Tory oversights of which Dave Brazil owns the most recent must cause all people of Newfoundland and Labrador to pause.
In Canada right now we have a Senate mess that has some files referred to the RCMP, Senators repaying hundreds of thousands of dollars, the PM's former Chief of Staff cutting a personal cheque to cover Duffy (a Tory Senator), and hundred's of thousands of tax payer dollars spent to audit the oversights, omissions, falsehoods, half-truths, and possible criminal behavior of some of our Upper Chamber. The House of sober second thought has become the House of drunken spending.
Not too long ago we had Steve Kent apologizing on YouTube for his failure to achieve complete information on the Boy Scouts situation before commenting publicly about what he said were "facts".
Then there is the accidental expropriation of what has been called the entire community of Grand Falls - Windsor under the then Minister now Premier Kathy Dunderdale.
And who can forget the stream of MHA's led away in handcuffs for stealing from the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Peter Penashue fiasco still resonates in the Big Land. Oversight - Oversight - Oversight
So now we have Brazil who violated the Member's Code of Conduct apologizing for yet another OVERSIGHT.
So then ask yourself - is it it any way possible that there has been any oversight in this Muskrat Falls deal. Is it in any way possible that serious mistakes have been made and missed? In ten years will we be hearing yet again that it was just an oversight - I apologize.
Lack of an escalation clause in the Upper Churchill agreement was an oversight - how many billions has that cost?
And last but not least Bill 29 - The oversight Bill. Because we can't see things means Cabinet gets a future pass to claim oversight.
Sorry - there are too many red flags to proceed with this deal on Muskrat Falls.
Showing posts with label Grand Falls Windsor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grand Falls Windsor. Show all posts
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Monday, June 11, 2012
Minister Jerome Kennedy - Running Interference?
Let's look at the Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Mill situation using logic.
Minister Jerome Kennedy is accusing Gerry Byrne MP of escalating the situation. He says that what Byrne is doing is not helpful.
The Premier made her position clear - let the union and company work out their issues.
So when Kennedy stated that the mill was on the "verge of bankruptcy" - he demonstrated hypocrisy and absolutely acted contrary to the Premier's wishes.
First of all - Joesph Kruger the owner of the mill - did not state publicly that the mill was on the "verge of bankruptcy". This means either Kennedy was negligent and out of his authority when he made the statement - or Kennedy was speaking with the full approval of Kruger.
If it is the first - Kennedy has done more harm than anybody else could with respect to the continued operation of the mill and if it is the second - then the Minister is acting as an agent of the company.
If Joseph Kruger wanted to cause a panic in the workforce of the mill - in order to gain an unfair contract - he certainly was backed up by the Minister.
If the mill is - in fact - on the "verge of bankruptcy" then let that statement come from Kruger himself. In that way the bankers, the city, workers, and taxpayers will take note and judge their actions accordingly.
But the Minister was very cute what he said was "based on what we know" the mill is on the "verge of bankruptcy" - leaving the province clear in the event the statement was found to be false or misleading.
If the statement is misleading or false it serves only to pressure employees to accept something/anything in a panic.
If the statement is true then it should have been made by Kruger himself - followed by absolute direction such as entering a process with suppliers, banks, and the union to prevent bankruptcy and determine a long-term viability plan.
Instead the only thing Kruger did was to deliver an ultimatum which essentially said that a deal MUST be reached with the union by this Friday or the mill would close.
In normal circumstances the union may have seen this as a negotiation tactic of a hardball capitalist. But the circumstances were changed by ministerial interference when Kennedy made reference to bankruptcy.
There is no doubt the Gerry Byrne is a political animal from the Tobin era. He was raised by him (politically speaking) - and no doubt has learned how to talk to the electorate - like him. On this issue though what Byrne has offered up is probably helpful - at least to the workers. Byrne was discussing like he usually does - with reports and figures - a topic that is of great importance to his constituents.
I have no idea what Kennedy was doing - but I'm guessing based on the "information available to me" that he was running interference for Kruger. The Minister should know that Kruger is not a part of his electorate.
Minister Jerome Kennedy is accusing Gerry Byrne MP of escalating the situation. He says that what Byrne is doing is not helpful.
The Premier made her position clear - let the union and company work out their issues.
