Enough of the Bullshit

This week we heard our former Premier Danny Williams use the word bullshit to describe population projections for Newfoundland and Labrador by the Conference Board of Canada.

We also heard him dismiss Bill Barry completely for a run at the PC leadership.

Top that with a new legacy for his family announced with plenty of "Mile One" like fanfare.

What's bullshit is this:

I need a line here - and I need a line there. I need for you to be proud. I need a development on the lower churchill. You will be Premier - you will run - you will not run? We got it - we are have - we are cool, hip, and PROUD.

Grimes should shut-up - but I don't need to? Harper should shut-up - but I don't need to? The Conference Board of Canada - well that's bullshit - listen to my well researched statistics and projections instead?

Hydro-Quebec is good - Hydro-Quebec is bad - take em on - lace up the skates - go around em - through em.

I will fight with Abitibi - shag it if we lose two papermills? I will fight with Harper - shag it if we lose any number of things?

I will boot Fabian out (he supported his people)? I will remove Tom from Cabinet (for something he did not do)?

I will tell you when to be proud and tell you when it's over. I will tell what resources will be developed and when? I will avail of those resources myself - when I want and how I want?

The throne of God is diminished in his presence?

That's bullshit. It always was bullshit and remains bullshit.

I will tell the media when they can speak to me - what they can ask me - and dismiss them at my will - I will punish and sue and punish and threaten to sue - don't give a shit if it's valid?

Look at me - I'm Danny Williams - Look at me?

Bullshit.

Kudos to Antle and Cochrane - Exercise in Accountability

Rob Antle and Dave Cochrane - two CBC journalists - are to be commended for scratching the surface of PC hypocrisy. Their story today deals with promises made by the Tories in 2003 regarding electoral reform - and the promises broken regarding same. You can read their story HERE.

The bravado and chest-thumping of Danny Williams in 2002-2003 - came with it - promises to do many things differently than the Liberals.

Party leadership contests and the financing of same was absent in legislation and Williams promised to fix it. It did not get fixed.

This is a serious matter - no doubt - but pales in comparison to other promises of change made by then Opposition leader Danny Williams.

These two journalists have begun the process - I hope they continue the probe by reviewing promises on - energy, mining, forestry, and fishery. The people deserve to know - if not by the Tories or Opposition - then by the media - what exactly was promised on natural resource developments.

The information is all there - the only thing missing - the direct questions to the government on why they did not live up to the promises they made.

The commentary on the fishery, the paper mills, the mining sector, and energy was very aggressive and designed to make people believe that we would get more benefits under natural resource development than we would have under the Liberals.

The continued pouncing on the governing Liberals by Williams and rat-pack was specific and aimed toward the ear of the voter.

What should we have expected over the decade that followed 2003? How many long-term jobs from industrial development? How many projects where "construction" was not the objective - but permanent well paying trades positions was the objective?

The Tories have stripped away at the value of resources for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, they have ushered in closures of many industrial operations, failed to improve our place in Canada, and squandered billions of our oil revenues.

So hats off to Cochrane and Antle - let's keep the accountability coming.

I do have one small critique - you state that, "This is the party’s first contested leadership race in nearly two decades, and the first chance for the Tories to play by the rules they promised to implement while in opposition." 

It's not a contested race yet.

Blue Glare and Cover-ups

The Confederation building is presenting itself these days as a reflection of the current government.

There's the blue glare from the new glass - precisely the look one gets when one criticizes the government. What's not a blue glare is shrouded, covered up, or tarped. Certainly a reflection of Bill 29 and the rest of the information you and I can't see as the taxpayers and citizens of the province.

First of all the building could have been reno'd keeping the same style and colours but - no - that sense of importance has been wiped clean.

This business of companies cutting deals with government and crown corps like Nalcor - in a shroud of secrecy is unacceptable.

We are the shareholders, taxpayers, citizens - if you want to use our money then all information is on the table. Open and transparent! Stop allowing this "commercial sensitivity" excuse for not telling us the things we are entitled to know. Nobody is asking for their financial statements online - however a publicly traded company info is available. Do not confuse "commercial sensitivity" with "political sensitivity".

The hiding of this $90 million will not cut it. By the way backbenchers - who do you think you are? You think it's okay to keep information from the people who employ you?

