The Cloud over Newfoundland and Labrador

The Word Cloud

According to Abacus Data a full service research company out of Ottawa Ontario - the "Word Cloud" above represents the frequency of which certain words occurred when Canadians polled were asked to write 3 words that come to mind when thinking about Newfoundland and Labrador.

The larger the word the more frequently it was used. So let's have a look shall we?

1. The really big words: Cold - Fishing - Beautiful - Far

So it would appear Canadians recognize our fishery more than we do - particularly our politicians.

It would also seem that beautiful means the tourism ads are working with respect to that but we may have appeared to come across as too remote.

2. The Big Words are: East - Ocean - Friendly - Remote

Best I can tell Canadians know we are the East of the country despite the media referring to Quebec and Ontario as East.

Once again the word ocean draws people back to a fishing heritage.

Friendly is a given - although more obvious in rural communities.

Remote makes it seem too distant than it actually is from many provinces. 

3. The next size sees the following words enter in: Fish - Rock - People - Isolated - Island

Back to the fishery we go and then that awful term "Rock" which always applied to the Island - speaking of which comes up in this round of words. Clearly the thought that Newfoundland and Labrador is together as one province escapes the image we portray.

Isolated is another term that for most people means negative. Are we isolated because part of the province is an Island or does it also include Labrador because it's North?

There is no doubt that transportation is an issue no matter where in the province you reside or operate a business. Between ferry woes, airline route fluctuations, and highways throughout that are in shameful states of disrepair - the cost of visiting or living here is too high. This is what makes us isolated. Iceland, Greenland, Australia, and many other remote locations are not considered "isolated" and as a result their tourism and industrial results are much better.

4. Now let's look at the tiny words - one's that should be bold and in your face large: Whales, Icebergs, Tourism, Nature, Economy, Seafood, Offshore, Jobs, Scenery, Funny, Canada and Provinces.

These are the attributes we want to sell to the world - yet clearly the message is not getting through. Our economy and the benefits of being "isolated" such as beautiful scenery and nature being overshadowed by words like "rock" and "newfie". Not surprisingly - the only people who truly see this province as part of Canada are our own. We are viewed as an outport of Nova Scotia or worse a field of natural resources extracted for the benefit of others.

For all the comedic talent we clearly possess - either our successful comics and actors are not considered to be Newfoundlanders and Labradorians or the joke must simply be on us.

Finally the words that do not appear at all: Resources, Energy, Have, Churchill Falls, Hydro, Industry, and Intelligent.

This should really drive the point home. We are here and part of Canada for the singular purpose of providing wealth to others. So much for the youngest, hippest, coolest province right Danny?

This is just another cloud over our heads and we need to deal with our less than acceptable terms of Confederation and rid ourselves of inept, self-centred, partisan, and vindictive politicians.

The Muskrat Stinks!

Navigant = Nalcor = Government

Manitoba Hydro Report = PUB

PUB holds hearings after report and still finds there is not enough information.

Shut the project down!

Wasting half a billion is better than wasting 6 billion.

Better than the other billions - untold - as project fails in the market.

The Island does not need this power.

Labrador needs to be energized - including for significant industrial potential.
 
There are better options for Muskrat  - better deals for Labradorians and generations to come.

This project - Pet Project - is at best a vendetta against Hydro-Quebec and at worst Pork!

Slipping Slowly into Oblivion

Our Leaders are Running from the Real Questions - or maybe they are not being Asked!

What is happening to Newfoundland and Labrador? Our public just forgetting, ignoring, or maybe plain exhausted as our future just slips away.

Questions:

1. What is the Liberal position on the Muskrat Falls deal with Emera?

2. What is the NDP position on the same?

3. The fishery is collapsing all around us - with the exception of benefits for fish merchants - what are the opposition opinions on this? What are they going to do about it?

4. What happened to the pre-budget consultations?

5. Why are we allowing the House of Assembly to remain closed?

6. Why are the opposition parties not raising hell?

7. Why is Nova Scotia already seeing a growth in industry, commercial, and retail from our hydro resource? (I will post something specific on this later)

8. What is going on in Ottawa? What are our provincial politicians doing about the continued onslaught coming from the feds?

9. Why are we sitting by while Ontario gains further control of the House of Commons?

10. Why has Dunderdale not opened her mouth on the proposed trade deal with the EU?

People - wake up. We are slowing slipping into oblivion.