So when Kennedy stated that the mill was on the "verge of bankruptcy" - he demonstrated hypocrisy and absolutely acted contrary to the Premier's wishes.
First of all - Joesph Kruger the owner of the mill - did not state publicly that the mill was on the "verge of bankruptcy". This means either Kennedy was negligent and out of his authority when he made the statement - or Kennedy was speaking with the full approval of Kruger.
If it is the first - Kennedy has done more harm than anybody else could with respect to the continued operation of the mill and if it is the second - then the Minister is acting as an agent of the company.
If Joseph Kruger wanted to cause a panic in the workforce of the mill - in order to gain an unfair contract - he certainly was backed up by the Minister.
If the mill is - in fact - on the "verge of bankruptcy" then let that statement come from Kruger himself. In that way the bankers, the city, workers, and taxpayers will take note and judge their actions accordingly.
But the Minister was very cute what he said was "based on what we know" the mill is on the "verge of bankruptcy" - leaving the province clear in the event the statement was found to be false or misleading.
If the statement is misleading or false it serves only to pressure employees to accept something/anything in a panic.
If the statement is true then it should have been made by Kruger himself - followed by absolute direction such as entering a process with suppliers, banks, and the union to prevent bankruptcy and determine a long-term viability plan.
Instead the only thing Kruger did was to deliver an ultimatum which essentially said that a deal MUST be reached with the union by this Friday or the mill would close.
In normal circumstances the union may have seen this as a negotiation tactic of a hardball capitalist. But the circumstances were changed by ministerial interference when Kennedy made reference to bankruptcy.
There is no doubt the Gerry Byrne is a political animal from the Tobin era. He was raised by him (politically speaking) - and no doubt has learned how to talk to the electorate - like him. On this issue though what Byrne has offered up is probably helpful - at least to the workers. Byrne was discussing like he usually does - with reports and figures - a topic that is of great importance to his constituents.
I have no idea what Kennedy was doing - but I'm guessing based on the "information available to me" that he was running interference for Kruger. The Minister should know that Kruger is not a part of his electorate.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Overpass Syndrome in Reverse - Rural NL taking back the Power
This election is starting to get real interesting. The Overpass syndrome is starting to reverse. Rural Newfoundland and Labrador is starting to move toward "it's our turn", and so it is.
You see the PC's and NDP can fight it out in St. John's Metro while rural districts can win the day by voting Liberal. The platforms are gearing up and policies are coming out. For rural communities and districts the message from the Liberals and leader Kevin Aylward is that it's time for oil wealth to be used to revitalize the rest of the province. It's time to deal with the fishery, the paper-mills, mining, renewable energy, and tourism.
If rural Newfoundland and Labrador wants to reverse the trend of outmigration, chronic unemployment, loss of industry, and diminishing services in health and education - then they vote Liberal and invest the oil wealth outside of St. John's Metro. With six percent unemployment in St. John's Metro and over twenty-five per cent in other regions there are plenty of reasons to take control of the seats in the House of Assembly.
From a Labrador perspective, the Lower Churchill could be focused on industrial development and clean hydro for all the Big Land with revenues generated to be spent primarily on an adjacent basis.
Labrador could reach it's real potential and not continually be hearing - we'll get you next time around. When one thinks that Muskrat Falls is being developed to remove Holyrood and provide Nova Scotia with cheaper power - Labradorians are hard pressed to see that anything has changed. The truth is Labrador should not allow anymore development of its hydro resources unless they get at least 10 permanent jobs a megawatt. Labrador will get the temporary construction jobs regardless of what the deal is - they need a longer term agenda. This is something they might get under the Liberals this time around.
The Tories cannot demonstrate the need for Muskrat - at least not for the need they suggest. The Tories are routinely telling people and groups to go away, stop getting on talk-show programs, stop protesting, do as we say, do not oppose, and if you want anything do not speak against us. The Tories are pointing accusatory fingers when the Liberals promise a needed increase for public service pensioners but do not at all question how they spend and on what. The Tories have abandoned the fishery, abandoned the paper towns, abandoned rural communities, abandoned ordinary Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, abandoned the Big Land, and increased cronyism and the public service by 20 per cent.
