1st days of PM Trudeau reveals one critical weakness

On September 27th 2012 - Sue's Blog predicted that Justin Trudeau would be the next Prime Minister.

There were 20 reasons given for this call - some of which dealt directly with who I thought Trudeau was and where he came from.

What that post did not deal with were possible weaknesses. I believe the stated strengths noted in the 2012 post are proving to have merit and now we need to look at what weaknesses are there and how Trudeau can rise to strengthen them.

As a public figure - I like the way he carries himself and that will reflect on Canada and her people as a whole. I do not know him personally and perhaps never will. Some federal Liberal Party stalwarts remain and they will not find memories of my criticisms in the past pleasant. Be that as it may - Trudeau is a new leader and a new Prime Minister - I can neither judge him by his colleagues nor of ever-present partisans who reside in all parties.

I am a Canadian citizen and I like to participate - usually causing politicians to avoid rather than engage. This unfortunately dismisses real and valid points and policy suggestions that I and others like me have. Trudeau will be faced with many people like me and it will be instructional to see how he and his Cabinet respond. I hold out hope that this leader will draw from society - will seek to listen with non-partisan ears - and truly unite Canadians.

The election win was a combination of people wanting to get rid of Harper and of choosing the alternative that provided the most potential.

There is no doubt that when Tom Mulcair listened to or participated in the decision to attack Trudeau versus choosing to raise his profile from Opposition leader to the nations Prime Minister - he and the NDP lost. Conversely when Trudeau and his team chose to take the road of answering critics head on by offering reasoned, calm, and modern thinking - he lead the party to victory.

The media - in their usual - deer in headlights response to an unexpected result - chattered and giggled about how the Niqab killed the NDP. Not only was that wrong - it was illogical. Trudeau took the same position on the Niqab as Mulcair - yet took ownership of Quebec.

Journalists on the Hill had bought into the "just not ready" theatrics which helped in their defence of propaganda coverage dictated by Stephen Harper. The five questions - no follow up rule was juvenile and mainstream media sucked it up in an equally juvenile and unprofessional manner. Andrew Coyne's very public sulking at the end of the campaign - added fuel to the fire that they all had bosses to listen to. Then in a very apparent/non-transparent way - we were all left to pity them.

Now the media floodgates are open - they are all over Trudeau and his Cabinet. Tripping and giggling at their regained power. The very same day - they failed to scrum Harper and let Rona Ambrose control the number of questions permitted.

Canada is a geographically large and culturally diverse nation. Our confederation continues to be challenged by obvious problems that politicians have yet to address - let alone improve. If and when a leader has the courage to deal with these problems - our confederation may permanently remove the threat to separate by any province.

On Wednesday I watched the Cabinet unfold with millions of other Canadians. For the most part I believe Trudeau ticked most of the important boxes and as he said "it is 2015".  Gender equality in Parliament is important and there was no reason based on qualifications - that it should not have been achieved. There was also a great representation of age and experience. New ideas versus tried and true policy will provide great debate at the Cabinet table.

In all the newness that is Justin Trudeau - in all the forward looking that is Justin Trudeau there remains an antiquated view of regional representation in Cabinet. It is the final bastion of Upper and Lower Canada. It can be argued that we got Harper because the West (primarily the prairies) wanted in and they seen the Reform/Alliance as the way to get there.

If there is any such thing as "Old Stock Canadian" thinking it is geographic not racist and it is most assuredly the position that Ontario and Quebec are the most important pieces of geography in the country and also the most needy people when it comes to Cabinet placements.

We are a confederation of provinces - joined to form a Country based on common interests. All MP's are concerned with homelessness, affordable housing, health care, education, justice, transportation, taxation, security, and sovereignty - therefore all are representatives of these fundamentals. Cabinet should be utilized to deal with regional issues. This should not be based on population but rather on geography, assets, and particular needs.

If Ontario's focus is on the auto sector, banking, transit, manufacturing, and immigration - surely five competent MP's placed into Cabinet should be able to represent this. Likewise with all provinces and the North. A combination of population, geography, industrial sectors and cultural issues should be at the forefront of Cabinet appointments.

If we cannot have an equal, elected, and effective Senate - we must certainly strive to level the Cabinet playing field.

If Ontario has 11 Cabinet members to represent its interests there is no doubt that policy direction will favour that province. Quebec holding 6 posts and the Prime Minister means it has plenty of people to speak. 18 of 31 Ministers held by Upper and Lower Canada means that economic growth, population growth, and social growth will be dominated by these provinces. The fact that mainstream media - more often that not - refers to Atlantic Canada, Western Canada, Territories, Ontario and Quebec when describing our country demonstrates the real problem in identity and regional preferences in our  country.

By reducing Ontario and Quebec's representation in Cabinet to 10 from 18 - would allow all provinces and the Territories to at least have 2 Cabinet posts. This better reflects Canada and its confederation.

This is a weakness in Trudeau. He needs to look outside the population box to unite the provinces and territories in a real partnership. It is outdated, regressive, and divisive - it must be corrected. If 8 provinces and 3 Territories feel a Cabinet direction is favouring the growth of Quebec and Ontario at the cost of the other 11 then real action could be taken.

The real and obnoxious attention to Quebec and Ontario was most recently witnessed in the election. All leaders with the exception of Elizabeth May (who concentrated efforts in BC) doted on the neediness of Upper and Lower Canada. It is time for real leadership on this most troubling and chronic problem.

If Canada continues to govern itself based on the preservation, growth, and dominance of 2 provinces  we will cease to be a real confederation.

British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the North are the sea borders of our country and are bountiful in natural ocean resources. These resources being owned and managed by the federal government is absolutely wrong and patently unfair. More than this - Cabinets dominated by central Canadian MP's have either neglected or mismanaged these resources at a unfathomable loss to the affected populations.

The fishery, oil and gas, and search and rescue assets have been crucified by Cabinets dominated by people who have no clue about them or real interest in the fall-out of critical errors. The House of Commons - dictated to by population representation - can kill a small province with one vote.

For all the modern and youthful thinking of the new Prime Minister - Justin Trudeau demonstrated significant weakness in the area of Cabinet representation. Ironically 5 of the 36 seats held by the Liberals were from Newfoundland and Labrador. We represented 1/7th of what they had. What are we now?

If somebody does not deal with the inequalities in Cabinet representation and provinces continue to suffer losses in population growth, economics, and industry - there will come a time when people want out not in.

I wait to see if our new Prime Minister recognizes and then attempts to deal with this.

De Grasse - victim of Harper PR

As we head into a fall federal election - Canadians are probably facing the most important election ever. The very structure and design of our confederation and democracy is at risk.

The past couple of days have sent red flags flying everywhere.

Stephen Harper is a cunning and manipulative zealot of extreme ideology not suited to Canada. He is also a liar.

What we know as fact:

Harper is not a good judge of character - he has appointed crooks, cons, liars, and extremists,

Harper has inserted Canada in global war games not usual for our country,

Harper is consumed with oil economics and the corporate culture attached to it,

Harper is a liar,

Harper does not believe in our constitution,

Harper has damaged our economic health as a nation,

Harper does not hold First Minister's Conferences,

Harper does not believe in free press,

Harper continually abuses taxpayer dollars by mixing government policy with party promotion,

Harper is a fan of controlled populations,

Harper is an enemy of science and as such puts our country at risk.

This is a short list and does not include one point that I will address now.

Yesterday during the Pan Am Games - Harper and PR cronies did something that can only be seen as disgraceful.