It's time for MHA's to do what they are paid to do - represent the people. Don't tell us what we need or want - listen to what we need and want. Do not delude yourselves - like an overbearing adult - into thinking you know what's best for us. If that's your thought process then we need to do a more thorough screening before we vote.

How about like other corporate executive jobs which entail handling billions of dollars - do a drug test, submit to a polygraph and demonstrate your IQ.

It's time we put an end to the blue glare and cover-ups.

The Romance is Over - NL on Death Watch

As I sat down the other morning - looked at the beautiful blue sky and dancing ocean - something happened.

I was listening to CBC Radio to a story about Quinlan's fishplant in Bay de Verde. Primarily it was regarding the import of workers from Thailand to process crab.

The "shock" value is they could not find 20 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to take the employment - rate of pay $12/hr.

Here are my questions:

1. How much does it cost to bring 20 Thai workers to Canada?

2. How much does it cost to house and feed them?

3. Where is the FFAW on this story?

4. What is up people?

So I gulped hard and listened to another story about an Otto Young from Twillingate and how he has essentially turned an old beauty salon and couple of outbuildings into cabins for tourists looking for icebergs and scenery.

It also talked about Otto's later in life discovery that he was a model boat builder and artist. Very folksy, charming, and romantic - it really turned my stomach.

Yes that's right - it made me feel ill.

There is nothing charming, quaint, or pleasantly poetic about a place - my country - Newfoundland and Labrador becoming extinct.

I am actually tired - exhausted - from fighting for the survival of one of the greatest food baskets in the world - our fishery.

The story about Otto would have normally warmed my heart and promoted feelings of pride - but today - after a month where we've seen a half dozen fish plants were eulogized - it just rubbed me very wrong.

I watch Darin King - the latest political clone of ineptness - blabber on and on about nothing and everything. I - Darin - am a Minister - and may yet be the next Premier - thinks he.

The ladies, Kathy - Joan - and Susan are like a trio of hen peckers on a partisan journey of retribution. They have the power to destroy and so far a fine job is being done.

Kathy was muttering something the other day about Harper and the fact he represents all Canadians whether they voted for him or not. Well Kathy - if he took a page from your book he would learn he is not being vengeful enough. 

So now we are on death watch for the Corner Brook mill - time for the violinists to begin.

The same old garbage will spew - it is not the end for Corner Brook - we will recover - we will recover.

Meanwhile as more industries are lost weekly - the apparent need for power increases?

We must take our collective ostrich head out of the sand and boot these people out. We are going to leave nothing but debt and leave our children and grandchildren destitute.

Our culture so rich and unique - disappearing - under the watchful eye of the House of Assembly.

Opposition Parties seek Opposition Movement

The opportunity is there for the Opposition parties in Newfoundland and Labrador - to make a difference.

The people of this province are upset that Muskrat is being rammed down their throats by people who are drunk on power and obsessed by it.

The people of this province are upset that the Auditor General is once again being hindered - leaving us to wonder who is making and how they are making decisions on the expenditure of billions of dollars.

The people of this province are upset that the Public Accounts Committee has not met in public for 6 years despite the fact that each party had at least one MHA taken off to a prison cell for criminal behavior regarding the use of public funds.

The people of this province are upset that Chief Justice Green's report on the whole mess and accountability has been essentially trashed - while each party points fingers here or there.

The people of this province are upset that kissing up to Stephen Harper by a weak Premier has resulted in continued cuts by the feds. When they are not cutting they are increasing costs for people travelling on the Island's Trans Canada Highway - the Marine Atlantic Ferry.

 The people of Labrador need a highway - a real highway before the Island based government strips yet more valuable resources - in return for temporary employment.

The people of the province are upset that industry continues to downsize or close - paper mills and fish plants.

The people of rural communities are upset that they are being forsaken for the temporary wealth of St. John's Metro from non-renewable offshore resources owned by the feds.

The people of this province are upset that Search and Rescue and Fisheries science are being diminished and tinkered with - like we are second class participants in (Con)federation.

The people of this province are upset that shipbuilding is not king in Newfoundland and Labrador. 

The people of this province are upset that speaking out against a policy of the DunWill government may mean personal consequences. (This is the same crew that were hyped on Whistle Blower legislation) Ha ha ha ha.

