Peter on the River - Merv in the River

Merv Wiseman gets written reprimand - Peter MacKay gets a lift from Gander River.

Merv Wiseman trying to protect lives in NL - Peter MacKay throws a helicopter to Labrador in part because of Wiseman's dedication to fight for SAR in OUR province.

Merv Wiseman coast guard employee for 35 years - Peter MacKay ended the PC Party Canada through deception.

Are we going to let this go too? Are we going to speak up to protect somebody interested in protecting the lives of Newfoundland and Labrador children, fishers, oil workers, recreational boaters?

The Honourable Peter MacKay? The dishonourable Merv Wiseman?

If you want to know how apathetic we've become - watch the reaction to this disservice delivered to a man with 35 years of real public service. 

Make no mistake - Merv Wiseman will walk the rest of the way for Burton Winters - Peter MacKay will cast his way into a healthy pension.

Burton Winters - Priority One - the Fifth Estate

The Fifth Estate became the voice of Burton Winters last night and walked another leg in his journey home.

The CBC program was respectful - revealing - and powerful.

There is no doubt that "assets" that are owned and paid for by Canadians were not used in the best interests of Canadians but rather were used in a manner prescribed by a Rear Admiral. That same Rear Admiral did not make himself available to Canadians who wanted to ask questions through their public broadcaster.

Both Peter McKay and the Rear Admiral David Gardam went missing when it came to answering questions that were not in a controlled environment. A Minister of the Crown who had no problem receiving the use of "assets" after a recreational fishing trip - did not respond when the question would be "why not use the 'assets' for a 14 year old young man from Labrador?"

Both men did not display one morsel of the courage displayed by 14 year old Burton as he valiantly tried to find his way home. A Minister and a Rear Admiral could not find their mouths or in the alternate were not allowed to use them.

One thing is for certain; the inconsistencies in the stories provided previously by both were revealed by the CBC investigative program and they do require answers.

Most people watching were moved emotionally as Burton's baby brother and parents were introduced to the program. As the program progressed that emotion would have turned to anger and then finally would have become resolve - to find real answers and to correct the problem.

It was a reminder to our provincial and federal government members that they must correct this. Peter Penashue and Kathy Dunderdale cannot hide or cower under the watchful eye of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. 

I particularly liked the scripting which said the people of Labrador and Newfoundland have come together to fight for what's right and to fight for Burton and the loss of that precious young life.

We will walk the rest of the way together and we invite you - whoever you are and wherever you may live to join us.

To participate in the "Burton Winters' Rescue Center in Labrador" Facebook group - PRESS HERE.
To view the Fifth Estate Program - PRESS HERE.

Go American all the way Harper, Toews, and MacKay

Vic, Peter, and Stephen want to be treated like Canadians - while they treat Canadian citizens like Americans. Not On!

Tell Vic Toews Everything was a social media revolt opposed to the Minister's proposed bill to give a free reign of investigation to law enforcement on ordinary Canadian Citizens. The online surveillance bill contained things that even the Minister was not aware of.

Putting aside for a moment that Toews should have resigned his portfolio based on his ignorance - Toews should have been prepared to come under extreme scrutiny by ordinary Canadians not used to this type of police state power.

So Toews, Peter MacKay and Stephen Harper are pushing an American agenda down our throats - the only problem is they don't want American back at them.

Toews was offended at his opponents taking cracks at his personal life and making public information - so public.

MacKay was offended by Canadians who questioned his privileged vacation flight from the Gander river - courtesy of Search and Rescue.

Harper is never really offended by anything - his steely blue lyin eyes reveal that his is a purpose of delivering the goods.

MacKay is a traitor - straight up - lied and almost single-handedly delivered the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada to the Reformers. He either is a straight-up liar or he was purchased to pay off debts accumulated during his campaign to lead the federal PC`s.

Toews and his public temper tantrum over the public release of public information is laughable - and I will tell you why. Mr. Toews and his gun slinging government are looking to breach the privacy of law abiding Canadians without so much as a warrant. At the same time they have killed the gun registry and are seeking to put more people in jail (tough on crime). What follows from here is in Stephen Harper's private little world - where his buddies seek to establish private prisons to be filled with non-violent offenders. Yes you and I will pay for the maximum security detail and the "entrepreneurs" will take the rest. Problem is they don't know if they have enough to fill their proposed private jails.Easy fix - put everybody in jail for a joint of weed.