Harper - as we know - likes photo-ops but does not like scrums. His manipulation of the national press is legendary and has been for the most part been successful. There are exceptions as some journalists fight back. This thankfully is picking up as the election looms.

I have watched some of the games - online - and have enjoyed the medal ceremonies where Canadian athletes accept the adoration and accolades of their fellow citizens.

During these ceremonies two people are assigned to do the presentations. One is from the Pan Am association and the other would be local politicians or first nations representatives. One of the two would present the medal and the other present a stuffed mascot.

Arguably the most watched event at any summer games (Olympics, Commonwealth, Pan Am, Nationals and Worlds) is the men's 100 metre sprint. This interest usually translates into mass media coverage and hype.

Canada's Andre De Grasse was the victor in last night's final and also became a casualty of the Harper PR machine.

Instead of the two person presentation team - this event had three. The normal reps and then there was the third wheel. Bal Gosal Minister of State for Sport who was introduced and then presented the mascot to De Grasse only.

It cheapened and politicized the event and attempted to upstage the amazing performance of De Grasse who may well end up being our greatest male sprinter.

It was a typical Harperization - do not miss capitalizing on the success of anybody. Do not miss a prime time photo-op. The only surprising element of this typical Harper PR was that Gosal was not wearing a Conservative Party of Canada shirt or that the gold medal did not have the CPC logo imprinted on it.

It was odd - uncomfortable - clumsy - and manipulative. It was Harper.

Harper Enemy of the State? Premiers must take Action

I always begin my posts on the Prime Minister by reminding the reader that Stephen Harper is a liar. No doubt that causes problems in our nation - not the least of which is setting a very bad example for young Canadians.

Now our "leader" is threatening our country. How? Well this man who sits atop the Canadian political heap is shovelling sh-t (figuratively speaking) and tossing it on the masses below.

Once again this ne'er-do-well is saying no to yet another First Ministers meeting.

Canada consists of provinces and territories and under confederation agree to a federal presence in areas of joint service delivery, national security, and to a certain degree matters of law. Under such terms provinces and territories agree to a federal taxation base provided by personal and corporate interests. Considering the monies raised to allow a country to exist are garnered from these sources - it is necessary and only reasonable that these parties are directly involved in the allocation of those funds.

Harper's insistence on running a one-man state and his determination to design Canada in his vision continues to jeopardize both the national economy and sovereignty. Make no mistake the international corporate giants do have his ear - while the electorate does not. This is a recipe for disaster. Harper's obvious desire to be a CEO should be achieved in private not public service.

The Premier's for their part are starting to wear some of the blame here. It is unacceptable to be ignored by the federal government and therefore the provinces and territories must take action to correct this problem. The whining of these individuals to the media has not and will not achieve regular meetings with Harper.

As Quebeckers go to the polls my instinct tells me that this is a real problem for Charest and will become a bigger problem as the dog days of summer continue to the fall. This in turn may cause additional and constitutional problems as we head into the winter of our discontent.

The people of Canada elect their respective provincial governments and they fully expect these politicians to represent their interests in the federation. If they fail in doing so - the people look to the media for proper questioning of the situation. I cannot think of anything more important in Canada right now than the state of communication, collaboration, and cooperation between the PMO and the Premier's. This means a first Ministers meeting must occur at least on an annual basis.

Currently the aloof Harper is winning the battle without having to raise a sword. This is not acceptable.

The Premiers, media, and federal MPs have the responsibility to deal with this situation or run the risk that Harper's spoiled honey will stick to them.

RIM - Time for Stock Innovation

Okay - I do like my Blackberry and PlayBook. I like the fact that this is a Canadian Company.

You have fallen on hard times - time for some more innovation.

How about you offer shares with the sale of your products.

Buy a Playbook for $200 get 20 shares. Let us in - let average Canadians in on the action.

People buying your products now are afraid - it's risky - are you going to be there in a month.

For the risk - offer shares.

Market your innovation, your history, and your maple leaf.

Surely the shareholders that remain would go for something that has a real chance of recovering value.

You want a chance to show your stuff again - you need time - you need shareholders.

Come on Research in Motion - get mobile - and share a Cinderella story with fellow Canadians. Go from Province to Province and meet with people. Do the BBQ circuit. Time for the Nerds to let loose and seek support from those of us who use your technology and support it.

The Language may be Offensive to all Newfoundlanders

I specifically used Newfoundland only as the blog post only references Newfoundland.

If you want to witness ignorance beyond anything you have seen in a while - have a look at what a student in Toronto has to say about us and our place in Canada. Then have a look at the comments.

This is truly a hate post. It makes Margaret Wente look like a Newfoundland Patriot.

CLICK HERE

Our politicians are Lying - Lying - and Lying again!

Everybody loves to see ex-pats return home to Newfoundland and Labrador.

It's the one excitement we get - compared to the pain and anguish of outmigration and the family consequences it brings.

Follow this:

A 35 year old leaves home - the fishery is no longer viable in his/her community. The person moves to Ontario or Alberta for work. At first the family stays behind - they can't sell their home - it's not worth anything anymore. As the months drag on with no prospects of the fishery recovering -those months become years and the family is suffering from the continued absence of a parent or spouse.

That 35 year old is now 38 and is either going through a divorce or is in the process of moving the family to Alberta or Ontario in an effort to save the relationship.

If divorce happens - the family is split - one spouse is trying to keep the homestead going in Newfoundland and Labrador within a community that can not hang on without the fishery. The children will be shuffled across the country - while both spouses seek a new relationship and perhaps a new family.

If the family moves - other family members are left behind. Grandpa and Grandma who planned to live with their children in older years now move into a government subsidized home. Aunts, uncles, and cousins lose touch and lose the all important sense of family that's felt in a rural community.

So far we have the taxpayer and the future generation gone - left behind are retirees that will require more government assistance in order to replace what would have been provided by the family.

Worse the children who have moved away with the parents are no longer going to grow into Newfoundland and Labrador taxpayers and their grandparents needs; medical, transport, and care will be paid for by children of those who have stayed.

So the 35 year old who moved to Alberta and Ontario is lost to our tax base - as they spend productive tax years in another province. They pay for seniors care in Alberta or Ontario and nothing to the care of seniors in this province.

Eventually the 35 year old retires having spent 20 years of productivity somewhere else. Driving the economy of Alberta or Ontario. Driving the population and tax growth. Driving more seats in the House of Commons.

At 65 the person repatriates to Newfoundland and Labrador. They are on retirement income and in a very different tax bracket. As that person gains chronic and then debilitating illnesses - the taxpayer of Newfoundland and Labrador take on the health and drug costs. The taxpayer of Newfoundland and Labrador take on the cost of homecare or residency in a personal care home. The person who left at 35 did not contribute to the tax base for these essential services. That is left to the young Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who remain home to work.

As the oil goes and continued resource giveaways come home to roost - young Newfoundlanders and Labradorians cannot afford the tax necessary to maintain essential health, transport, and education services. Off they go - to upper or western Canada while Newfoundland and Labrador slips into economic distress - the Greece of 2041.

Upper Churchill will save us? No it won't and that's why politicians won't and can't deal with the truth.

Canada is like a starving vampire - and the only blood it thirsts is the life-blood of Newfoundland and Labrador - and so far we are keeping it satisfied.

“When truth is replaced by silence,the silence is a lie.”
Yevgeny Yevtushenko

The Wild Rose of Private Health Care - Dunderdale's Choice

As more information flows out of Ottawa's plan for health care - Canadians who believe in universal health care should be very concerned.