Yes the time for the overpass syndrome to be reversed is now - and I believe it may just happen. There's nothing better for arrogance than a swift kick by rural Newfoundland and the Big Land.
You see the PC's and NDP can fight it out in St. John's Metro while rural districts can win the day by voting Liberal. The platforms are gearing up and policies are coming out. For rural communities and districts the message from the Liberals and leader Kevin Aylward is that it's time for oil wealth to be used to revitalize the rest of the province. It's time to deal with the fishery, the paper-mills, mining, renewable energy, and tourism.
If rural Newfoundland and Labrador wants to reverse the trend of outmigration, chronic unemployment, loss of industry, and diminishing services in health and education - then they vote Liberal and invest the oil wealth outside of St. John's Metro. With six percent unemployment in St. John's Metro and over twenty-five per cent in other regions there are plenty of reasons to take control of the seats in the House of Assembly.
From a Labrador perspective, the Lower Churchill could be focused on industrial development and clean hydro for all the Big Land with revenues generated to be spent primarily on an adjacent basis.
Labrador could reach it's real potential and not continually be hearing - we'll get you next time around. When one thinks that Muskrat Falls is being developed to remove Holyrood and provide Nova Scotia with cheaper power - Labradorians are hard pressed to see that anything has changed. The truth is Labrador should not allow anymore development of its hydro resources unless they get at least 10 permanent jobs a megawatt. Labrador will get the temporary construction jobs regardless of what the deal is - they need a longer term agenda. This is something they might get under the Liberals this time around.
The Tories cannot demonstrate the need for Muskrat - at least not for the need they suggest. The Tories are routinely telling people and groups to go away, stop getting on talk-show programs, stop protesting, do as we say, do not oppose, and if you want anything do not speak against us. The Tories are pointing accusatory fingers when the Liberals promise a needed increase for public service pensioners but do not at all question how they spend and on what. The Tories have abandoned the fishery, abandoned the paper towns, abandoned rural communities, abandoned ordinary Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, abandoned the Big Land, and increased cronyism and the public service by 20 per cent.
Yes the time for the overpass syndrome to be reversed is now - and I believe it may just happen. There's nothing better for arrogance than a swift kick by rural Newfoundland and the Big Land.
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
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Quebec uses subsidies to save and upgrade a paper mill...
Here we go again - "the Quebec Program" is successful in saving and updating the pulp and paper industry in that province.
Kruger will invest 200 million while Quebec will contribute $20-million non-refundable subsidy from the province, a $30-million energy-efficiency grant from Hydro-Québec and a $50-million loan from Investment Quebec.
In this way - Quebec has saved many high paying industry jobs - a renewed industry with the latest technology - and achieve significant energy efficiencies. The de-inking plant reduces the plants energy consumption of power by 46 MW's - and that 20% reduction equals almost 25,000 households.
The Company News Release says:
and
This is great news for Trois-Rivières - now Danny et al how about Stephenville and Grand Falls-Windsor?
Kruger will invest 200 million while Quebec will contribute $20-million non-refundable subsidy from the province, a $30-million energy-efficiency grant from Hydro-Québec and a $50-million loan from Investment Quebec.
In this way - Quebec has saved many high paying industry jobs - a renewed industry with the latest technology - and achieve significant energy efficiencies. The de-inking plant reduces the plants energy consumption of power by 46 MW's - and that 20% reduction equals almost 25,000 households.
The Company News Release says:
Mr. Bernard Routhier, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Kruger, emphasized that this project will allow the company to improve its competitive position while offering its customers papers with high recycled fiber content. “Almost half of the fiber currently being used in our mills’ manufacturing processes is recycled. This project, in addition to our other recent initiatives, allows us to improve our environmental balance sheet even more,” says Mr. Routhier.
and
The project will create 200 full-time jobs with a total payroll of $50 million during construction, while purchases of goods and services are estimated to be $125 million.
This is great news for Trois-Rivières - now Danny et al how about Stephenville and Grand Falls-Windsor?
Friday, February 09, 2007
More Abitibi assets going to the block....
Now listen-up just in case our Minister of Business - Minister of Natural Resources - the Premier - the Leader of the Opposition - and Anna Thistle - miss it...
I can certainly see that happening - WAKE UP!