The people of this province are upset that Vickie Kaminski seems to spend more time apologizing for continued incompetence, errors, and trouble with our health care system - than doing what she was employed to do - clean it up.

So what then are the Opposition doing?

While Michael is noticeable and relevant on some Health Care issues - they are traditional core NDP positions and do not require a great deal more than repetition. The caucus has one wanna be leader who appears to fancy himself a Jack intellectual. He definitely has the arrogant bit down and definitely believes that people look way up to him.

The Liberals remain fractured with some hoping for a Messiah and others believing they might have a leader already. They might - but that leader must demonstrate it. He must - above all - lead; that's going to take competent and willing staff - exceptional research and then ultimately standing for something.

As a result they are all waiting for the people to cause the opposition they need - in order that a partisan bandwagon may form.

This is exactly what Len Simms was the beneficiary of when the Power of the People took it to Clyde on privatization.

Right now it appears that Opposition members wait for some event organized by a labour group, professional body, or by like-minded citizens and then ask to be invited.

There are some journalists in the province stepping up to the plate and many well-known public figures are weighing in. Ordinary citizens who are not currently consumed by fear that speaking out will make them a "target" of government - are doing their part. The only problem for the Opposition parties is that - as yet - they have not come together.

The opposition parties appear frustrated that there is no pack to follow - so they take a wait and see approach. Right now - we need courageous Opposition members and leadership - in the same way we needed it during the Upper Churchill fiasco.

There is no doubt that Premier Dunderdale is out of her league as it relates to open public debate and therefore hides behind her power.

There is no doubt that decisions are not being made using the best possible information as Dunderdale's government hides behind a curtain and thwarts established processes such as the PUB.

There is no doubt that the Dunderdale government utilizes the skills of a human resource like Ross Reid to control messaging and democracy.

There is no doubt that fear is the optimal choice of persuasion when your mouth can't utter an informed position.

There is no doubt that arrogance is rampant within the regime and that most backbenchers are puppets - hanging on to the best gig they will ever get.

There is no doubt that the PC's claim that all who oppose them are partisan naysayers - is weakened everyday - as more and more well known Tories fall among the aforementioned group.

Right now - sadly - it also appears there is no doubt that the Opposition parties are seeking an opposition movement - that they can follow.

As I write this - I know from experience that all of them would just like me to shut-up. Let's see what punishment they dish out this time. Or as Ches Crosbie may put it - how are they planning to piss on me at every opportunity - when I'm not in the room.

I can assure the reader that the seals are leaving more than cods gutless. Keep clapping and flapping.

Ross Wiseman sent out to Ease the Pain - in yet another attempt to COVER-UP

Well who knew? Ross says everything is A-Okay in Newfoundland and Labrador. Hard to know how long he was on the air - after I spoke of the shipbuilding fiasco. 

Amazing to what lengths a fellow Newfoundlander and Labradorian will go to cover-up ineptness and the loss of our resources to benefit another province. 

I can assure you they have no pride and do not give a damn about what happens here. 

If either of the shipbuilding contracts goes to Nova Scotia the Emera deal must be stopped.

If either of the shipbuilding contracts goes to Nova Scotia our politicians should be fired out. 

We will actually have to take to the streets or allow a few millionaires to rob us blind. 

The purpose of Wiseman's call was to talk to us about how good we have it. Just because we lost two paper mills and lost the fishery - and we are about to giveaway Muskrat Falls - we should all be happy. 

Just because we will be fuelling the Nova Scotia economy instead of our own - we should all be happy. What about Old Harry or the Romaine River?

We continue to be the only place that loses population and loses most of our youth to other provinces. 

Ross Wiseman - bury your head in shame. History will do it if you won't.

Ross Wiseman your job is not to spin to protect your party and yourself - your job is to advance our province for our people.

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.

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.

Renewable Energy is the only future left - they have taken the rest

Oil is here - Oil is gone

To be competitive in today's world you must have an advantage.

Newfoundland and Labrador is rich in natural resources - unfortunately either by giveaways or mismanagement we have lost the industrial edge we were geographically gifted with.

Our non-renewable ores were shipped out without processing fuelling the economies of Ontario, Quebec, and even Manitoba. The rich iron ore from Bell Island was shipped out to Nova Scotia for processing and do you believe Labrador has gained properly from its iron ore?