It should come as no surprise that Harper's funding plan will benefit Alberta the most with an almost 1 billion dollar windfall for that province.

If you ask yourself - which province is most willing to have a private health care system - what would your answer be? Mine is Alberta - hands down.

For those who read my last post - Harper's plan to use Premiers to push his fundamentalist agenda of private health care seems even more likely.

So the province with the attitude that private is better - is going to get the most while other provinces will be suffering through what amounts to decreased funding.

The whole idea of per-capita funding for health is antiquated and incomplete.

If you take a province such as Newfoundland and Labrador with a huge geographic footprint and minimal population - the idea of per-capita finding is scary. Our people need equal access to quality and timely health care but in order to achieve that - dialysis units, MRI's, Cat-Scans, and surgical units would have to be placed geographically in many regions. If our health care transfers are based on per-capita alone - without the ability to factor in regional needs leaves us behind the eight-ball.

Throw on top of that - the Quebec factor - where there health care funding is different than all other provinces and you have a mess.

How many readers can tell me how the Quebec system works?

Do you know that Quebeckers have a different federal tax system than all other provinces?

Do you know that Quebeckers have more direct control of federal taxation relative to health care?

Do you know that all other provinces had the option to do the same thing but rejected it?

How can we place Charest into the equation and come up with a national plan?

The question is - what is Kathy Dunderdale going to do about it?

The question is - will Kathy Dunderdale fight hard for us?

The question is - will Kathy Dunderdale push to have the unique circumstances of our province recognized and funded?

The question is - will we remain the province that relies on the templates of places like Alberta and Ontario instead of designing what's best for us?

Premier Dunderdale has the opportunity to come up with a made in Newfoundland and Labrador solution which has the potential to protect the essential health care needs of our people. The Premier has the opportunity right now to deal with the demographics that have the potential to financially cripple our province in 10 years time. If the Premier looks outside the "officials" and her "colleagues in the "big" provinces she may well find the solution. As long as we are slaves to the templates of Ontario and Alberta - our children are doomed to the debt and pressure that will be ours in a decade if we do not stand on our own two feet.

Will Minister Tom Marshall lie? Yes! Will he mislead? Yes!

Minister Tom Marshall appeared on Open-Line Friday of last week. The purpose of the call was to attack through innuendo, misrepresentations, threats, and misinformation - the independent pharmacy owners in the province.

The irony was that he called to correct something Randy Simms (host) said in his preamble.

Quote by Marshall:

Randy, we're negotiating now. There's a chair at the table for CICPO. CICPO refused to show up. Randy, Premier Dunderdale wants lower electricity costs for the people in this province. She wants lower drug costs for the people of this province. People have no choice. If the doctor says they got to have drugs, they got to have them, Randy. And the cost of generic drugs in this country are higher than they are in the US and higher than they are in other OECD countries. And there's got to be a reason for that. And we've looked into it and other provinces have looked into it. And British Columbia and Alberta and Saskatchewan and Ontario and Quebec and Nova Scotia have all taken an approach to reduce the cost of generic drugs to their citizens, to their taxpayers.

First - if the Premier wants to lower drug costs in the province - the first line of attack would be the brand drugs that are increasing in cost every year. The fact is brand name drugs which represent over 70% of the costs of all drugs prescribed and dispensed are going up in costs year over year. The generic drugs which are currently the target of this PC government are going down every year. Further the generic partnership with pharmacy has what has been keeping dispensing fees low and allowing pharmacies particularly small independent rural dispensaries to offer essential extra services.

Making matters worse is that the Dunderdale government is hiding its intent relative to a trade deal between the EU and Canada which would see our province have to pay an additional 50 million dollars for essential medications - by agreeing to extend the patent protection for the brand drug companies. Canada and the EU are set to go back to the table just after our provincial election and this term forms part of what a proposed deal will include.

The end result of the PC government move is:

1. The price of drugs will actually go up for citizens and taxpayers.

2. Dispensing fees for most people will have to double or the pharmacies will close.

3. Delivery to seniors and those without transportation will cease or there will be a cost for such delivery.

4. Independent pharmacies will have to stop credit programs for prescription drugs - thereby causing people not to buy and take their medications in a timely manner. This non-compliance will cause the emergency rooms of hospitals to experience unsustainable traffic, re admissions to hospital, or worse.

5. The government drug card clients will have to call their MHA or social worker to have the necessary forms completed for continuity of their prescription drug cards, or to complete their annual tax returns (in order to qualify for the card).

6. It will cause independent pharmacies to cease filling "special authorization" drugs until the approval has been given by government. In that instance the patient will have to return to their doctor to have a prescription changed, go without their medication for up to one month until approval for payment has been achieved, or have to return to the hospital.

7. Prescribing errors made by physicians will have to be handled in a different manner. Currently our independent pharmacies are dealing with between 5 to 25 prescribing errors a day. When the mistake is caught by the pharmacist - the patient will then have to return to the doctor or hospital to have the correction made. If the patient wants the pharmacist to deal with the error for them - they will have to pay a fee based on the amount of time it takes for a pharmacy to contact the doctor, achieve contact with that doctor, the faxing of a new prescription, and the paper work required for the government for a change in prescription. Usually this takes the pharmacy between half an hour to 8 hours to achieve.

8. The pharmacy will have to charge for special packaging for patients who take multiple drugs for chronic illnesses.

9. The hours and availability of pharmacies will be reduced to make the necessary savings on human resources and other expenses.

10. Services such as reprinting of receipts for income tax purposes, transferring of files, supplying hospitals with drug reviews for patients (where the hospital already has the records) or communication with the drug card program for patients will have to be additionally charged.

These are but a few of the changes that will be experienced by patients under the government's plan. The most negative result will be the out and out closure of some pharmacies.

Tom Marshall is not telling the truth or he is completely incompetent on this file.

The government including Premier Dunderdale is hiding the truth from the people and the media need to call them out on the Comprehensive Economic Trade Deal (CETA) with the EU.

Marshall goes on to say the following:

We understand that in terms of the true cost of the drug that's been passed on by the pharmacy to the customer, it has markups on it running from 140 percent to 619 percent. They're very high markups. Now that's before you take their cost into, their expenses of operation into consideration. So what happened - this all started, Randy when the pharmacies announced they weren't going to honour the drug card anymore. They were going to make people pre-pay for their drugs and have to seek reimbursement from the government, which was totally unacceptable because people didn't have the money.

First the Minister talks about markups on drugs running from 140 to 619 percent. Where is the evidence of this? Pharmacy cannot change the price of drugs as the provincial government sets them under the provincial formulary. Further Minister Tom Marshall will not address the Dr. Wade Locke report completed on pharmacy - using actual financial data from pharmacies. This is a government who only a few days ago were holding Dr. Locke's opinion and study regarding Muskrat Falls as gospel - yet when it comes to a comprehensive Activity Based Costing study on pharmacy the Minister of Finance deliberately avoids it. This is a lie by omission.

This statement also points to pharmacy and says - they were going to have people unable to get their essential prescription drugs - this is absolutely false and further is exactly the opposite of what is true. It is the government everyday that prevents people from getting medications. Patients are released from hospital with prescriptions they cannot fill because the government prevents retail pharmacies from determining the validity of a special authorization - so instead it goes into government pharmacists in a bureaucratic setting. This in turn causes delays - up to one month - where people who on income assistance or fixed incomes such as seniors - cannot get their medications because the government has not approved them. In this case local independent pharmacies put it on account for the individual so that they can take their medications immediately thereby preventing re admissions into hospital or a trip to the emergency room. Our pharmacies never let patients leave without their drugs for reasons of inability to pay. This is one significant difference between the large corporate chains and our members.

