipment used by power utilities, with Siemens AG ordered to pay more than half the total.
Several of the other companies penalized in what the EU called the largest set of fines on a single cartel were Japanese businesses that struck a deal to stay out of Europe, while the Europeans steered clear of Japan‘s market.
The European Commission said the companies rigged bids for contracts to supply power plants, fixed prices, shared projects between themselves, carved up markets and exchanged commercially important and confidential information from 1988 and 2004.
It increased Siemens‘ fine by half to 396.5 million euros ($517 million) _ making this the second-highest cartel fine it has ever levied _ because the company played a leadership role in fixing prices.
Siemens immediately said it would appeal the “exaggerated‘‘ fine, claiming the EU had made a “blanket accusation‘‘ when price-fixing had occurred only in isolated cases.
But EU spokesman Jonathan Todd said regulators were “extremely sure‘‘ their decision was legal.
Japan‘s Mitsubishi Electric Corp. had the next biggest fine of 118.5 million euros ($154.5 million), followed by Toshiba Corp.‘s 90.9 million euros ($118.5 million).
Mitsubishi said it was considering its response, while Toshiba denied any wrongdoing. “Our own investigations show that we have not engaged in any actions that violate European competition laws, and we plan to fight this decision in European courts,‘‘ Toshiba said in a statement.
France‘s Alstom SA must pay 65 million euros ($84.7 million). Areva was fined 53.5 million euros ($69.7 million) for the actions of a subsidiary it bought from Alstom just four months before investigators launched surprise raids. Both fines were increased by 50 per cent for the companies helping organize the cartel.
Hitachi Ltd. must pay 51.75 million euros ($67.5 million). It had no immediate comment.
Siemens is also responsible for its Austrian unit VA Technologie AG‘s 22-million-euro ($28.7-million) fine. It bought the company after the end of the cartel.
The commission said the parent company was responsible for the fine if it had “decisive influence over commercial behaviour of its subsidiaries.‘‘
Schneider Electric SA must pay 8.1 million euros ($10.56 million), Fuji Electric Holdings Co. Ltd. must pay 3.75 million euros ($4.9 million) and Japan AE Power Systems _ a joint venture between Fuji, Hitachi and Meidensha Corp. _ was fined 1.35 million euros ($1.76 million).
“These companies accounted for virtually all the supply of these products on the European market,‘‘ said Todd.
“The commission regards this cartel as totally unacceptable behaviour on behalf of the companies concerned and we sincerely hope that companies will see the large fines imposed as what awaits them if they were inclined to follow this bad example,‘‘ he said.
The basic fines are calculated on the companies‘ share of the European market but the Japanese fines were based on total worldwide turnover.
ABB Ltd. received full immunity for blowing the whistle, escaping a potential 215-million-euro fine. The Swiss-Swedish electrical engineering company said in 2004 that it discovered price-fixing during an internal audit and had dismissed two managers.
“The commission has put an end to a cartel which has cheated public utility companies and consumers for more than 16 years,‘‘ EU competition commissioner Neelie Kroes said.
The companies all handled gas-insulated switchgear, heavy electrical equipment used to control energy flows in electricity grids that is an important part of auxiliary power stations where electrical current is converted from high to low voltage or the reverse.
The equipment is usually sold to utilities at public tenders where companies pitch bids and the lowest is chosen.
Regulators said the suppliers co-ordinated their bids to allow each company to get a certain quota of contracts or keep to a minimum bidding price. The deal to keep Japanese companies out of Europe ultimately hurt European consumers, the commission said, fining several Japanese companies even though they sold no power gear in Europe.
Officials said management met regularly to discuss strategic issues while lower-level executives divided projects and prepared sham bids by companies who were not supposed to win the tender “in order to leave an impression of genuine competition.‘‘
The cartel tried very hard to cover its traces, using code names for rival companies and communicating via anonymous and encrypted e-mail, the commission said. It published a message from one unidentified cartel organizer to another, forbidding e-mail from home and company computers and urging the use of anonymous e-mail addresses.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please try to stay all over this - okay....And watch the communications sector as well...