The Upper Churchill was developed by an astute Quebec and is a major reason Hydro Quebec is an "energy giant" today. The fishery (best in the world) was taken over by Ottawa a few years after confederation and was destroyed by Ottawa in a few short decades. The forestry resources were given away and advanced industrial development on the paper mill side was non-existent.

The boom in metro is at the cost of rural communities and is only as a result of oil. Where are the real oil jobs? What of our oil do we refine or process into goods?

Politicians of all stripes have contributed to the mess we have today - short-term prosperity for Newfoundland and Labrador - long-term prosperity for others who process what we own.

We lost at least 40,000 people to the fisheries moratorium and numbers of plants while decimating rural communities. Who owns what is left of our fishery now? Is it still being plundered (shellfish) and when will that collapse?

We are down to one paper mill when we should have kept at least two. Politicians made fine work of that planning - there was grest opportunity in Stephenville but it was squandered by politicians who did not have foresight and certainly no vision. What we do now in Grand Falls-Windsor and Stephenville is manage the loss. Can we bring in a Costco or Walmart a Canadian Tire or Sobeys or Kent - that is the mantra. Maybe haul a few government agencies or divisions to (decentralize). Where is the new money in this - it is simply hauling the same money around and in this case giving to mainland companies so that reinvestment happens outside Newfoundland and Labrador instead of local companies reinvesting here. What happened to our airports?

About the only thing we have managed to hang on to is renewable hydro - and only because the people waged a three year battle against the policy. Now we are set to start giving it away again. We need this energy to attract industry. Industry goes where the power is and we are making sure that it is everywhere but our province.

We will give it to Nova Scotia to either use themselves or transport to other provinces or states to use there. Nothing in Labrador! Labrador who relies on Quebec and thermal generation for power. What a joke.

We must stop this Emera deal and start again - go back to an energy plan which uses that raw resource to generate industrial growth right here. If we go ahead with the Emera deal we will have escalating costs for our own domestic power and have nothing to offer industry which will follow our power out of the province.

We continue to have excessively high unemployment, our rural communities continue to be decimated and Labrador continues to be raped of its tremendous resources without any real return. This must stop.

Where is the vision of government - does it rest with senior faceless bureaucrats who quite often move on to the same private industrial sectors they help through policy? Is it politicians too lazy to read - to understand - or are they incapable of real vision. Do we ever really know who stands to gain personally from decisions they have played a part in?

Then there is Ottawa - Danny gains 2 billion (gets hit with the stock crisis) net??? and then loses 10 billion in the change-up of equalization while Quebec the (have-not) province continues to receive the most equalization.

When you take on the establishment the banks, brokers, investors,  basically private sector greed there is a price to pay. Personally and professionally they attack you until you starve. They run political parties like they are their own assets. They move saviors in and out and ensure that their policies continue to move forward.

When they go after the last of our hopes for the future - we must take a stand - and that we will do. Premier Dunderdale and her Cabinet take note - this will not happen without thorough  discussion and consultation and it will be done to benefit us not to ruin our future.

I ask the backbenchers of the Tory government - do you want to be responsible for a giveaway as great as the Upper Churchill?


And while we are at it why does the a crown corporation of Saskatchewan deliver tv service to hospital rooms in Newfoundland and Labrador

Quebec uses subsidies to save and upgrade a paper mill...

Here we go again - "the Quebec Program" is successful in saving and updating the pulp and paper industry in that province.

Kruger will invest 200 million while Quebec will contribute $20-million non-refundable subsidy from the province, a $30-million energy-efficiency grant from Hydro-Québec and a $50-million loan from Investment Quebec.

In this way - Quebec has saved many high paying industry jobs - a renewed industry with the latest technology - and achieve significant energy efficiencies. The de-inking plant reduces the plants energy consumption of power by 46 MW's - and that 20% reduction equals almost 25,000 households.

The Company News Release says:

Mr. Bernard Routhier, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Kruger, emphasized that this project will allow the company to improve its competitive position while offering its customers papers with high recycled fiber content. “Almost half of the fiber currently being used in our mills’ manufacturing processes is recycled. This project, in addition to our other recent initiatives, allows us to improve our environmental balance sheet even more,” says Mr. Routhier.

and

The project will create 200 full-time jobs with a total payroll of $50 million during construction, while purchases of goods and services are estimated to be $125 million.

