Striking a Balance Bill 29? Logic tells us otherwise!

Over the past week we have heard Government MHA's suggest that "frivolous and vexatious" requests are part of the reason they have to change access to information laws.

It is commonly agreed that more information will be kept secret and some information harder to get because of the amendments to the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (Bill29).

Ministers stood on their feet and dragged out samples of such requests - and while this is not the norm - they pointed out they were compelled to stop such wastage of taxpayer money.

Here's the other side of the balance: Newfoundland and Labrador has suffered many more fraudulent and bad resource deals than it has suffered "vexatious and frivolous" information requests - and the cost to the taxpayer has been far more severe from the bad and/or fraudulent and/or corrupt deals.

The billions of dollars essentially robbed from our people - be it fish, energy, minerals, forests, or cash far outweighs the few thousand dollars suffered from "frivolous and vexatious" access to information requests.

So what does the government do? Well they tighten information to protect business. Yes that says it all about fairness and balance.

We as a people should conclude that there is something to hide - as not to do so would be illogical and open us up to another 50 years of bad resource deals.

I have a request of our media - please research and present all the losses we have suffered from bad and/or corrupt business deals and compare that dollar value to the amount lost from "frivolous and vexatious" access to information requests.

While we are at it - which caused more harm to the tenuous trust we have in government; the few "frivolous and vexatious" requests presented or the marching of 4 former MHA's to jail?

Yes we should strike a balance regarding access to information - but Bill 29 is not that balance. It is a lopsided - one way - ticket to hiding information. What has been the result of that approach in our past?

Iceland's Fishery gets Thor - we get Harper and Dunderdale

Ahh to be free from the chains that bind us.

Below please read a story from FishUpdate Magazine published today.

 

THE Thor, Iceland's new super fishery protection ship, has begun the 14,000 mile journey from the shipyard in Chile, where it was built, to its new base near Reykjavik.

Sailing through the Panama Canal and calling at Boston in the United States and Halifax, Canada on the way she is expected to arrive in Iceland towards the end of the month.

The new Thor has been under construction since 2007 and will become the flagship of the Icelandic Coastguard's fishery protection which includes three other vessels, two helicopters and a surveillance aircraft.

The fleet's job is two-fold - to combat illegal fishing, along with general policing of the seas, and to provide a search and rescue service for fishing vessels that might get into difficulties.  The Icelandic Coastguard - its motto is "Always Prepared" - was first established in the 1920s to monitor the country's fishing limits which were then just three miles from shore.

For veteran trawlermen in Grimsby, Hull and Aberdeen, the name "Thor" will have an older resonance. It was an earlier Iceland gunboat called the Thor which clashed with British trawlers and Royal Navy frigates during the cod wars of the 1970s. The gunboat would get in close to try to cut the nets of the British trawlers during a long series of fishing dispute. On one occasion it even opened fire on a British fishery support ship. After that episode the Royal Navy was called in to offer protection to the trawler fleet.

Iceland did offer Britain a 65,000 annual catch quota, but this was rejected by the UK fishing industry and the government (which included the then Foreign Secretary Anthony Crosland, who was also the MP for Grimsby)  who wanted a 110,000 ton quota. The dispute ended in eventual defeat for British fishermen when Iceland won its fight for a 200 mile limit.

Nova Scotia attracts 150 high paying jobs from our resources! Well done Premier!

Please read the News Release below released by the Government of Nova Scotia. So the "Atlantic Office" based on our resources goes to that province not ours. Well done Premier.

Economic and Rural Development and Tourism

September 14, 2011 8:51 AM

---

Acting Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, John MacDonell today, Sept. 14, welcomed news that Projex, a Calgary-based engineering firm, will open an Atlantic office in Halifax.

"I'm so pleased Projex has recognized the talent of our workforce and Nova Scotia as a great place to do business," said Mr. MacDonell. "On behalf of the province, I'd like to welcome Projex to Nova Scotia."

The firm, which specializes in the energy sector, will create 15 local jobs when it opens its doors at the beginning of October, including electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, piping designers, structural designers, instrumentation and control engineers and document control technicians.

The company hopes to have 50 to 150 full-time positions available by 2012.

Danny Williams will not define her! No? Then who will?