Next the Minister uses this line:

They want to go to court, I think that's wonderful. Go to court and let it come out what the proper margins out, okay let it come out what the rebates are, let it come out why the true cost of the drugs are not being passed on and while the true cost of the drug to the pharmacy is not being passed on, we want to sit down with the pharmacists and we have sat down with the pharmacists and what we're trying to do is come up with an agreement. 

So the Minister of Finance thinks its wonderful that the CICPO wants to go to court. Well that's a mouthful in and of itself. Yes anything instead of meeting, talking, collaborating, and developing a superior policy. Then Minister Marshall - a lawyer - pretends that the issue being brought to court has something to do with generic drug pricing. The court case deals with two issues: a) whether or not the government had the right to alter a provider agreement unilaterally and second whether the "object" of PANL legislatively is valid. So once again he lies to or misleads the people regarding this very serious issue. Further the information he is seeking above is already available to him from the Dr. Wade Locke report. He once again says they are negotiating with pharmacists not pharmacies. This continued misrepresentation does not negate the fact that government signs provider agreements with corporations (legal entities) not pharmacists. If that is not the case then Wal-Mart, Shopper's Drug Mart, Lawton's and Costco could not be doing business with government.


Minister Marshall then takes the public down another twisted version of the facts:

And we've looked into it and other provinces have looked into it. And British Columbia and Alberta and Saskatchewan and Ontario and Quebec and Nova Scotia have all taken an approach to reduce the cost of generic drugs to their citizens, to their taxpayers.

Let's start with the fact that all provinces are using different models for remuneration and different approaches on the restructuring of generic drug costs. Ontario, which is what is law in Newfoundland and Labrador as it relates to generic pricing is the worst. It has caused the most damage to rural independent pharmacies and where ATM's are replacing the community pharmacy - in some cases now it will be LPN's. In Ontario now three independent pharmacy owners are running for the PC Party of Ontario in large part because of what the Liberal Ontario government has done with pharmacy and health issues generally. And here we have the PC government adopting failed Liberal policy out of Ontario.

Further in Ontario - consultations were had with the Ontario Pharmacists Association, the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores (CACDS) the Independent Pharmacists Association of Ontario and the Ontario Community Pharmacies Coalition. That is hardly a comparative for our province where the Premier and her Minister's keep saying we will only talk to PANL.


Then let's talk about British Columbia where a deal was struck between the Government, the BC Pharmacy Association and the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores. Once again broader consultation was held and a different remuneration formula was reached. Unfortunately - in BC as in Newfoundland and Labrador - the chains were pandered to while independent pharmacy was left behind. Lastly, at least the Government of BC acknowledges that no agreement reached with either the Pharmacy Association or the CACDS is binding on any individual business.

Then take the most ridiculous of Minister Marshall's comparisons - Quebec. In Quebec a pharmacy can only be owned by a pharmacist. This negates the concerns of independent owners as the government can only negotiate with them - large corporate interests are not permitted to own the dispensary. If Minister Marshall would like to entertain this idea - we would be more than happy to deal with that.

In Saskatchewan the government also reached an agreement between the Pharmacists' Association of Saskatchewan and the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores - once again admitting that the strong lobby by the giant retailers and chains is unduly influencing policy development. But at least they admit it. In Newfoundland and Labrador they will not admit to the discussions with CACDS because to do so would mean the CICPO would have a rightful place to put it's arguments forward separately.

In Canada the chain drug stores and mass retailers are dictating provincial policy and it is leading to reduced and inferior services in rural communities. In our province with our geography and relatively small population - this means destruction to our rural communites and inner-city neighbourhoods. Minister Marshall and Premier Dunderdale had the chance to make a difference and derive policy based on local business and rural communities - instead they have chosen to follow the mess found in other Canadian provinces. This is not leadership - and there are not enough lies in the world to cover this up.

Finally Minister Marshall refers to the following:

Okay, they had a meeting set up with Minister Kennedy. Minister Kennedy was in the House. They walked out. They left about five minutes before Minister Kennedy came in. So don't give me that. 

The truth about this meeting will be addressed by those attending this meeting. Minister Marshall and I were not there so we cannot speak directly to it. Those who were in attendance will publicly discuss what happened to this meeting and why it did not occur. safe bet though that with pharmacy owners travelling anywhere from 1 km to 800 km's to attend the meeting did not leave under the circumstances the Minister has described. Either the Minister is misinformed or is lying.

Come clean Jerome Kennedy - Why are you adopting failed Liberal Policy?

Three Independent Pharmacy Owners running for PC's in Ontario. Read why! PRESS HERE

Something stinks Minister Kennedy and Minister Marshall - come clean on Pharmacy.

Before attending the SOS RALLY Look at This! It's more than just Pride - It's Lives

 

Have a look at the map above - this is the area covered by the Search and Rescue Centre in Halifax. Are MP's able to view a MAP?

It is not only unacceptable for Newfoundland and Labrador lose a sub-centre - it should actually be home to the main Search and Rescue Centre currently located in Halifax. 

Before you go the rally today on the waterfront - please read the information below taken from the Federal Government website. 

Further - as you read it - you will notice we lost a rescue centre from Torbay in the 1970's as it was all sent to Nova Scotia. The sub-centre was supposed to make up for that. Now they want it all - when geography does not bear it out.

Is the sub-centre in Quebec City being closed? 

Newfoundland and Labrador either wins this fight - or we get out. Do not let the Harper Conservatives insult or harm us anymore. 

Who do you think is most at risk - from a marine perspective? 

Nobody has the right to place our people at increased risk!

How about we take over forest-fire communications for Ontario, or flooding response communication in the Prairies? Why don't we take over the Search and Rescue Centre for British Columbia? There should be no reason that we can't control marine rescue for the Great Lakes and shut down Trenton.

The following is the information is taken from the federal government website. 

The Halifax Search and Rescue Region (SRR) is bounded on the east at 30 degrees West Longitude, on the west at 70 degrees West Longitude, to the south at approximately 42 degrees North Latitude and to the north at 70 degrees North Latitude.  This area comprises all of the Atlantic provinces, the eastern half of the province of Québec, the southern half of Baffin Island and an area of the western North Atlantic extending to 30º west, an area of approximately 4.7 million square kilometres.  With over 29,000 kilometers of coastline, eighty percent of the region is covered by water.

The 1970's saw changes that provided better support for people in distress.  Air resources were now located in Gander Newfoundland, and Summerside Prince Edward Island.  Halifax became the sole RCC with the closing of Torbay, although the Coast Guard established Marine Rescue Sub-Centres (MRSC) in St. John's and Québec City, Québec.  Aircraft began dropping pumps in aid of vessels taking on water in 1970; in January of that year, the Motor Vessel USEN #1 was the first successful recipient of a pump.  The year 1970 saw the number of cases rise to a total of 963 

The operations of the SAR fleet account for most of the Canadian Coast Guard SAR Program costs. On average, 65-75% of the budget for SAR is spent on the fleet. A further 8% is spent on capital projects. Rescue Co-ordination accounts for 16% and the management, monitoring and administration of the program accounts for the remaining 8%.