This is great news for Trois-Rivières - now Danny et al how about Stephenville and Grand Falls-Windsor?

Just a shift away from pension...

Former Stephenville mill workers ask Minister Clyde Jackman what's going on!

Mr.Clyde Jackman
Minister of Environment
Confederation Building
P.O. Box 8700
St.John's NL.
A1B 4J6


Mr. Jackman;

This is Ken Thibeau the First Vice President of CEP Local 1093 in Stephenville.

Our executive and our general membership of displaced mill workers would like you to advise and update us on the status of the Stephenville Mill environmental cleanup and decommissioning.

Abitibi Consolidated registered their undertaking plan with your department on August 7th 2006 and you announced the release of the project on October 6th 2006. According to their 23 page submission, the decommissioning was scheduled to commence in 2006 with the Phase II ESA to be done from July to October of 2006.

Presently there is no indication at the site that the environmental remediation has begun. Surely if this was the private property of an average citizen pressure would have been applied by your department long ago to have this work completed. In particular, considering the vast amount of contamination of various types at the former mill site, we assumed you would give this issue more priority. We had provided former Minister Byrne with a 2 page listing of known site pollution in April of 2006.

I should not have to remind you, but I will, that our Union Membership is under a contractual right to 2 year re-call until October 28th 2007 and that 1 shift of work would enable some of our members to achieve a semblance of a retirement pension. In this regard we have an arbitration case pending against Abitibi at great expense to this Local union. However, if your department and your government continues this apparent collusion and cooperation with Abitibi by allowing this delay to continue beyond the expiration of our contractual rights, our efforts and incurred expense will be in vain.

Therefore I shall expect your prompt response on this urgent issue for our Members!

Yours truly,

Ken Thibeau
First Vice President
CEP Local 1093
Stephenville NL.

More Abitibi assets going to the block....

Now listen-up just in case our Minister of Business - Minister of Natural Resources - the Premier - the Leader of the Opposition - and Anna Thistle - miss it...

I can certainly see that happening - WAKE UP!

Abitibi is looking at selling it energy related assets:

READ THIS from the Fort Frances Times

MONTREAL —Abitibi-Consolidated Inc.’s drive to profitability could lead it to transfer the electricity generation assets of nearly half its mills in the coming years to a new joint venture being set up to hold the newsprint company’s Ontario hydroelectric plants.

Abitibi announced last month it will own 75 percent of the venture, to be called the ACH Limited Partnership, with the remainder owned by the Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec.

“Over time, I think we’ll look not only at the Quebec assets but all assets in the company as possible enters into the new Abitibi Hydro.”

Maybe more of our hydro-resources can be owned by Quebec right???

Are you out there? Are you listening? Do you care?
From what I have witnessed regarding the pulp and paper sector - the politicians are "not all over it" - and apparently very "naive".

“Over time, I think we’ll look not only at the Quebec assets but all assets in the company as possible enters into the new Abitibi Hydro.”

A former mill worker - replies to the Premier...

The CEP Local 1093 has sent a copy of this letter for posting.

As always Sue's Blog will accept and post letters on the important mill issue.

Dear Danny,

First of all, let me thank you for the other knife in my back! It goes well with the knives I've received from Abitibi Consolidated, the Town Council, the Townspeople and other people from your caucus! Was I surprised at your cowardness, no! Was I disappointed, yes! I've had 4 people confront me since your little show on VOCM, Feb.6, 2007. Throwing it in my face again and again and again! Am I mad, yes! Royally pissed off! I still have to live in this town buddy and I'm trying to raise my family here, but people like you make it very hard to survive when you spread lies! Yes Danny, lies! Not politically naive, but lies!!!!
May I remind you of your press release dated Dec. 9, 2005 which was posted on VOCM for a little while until it got hauled off.


"Abitibi-Consolidated was entertaining a new proposal from the union yesterday, and Premier Danny Williams had made a pitch to company brass to accept it."

"Natural Resources Minister Ed Byrne says the union has put it's best foot forward."

You can correct me on this one because I'm going on memory until I can find it in the archives, but I remember you saying something along the lines of.... "when we give Abitibi what they want, they raise the bar. It's like sand shifting under your feet." Again, correct me if I'm wrong on that one!!