The unelected Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, Kathy Dunderdale says former Premier Danny Williams will not define her.

The invisible (barring quaint photo-ops) leader has gone out of her way to have exactly what she is protesting against. Ms. Dunderdale has not had one original thought since taking office. In fact the Premier is absolutely running on Danny Williams extended coat-tails.

The management of this PC campaign are clearly of the opinion that as Tony the Tory calls it "quiet" representation by this Premier is the only way to go. Why is that? Kathy Dunderdale is unable or unwilling to enter into discourse on the significant issues in our province today.

Today the Premier is being defined by Ministers who are doing a poor job in justifying the arrogant and dismissive approach by government toward citizens of the province. Despite comments made by Williams, Dunderdale finds herself hard pressed not to be defined by him. The truth is the Premier is hiding and wants you and I to elect her based on her record. What record? Danny's record.

The Premier has not played a leadership role on any of the key issues in the province today - choosing instead to have others speak for her. Be it Muskrat Falls, Pharmacy, the Fishery, CETA, or rural decimation - the Premier is not showing us her vision.

No doubt the Blue Book is coming, controlled, contrived, careful and steady as she goes. Money will be thrown at advertising, spin, paid employment opportunities, and image - this does not replace the natural qualities of a leader. Ms. Dunderdale was and is an interim leader - she is not the choice of the party - as the party had no choice. This in part was due to the wannabes being subdued by gutlessness or design. By design would mean the party expects the voters to elect another PC government based on the continued popularity of the former Premier. This also means the knives will be out within one month of the election - should the Tories win.

The debates are going to present a real problem for the Premier - for no matter how hard the handlers try Ms. Dunderdale cannot be managed LIVE.

So if Kathy Dunderdale wants to be defined by somebody other than Williams, Kennedy, Marshall, and King then she had better show up to something other than photo-ops and the blatant abuse of cheque giving witnessed last month. The convenient resignations of senior officials such as Ross Reid and Len Simms to run a political campaign also demonstrates that Dunderdale is weak and is following the Williams tactics.

If the only thing Dunderdale can point to is the change in the relationship with Stephen Harper - then shame on her. That newly minted friendship has cost us and will cost us dearly. This Premier is so weak that the promise of a loan guarantee has come with so many giveaways - generations of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will curse her leadership for decades.

Let me help Minister Clyde Jackman - OCI made a hefty political contribution

Last week Minister of Fisheries Clyde Jackman issued the following News Release:

Company Named to Assess Finances of Marystown Processing Plant

As part of its response to concerns about the viability of the Ocean Choice International (OCI) processing plant in Marystown, the Provincial Government issued a request for proposals for an independent assessment of the financial health and viability of the plant. The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today announced that Deloitte has been chosen to carry out the assessment and will begin work immediately.

“We are taking an important early step toward resolving an issue of great importance to everyone connected with the Marystown plant,” said Minister Jackman. “This assessment will be valuable because it will give insights about the issues causing financial difficulty at the facility, the long-term planning and prospects of the plant, and the possibility of making changes operationally or financially to improve the fortunes of the operation.”

OCI acquired the facility in 2007 as part of a purchase of assets from the former Fishery Products International Limited. As part of the acquisition the Provincial Government had OCI agree it could only close the facility if it incurred significant losses with no reasonable prospect of eliminating those losses in the future, and on the condition that those losses were not the result of deliberate decisions by OCI. Deloitte will verify the past financial performance of the plant in each year of operations since the acquisition, and will evaluate the financial and operational parameters of OCI’s yellowtail flounder harvesting and processing to determine the outlook for the facility.

“I look forward to receiving the assessment and I encourage the continuation of meaningful dialogue between the union and the company so that the best possible outcome can be achieved,” said Minister Jackman.

 -30-

So let's examine the finances shall we. Well since OCI purchased the asset I can confirm that the company contributed $15,375 dollars to the PC's in non-election years. I can further confirm that Pennecon Energy Ltd. contributed $4250 and Pennecon Ltd. contributed $9750 to the Tories in 2010 alone. I don't know but if a plant is failing and the finances are being examined you certainly do not have the money for such generous political contributions - UNLESS - you expect political favours that may mitigate the financial duress - right?