Another 10 questions coming tomorrow. Land deals, closed facilities, lost jobs, decimation rural areas...

Watt's Up Minister Skinner

While we are hard at work in Newfoundland and Labrador getting rid of everything and anything renewable - Hydro-Quebec is humming along. Minister Skinner you should read this because you Sir had an opportunity to embrace and develop the same sort of partnership. Watt's Up?

Not only did Hydro Quebec embrace the Mitsubishi challenge to introduce the Mitsubishi i-MiEV's to its operations and businesses in Quebec - but now this (story from the Canada Business Review)

Hydro-Québec and partners announced the creation of “The Electric Circuit,” Canada’s first public charging network for plug-in electric vehicles. Expected to be in operation in early 2012, the charging stations will be at founding partners’ business sites and several AMT facilities.
The project will originally consist of approximately 100 240-V charging stations. Additional quick charge 400-V stations will also be distributed in 2012 after achieving Canadian certification.
“We are proud to be able to count on partners of this caliber whose banners can be seen at over 900 locations in Québec. These are solid, well-established companies that, like Hydro-Québec, put a high priority on sustainable development, customer satisfaction and growth in electric vehicle use,” said  Hydro-Québec CEO Thierry Vandal. “While the vast majority of recharging will be done at home and at work, the availability of a public charging network is essential to meet customers’ backup or emergency needs.”

The Dunderdale government should really reflect on the legacy of shame Emera deal - before Newfoundland and Labrador loses what's left.

The Testosterone Monologues

Leaders debate 2007

Danny's was a repeat performance of the 2003 fiasco.

Other men speak - Danny carries on with his own testosterone monologue - like a bee buzzing around your head. With Roger and Jack in 03 - Williams just talked on and on over and under Jack and Roger's comments.

This time the testosterone was still there - but when faced with Lorraine withdrew and treated her with "empathy" - it was condescending as most of his comments have been about the leader of the NDP.

Gerry for his part was weak on the opening and close - appearing nervous and unsure - but when debating with Danny and equally Lorraine was passionate. The only problem Gerry had was he had nothing to be passionate about. Fiery without policy - feisty without real belief in a policy direction - but he was willing to be scrappy.

Lorraine's message was heard - and she was polite but forceful to get her points across. Just once I would have liked to have seen the NDP drop a policy bombshell. For instance - the NDP would seek to develop the Lower Churchill power on the basis that if industry wanted to use it they would have to come to Labrador. Her comments were consistent with NDP policy - healthcare - homecare - pharmacare - poverty - education. These are most important issues - but she needed some remarkable economic policy - she did not present it.

Danny appeared coached and even with the best of fiscal resources you can't make a public performer out of this individual. You can dress him up - give him a manicure - and use the "youthful" approach of parting his hair in the center - but you can't make him comfortable giving a public statement.

Biggest disappointment - they all had to "read" from a script for a 2 minute opener and closer. News Flash - if you know your stuff and you are comfortable in your skin - give that speech from the heart - show the passion. All this reading from papers - should not be necessary - if you have already developed - researched - and debated a vision. You know what your policies are and you also know the weaknesses of the other side.

If you look down at a piece of paper to say rural Newfoundland and Labrador or the fishery - or education - or health - you are not with it - you are supposed to be leaders.

All in all Ms. Michael won the night while the boys just went on with their testosterone monologues.

Doubling our population with the Tories and convenient Liberal policies regarding Labrador.

Doubling our population

$1000 and a chair in daycare ought to do it!!

If the Premier wants to double the population of this province he had better rethink his policies regarding Labrador resources.

If we doubled our population to a million - how would we energize the houses?
To double our population we would have to substantially increase industry and business - how would we energize that?
If this type of industrial development is going to occur - how are we attracting them - with our hydro-power?

There is no doubt Labrador could triple its population relatively quickly - just enact a law that hydro-power will not be exported and let industry know if they want to use that resource they have to come here to get it.

Williams might also be pleasantly surprised when he realizes that necessary infrastructure in Labrador would come quicker if industry moved in. Further the resources in Labrador - renewable power - is likely to keep industry here longer than non-renewables such as oil and gas.

After making a statement like that to the media - the media MUST ask him about his energy plan (pamphlet).

