The Peter Penashue Position Perplexing, Political, Passive

Peter Penashue has decided to support the Harper government decision to close the Marine Rescue Sub-Centre in Newfoundland and Labrador.

His reasoning is that he has been convinced that safety will not be impacted by the move.

Sometimes it is necessary for people in the province to understand the decision making process of its Cabinet representative in Ottawa. This is one of those times.

Who did Penashue consult?

What relevant and knowledgeable people did he NOT consult?

What evidence was presented to him - that has not been presented to the people?

Did he make gains in another area to support that position? If so what?

Does Penashue believe he represents the people of the province in his belief?

If not how does this Aboriginal leader justify going against the common wisdom of the people?
(this in the context that aboriginal leaders and peoples tend to consult elders and seek out wisdom and consensus generally better that the rest of us)

Now the second point - even if Penashue believes that safety will not be impacted - on what basis does he support a loss of JOBS from this province?

How does an MP ever support a position where his province loses JOBS?

This is not a good start. Newfoundland and Labrador have both an MP Cabinet representative federally and a Premier provincially - who seem hell bent on going AGAINST the people.

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.

Dunderdale's ready to Separate from the Canada?

The Telegram has a very revealing story today about Dunderdale's position on the Marine Rescue Sub-Centre.

Below is a couple of paragraphs from the Telegram article.

Dunderdale mused about the possibility of assuming responsibility for the service, even though she lamented "downloading" it onto the province.

She noted that on fishery enforcement, research and other issues the province has already assumed duties that were traditionally federal responsibilities.

"We have to take on more and more of what are really federal responsibilities, you're right it's downloading and it puts more pressure on our system," she said. "I wish that we didn't have to do it, but you've got to weigh it off, in how important is it to the people of the province?

Now let's examine what the Premier is saying. Her point is the Federal Government is not going to live up to jurisdictional responsibilities so the people of Newfoundland and Labrador will have to pay for it.


The Premier points out that fisheries enforcement and science have now been taken on by the province and if we are to have marine rescue services we will have to pay for that. I hope she is not forgetting the Rails to Roads fiasco where we gave up the train - everybody else continues to enjoy - and we did so without any money for maintaining a new roads system which - because of a massive increase in truck traffic - costs us astronomically more. (ruts) (ruts)

As for the management and ownership of our fishery - which constitutionally we gave up under Confederation - we are now going to pay for the mismanagement, lack of science, lack of enforcement, that has killed entire communities and cost us 40,000 people.

Now we are left with a failed fishery and failing plants - which we will fund or compensate for because the feds won't deal with the fact that their mistakes are now costing us over a billion a year!

What's next Kathy - if the feds downgrade Marine Atlantic again - are we going to take over that?

So our new Premier uses this negotiation tactic:
If you won't pay for it - we will - and we will shut up because we want a loan guarantee for a project that would put us in debt - without proper return potential? We won't get a loan guarantee unless we agree to export our valuable hydro to fuel industry everywhere but Labrador?

So Premier remind me; why are we in Canada? 

No flies on her!

Dunderdale does not support the Rally - Triple D instead of Triple P

As a follow-up to my post earlier - I add the following after listening to Kathy Dunderdale on the local CBC Radio newscast.

1. The Premier does not think we should upset Harper right now.

2. The Premier talks to people who know people who know Harper.

3. The Premier is at Harper's beck and call as she waits for a phone-call from the PM.

4. The Premier does not think its nice to throw rocks. (at least not at Harper)

5. The Premier does not think the time is right to yell at Harper.

In other words - the Premier does not support the rally and once again as with the federal election - Dunderdale stands apart from the people and province she has sworn to represent. 

Question to Premier Dunderdale - what are you willing to give up to get a loan guarantee for a project which is inferior, harmful, and otherwise ruinous to our future?

While we are at it - do you think you can be "all over" the Marystown file? Due Diligence Dunderdale! Triple D instead of Triple P. Try not to trip-le over any more files please.

Family Commitments and Choices - Dunderdale chooses Harper over People

The story today is that Kathy Dunderdale is "unavailable" to attend the rally being held to fight the closure of the marine rescue sub-centre - this due to "family commitments".

This is a fundamental stand of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador against the stated action of the Government of Canada. This is not optional! The people of this province want to fight - and the Premier must stand with them.

You can speak to an oil conference, other Premiers, and the Prime Minister - you Premier should be present at this event.

Here's the real problem and we need some answers. Let's say that we accept that this family commitment is of such urgency or importance that our Premier must say no to a matter of dire concern to the province - then why did the Premier not offer optional dates to the committee?

Why did the Premier shut her mouth and give no direction to the people of the province? Why didn't the Premier organize a provincial rally and ask other groups to support the government in the direction? Why did the Premier only comment after an ad hoc organization announced the date of the rally? How long did the Premier want to wait?

Once again Kathy Dunderdale is not showing leadership capabilities. Dunderdale is not showing enough competence to be an interim leader let alone a Premier.

Kathy Dunderdale - is obsessed with the completion of the Emera/Muskrat giveaway and that type of zealotry should make us all - very afraid.

STOP HARPER FROM TAKING LIVES - STOP THE CLOSURE OF MARINE RESCUE

STOP STEPHEN HARPER FROM TAKING LIVES

ASK STEPHEN HARPER TO RIDE IT OUT ON THE NORTH ATLANTIC

SOS RALLY ST. JOHN'S WATERFRONT SATURDAY JUNE 25 - 11:30 AM




NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR HAS ALMOST LOST IT ALL TO CANADA
LOST OUR FISHERY
LOST OUR HYDRO
LOST OUR MINERALS
LOST OUR POPULATION
LOST OUR COMMUNITIES
LOST OUR INDEPENDENCE

WE MUST NOT LOSE MORE LIVES - STOP HARPER



STOP THE CLOSURE OF THE MARINE RESCUE SUB-CENTRE