Friday, January 26, 2007
Abitibi's shivering in its boots...
Abitibi's shivering in its boots...
Wouldn't you be if the Premier or Minister of Natural Resources threatened to take away your timber?
First of all - I have been a long time supporter of the loggers and paperworkers in this province and attended some pretty rowdy demonstrations - and yes even spoke from the back of a pick-up in Grand Falls-Windsor.
I have done whatever I could to speak openly about the plight of our paper mills - encouraged growth in Labrador in the mill or paper industry sectors. Long before Danny wanted to be Premier - I was belting out the lack of policy and planning in our forestry sector.
There was a time we had to fight the problem of land-use with good people from the west coast who knew we had to find better ways to manage our forests and find a balance between the environment and woods harvesting.
I am disappointed in the union at Grand Falls - they were not there when their brothers and sisters in Stehenville on the Port au Port Peninsula lost their jobs. I remember Grand Falls saying that they were not prepared to lose a machine to help save Stephenville. They sat silent while the Minister of Natural Resources - Kathy Dunderdale - and MHA's Hodder and Burke did nothing to encourage the hard work of the remaining local in Stephenville - to attract another operator.
Tonight I turn on the Evening News (CBC) and see the local rep making the case for Grand Falls - as Abitibi ups the stakes at that operation. Save 10 million or else!!! As far as I know the fight would have been much easier had the locals stood together - the successive government's of Grimes and Williams were successful in a divide and conquer strategy.
Having said that the workers at the mill - their families and communities in Central Newfoundland need our support - but this time we should be fighting for the life of Grand Falls-Windsor and the rebirth of Stephenville. They require our help as the government does not wield a big stick when threatening to do something to Abitibi should they shut down an operation.
I wonder is Kathy Dunderdale being "politically naive" when she makes a threat such as pulling timber licenses. We know the Premier was when he said the Stephenville Mill would not close "under his watch". We also now know the Premier was bluffing when he threatened to expropriate the mill. Make no mistake - Abitibi knows they are bluffing and Weaver's got Danny's number and probably the number of many Liberals as well. Unlike oil and gas - the pulp and paper sector is hurting and they are all looking to become more efficient. There are however opportunities in this sector in areas of new and emerging technology - new products and research.
I don't know how the internal guts of the union locals are working or how they worked during the Stephenville fiasco but I can suggest that all the workers and their families should fight and fight hard for the pulp and paper industry in our province - because the threats and stated commitments of our government have proven to be rhetoric - and not at all on the radar of our federal politicians.
I can tell you this that while Abitibi makes its plans at headquarters in Quebec - they are counting on Premier Williams to deliver that Lower Churchill Power to them in Ontario and Quebec - where the remainder of the pulp and paper sector will reside if we do not take real action.
Think about this come election day. Hi Randy "I'm a first time caller" and I'm running in ? district for the ? Party. Ask yourself - where were they while the Province needed people to speak up on issues of extreme importance to our kids and grand-kids not to mention our parents and grand-parents. Or better what Jerome Kennedy said after he lost Signal Hill - Quidi Vidi - he pointed out to Randy he wouldn't be calling anymore now.
All of us have lives and all of us are busy - but if you believe that any of these people have any more time than you or I do - to contribute on a regular basis on issues of general importance to the Province - they are not ready for public office and do not deserve your support.
Come on people do we really need to lose more industry to Quebec - Ontario - Alberta - Iceland - Norway - or even China?
You really have to think - ask the tough questions - why didn't you fix the problem when you were in government? Make no mistake the Stephenville Mill was in trouble when Grimes was there - I have had people ask me if I did anything about it. Sure - but it was not my call - it was the call of people like then Minister Kelvin Parsons and others who might be coming to your door over the next week or so.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Way to go Dean Dan & Ed
I see the "best minds in the Province" (quote by Minister Dunderdale regarding Energy) are up to speed again.
Listen Newfoundland and Labrador and while you are listening take a sniff.