Money talks but it don't fish and vote and it don't walk. As long as you are here with me - I'd much rather be investing in PC's. (with apologies to Neil Diamond)

How Corporations from outside the Province are controlling essential Health Policy

Read how big Corporations from outside the Province are controlling essential Health Policy. Read how it is not in YOUR best interest.
PRESS HERE

Minister Jerome Kennedy turning blind eye as Seniors lose basic rights?

Is Minister Jerome Kennedy ignoring the activities of Shopper's Drug Mart and Lawton's Drugs that essentially are causing the removal of Seniors rights in personal care homes?

Read what has happened to seniors in Grand Falls-Windsor as reported today by the local paper.

Where are Minister Susan Sullivan and MHA Ray Hunter?

Why is the Dunderdale government protecting big business over seniors?

PRESS HERE FOR THE STORY

Was Paul Oram in a Conflict of Interest when Trying to Buy Businesses while Minister?

Yesterday Paul Oram, Former Minister of Business and Health decided he would weigh in on the pharmacy issue.

Important questions for Mr. Oram

1. When he was negotiating to buy pharmacies was he the Minister of Business or the Minister of Health?
2. Would he be in conflict when serving as either Minister while at the same time using the knowledge he has in those portfolios and applying that directly to business acquisitions?
3. When Mr. Oram says he would buy pharmacies then or now - what price is he talking about?
4. When Mr. Oram says the pharmacies would have to "adjust their businesses" what does he mean? Is he saying that services would have to be cut for seniors? Would there be mass layoffs? Would the hours and accessibility change?
5. Oram says not "every" rural pharmacy would close - what one's does he believe will close?
6. Did Mr. Oram divulge financial information to his colleagues in government that was attained confidentially? 

Mr. Oram remains a voice-box for government and where Minister Tom Marshall silenced all MHA's on the issue publicly (like a dictator) - the government is now going to send out ex-MHA's and ex-Ministers.

Below is the transcript from VOCM's Open-Line

PAUL ORAM: Yeah, the comments on the pharmacists, talking about pharmacies and so on. You know, we looked at buying a couple of pharmacies a few years ago. I can tell you that, you know, the negotiations stopped because the owners decided not to sell. And it was two independent pharmacies. And I can tell you right now that if the pharmacists and if anybody wants to sell me pharmacies today, I'm open for business. I'll buy them. I mean these pharmacies are making a whole lot of money. The generic drug business is making a whole lot of money. And yes, the margins may be cut a bit. Like everybody we have to adjust our businesses every day for different things to change our margins. But the reality is, these pharmacies are still worth a lot of money.

RANDY SIMMS: So you don't accept the argument from these independent pharmacists that in actual fact the loss of these professional fees or pharmaceutical rebates will mean the demise of their business. You don't believe that.

PAUL ORAM: Absolutely not. They may have to adjust their business somehow to make it work more properly or make it work differently. I mean the reality is that this is a law that's put forth in Canada. These rebates have been coming in and I think government turned a blind eye to it for years. That's the reality. But at the end of the day, they're making a whole lot of money. And should they make money? Yes, they should. I think everybody should make money, you know, and the more they make the better. But you know, the province has an opportunity here to save some money and save a lot of money, by the way. So we have to look at every possible way to save money. I mean this is not the demise of every small pharmacy in rural Newfoundland and Labrador, in Newfoundland and Labrador in general. I mean this is just, this is going to have to be an adjustment that's made by the pharmacies to ensure that they keep their business viable. And I believe these businesses are very viable and I heard some comments --

RANDY SIMMS: And you, Paul Oram, businessman, you're ready to buy a couple if they're willing to sell them.

PAUL ORAM: I want them. Ask them to give me a call. I'll buy them right now.

RANDY SIMMS: I got to end on that note, Paul.

CICPO outlines why the Court Action in the Telegram

Please read the Pharmacy NL blogspot for details. PRESS HERE

Danny Williams leave the noose for Premier Dunderdale on Muskrat Deal

Below is a quote from former Premier Danny Williams as reported by CBC NL
 
"People have a right to scrutinize. People have a right to ask questions. You know, I welcome that," he said. "The last thing that I would want to do as a former premier or Premier Dunderdale would want to do as the current Premier is do a bad project. So the more questions that are asked and answered are good. And I'm sure whether it's premier Dunderdale or It's Nalcor energy, if they see something they can tweak and make that a better project, they'd only be too delighted. it's better to find out now than later."