So Mr. Toews, Mr. MacKay, and Mr. Harper - you want us to treat you like Canadians. Stay out of your private lives - be polite and not talk about your little indiscretions - while you get to treat us like Americans. Sorry - that's not how it works.

From now on I want to see ten years of your tax returns, I want the full deal on Toews and any others the same way the American people got to do the job on John Edwards. Let me see now John had affair with a household staffer and broke elections rules - fair game from now on Mr. Toews - you got the Canadian beat right out of me.

Peter Mackay - I want to know all about you and all the other girls every detail and I'd like to see what would happen to you in the USA if you let's say betrayed the Republicans and merged with the Libertarians. As for Harper - he is much more American that Michael Ignatieff ever was or could be and he will pay the piper.

In the Prime Minister's case we get to know about his last colonoscopy and whether or not he has polyps. what type of treatment he received, how the operation went - and the prognosis.

You people are a joke - you want to shove the stars and stripes down our maple leaf throats then be prepared for absolute scrutiny of every aspect of your personal lives. 

And while we are going American - please allow the American naval fleet to deal with foreign fishing trawlers. They'd be willing to call a war on that issue.

Harper cheers for twins from Sweden - as Canadian Essential Services are CUT

So President Harper wants to see a hockey game in Boston.

President Harper hitches a ride with the Air-Force 1 wannabe to the USA.

A pleasant picture of President Harper and his daughter in the stands cheering for "Canada's" team is shown by Canadian media - the same media who were restricted to 5 questions during the election campaign.

This at a time when smiling Oh'Flaherty slices jobs and essential services to Canadians. At a time when the the maladroit Minister of Finance happily hops down the steps heading to Parliament; on route to heckling political adversaries who are fighting his draconian cuts.

You see the NHL is a professional sports league that offers a product of unessential entertainment - best described as grown men passing a rubber disc around an ice surface with an aim to shoot it into a net owned by the opposing team. These men are paid millions to break a sweat while skating in 35 to 50 second intervals - and occasionally hit each other with an elbow, stick, or fist.

So at a time when jobs are being cut in Harper's republic, Newfoundland and Labrador is losing a rescue centre, and essential services for Canadians are being trimmed down - the Prime Minister has absolutely NO excuse to use government assets to watch a hockey game.

Do you think Harper is an average Canadian? He should be - he was elected by average Canadians to manage their collective affairs.

Harper is a liar; of that there is no doubt - but Harper is also clearly vindictive - to the point where average Canadians are blaming each other for voting anything but Conservative. It is a real belief in this country that if a particular electoral district voted for anybody but a Conservative - they will be punished with cuts to services and jobs. Worse Canadians believe - if a Province failed to vote for and elect a majority of Conservative seats - that population will be punished.

In Newfoundland and Labrador there is evidence that this is the case and will continue. Harper once said we had an attitude of defeatism and liked welfare - providing the benefit was rich enough. Harper felt completely comfortable abusing his power - while travelling to watch "Canada's" team in the NHL match-up.

Considering all these teams are rostered with individuals that are from everywhere - the PM actually sat in the stands cheering twins from Sweden while Newfoundland and Labrador's player Michael Ryder cleaned Vancouver's clock.

The Prime Minister Harper asked us to ignore "contempt of Parliament" and "violations of the Elections Act" and concentrate on the economy. Well done Harper - you lied again.

Remember Premier Dunderdale this is "your" man. 

Harper's Vendetta will now cost Lives - will Dunderdale stand by "her" Man?

Stephen Harper will not do right by Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Prime Minister has lied to Premier Williams directly, he has lied to me directly, he has lied to our people directly and it has cost us billions of dollars.

Each decision he makes guarantees that our Province and her people lose again.

The Prime Minister has lied on equalization, custodial management of the Nose and Tail, Air Force Base Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Senate appointments, and Income Trusts.

Regardless of your point of view about Danny Williams - he was right in his assessment of Harper and his very public warning about Harper's character should be remembered.