Rescue Co-ordination Centres and Maritime Rescue Sub-Centres

The Canadian Coast Guard jointly staffs three Rescue Coordination Centres (JRCCs) with the Canadian Forces. The JRCCs are located at Victoria, British Columbia, Trenton, Ontario, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Canadian Coast Guard also operates two Maritime Rescue Sub-Centres (MRSCs) at Quebec City, Quebec, and St. John's, Newfoundland. The function of a MRSC is to reduce the JRCC's workload in areas of high marine activity. These centres are staffed by SAR Co-ordinators who operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year round. The maritime area for which the Canadian JRCCs/MRSCs are collectively responsible for is more than 5.3 million square kilometres.
The JRCCs/MRSCs are responsible for the planning, co-ordination, conduct and control of SAR operations. JRCCs/MRSCs have highly trained staff, detailed operational plans and an effective communications system. Once an JRCC/MRSC is notified that a person(s) is in danger, the SAR Co-ordinator begins to organize the rescue. All available information about the person(s) in danger is gathered and recorded and the positions of potential assisting resources in the area of the incident are determined. SAR Co-ordinators are trained to evaluate various situations and send the most effective resources to deal with a particular incident. In complex and major incidents, many resources are often sent or tasked to assist.

To fulfill our mission, our objectives are to:

• Save 100% of lives at risk.
• Reduce the number and severity of SAR incidents.
• Minimize loss of life, injury, property damage and risk to the environment.
• Support and involve the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary.
• Maintain the highest professional standards.
• Provide national leadership and effective SAR Program management.
• Provide international SAR leadership.
• Maximize SAR system efficiency through innovation.
• Promote volunteerism.
• Increase awareness of the SAR Program.
• Assist in the development of the National SAR Program.
• Foster co-operative SAR agreements.
• Provide humanitarian aid and civil assistance where possible.

These objectives will help us provide an effective SAR service for all those at risk in the maritime environment in Canada.

Ontario Wins Big, Newfoundland shows Guts, the Big Land goes it Alone and Dunderdale may have Trouble!

Congratulations are in order for Ontario - for once again dictating the outcome of the federal election. Harper will be there for our biggest "greatest" province.

There may now be hope for the federal Liberals - if - they clean house at the executive and backroom level. Canada's "heartland" will set the agenda for the upcoming parliament and have rewarded Harper for the massive corporate bailouts in the auto and associate industries.

Irving and companies will also be a big winner in New Brunswick.

Now that the NDP is an essentially Quebec and Ontario based party 58 and 22 seats respectively close to 80% of their seat count with over 50% out of Quebec - what and who will they represent? Further the NDP had more of a say in the minority than they have in a Harper majority.

Now that Canada has sent a message to the Liberals to clean-up - they have done so by electing a fellow who has shown complete disregard for the truth, parliament, and our democracy. Harper has his majority and it is going to be real tough on the Progressive Conservatives in the party.

The Bloc is temporarily down - while Quebec takes a break from a nationalist party in Ottawa - but may very well elect a sovereignist party provincially. This is just another Quebec change-up.

The Conservatives are nasty and they will - without humility - rub this victory into the faces of Canadians who believe that moderate not extreme is Canada. This is a very clear example for Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador - that we really don't matter much in this system.

We witnessed a taste with Bev Oda - and her leaning respecting funding and pro-choice ideology. More interesting is her decisive win last night - rewarding her despicable behavior. Ontarians in her riding have redefined public service and the value of honesty. What did Oda have to say?

“Those who know me know I would never lie or mislead,” This is unbelievable!

 In Newfoundland - we absolutely did the right thing and showed extreme courage by not electing one Conservative on the Island. Despite the on the ground boots of most all Dunderdale's Cabinet - they lost. We actually said to those who betrayed this province - we don't want you. Sullivan, Ottenheimer, Manning and fibre-optic Taylor were defeated - in most cases soundly.

In Labrador I can take some solace in knowing that the Big Land did what it wanted to do and not what our Island suggested they do. They have made a decision and it was their own. That is also the case with the Lower Churchill - this time it will not be shoved down their throats - rather they and they alone will determine what happens to this great resource. Further this time - they will sit in Cabinet at the federal level - not representatives from the Island. It is also clear that Labrador believes that Harper will live up to his promises for the base and the loan guarantee.

The deal on the Lower Churchill is up to them. If they wish to export - do so - and they can even make us pay for it. After all power leaves their place and heads to other jurisdictions - and they are left with royalties for the aboriginal peoples (or some of them) and a handful of jobs after construction - it will not be our fault as it was with the Upper Churchill.

Peter Penashue has a great deal of responsibility resting on his shoulders and good luck to him. I hope he brings to Labrador what Labradorians want. I hope he delivers in spades for his people and uses his voice to eliminate the long-standing social problems. For now they can choose their destiny - and the direction is all theirs. They can stand proud and make decisions that are good for them - eliminating the Island and most non-aboriginal influence. They can further build corporate partnerships between aboriginal companies and other Labrador based operators. They can take control of tenders and dictate how many jobs will be kept in Labrador and how many will leave. They can control the route of the hydro power resource and determine if they want industrial development at all - or prefer to go for royalties only. I have fought for the equal rights of Labradorians as an Islander for most of my adult life - and I have now experienced closure in that regard. Presumably Dunderdale will have to answer to Labrador and if the deals are not already done - will have to be done with the aboriginal peoples and corporate Labrador. Labrador now has control of its destiny and that is a good thing.

From a provincial Progressive Conservative point of view - there are many significant developments on the Island. The votes were mainly Liberal and NDP and both rural and urban voters have said no to Kathy Dunderdale and her team of Cabinet Ministers. We know what happened when Danny said ABC - the province listened. When Kathy Dunderdale said ABC is over and now we need to vote Conservative - the province did not listen. The PC urban vote did not recover and did not show well in other rural communities - with the exception of perhaps Felix Collins and Keith Hutchings. The federal election of 2006 saw almost 43% popular vote for the Conservatives. The ABC of 2008 demonstrated a complete collapse of that vote to 17% and now that ABC was called off by Premier Dunderdale the vote climbed to only 28%. The urban PC vote stronghold has not regained anywhere near the reliability needed to guarantee the almost always guaranteed vote for the PC's in St. John's and surrounding communities.

Let's look at the Avalon Peninsula - as it relates to influence by the current Premier Kathy Dunderdale versus the influence under Danny Williams. Same provincial layout - with only 2 opposition members in a bastion of Blue including a significant number of the Cabinet.

2006 When Danny got promises from Harper on equalization, Five Wing Goose, and custodial management.

Loyola Hearn enjoyed 44.6% of the popular vote.

Fabian Manning enjoyed 51.5% of the popular vote.

Norm Doyle enjoyed 46.5% of the popular vote.

2008 When Danny Williams declared ABC most all PC MHA's campaigned for Liberals or NDP.

St. John's South/Mount Pearl District (formerly Hearn, candidate Merv Wiseman) dropped to 12.6% of the popular vote.

St. John's East (formerly Doyle, candidate Craig Wescott) dropped to 9.3% of the popular vote.

Avalon District  (Manning) dropped to 35.2% of the popular vote.

2011 When Kathy Dunderdale declared ABC over and has all but one PC MHA campaigning for Conservatives.

St. John's South/Mount Pearl District only recovers to 22.8% of the popular vote.

Avalon District only recovers to 40% of the popular vote.

St. John's East District only recovers to 20.9% of the popular vote.