Abitibi is looking at selling it energy related assets:
READ THIS from the Fort Frances Times
MONTREAL —Abitibi-Consolidated Inc.’s drive to profitability could lead it to transfer the electricity generation assets of nearly half its mills in the coming years to a new joint venture being set up to hold the newsprint company’s Ontario hydroelectric plants.
Maybe more of our hydro-resources can be owned by Quebec right???
Are you out there? Are you listening? Do you care?
From what I have witnessed regarding the pulp and paper sector - the politicians are "not all over it" - and apparently very "naive".
“Over time, I think we’ll look not only at the Quebec assets but all assets in the company as possible enters into the new Abitibi Hydro.”
I can certainly see that happening - WAKE UP!
Abitibi is looking at selling it energy related assets:
READ THIS from the Fort Frances Times
MONTREAL —Abitibi-Consolidated Inc.’s drive to profitability could lead it to transfer the electricity generation assets of nearly half its mills in the coming years to a new joint venture being set up to hold the newsprint company’s Ontario hydroelectric plants.
Abitibi announced last month it will own 75 percent of the venture, to be called the ACH Limited Partnership, with the remainder owned by the Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec.
“Over time, I think we’ll look not only at the Quebec assets but all assets in the company as possible enters into the new Abitibi Hydro.”
Maybe more of our hydro-resources can be owned by Quebec right???
Are you out there? Are you listening? Do you care?
From what I have witnessed regarding the pulp and paper sector - the politicians are "not all over it" - and apparently very "naive".
“Over time, I think we’ll look not only at the Quebec assets but all assets in the company as possible enters into the new Abitibi Hydro.”
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Now back to the important issues...The Merger...
Danny said yesterday he thinks the merger of Abitibi and Bowater may be a good thing - and Kathy Dunderdale said the union says it does not expect the merger will affect Newfoundland and Labrador.
Let's look at what industry analysts are saying:
These two quotes from the Globe and Mail online:
"It's more a cost-reduction story than a revenue-enhancement story."
The Bowater-Abitibi merger should "theoretically reduce capacity and improve the real price of newsprint," Mr. Rowland said.
The article talks about the real concerns in the pulp and paper sector - competition with China - quality and changes in paper products and reduction in demand.
There is no question that BowaterAbitibi - if the regulatory bodies approve the merger - will be reviewing all assets in the new company. If the analysts are correct and the objective is to reduce capacity - we should be out of the gate early.
Considering one of the two new headquarters will be in Quebec - we can expect the lobby to keep capacity there will be intense - equally true of Ontario.
We need to start our lobby efforts now - for both Stephenville and Grand Falls - Windsor. Next week is too late - and burying our political heads in the sand will not help.
There are positives in both mills that we should be promoting - and government should be pro-active and not re-active as it relates to discussions with the company. With all the by-elections on the go - particularly in Port au Port - you had better get some action and commitments from all the candidates. They are all just keeping their heads low and hoping the announcement will just fade to the background.
Get some real answers now - before it is too late. We must have our research done - we have to know what our competition in Quebec and Ontario are planning to offer.
Let's look at what industry analysts are saying:
These two quotes from the Globe and Mail online:
"It's more a cost-reduction story than a revenue-enhancement story."
The Bowater-Abitibi merger should "theoretically reduce capacity and improve the real price of newsprint," Mr. Rowland said.
The article talks about the real concerns in the pulp and paper sector - competition with China - quality and changes in paper products and reduction in demand.
There is no question that BowaterAbitibi - if the regulatory bodies approve the merger - will be reviewing all assets in the new company. If the analysts are correct and the objective is to reduce capacity - we should be out of the gate early.
Considering one of the two new headquarters will be in Quebec - we can expect the lobby to keep capacity there will be intense - equally true of Ontario.
We need to start our lobby efforts now - for both Stephenville and Grand Falls - Windsor. Next week is too late - and burying our political heads in the sand will not help.
There are positives in both mills that we should be promoting - and government should be pro-active and not re-active as it relates to discussions with the company. With all the by-elections on the go - particularly in Port au Port - you had better get some action and commitments from all the candidates. They are all just keeping their heads low and hoping the announcement will just fade to the background.
Get some real answers now - before it is too late. We must have our research done - we have to know what our competition in Quebec and Ontario are planning to offer.
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?
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.
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