So Danny is finding a way to stick this deal to Kathy Dunderdale - clever as always. Read it carefully. Tory Cabinet Ministers should read their former boss's comments carefully. They had better make sure they "tweak" the deal or they might make a bad deal.

He knows what the problems are with the deal - at least the problems that are evident for the people/ratepayers. The money boys are all over it and want us - the owners of the resource to line their pockets with profit.

When Newfoundland and Labrador is already supplying 10% of the clean hydro power to Canada compared to under 1% supplied by each of PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Alberta, and less than 2% from Saskatchewan - we are hardly "needing" to contribute more to greening up Canada.

Worse when mighty Ontario is generating less hydro-power than Newfoundland and Labrador yet is full of industry and growing in population - Minister Skinner, Premier Dunderdale and the rest of Cabinet had better rethink the strategy of delivering our superior power to them. This is beyond "inadequate" - this is ludicrous.

Stop the Emera deal. Sign the petition Press Here

Ed Martin - Surprised and Disappointed at the Tone of the Panel Report on Lower Churchill

The President of Nalcor says he is "surprised and disappointed" at the tone of the Review Panel report. Well Ed Martin that's tough!

There are many people in this province - who for varying reasons - oppose the Muskrat deal and are disappointed in you and sidekicks like Gil Bennett. People we pay - who show utter contempt toward anybody who asks legitimate questions.

I have spent my adult life researching the hydro-electricity assets in our province - and voluntarily shared with people my findings and opinions on the development of such resources. I attended one of the sessions of the Review Panel and attempted to ask questions of Nalcor. Gilbert Bennett, Vice President - Lower Churchill, Nalcor responded by smirking and giggling/whispering to another sidekick at the table - and then answering in a manner using industrial language; in an attempt to sound or feel superior to the questioner.

I am neither surprised or disappointed in the "tone" of the report. It reflects a couple of things; the truth and vindication for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who had legitimate concerns about this project.

Nalcor failed to justify this development based on their own reasoning for doing it. Nalcor failed and continues to fail in its explanations to the ratepayers/people of the province. Nalcor failed in separating itself from the partisan reasons for doing the project.

Kathy Dunderdale, Premier appointed of the province failed and continues to fail to understand the project herself. Her public commentaries are weak and demonstrate her ignorance regarding the history and potential future of these tremendous hydro assets. The Premier in her zealotry to deliver Danny's baby (Muskrat) is actually managing to turn these valuable assets into unsustainable liabilities. Unfortunately this one project is so important to our future - that the electorate must remove her from office - in order to avoid the catastrophic damage it would cause to our economy over the life of the deal.

I encourage people to read the entire report of the Panel - in order that they see how damning it actually is. The exercise of reading a few hundred pages is probably one of the best things you could do for your children, grandchildren, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Minister Shawn Skinner should not ignore the information provided by the Panel and should not ignore genuine concerns of people - who for non-partisan reasons - are willing to participate in this process.

Next week - Shawn Skinner will be a guest on Randy Simms Open-Line program and I have an important question for him. The people want to know how do we develop our resources in a manner that makes the people not companies or a few millionaires the primary beneficiaries. Further the questions about the price of power are uppermost in the minds of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians - particularly the most economically vulnerable in our society. It is clear to me that the Premier and her Ministers are not competent when discussing the very basic issues regarding this deal - let alone the complexities of an overall vision for our future through the use of such valuable resources.

I look forward to asking a question of Minister Skinner - and I trust he will have the answer. If not I trust the people will see through the spin and understand that this resource should be left for more visionary and competent people to develop. The next 50 years depends on that.

Please sign the petition to stop the Emera deal. PRESS HERE

Minister of Health focused on protecting Chain Drugstores instead of Rural Communities?

What is Minister Jerome Kennedy trying to accomplish?

Read the information PRESS HERE

To Nova Scotia with Love - a letter from Premier Kathy Dunderdale

When assessing the Muskrat Falls deal and the economics of the project it is important that we not forget other less discussed components. This is particularly true when tallying costs.