Harper is now threatening Fisheries Science again and places into more peril the stocks which the federal government is already responsible for mismanaging. Cuts to the Department, puts another nail in the coffin which is our future. That was figurative! With respect to cuts to the Coast Guard and emergency response - the man is placing in jeopardy - real lives. This certainly must be the last straw for our people!

The way Harper sees it is if we don't voluntarily jump off the bridge - he will push us.

Last but not least - Harper takes particular pleasure in having Newfoundlanders and Labradorians stand by his side while he takes aim at our province. Manning, Hearn, Sullivan, Beth Marshall, and Fabian have been used successfully and now he has our Premier Dunderdale holding his left hand and Peter Penashue holding his right hand. Let's hope they let go before more damage is done.

Broken Promises to Newfoundland and Labrador - Divorce Please

I see Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal MP's are gearing up for a spring election. They have started by using the national party's "Five Years of Harper : Broken Promises" list. 

First of all I want to thank them for the obvious - Stephen Harper does not tell the truth - he lies. They have compiled a partial list of promises broken - and no doubt it reiterates in a not so direct way - that Stephen Harper lies.

For Newfoundlanders and Labradorians - that have suffered "broken promises" lies since CONfederation - this is not news.

For the people of our province -there are two things troubling about this list:

The first is the list itself - the focuses - the missed elements,

The second is the Liberals do not say what THEY will DO about the issues noted in the list.

Let's look at some of the "list"

29. Replace CAIS with separate farm income stabilization and disaster relief programs that are simpler and more responsive.

Government Action: Broken. The Conservatives simply changed the name of the program but farmers say it’s no easier to use.

30. Commit to adding an additional $500 million annually to farm support programs.

Government Action: Broken. Although they committed the money early on, overall support for farm support programs has dropped.

31. Get the $5B in softwood lumber tariffs back.

Government Action: Broken.

33. Extend the two hundred mile limit to the edge of the Continental Shelf, the nose and tail of the Grand Banks, and the Flemish Cap in the North Atlantic.

Government Action: Broken.

57. Make the Canadian Coast Guard as a stand-alone agency.

Government Action: Broken. It remains a Special Operating Agency as the previous government had made it.

83. Achieve permanent changes to the equalization formula.

Government Action: Broken. The “permanent” changes lasted one year before they were changed again.

88. Make the Senate an effective, independent, and democratically elected body that equitably represents all regions.

Government Action: Broken

90. Make all votes in Parliament, except the budget and main estimates, “free votes” for ordinary Members of Parliament.

Government Action: Broken.

98. Recruit 13,000 additional regular forces and 10,000 additional reserve forces personnel.

Government Action: Broken.

112. Modernize the administration of our fisheries to ensure greater focus on conservation and using administrative sanctions, rather than court proceedings, to deal with violations.

Government Action: Broken. The new Fisheries Act died when Stephen Harper called an early election in 2008 – the bill has not been re-introduced.

113. Work with Western Canadian grain farmers to ensure that the results of the barley plebiscite are respected and that they are given the freedom to choose whether to sell grain on the open market or through the Canadian Wheat Board.

Government Action: Broken.

116. Assert Canada's rights over our Arctic waters, including the Northwest Passage

Government Action: Broken. The Conservatives released yet another “Arctic strategy” in 2010 while failing to fulfill their past promises for the North. They continue to insult the people of the North with more empty promises and rhetoric.

117. Reforming or Abolishing the Senate.

Government Action: Broken. Stephen Harper broke his pledge to only appoint elected Senators, instead he appointed 38 Senators - all Conservatives - just since the last election.

Let's have a quick review of the "broken promises" above. Numbers 29, 30, and 113 are relative to farming and if you read them carefully - the Liberals focus will probably remain on the Prairies for vote gains and breakthroughs in those farming provinces. Remember now - the Government of Canada does not manage or control the farming sector and is not responsible for weather phenomenon, world commodity prices etc. but they actually demonstrate through cash and incentives more for that sector that they do for a renewable resource (the fishery) they were directly responsible for managing. They throw around 500 million additional in farm support programs.

This has been no different than the Liberals when they held government.

Promise needed by all parties this election to Newfoundland and Labrador 1 billion a year or find the fish. What will the Liberals do for the fishery? What have they broken promises on in the past relative to the fishery?