Without a doubt the vast majority of the people continue to support Danny Willams position on Stephen Harper and the majority reject Kathy Dunderdale's new relationship with Stephen Harper. This despite - what can only be called strong provincial MHA's Caucus and Cabinet out in force as never before for federal Conservative candidates.

Further the Conservative candidates in St. John's East and St. John's South/Mount Pearl in the 2008 election, Craig Wescott and Merv Wiseman respectively were arguably much weaker candidates than the "star" candidates of 2011 in Loyola Sullivan and Jerry Byrne. One might speculate that the candidates themselves brought the difference to the table versus any recommendation by Dunderdale. In Manning's case where he was the constant he went down 16 points during ABC and only recovered 5 points last night. That we can write off to PC's feeling it was okay to vote at all.

This was not a good night for Kathy Dunderdale despite the tremendous victory for her friend - and colleague Stephen Harper.

The October election remains up for grabs and in many critical seats. The only thing holding back a resurgence for the provincial Liberals is the party itself. They should be able to make great gains in October as may well a few more NDP seats on the strength of Layton and Harris. (depends on how NDP policy impacts NL)

If the Liberals do some cleaning and add some star candidates of their own - they may very well cause Dunderdale and company real problems. After the turnaround of PC MHA's back to Harper which was seen by the majority of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians as disingenuous and opportunistic - seats won on Danny's coat-tails will be vulnerable.

My overall feelings are that Canada was crushed by the Ontario not Orange wave and that never bodes well for Atlantic Canada. Further Canadians have absolutely decided with the exception of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, PEI, Quebec and parts of British Columbia that lying is okay, contempt of Parliament is dandy, and that the Elections Act is not anything relevant. Let's see if the right wing extremeists get the upper hand this time. Will Harper moderate? I don't believe a word he says - so my guess is he will not. You know when Preston Manning is delighted - we moderate people should be very concerned.

A great night for Newfoundland as we told Harper - you cannot lie to our people. Labrador - time will tell - if the Big Land gets what it wants I am happy for them. If it does not - the Island - for once will not be responsible.

All Ontario MP's need a Dory Ride in the North Atlantic

"In Ontario we have inland seas, the Great Lakes, and it would never occur to any of us, even up in the Ottawa River, to count on the Coast Guard to come and help us," Conservative MP Cheryl Gallant

Read more:at CBC

then this...

"The member in question has apologized for her comments," Government House Leader John Baird said. "If someone apologizes, the best thing to do is to accept that apology and move on."

Hey John,

She apologized for being misunderstood...

I have always been of the belief that all these Ontario MP's and all Prime Ministers should row out to sea in a dory and try it on for size.

Remember now these people are responsible for our fisheries (mis)management.

Now we know the difference - ABCD

- between Stephane Dion and Stephane (Steven) Harper.

One says he will do it and does not. The other just admits - upfront - that he won't.

Change the campaign Danny not ABC - but ABCD

Anything but Conservative & Dion!

The next federal election will be a banner one for Newfoundland and Labrador separatists. The two leading parties are trying to hang on to a minority by pleasing Ontario and Quebec. Unlike the Martin and Harper (term 1) elections - the focus and the promises will be aimed at Central Canada.

The truth is - it's our turn - Saskatchewan - Nova Scotia - and Newfoundland and Labrador to have the equalization formula geared to us. Since the inception of the equation - Quebec - has been the needy province and the formula demonstrates that.

Ontarians should close their eyes - take a gulp - and whisper - Quebec is a welfare province. They are getting more than us - and they still want more - that's not fair.
Ontarians keep looking further east and west to find the subjects for their pompous ridicule.

Listen guys and gals - at least Newfoundland and Labrador keeps saying we want to be a net contributor to the equalization formula. (We already are net contributors in every other way) When was the last time you heard Jean Charest say "we want to be a have province?" When was the last time you heard Quebec say in just two or three years we will be on the "have" side?

Yet Quebecers have no trouble in believing that they can separate and go it alone. Geez on that basis alone - Newfoundland and Labrador should do it without a hitch.

Quebec always gets the lions share of equalization - and that increased even more after the Harper equalization fiasco.

It is time the formula changed to reflect other economic factors and it is time that non-renewable resource revenues were removed. If that happened both Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador could be net contributors to the equation for the foreseeable future and perhaps even Nova Scotia. Not doing this jeopardizes the long-term economic health of our "sharing" system and eliminates the possibility for provinces such as ours.

Then again if we left the Central Canadian federation - we'd be laughing all the way to the bank.

The next Prime Minister for the Country of Ontario-Quebec has arrived...

Update:

As predicted by Sue's Blog earlier today - and according to a VOCM news story:

Stephane and Danny talked turkey on the Lower Churchill with Dion saying - he would be very pleased to work with Newfoundland and Labrador and the province of Quebec, to try and reconcile the views of both provinces and move forward on the development of the Lower Churchill project.

and

Dion says the development would greatly benefit the entire country, pointing to our energy needs and the issue of climate change.
_________________________________________________________________



Stephane Dion is here - and he brings this message:

We will honour the Atlantic Accord - a promise Dion says that Stephen Harper broke.

I wonder can Stephane Dion read English? Evidence so far suggests he cannot.

For Stephane and cling-ons Siobahn Coady - Judy Foote - Walter Noel et al. - here's the promise the Prime Minister made:

We will remove non-renewable resource revenue from the equalization formula to encourage the development of economic growth in the non-renewable resource sectors across Canada.

Dion delivers safe - safe - safe message for Quebec and Ontario - usual crap for Newfoundland and Labrador.

So Stephane - what's your position on non-renewable resource revenues? Don't come here and tell us that you will live up to the promise that Harper did not make.

While your visiting with our Premier - don't forget to push Canada's energy objective - to remove the Lower Churchill power from Labrador and move it into Central Canada to help air-quality and energy shortages in Ontario. And true to form - don't forget to push that power through a Quebec owned transmission line. You have a Premier who is determined to solve the energy issues in Canada - while leaving our province without the industrially attractive hydro-power.

Danny to save Canada....

...because Ontario and Alberta are looking after themselves.


While our Premier (Joe Generous) is finding ways to save Canada from its energy woes - his idol - Alberta - is not so infatuated with security of supply.

While attending the Premiers meet - greet - and heat - Danny Williams was very magnanimous with our potential power from the Lower Churchill. He was gushing over Newfoundland and Labrador's ability to supply superior energy to "Canada".

A Montreal Gazette story on Saturday was commenting on the Security and Prosperity conference being held in Quebec between Canada - United States - and Mexico. The piece points out that while Harper says Canada is an energy superpower - Gordon Laxer, director of the Parkland Institute, a research network at the University of Alberta says "It's an energy satellite."

While Danny worries about Alberta's economy taking a hit with proposed emission targets - Alberta cares little about Newfoundland and Labrador.

Consider this:

We import close to one million barrels of oil a day to supply 90 per cent of market demand in Quebec and Atlantic Canada and about 35 per cent in Ontario.

Canada exports more than 1.6 million barrels of oil a day to the United States, close to two-thirds of our production. Guess where most of that comes from.

The story goes on to say:

When it comes to natural gas, Canada meets domestic needs with minimal - though growing - recourse to imports. But we continue to sell more natural gas to the United States than we consume ourselves, even though Canada has less than nine years of proven reserves at current levels of production.

Laxer continues:

Canada's current approach puts our long-term energy security at risk, Laxer said. "If Canadian governments don't look after Canadians, then who will? You can be sure the Americans are going to look after themselves."