Please consider the following costs:

1. Loss of the rescue sub-centre.
2. Loss of federal government jobs in other service areas.
3. Loss of positioning regarding the fishery.
4. Loss of fight for equalization changes.
5. Loss of positioning regarding the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement with the EU.
6. Loss of positioning regarding the Marine Atlantic fiasco.
7. Loss of any leverage with the Federal Government in all other sectors. 

Notwithstanding the above we have lost the BBB to Nova Scotia, we are about to lose our energy advantage to Nova Scotia, we continue to lose tourism to Nova Scotia, then there is the shipbuilding contracts, even the Newfoundland Capital Corporation the mother company of VOCM is in Nova Scotia.

Please stop the erosion of our province. Please fight to save Newfoundland and Labrador.

Stop the Emera deal! PRESS HERE

Power of the People Returns

Power of the People RETURNS PRESS HERE

The BIG Muskrat, Fish, and Rural LIE - Dunderdale and Marshall come clean!

The death of Rural Newfoundland and Labrador - understated, avoided, shrugged off as pessimism.

The talk show hosts always say - it is happening all over - everywhere in Canada.

Randy Simms has gone through great pains as he contorted this reality.

How about this Newfoundland and Labrador:

Rural Ontario has grown in numbers since our confederation and year over year; rural Ontario has grown in number equal to our population.

In 1951 Rural Ontario = 1,300,000
In 2006 Rural Ontario = 1,800,000

Between 1991 and 2001 - the fishery collapse
Rural population of Newfoundland and Labrador declined by 18%.
The rest of Canada during the same period - average loss of .5%

Did that 18% and subsequent losses all move to St. John's and surrounds? NO.

Population of Newfoundland and Labrador 1991 = 579644
Population of Newfoundland and Labrador 2001 = 522033
Population of Newfoundland and Labrador 2003 = 518520
Population of Newfoundland and Labrador 2010 = 509739

During the seventies and eighties as we developed our power assets for electricity - our population was hovering around 580000 people.

Couple that with the massive loss of industry over that period to now and you will conclude that power requirements are not going to go up in the manner that Minister Marshall suggests. Add the fact that most things are more energy efficient now than in the seventies.

This is a farce.

The Muskrat Falls deal is for the Tories to say we are creating jobs. Temporary - unsustainable jobs. Jobs that will cost our grandchildren billions of dollars.

One big LIE!

Are you willing to have your grandchildren suffer the same fate as you and I did under the first big LIE - the Upper Churchill?

Say NO!

Garbage and Pride - A measure of Dunderdale's success!

How many of you notice the garbage everywhere - in ditches, on the streets, in the woods, stuck to fences, hanging off trees, and flying in the air?

First of all - most of this garbage is from adults - not from kids. Tossing stuff out of the car window and commercial vehicles driving along the outer-ring road spewing unprotected waste - on the way to the dump. Then there are retail parking lots - or just outside their borders - the mounds of waste; branded as applicable. I'm starting to wonder if they consider tens of thousands of Tim Horton's cups decorating our landscape as good advertising?

I'm wondering if there is a way to keep the Colonels boxes penned in - the chickens are far more controlled than the litter is.

Then my favorite, washing machines dumped in the woods just outside of the city boundaries, car wrecks here and there, bits of metal, remains of transport truck tires providing a slalom course on the Trans Canada highway.

More disgusting than all of this are children being tasked to pick up the garbage as a volunteer effort.

So what makes adults toss their waste all over the place; anywhere other than the dump or garbage container? What makes adults desire to live, drive, walk, and run amidst the flying debris?

The answer is a lack of pride. There is no pride left. It has been stripped from our population by lazy, incompetent, disinterested, or ignorant elected representatives.

When you sit in your own garbage - you must feel there is no hope.

Whole communities lost - families moved away - youth leaving everyday - industries dismantled and closed.

Husbands or wives leaving for months on end to other provinces for temporary work. Elderly parents left without family, children without regular presence of one parent or another.

So the leaders that are looking once again for your vote - are asking it - without having performed.

Make no mistake - if success can be measured by companies being interested in stripping us of our resources - without commitment to processing - or secondary industrial development - Newfoundland and Labrador is king. We are at the top of the heap. That was and remains our problem.

Let me give you a sample of good news in our province.

1. We have lost the Abitibi mill in Grand Falls-Windsor - and apparently that's a good thing. We can diversify and expropriate assets and sue people.