You sir, of all people, know that Abitibi had no intentions of running the mill in Stephenville! All they wanted was the deal from the union so they could take it to their other mills! Using words in their documents such as "notwithstanding", "supercede", and then finally "replace". They would tell us, "that's not what we meant", but you're smart enough to know that it doesn't matter what they meant, what matters is what's on the paper when it's signed! Then it's a legal binding document, with no recourse but to put up with it! Abitibi always was the trend setter in the industry! When negotiations came around, it was always Abitibi who started and when it was over , the other paper companies would follow suit! Much the same as Stora Enso did with their employees after Abitibi failed to obtain that deal from us! They went after it and they got it! Since that time many employees have left that company and financially hurt Stora Enso bought another mill in Brazil for $425 million. Go figure that one out!

The whole time you guys were negotiating with local management, Abitibi's spokesperson Seth Kursman was telling the world that the mill was shutting down! "As far as we're concerned, the mill in Stephenville will shut in October." That is what he was saying and yet negotiations were still going on at the local level. They wanted to save $15 a ton, which amounted to about $3.2 million a year! Our document to the company saved them that without them having to put in a single cent! It obviously wasn't about dollars and cents but about breaking the contract! Something you know a lot about!

In closing, I would like to say that you are not a very trustworthy man and I hope that Stephen Harper tells you that he was being politically naive when he made that deal with you, because I haven't seen anything good come out of you since you've been in office! Nothing on my plate but taxes and misery and for what! Wait lines in hospitals are longer than ever, people from this area having to drive to Deer Lake to catch a flight to go to work and risk the chance of having an accident on our poor highway from Stephenville to Corner Brook! What good is $2.2 billion if you're not going to spend it! Why don't you do something good for a change for the people of OUR province, and I mean everyone in the province, not just a select few! Do your job, stop promoting Alberta and start promoting Newfoundland and Labrador!

Thank you for your time!

Brian Prosper
Former mill employee and current member of the union executive!

Copy of Story on VOCM PRESS HERE

Now back to the important issues...The Merger...

Danny said yesterday he thinks the merger of Abitibi and Bowater may be a good thing - and Kathy Dunderdale said the union says it does not expect the merger will affect Newfoundland and Labrador.

Let's look at what industry analysts are saying:

These two quotes from the Globe and Mail online:

"It's more a cost-reduction story than a revenue-enhancement story."

The Bowater-Abitibi merger should "theoretically reduce capacity and improve the real price of newsprint," Mr. Rowland said.

The article talks about the real concerns in the pulp and paper sector - competition with China - quality and changes in paper products and reduction in demand.

There is no question that BowaterAbitibi - if the regulatory bodies approve the merger - will be reviewing all assets in the new company. If the analysts are correct and the objective is to reduce capacity - we should be out of the gate early.

Considering one of the two new headquarters will be in Quebec - we can expect the lobby to keep capacity there will be intense - equally true of Ontario.

We need to start our lobby efforts now - for both Stephenville and Grand Falls - Windsor. Next week is too late - and burying our political heads in the sand will not help.

There are positives in both mills that we should be promoting - and government should be pro-active and not re-active as it relates to discussions with the company. With all the by-elections on the go - particularly in Port au Port - you had better get some action and commitments from all the candidates. They are all just keeping their heads low and hoping the announcement will just fade to the background.

Get some real answers now - before it is too late. We must have our research done - we have to know what our competition in Quebec and Ontario are planning to offer.

Abitibi's shivering in its boots...

Abitibi's shivering in its boots...

Wouldn't you be if the Premier or Minister of Natural Resources threatened to take away your timber?

First of all - I have been a long time supporter of the loggers and paperworkers in this province and attended some pretty rowdy demonstrations - and yes even spoke from the back of a pick-up in Grand Falls-Windsor.

I have done whatever I could to speak openly about the plight of our paper mills - encouraged growth in Labrador in the mill or paper industry sectors. Long before Danny wanted to be Premier - I was belting out the lack of policy and planning in our forestry sector.

There was a time we had to fight the problem of land-use with good people from the west coast who knew we had to find better ways to manage our forests and find a balance between the environment and woods harvesting.