Alberta is not likely to slow down its extreme production levels despite what that may mean for Canada in the short-term (environmental treaties) or the long-term (security of supply). Despite this obvious self-serving policy in Alberta - our Premier is going to be a gentleman - save Canada (Ontario Nova Scotia New Brunswick and Alberta) from itself.

Williams is determined to fuel the economy of Ontario by exporting our superior energy from the Lower Churchill. As Ontario's Minister of Energy - Dwight Duncan said earlier this year:

"...the planned Lower Churchill project fits perfectly with Ontario's future energy demands."This is clean, green, renewable power that we'd like to get into the southern Ontario market..." "We have an air quality problem. We have a need for new power.

If Ontario has an air quality problem and shortage of supply - our policy should be to remove some of the industry from them - not to give them more power to crush our own economic potential and the subsequent loss of our people.

All the Premiers except one would go along with reduction in tail-pipe emissions - Ontario of course - because they will protect their 325 thousand jobs in the auto-sector. What a joke Danny - what a joke.

The saddest story of all...

Oilweek magazine is running a CP piece on the Council of the Federation. It probably tells the story of our province's woes the best.

On the issue of the east west energy grid this was the comment from the reporter:

Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario are the most vocal proponents of an east-west transmission system. Manitoba and Newfoundland want the grid because of the potential to develop additional exports of cheap hydro power.

Here we are flanking Ontario and Quebec - Manitoba on one side - Newfoundland and Labrador on the other - and the objective is to get that cheap renewable hydro-power to Quebec and Ontario. The two provinces who need industry and have renewable reliable cost effective hydro are preparing to ship that value to Ontario. Neither Premier Doer or Premier Williams are showing the vision - showing a desire to leave a legacy for future generations - instead they are playing into the hands of Ontario which is running out of power from population and industry growth. Let's fix that for them hey?

The same story quotes Williams this way:

The Newfoundland premier said he hopes the huge, 2,800 megawatt development will provide clean power to Ontario and the Maritimes, over new transmission lines.

Understand that when we ship this power we ship our future - population growth potential - industrial potential with it. The only legacy this will leave is a repeat of Upper Churchill mentality. This will be the biggest giveaway of this century - and Williams like Smallwood won't have to worry about it after the deed is done.

In the story - Williams talked about the transmission lines this way:

He said transmission facilities could be built either by private industry, or by the federal and provincial governments.

Charest responded:

However, Premier Jean Charest said that Quebec must be able to maintain jurisdiction over its own energy supplies and transmission facilities, without interference from Ottawa.

“An east-west grid interests us,‘‘ Charest said, adding that Quebec wants to profit from its huge supplies of clean hydro and wind power.

“But it will happen in respect of our jurisdictions. If anyone suggests that we run a line paid by the federal government in Quebec, that‘s not going to happen.‘‘

Charest said Quebec is already building a transmission line to Ontario.

Talk about being snookered - if we spent half the energy looking for industrial developments in Labrador - versus trying to get the power out - Labrador could be booming and our children's future secured.

This is just another demonstration of the superior abilities of Ontario and Quebec politicians when compared to the weak - submissive attitude of Williams.

The real question for our Premier though is why all the interest in secondary processing for non-renewable fossil fuels - when he has no desire to restrict the use of the mighty Lower Churchill resource to industry or processing in Labrador?

And if all that is not bad enough - here's what he has in store for Labrador READ CAREFULLY:

“We would like to have a link down through the island (of Newfoundland) and over to the Maritimes,‘‘ he said.

Equalization and Fiscal Capacity

Freedom to Think 101

- Not impaired by grandiose federal party policies designed to re-elect Liberals and Conservatives

- Not impaired by "con"federation and the thinking of New Liberalism and Joey

- Not impaired by low self esteem

- Not impaired by employment with any of the federal or provincial political parties

The truth is and we all know it - that politicians consider their main job is to get re-elected.

On that basis - all significant federal parties (those that stand a chance for a majority) - will create policy favouring Quebec and Ontario.

The truth is Stephen Harper promised in writing and verbally to remove non-renewable resource revenues from the equalization formula.

The truth is - as an economist Harper has supported this concept for many years.

The truth is - Harper knew exactly what he was promising when he promised same.

The truth is - Harper knows it's the best chance Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador have to become a non-recipient province for the long-term.

The truth is - Harper buckled and gave up all of his beliefs to get a majority.

For all Canadians out there - this unfortunately is short term thinking and will - in the end - be harmful to the country.

The concept is simple - non-renewable resources are just that and therefore will not be available for future generations. These resource revenues must be used to build infrastructure - reduce debt - establish a heritage fund of some sort - and generally make other opportunities available so that the economy can be diversified and the fiscal position be sustainable.

That is what happened in Alberta - the province not crippled by reduced federal funds when developing the tar sands.

Renewable resources - according to Harper's own thinking and I agree will be available (if managed properly) to benefit future generations directly. Therefore the removal of these resource revenues from the formula is not necessary.

Fiscal Capacity can be defined many different ways probably as many as there are Chartered Accountants - but is defined in a specific way under the current equalization formula. Any reasonably minded person can see - on review - of the Federal Provincial Fiscal Arrangements Act that the definition is quite artificial and does nothing to develop sustainable economies.

Newfoundland and Labrador - per capita - may exceed per capita the fiscal capacity of Ontario over the next few years. What does that really mean? It means that oil revenues will artificially raise our per-capita fiscal capacity for a few short years. It will not count our debt per-capita - unemployment levels - provincial taxation rates - minimum wage - outmigration - birth and death rates etc...

Therefore the artificial flawed equation - that includes non-renewable resource revenues - will cause our continued economic dependence on Canada and the continued need for equalization. Whereas if the revenues were removed and used to reduce debt - build infrastructure - attract secondary processing facilities - lower provincial income and sales taxes - it is possible that a sustainable independent economy can be developed netting Canada a long term non-recipient contributor to the equalization program.

We must remember that New Brunswick - Nova Scotia - PEI - Manitoba - and yes even Quebec are anticipating long-term need for equalization so the more net contributors the better for the country.

This should be debated in Canada for the good of the federation - else the federation will fail.

There is no excuse for a Newfoundlander and Labradorian arguing against this position and to do so is either because of pure ignorance - pure politics - or pure stupidity - or personal financial remuneration.

In the case of Loyola - Norm - and Fabian - a combination in some form of all of the above.

In the case of others - let them answer it.

Imagine if you can Quebec being on equalization while Newfoundland and Labrador is not. Ontario should be looking to that neighbour to complain about fiscal imbalance - but to do so would break up the political power base that is Quebec and Ontario.

How deep does the Prejudice Go?

Bordering on cultural racism - alive and well in Central Canada.

As you may have noticed Sue's Blog has been alerting people to a very bias web blog out of Ontario. The comments I caught quite accidentally were demeaning enough - but his latest post to his Ontarian blog is something else again.

This was his first commentary:

Attention Canadians. Two jerk-offs are after your money. No, they are not thieves, although you might think so at first glance.

They are Danny Williams, the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Lorne Calvert, the Premier of Saskatchewan. They love to operate on the basis that there’s “free” money - yours and mine - available to eternally support their provinces under the so-called equalization principle. Except there’s no “equality” in this scheme at all — just a blood-sucking scheme to have the rest of Canada pay money to their coffers.

Now read this and if you would like to visit the site PRESS HERE

Somewhere in Newfoundland and Labrador, under a slimy rock, is a miniature flock of sheep. So small that their combined brain mass and intellectual powers would be exceeded by a single-celled organism.