2. We have lost the Abitibi mill in Stephenville - and apparently this also is marvelous - to be complimented with the continued downgrading of the Stephenville Airport and Port.

3. Our groundfish stock has not recovered - in twenty years - but this too is an opportunity to do aquaculture.

4. We are going to haul the oil up out of the banks at record levels - this is great because we can spend like drunken sailors during an election. Those valuable non-renewable resources are best taken now - so that our children and grandchildren will not have to worry about their development and use. They could not possibly be smarter than the crew we have elected now - right?

5. We are going to develop the Lower Churchill - oops we mean Muskrat Falls - and in this way we can lower costs to Nova Scotians and green Canada up. We will have the privilege of paying double for this wonderful development - that will ensure Hydro Quebec's success and the inevitable failure of Nalcor. The good news is - somebody is waiting in the wings to buy it from us. Privatize it!

6. The loss of shipbuilding is great - maybe this will open new opportunities for those assets. Perhaps we can be a subsidiary of Irving. Kiewit and Sons -poof - gone. While we are at it oops there goes another fishplant. That's okay - now we can "rationalize" the sector.

7. Last but not least - with loss of population or at best no growth - loss of industry after industry - our power needs are going to go up. Yes sir - we had better get that Muskrat working to protect us from relying on Holyrood. Oh yes Tom Marshall has us heavily relying on that facility. No odds - the fact that the statement is untrue does not matter. What matters is that Tom - thinks he is doing a great thing by imagining we are growing. 


So what have we learned?

Have we learned to do more secondary processing of our fish? NO!

Have we learned to do more secondary processing of our oil? NO!

Have we learned to do more secondary processing of our hydro? NO!

These inept - self-serving or weak politicians are bankrupting us resource by resource. With that - so goes pride - and with that we will agree to sit in our own garbage.

Power Lines Crossed with Dunderdale Government

What does this mean?


The Vermont Public Service Board recently approved a contract for Vermont utilities to buy power from Hydro-Québec for 20 years.  The new contract will supply about 20% of Vermont’s power needs, bringing 225 MW of power into Vermont to replace an expiring contract for 310 MW.  The starting price for the power is about $58.07 per MWh and will be adjusted annually based on regional electricity prices.  Vermont regulators found the agreement provides Vermont financial benefits by locking in a stable price that is lower than many other sources of electricity.  Contracts such as this represent only the tip of the iceberg for power imports from Québec, as Hydro-Québec partners to build transmission lines through New York and New Hampshire.

Power Hungry - Hydro Quebec or the Dunderdale Government?

What does this mean?


North of Vermont’s border, Hydro-Quebec is developing or planning for over 10,000 MW of new generation, as well as connections to high-voltage transmission lines through New Hampshire and New York. Any connection between Vermont and Newfoundland would likely go through Hydro-Quebec lines, and the two provinces have a long history of clashing on energy relations.

Dunderdale and Jones - the amigos Dean Danny and Brian got your back!

Note to the reader: Please read the entire post and find something you can refute.

When is enough - enough? Never for some who have their hearts set on making money everywhere and anywhere they can.

This is not public policy - it is "me" policy - and we are into it deep.

Dean MacDonald has now returned to Liberal glory having bowed out to support Danny Williams during his kick at the cat. The same Dean MacDonald that ripped the living daylights out of Roger Grimes - when it was convenient to get his PC elected. All the while Brian Tobin is the third amigo - and he can swing where the power goes.

The best part is - how they all set it up - or make excuses for it. They absolutely believe the general population of Newfoundland and Labrador is brainless.

A deal is announced suddenly on the Lower Churchill - Danny suddenly leaves - Danny and Kathy fight it out publicly - Dean returns to being a "public" Liberal - Brian Tobin is named Chairman of the Canadian Venture Corps Advisory Board - and is quoted as saying "Bay St. George is home for me".

So is Brian coming home to be part of the Liberal re-establishment under Dean - as soon as he deals with the current leader?

So the boys will get their Churchill deal - while Kathy will be blamed for the mess - and the guys will regain power by Election 2015 - to start on the next extraction of wealth from Newfoundland and Labrador.