The sound you hear is the mighty Churchill meandering it's economic potential through Labrador and right in to Central Canada. If you take a sniff you might get a scent of manure being spread around the pastures of Newfoundland and Labrador - as the energy gurus contend they are "all over it" as it relates to energy and industrial development.
In your dreams MacDonald and Williams - if you believe the misguided logic you are using to export hydropower will place us in the same category as Hydro Quebec. In fact you are insuring we never will experience that success.
Hydro developments require significant equipment purchases such as turbines and generators - they are supplied by various manufacturing companies around the world. Obviously Newfoundland and Labrador as with Quebec have engaged in this type of transaction in the past and will do so in our future.
Here's where we miss the boat over and over and over - falling square of the wharf and into the drink...
Here's the latest today - way to go Quebec - hey Dean and Dan you need to connect those advanced fibre-optics (with duct tape) into your brains and see if you can't stimulate the necessary thoughts to lead us to prosperity.
Media advisory - Voith Siemens Hydro Grows Presence in Québec - CEO to address members of the electricity industry
MONTREAL, Jan. 15 /CNW Telbec/ - The President and Chief Executive
Officer of Voith Siemens Hydro Power Generation Hubert Lienhard (PhD) will
deliver an address to members of the Quebec electricity association during his
visit to Montreal on January 17th. His speech will focus on the role of
equipment suppliers in the sustainable development of hydropower.
Founded in 1867, Voith Siemens is a leader in hydropower equipment and
services. The company is responsible for having built and installed close to
one third of the world's hydropower turbines and generators. The opening of a Canadian head office in Montreal, accompanied by the creation of 50 new jobs in 2007 confirms the strong economic potential of hydropower in Quebec and in Canada.
Viper - Bentley - Jaguar - or Mercedes - your oil and gas guzzlers are being left in the dust by the little electric car that could.
And the extinct Newfie Bullet (the Liberals) have gone completely off track with no commentary on the matter. I'll take that means you are in agreement with the PC policy.
Listen Newfoundland and Labrador and while you are listening take a sniff.
The sound you hear is the mighty Churchill meandering it's economic potential through Labrador and right in to Central Canada. If you take a sniff you might get a scent of manure being spread around the pastures of Newfoundland and Labrador - as the energy gurus contend they are "all over it" as it relates to energy and industrial development.
In your dreams MacDonald and Williams - if you believe the misguided logic you are using to export hydropower will place us in the same category as Hydro Quebec. In fact you are insuring we never will experience that success.
Hydro developments require significant equipment purchases such as turbines and generators - they are supplied by various manufacturing companies around the world. Obviously Newfoundland and Labrador as with Quebec have engaged in this type of transaction in the past and will do so in our future.
Here's where we miss the boat over and over and over - falling square of the wharf and into the drink...
Here's the latest today - way to go Quebec - hey Dean and Dan you need to connect those advanced fibre-optics (with duct tape) into your brains and see if you can't stimulate the necessary thoughts to lead us to prosperity.
Media advisory - Voith Siemens Hydro Grows Presence in Québec - CEO to address members of the electricity industry
MONTREAL, Jan. 15 /CNW Telbec/ - The President and Chief Executive
Officer of Voith Siemens Hydro Power Generation Hubert Lienhard (PhD) will
deliver an address to members of the Quebec electricity association during his
visit to Montreal on January 17th. His speech will focus on the role of
equipment suppliers in the sustainable development of hydropower.
Founded in 1867, Voith Siemens is a leader in hydropower equipment and
services. The company is responsible for having built and installed close to
one third of the world's hydropower turbines and generators. The opening of a Canadian head office in Montreal, accompanied by the creation of 50 new jobs in 2007 confirms the strong economic potential of hydropower in Quebec and in Canada.
Viper - Bentley - Jaguar - or Mercedes - your oil and gas guzzlers are being left in the dust by the little electric car that could.
And the extinct Newfie Bullet (the Liberals) have gone completely off track with no commentary on the matter. I'll take that means you are in agreement with the PC policy.
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