I am disappointed in the union at Grand Falls - they were not there when their brothers and sisters in Stehenville on the Port au Port Peninsula lost their jobs. I remember Grand Falls saying that they were not prepared to lose a machine to help save Stephenville. They sat silent while the Minister of Natural Resources - Kathy Dunderdale - and MHA's Hodder and Burke did nothing to encourage the hard work of the remaining local in Stephenville - to attract another operator.

Tonight I turn on the Evening News (CBC) and see the local rep making the case for Grand Falls - as Abitibi ups the stakes at that operation. Save 10 million or else!!! As far as I know the fight would have been much easier had the locals stood together - the successive government's of Grimes and Williams were successful in a divide and conquer strategy.

Having said that the workers at the mill - their families and communities in Central Newfoundland need our support - but this time we should be fighting for the life of Grand Falls-Windsor and the rebirth of Stephenville. They require our help as the government does not wield a big stick when threatening to do something to Abitibi should they shut down an operation.

I wonder is Kathy Dunderdale being "politically naive" when she makes a threat such as pulling timber licenses. We know the Premier was when he said the Stephenville Mill would not close "under his watch". We also now know the Premier was bluffing when he threatened to expropriate the mill. Make no mistake - Abitibi knows they are bluffing and Weaver's got Danny's number and probably the number of many Liberals as well. Unlike oil and gas - the pulp and paper sector is hurting and they are all looking to become more efficient. There are however opportunities in this sector in areas of new and emerging technology - new products and research.

I don't know how the internal guts of the union locals are working or how they worked during the Stephenville fiasco but I can suggest that all the workers and their families should fight and fight hard for the pulp and paper industry in our province - because the threats and stated commitments of our government have proven to be rhetoric - and not at all on the radar of our federal politicians.

I can tell you this that while Abitibi makes its plans at headquarters in Quebec - they are counting on Premier Williams to deliver that Lower Churchill Power to them in Ontario and Quebec - where the remainder of the pulp and paper sector will reside if we do not take real action.

Think about this come election day. Hi Randy "I'm a first time caller" and I'm running in ? district for the ? Party. Ask yourself - where were they while the Province needed people to speak up on issues of extreme importance to our kids and grand-kids not to mention our parents and grand-parents. Or better what Jerome Kennedy said after he lost Signal Hill - Quidi Vidi - he pointed out to Randy he wouldn't be calling anymore now.

All of us have lives and all of us are busy - but if you believe that any of these people have any more time than you or I do - to contribute on a regular basis on issues of general importance to the Province - they are not ready for public office and do not deserve your support.

Come on people do we really need to lose more industry to Quebec - Ontario - Alberta - Iceland - Norway - or even China?

You really have to think - ask the tough questions - why didn't you fix the problem when you were in government? Make no mistake the Stephenville Mill was in trouble when Grimes was there - I have had people ask me if I did anything about it. Sure - but it was not my call - it was the call of people like then Minister Kelvin Parsons and others who might be coming to your door over the next week or so.

On this you have my Support

When it comes to dealing with the oil giants - Williams is on the mark. They are greedy beyond capitalist expectations - and are usually run by arrogant individuals. The negotiators and senior employees of these corporations make more in bonuses personally - by low-balling governments (owners of the resource) - in one year than most people in this province would make over 100 years.

Further it is important that industrial benefits and royalties reflect the reality of global economics at the time of agreement.

For those who wish to see the letter from government to the CNLOPB press HERE.
The response from Liberal Leader Gerry Reid was predictable and political. There are real examples of inconsistency with the Danny Regime - and even more evidence that he is a bully. He has failed miserably in the Pulp and Paper Industry - the Fishing Industry - and in the development of rural Newfoundland and Labrador. The Premier is totally inconsistent with respect to wind development - hydro development - and the promise of an energy plan. These are significant issues which need alternate policy choices and real leadership with a vision.

Unfortunately the Libs are offering little as an alternate choice. The Official Opposition offers nothing on the energy side as they believed an energy plan was not relevant let alone essential - they had Abitibi Stephenville in their hands to fix - but let the election get in the way. The Official Opposition appear to be all over and nowhere at all regarding the fishery - outside a constituency comment here and there. The saddest of all is the Great Liberal Party is grabbing headlines via Grimes and Efford - while Dumaresque claims the party tent is getting larger. While it is nice to see the boys kiss and make up - the tent is hardly getting bigger - I'm sure the size of it is actually smaller with a group of opposition critics - who still believe they are Ministers - smothering any growth with stagnant air under a leaking canvas.