Number 31 deals with getting the 5 billion dollars back for the softwood tariffs fiasco with the United States. The Liberals presumably are all for going after that money - yet I hear no commitment to Newfoundland and Labrador to give our 5 billion back for the devastation of the ground fish stocks.

Promise needed by all parties this election to Newfoundland and Labrador - at least 500 million a year for 10 years for loss of industry, people, employment and communities resulting from fisheries mismanagement.

Now number 33 is one of my favorites - dealing with extending the 200 mile limit to the nose and tail of the Grand Banks and the Flemish Cap. Wow are the Liberals really complaining about that promise broken? They invented it. Then we compare the note that only says "broken" to that promise to the note attached to number 116 see below.

116. Assert Canada's rights over our Arctic waters, including the Northwest Passage

Government Action: Broken. The Conservatives released yet another “Arctic strategy” in 2010 while failing to fulfill their past promises for the North. They continue to insult the people of the North with more empty promises and rhetoric.

Now which one to you think the Libs will focus on the Arctic or the nose and tail?

Promise needed by all political parties to Newfoundland and Labrador - extend the jurisdiction and assert our rights on the fish stocks. 

CONfederation the Libs and Conservatives have never recognized that they now have a new east coast and it is not Nova Scotia.

Promise needed by all political parties this election to Newfoundland and Labrador - real presence and real response times to protect our fishers and offshore workers.

Now number 83 deserves it's own separate post but nevertheless "equalization" - the Libs apparently disappointed in not achieving permanent changes to that formula. I'm glad it was not permanent - it's costing us 10 billion dollars. We beat (figuratively speaking) 2 billion out of Lib Paul Martin only to lose it to Stephen Harper's lies and Manning's absence of backbone.

Promise needed by all political parties this election to Newfoundland and Labrador - the removal of non-renewable resource revenues from the formula before the oil is gone and our childrens' future destroyed.

Numbers 88 and 117 deals with promises on Senate Reform - they can't be serious - the Libs are telling us that we should be angry that the Senate is not elected, not equal, and not effective. Best I can tell they are simply annoyed that the Cons now have majority in this dysfunctional waste of money. The Upper House - the brain trust of our people - the intellectual haven - right Fabian?

Promise needed by all political parties this election to Newfoundland and Labrador - elected, equal, and effective Senate or abolish it and find a way for provinces such as Newfoundland and Labrador get a real vote on major issues affecting us. This structure of both Parliament and the Senate is killing us.

Number 90 deals with "free votes" in the House of Commons - and the Libs are apparently complaining about this "broken promise" - sure you are. We should have been in an election by now.

Promise needed by all political parties this election to Newfoundland and Labrador - any issue including budget and estimates that would negatively affect a region or province - must be allowed to be a free vote. These MP's are elected to represent their people - period - full stop.

Number 98 deals with additional armed forces personnel both full service and reservists. Now everybody say after me "Happy Valley - Goose Bay" One can quickly note that neither the Libs or the Cons are committed to this.

Promise needed by all political parties this election to Newfoundland and Labrador - Happy Valley - Goose Bay priority number 1 and we will not tolerate any more delays. Further some creative presence in Stephenville focused around the port and airport would be necessary.

Number 112 needs to be reprinted here

Modernize the administration of our fisheries to ensure greater focus on conservation and using administrative sanctions, rather than court proceedings, to deal with violations.

Government Action: Broken. The new Fisheries Act died when Stephen Harper
called an early election in 2008 – the bill has not been re-introduced.

Yes let's all administrate the violators into submission - Is that the best you can do relative to the fishery?

Promise needed by all political parties this election to Newfoundland and Labrador -once again pass over the 5 billion and an additional 1 billion annually or find the fish.

Now even this short review gives us the voters enough to work with and reminds the MP's and wannabe MP's that talk is cheap and the idea of going to Ottawa is not to get yourselves atop the agenda but rather do what it is you were elected to do. Get the job done or move over.

 How many Newfoundland and Labrador MP's does it take to change a light bulb?

One to talk about the light bulb - one to promise to change it  - one to shop for a new light bulb - one to put up a ladder - one to study if that's the best approach - one to call for public consultations - one to ask questions of the government about changing the bulb - and the last to remind us that the Conservatives promised to change it and didn't. Oh we are one short!