They think of themselves as their province’s patriots. In reality they are only sheep, or perhaps rodents lured by the notes of their Pied Piper, Mother Mendacious. Writing drivel, especially the most uninformed and erroneous drivel, is their specialty.

Their mission is also clear, and blind, and immature. Blame the rest of Canada for every slight, imagined or real, that has ever occurred to their province. Not enough pogey? Blame Ottawa, maybe even those stingy Ontarians despite the fact that the Toronto GTA alone sends out $20 billion per year more in taxes than it receives back. Declining fish stocks? Ottawa’s fault, without a shred of thought that there might be some small measure of culpability by fishermen and their province’s politicians.

Not enough taxpayer-funded federal buildings, universities, offices, free-money dispensing institutions in the province? Blame Ottawa, not their own politicians for failing to make the most of their meager resources and assets. And having to depend on the rest of Canada to pay for unlocking their hydro potential? Blame Ontario, Quebec and Ottawa.

Because, you see, it’s infinitely easier to sit on your duff, collect pogey for the rest of the year after only working 10 weeks, and moaning rather than actually doing something about their “plight”. Better that the rest of Canada continue to keep sending money to these few unfortunates, so that they will be able to buy pencils to write how nasty the rest of Canada is to Newfoundland and Labrador.

It’s just a few Newfies, but they must be amongst the most stupid in their province because their “leader”, one “Sue” who writes here and on other blogs, professes to be a “CA”. I wonder if it stands for “can’t add’, because this mendacious little dingbat seems to have forgotten to attend the Business and Economics 101 lectures in her course. Woe is us, she proclaims. Let’s develop Churchill Falls and keep the output for ourselves, cutting off any use by Quebec, Ontario or, for that matter, any other part of Canada.

Except Sue is deliciously vague on where the development and construction money would come from if there were no markets for the output power. Nor to answer a single question: is there a big enough light bulb in her province to soak up the gigawatts of power that is going to start flowing out the end of that power cord? Nor to consider another conundrum: why should Labrador ship it’s power to Newfoundland when it could make real money selling the energy to westward provinces? Sue is actually quite thick on these and other simple economic questions.

But the absolute disgrace, the betrayal, is Sue’s propensity for whipping her flock of sheep into a Canada-hating and spiteful group of navel-gazing dodo birds. Don’t ask Sue to look forward, to think about helping her province out of this servitude that she conjures up for her followers. No, even when one offers to freely help Sue and her motley rag-tag group of rearward-focused nimwits, she whips the huddled masses (about 10, from what I can see) into another retrospective frenzy. Nearly 40 posts and comments, and not one non-whining and non-moaning comment. A solid record of accomplishment for the public-funded education system there, I’m sure.

Is this the best that taxpayer-funded education in Newfoundland can produce? A “CA” who can’t spell Economics 101. A “CA” who can only think in terms of the rest of Canada continuing to be a huge reservoir of money to be sent only to Newfoundland, preferably only St. Johns? One who has great difficulty discerning the concept of working for a living, rather than living off the public teat? As Sue puts it in one post:

“We could be looking at policy for transportation infrastructure - federal jobs and crown agencies - municipal infrastructure - educational institutes - and federal funding - being focused even more on Halifax.” Poorly-disguised pogey money in the form of taxpayer-funded “civil servant” jobs.

In her post on Bill Gates and the Prime MInister, “CA Sue” has great difficulty disguising her loathing of capitalism and philanthropy. In addition, of course, to misleading readers into thinking that the Prime Minister chose a Gates meeting rather than attend an AIDS conference. They were at least 6 months apart, Sue, the PM sent his Health Minister to the AIDs scream-up, and the learned friend you quote actually said, the other day, that the government should be congratulated for this!

One wonders why Sue would chose to be a “CA”, and have to deal with books and legers of dreaded capitalists, if she loathes that crowd so forcefully. Thank God Sue can suck and blow at the same time, though, or she might really be handicapped!

Newfoundland and Labrador have enough of a challenge to grow the self-sustaining part of their economy without blithering idiots like “Sue” and her pimply-faced youths making the job more difficult. I would help that province freely, but not if sheep and nutbars like “CA Sue” are involved. Who needs more boat anchors around the necks of those trying to make a difference?

And we don't have real problems in this federation?
on another note - I am not a Chartered Accountant CA - Mr. Sorenson mistook my Country Code CA as my professional designation...

On the Dole "eh" What do Ontarians think?

Please take the time to visit This Canada

Let me give you a tidbit of what this Ontarian thinks of our people and our Premier. Before we consider giving them any more of our natural wealth consider this:

Attention Canadians. Two jerk-offs are after your money. No, they are not thieves, although you might think so at first glance.

They are Danny Williams, the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Lorne Calvert, the Premier of Saskatchewan. They love to operate on the basis that there’s “free” money - yours and mine - available to eternally support their provinces under the so-called equalization principle. Except there’s no “equality” in this scheme at all — just a blood-sucking scheme to have the rest of Canada pay money to their coffers.

That's just one sample of the anti-Newfoundland and Labrador rubbish floating in Canada's landfill. When I countered that statement the fellow said:

As for mismanaging fish stocks, I seem to recall that fishermen profited from the fisheries, and pogey in off-season, along with the regular 42-week crowd. My goodness, some people are even saying that it wasn’t the Ottawa folks dipping jigs in the water, but I’m sure that’s just a rumour.

There’s even lots of work and money in Alberta for those who want to get off their duff, oh, sorry, “abandon their NL lifestyle” and seek it. (See 42-week pogey above).

By all means visit this guy and read some of the commentary on our province by him and others like him. Not one KW of Lower Churchill power should be exported to this region - as they will sit back - suck it in - and tell us we are welfare bums - because we will have no industry.

Williams and Doer snookered by Charest and McGuinty

Sue's Blog has often referred to hydro-electric potential as liquid gold - Sunday the Winnipeg Free Press called it "Black gold on tap".

In either case an interesting strategy is emerging by Ontario and Quebec on these valuable resources to the west and east of them.

The story out of Manitoba talks about the great potential of these untapped hydro resources in that province - similar to Newfoundland and Labrador and the installed capacity of this clean energy in that province. What do you think is being looked at there? EXPORT to Ontario and Quebec - the same way Newfoundland and Labrador is looking at going.

Quebec and Ontario is also pushing for the feds to construct an east west grid so they can capture all the clean energy from our two provinces at Canada's expense - and build industry at ours.

Now BC uses it's hydro for industry - and the economy demonstrates such - Alberta uses it's energy resources for themselves as does Ontario and Quebec - the two other provinces fortunate to have the resource are being used to supply Central Canada - and I would argue the economies of both our provinces reflect that policy.

Manitoba Premier Gary Doer and Premier Danny Williams are being intellectually snookered by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and Quebec Premier Jean Charest at a level which is - frankly embarrassing. And you bet Energy Probe's Tom Adams is encouraging the export of Manitoba's power too.

Quebec only exports 8% of their power - that's only because they have all the riches from Labrador's Upper Churchill otherwise they would be importing and - Ontario is a net importer as is British Columbia. They all use their power for industrial development.

Make no mistake about it - Quebec and Ontario have a joint strategy - they take what they want from the feds - a national energy grid - and then they take the clean power from Newfoundland and Labrador and Manitoba with our leaders' blessing.

If this strategy is successful both Newfoundland and Labrador and Manitoba will suffer through "have-not" status for many generations to come.