Now we'll have to wait and see if Brian returns home before August of this year. There would be a specific reason for this if he does. Or he may sit back and let "time" pass in Ottawa and be back at the end of the sentence.

Either Kathy and Yvonne are getting what they need here or they are being played like the fiddle - while the boys burn Rome.

Dean MacDonald shoved a sharp political knife through the heart of Roger Grimes when the deal (Churchill) was not being managed by the "right" people. So his buddy Danny comes along and makes a new deal - MacDonald says nothing. Now MacDonald has rejoined the Liberal camp - yet he continues to say nothing on the Churchill deal. Either he agrees with it - giving him no reason to abandon the Tories or he disagrees with it - meaning he would throw Danny under the bus - as not enough time has elapsed to fully allow the giveaway to stick to Dunderdale.

Now Dean claims he would like to lead the Liberals but this is not the time. No instead he will come in under Yvonne Jones now - claim he is Liberal again - help the Liberals lose - and allow the Muskrat Giveaway to take its course. Then he will rise like the phoenix from the ashes and claim Newfoundland and Labrador can not allow any more giveaways as just witnessed under Dunderdale. They have assessed that the province will be ready for another Savior by then. He will then have to put his assets in a "blind" trust and perhaps Danny and Brian could manage that for him.

In the event Dunderdale continues to blow things at a record pace - and Yvonne takes the election - she has already said - she would not scrap the deal - but rather have an independent review. Protects the deal either way.So who is advising Yvonne on the Lower Churchill? Dean perhaps? How convenient.

Just wondering Tom - am I close yet? It's a little much for a real Newfoundlander and Labradorian to swallow.

Brian gave to Danny - Cable Atlantic - Danny gave to Dean Persona - Now Dean needs to give to Brian ???

The Perfect Storm Dunderdale/Smallwood - Stop the Carnage

Today I write one of the most somber thoughts - I have ever had.

I am very afraid for Newfoundland and Labrador. The perfect political storm is forming and if we - as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians - do not take severe and immediate action - our place may be lost.

Kathy Dunderdale inherited the post of Premier - and since the swearing in she has shown everything but leadership. Yes her ego is doing quite well - she seems to enjoy being the woman in power - but only in controlled and friendly environments. Dunderdale is uncomfortable dealing with the people - and she prefers not to do it.

The media and ordinary citizens are the enemy and she must find "friends" in other places.

Dunderdale relies on being recognized by people like Harper and Oil executives and relies on people like Ed Martin (Nalcor) to remind her that she is strong and doing the right things.

Hard to know how she is doing with Cabinet - these MHA's are so desperate to keep a portfolio - that otherwise independent people are making absurd excuses for policy failures.

Either Kathy Dunderdale is a complete political fraud or she is completely incompetent. You see Kathy Dunderdale hung off Danny's every word and move. She supported his position that unelected Premiers should not do major resource deals. She fought hard for that while in Opposition. Dunderdale basked in Danny's glory as he lowered flags, took on the feds, and politically condemned Harper. When Danny asked - she walked with Siobhan Coady door to door - to make the point that Harper must not be trusted and if he ever got a majority - Canada - particularly Newfoundland and Labrador would be in trouble. When Danny spoke - Kathy backed him up - she would call talk shows and reiterate Danny's points and talk about his greatness. When Danny bailed on our health care system and treated his illness in the USA - she was sent out to take the awkward questions and defend his decision. While she took over the Premier's role during Williams's recovery - she did nothing to change the course.

Then Kathy became Premier - and realized that she was the boss. If you think Williams was vindictive and vengeful - look out world - here comes Kathy.

The only problem is - her anger is toward the people. She adopted Williams dictatorial style without having his abilities or education (formal or street). If we are to believe Williams - the very first thing Kathy did as she took office is cut the former Premier off. For what purpose? Dunderdale hung on every word and action of Williams and now - he is not worthy of advice?

If Williams is to be believed - he recently stated publicly that hydro power from Labrador should have the right to go through Quebec and he felt this should be accomplished to allow this province to have the best opportunity to benefit from these resources. What is going on? Do we know anything really about this proposed development in the Big Land? The answer is no.