Kudo's to Williams for allowing the Minister of Fields and Farms to speak on oil and gas - this might be a sign of growth in his personality - more likely it's the Peckford Syndrome kicking in - somebody - in this case Sue's Blog points out the Premier controls certain Ministerial files - and then he - to prove that wrong - will do exactly the Opposite.

International Finance reports from Bloomberg
demonstrate exactly why Premier Williams should stand firm. Here's a quote from the Story:

Newfoundland is trying to maximize benefits and capitalize on high oil prices, which reached a record of $78.40 a barrel in July, said Martin Molyneaux, a Calgary analyst with FirstEnergy Capital Corp. Crude prices have dropped about a third in the past six months and Newfoundland risks driving the oil companies away, he said.

``If I was the government of Newfoundland, I wouldn't be playing too hardball with these guys because there are lots and lots of alternatives'' to investing in Newfoundland, said Molyneaux in a telephone interview. He rates Hibernia owner Petro-Canada of Calgary as a ``top pick'' and owns an undisclosed number of shares. ``You don't want to push too far because these companies have a long history of walking away when things get ridiculous.''

You see a Calgary analyst and Petro-Canada shareholder - telling us what's best for us - is suspect at best - and typical "they are stupid Newfs" at worst. So on the issue of oil and gas - keep up the fight Premier - take em for all their worth.

And just before I post - Danny Dumaresque just finished on Open-Line with Randy Simms - and most everything he said respecting the Premier and his failures are true - but he too fell into the trap of continuing the condemnation of bullying the oil companies. Sad really and the very reason the voters will reject the Liberal candidates. The Opposition does not have alternative policy except - handle the oil companies with kid gloves. John Efford - Roger Grimes - and Walter Noel should not be responsible for rebuilding the Party - in fact it will not work. Unless you mean what you say - and treat people with respect - there will be no grand recovery by October. There's no doubt the caucus are consummate politicians - take what they can - promise what they have to - and deliver as little as possible - in order to garner votes and support. It's time now to respect what the electorate want - a real choice - a new vision - and a clean sweep of the house.

There are two clear indications of what people are saying to the Liberals. One - Danny is making mistakes and is doing little to rebuild our provinces rural economy - he lost support but it went to the undecided column.
Two - they are unprepared to go another round with the old Liberal Cabinet - without the infusion of new blood and a very different policy platform.

Hydro Quebec - Moving to improve Pulp and Paper sector...

It is really hard to keep up with Hydro Quebec - probably because we have and are doing nothing to use energy for economic growth.

This News Release affects the Pulp and Paper sector which - as in Newfoundland and Labrador - is important to Quebec.

Attention News Editors:
Hydro-Québec awards ERCO Worldwide $2.5 million for energy efficiency projects

MONTREAL, Jan. 16 /CNW Telbec/ - Under its energy efficiency programs for
large-power customers, Hydro-Québec will provide ERCO Worldwide, a division of
Superior Plus LP, with $2.5 million in financial assistance for 50 energy
efficiency projects.
These projects are designed to improve the energy efficiency of the
electrolysis process used in the production of sodium chlorate. Sodium
chlorate is an industrial salt used to produce chlorine dioxide, the key
ingredient in an environmentally preferred pulp bleaching process. The
electrolytic cells now in use will be replaced with new high-performance cells
to reduce electricity consumption. The projected power savings for the
50 projects will amount to 50 GWh per year, the equivalent of the average
annual consumption of about 3,000 Québec households. In terms of greenhouse
gases, these savings will represent the equivalent of 17,500 tonnes of CO2 per
year.
ERCO Worldwide is a major producer of sodium chlorate for the North
American pulp and paper industry and a world leader in chlorine dioxide
generator technology. In addition, ERCO's Buckingham plant produces sodium
chlorite for water treatment and food processing markets throughout North
America.
Hydro-Québec plans to invest $1.3 billion by 2010 with a view to reaching
annual electricity savings of 4.7 TWh as targeted in its Energy Efficiency
Plan.


Well Stephenville Grand Falls and Corner Brook - have a real look at what that Crown Corporation is doing for Quebec's Industrial Sector.