Convenient Liberal policy on Labrador Resources

Listening to Karen Oldford - Liberal candidate Labrador West - on Bill Rowe now - she has seen the light - we should use Labrador power to attract industry there. You don't say Karen - because the Liberal team for the past 15 years did not see it that way. Always good to jump on a "Sue's" bandwagon when the policy flies. Was not that long ago that your buddies were trying to privatize Newfoundland and Labrador hydro - then after the people stopped it - your buddies - ie. Danny Dumaresque seen the light. Remember too Karen that both Brian Tobin and Roger Grimes were looking at exporting power to Quebec.

Let me tell you what I've learned about Liberal Policy - they don't like to acknowledge where it came from - they love stealing it - after the work has been done to promote it - then they drag out a bunch of Johnny come Lately's to espouse it. Looks good on you. The same way medicare came to be - so goes the Liberals.

I remember Karen Oldford saying - when she chose the Liberals over the NDP in the bye-election - she looked at the Liberal policy before making a final decision. Hey Karen, what are you looking at now for Energy Policy? The Liberals would not do an energy plan - and never held public consultations for that purpose.

Whatever sells - whatever gets us elected is the order of the day.

I for one am sad to see the Labrador Party pull back - though I understand the purpose - the only thing the party supporters should do now is get a written commitment from the Liberals and the NDP as to what the energy policy will be regarding the Lower Churchill.

What is an opportunist??? Whose knocking on your door???

The smell of "Old Liberalism" cannot be masked by expensive perfume...

What is it with the Liberals? They describe themselves as left of center on their web-page (at least it did until they updated it today)- while going right of Williams and the Tories on energy policy.

The answer is Rex Gibbons - if the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador continue to follow the strategy of this man on energy - the Liberals will fail - politically.

Yesterday Gerry Reid was telling university students that equity in oil projects would not happen under a Liberal government. In defense of this position - Reid said that Alberta does not do it - so if that energy powerhouse does not do it - why should we?

Two answers to that Mr. Reid - and you would see them if Gibbons would stop advising for a little while.

1. Alberta owns it oil and gas resources. We do not. When Alberta develops it can say - you may develop this parcel if we receive this amount in royalties and we get a refinery or other petro-chemical industry in Alberta to process the resource. We are not allowed to refine our own oil until the refineries in Eastern Canada are fully satisfied. Do you understand this? Have you read the Atlantic Accord recently? Rex has - and Rex knows. Rex was the Minister of Energy - he made the deals on oil and he attempted to privatize Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. His policies failed and he has not been re-elected since.

2. Who cares if Alberta or other Canadian provinces do not take equity? I don't - I do not need Alberta to guide us on what we as our own jurisdiction should or should not do. We can have independent policy choices. Further - Reid should know that many other jurisdictions in the world do seek and achieve equity positions - such as Norsk Hydro.

Then there is the Liberal policy on wind development. Once again Rex (Clyde) rares his head and Gerry spews a suggestion regarding private wind generation.

Here is the situation Gerry - if Hydro guarantees to buy the output of such generation then you and me Gerry will pay for it via our electric bill. When that is paid - who do you prefer a portion be returned to - our provinces treasury or let's say the Government of Italy. This creeping in of private sector energy developments is back-door privatization of a resource we own outright. Further Gerry - you should ask Rex what happens when you have multiple players in the generation sector inputting into an electricity grid. You should ask him why Ontario had the big blackout when Quebec did not. You should ask him how we guarantee maintenance with a group of private generators and the cost of not having that control. You should ask him what happened with the joint use of utility poles - and what happens when one group maintains the poles a little more or less than another.

Until the Gerry Reid's "New Liberalism" stops depending on failed "Old Liberalism" policies - the party will continue to enjoy falling polls. It's time to let new thinking take over from Rex Gibbons - Clyde Wells - and past Minister Walter Noel. There is no perfume they can buy to make these policies smell good.



And as for Labrador energy policy - both the Liberals and the Conservatives fail - and they will get a sense of that as they crawl and slither around Labrador looking for a vote (the right to exploit Labrador to benefit the Avalon).

As I write this - back comes John Efford - dipping his toes in the political ocean - John - even if we can get past all the spending scandal and you were as pure as the driven snow in the administration of your constituency allowance - you are the one who told us to take or leave a lesser deal on equalization.

I close with this observation. If Williams does not win 3 of 4 seats in Labrador - he will not have a real mandate to develop the Lower Churchill under less than "best" terms for the Big Land. This is something I hope Labradorians will consider.

Ed Hollett has a point...

and wants your undivided attention.

So please read what he has to say in the comments section of Sue's Blog post A+ for Hebron MOU.