I have listened to Kathy Dunderdale speak on the Lower Churchill several times and she simply does not know enough on this potential to make decisions. Then we have to rely on the "experts" she relies on. What experts? The bureaucrats that would like to see hydro privatized? Nalcor executives who appear annoyed at having to answer questions? The companies that stand to gain short and long-term fortunes from the resource? One thing is for sure - Dunderdale is not listening to the people and she is ignoring many citizens of varying backgrounds who are warning - that this deal is bad - very bad.

Then there is Kathy's new appreciation, respect and adulation of Stephen Harper.

This picture says it all. 

 

 

You see - this is not possible if you believe that Kathy actually believed and stood by Danny in his assessment of Harper. If she simply went along with Williams and was opposed to the ABC campaign - then she would have asked you and me to support ABC under false pretences.

Stephen Harper will only provide a loan guarantee to this province if it benefits other provinces. In fact the decimation of Newfoundland and Labrador resources to the benefit of other jurisdictions suits Harper just fine. This is how it has always been in Canada - and under Harper it will get worse.

Tonight as Dunderdale speaks to Harper - she may very well get the reversal on the closure of the marine rescue sub-centre - and this to keep the relationship intact long enough to rid Labrador of its industrial future.

The Emera deal is happening under very similar conditions to that of the Upper Churchill fiasco. A leader - Kathy Dunderdale - like Smallwood - who was satisfied to get compliments from those in the world of the corporate elite.

1. Joey sold the water rights in order to promote national unity and further secure Newfoundland's place in Canada. Kathy in essence is promoting the same ideas.

2. Joey quote:
“Our danger, so it seems to me, is that of nursing delusions of grandeur. We remember the stories of small states that valiantly preserved their national independence and developed their own proud culture, but we tend to overlook the fact that comparison of Newfoundland with them is ludicrous. We are not a nation. We are merely a medium size municipality, a mere miniature borough of a large city.”

Kathy has this mentality and believes we need others to develop and control our resources. This is the same thinking that went into the Upper Churchill.

* Just a quick note - Iceland - is doing just fine after the global economic meltdown and will probably fair better than fellow European nations.

3. Joey's continued assertion that the Upper Churchill deal was a good one, good for Canada, good for Newfoundland (Labrador), he'd say these are our resources, this is our falls, this is our water. Kathy is doing the same thing and once again we are heading for a catastrophic giveaway of our resources and worse dragging us into debt - which is not sustained by the market but rather by you and me on our power bills.

4. They both also harped on the tens of thousands of person-hours of work that will be created during construction. This was good for the companies that made a killing off the development and then walked away money in pocket - and shag Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Are we expecting businesses that stand to gain tens of millions - hundreds of millions are going to oppose the development? No they are going to cheer it on. They are not responsible for the future of our province. They are not responsible for the well being of our people and communities.

Naivety and personal satisfaction ruled the deal for Joey and it is ruling the deal for Kathy.

The media is not showing any real interest in the fact that we have no proof that this is a good deal - and that other options were considered. We remain absent of the proof that the Lower Churchill could not be developed for industrial development in Labrador. We have been told for years that industry demands subsidized power rates from such a development. Even if that is true - we are now going to subsidize power to Nova Scotia without one long-term industrial job created. If we are willing to subsidize lower power rates - are we not better off subsidizing it for long term jobs in Labrador?

There is no question that we are on the road to repeat one of the worst resource deals in history. If we allow Dunderdale to continue - we will repeat the Upper Churchill contract.

The only difference nowadays is that social media allows people to have their objections posted - recorded on line for the next generation to view. Sadly being able to say "I told you so" will provide little solace to our children.

What will you do to stop this disaster?
How many times must resources from this province benefit everybody but us?
How many times will the rest of Canada reap the lions share of benefits from our resources?

Do you believe any companies made fortunes from our fishery? What have we to show for it?
Do you believe any companies made fortunes from our minerals? What have we to show for it?
Do you believe any companies made fortunes from the Upper Churchill? What have we to show for it?
Do you believe any companies made fortunes from our Forests? What have we to show for that?

Despite our great wealth in natural resources - arguably more per capita than any other jurisdiction in North America; why has our population remained stagnant and aging? Why do our people have to leave to find gainful employment?

What happened to our shipyard? What's happening with Marystown? What happened to the federal ship-building contract? What happened to Bell Island? Where is our iron ore processed?

Please stop this carnage.