Will Newfoundland and Labrador Continue to Turn the Other Cheek?
What will the catalyst be I wonder? Will it be Quebec’s ultimate separation from Canada and the increased isolation of Newfoundland and Labrador from Canada that will result? Will it be INCO’s ultimate refusal to build a processing plant in the Province? Will it be Quebec and Ottawa stonewalling the Province over lower Churchill power distribution? Maybe it will be Ottawa re-tooling federal transfer calculations to pull back the benefits gained through the Atlantic Accord deal through the back door, or will it be something altogether different, perhaps something that isn’t even on the radar yet? Who knows?
The catalyst for what you ask? Well if you need to ask than question you obviously haven’t been listening closely to the rumblings around Newfoundland and Labrador over the past decade or so. The answer is simple, what will be the catalyst that eventually pulls everyone in the Province together and forces the issue of whether or not to stay inside Canada or bow out and once again become an independent Nation.
Talk on the subject of separation has been increasing steadily over the past number of years in the Province. Perhaps it’s due to the fact that, generation after generation the people are becoming ever more and aware of the world outside their area. Perhaps it’s the easy access to information currently available through news services and the internet, information which only a few years ago would have been available.
Whatever the cause, the effect is clear. Eventually, as happened in Quebec several decades ago, the ultimate question will be posed and an answer will be demanded by the public. Every day more and more Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans are becoming disillusioned with the results they see from Confederation and each day their voices get louder.
Talk is growing, but so far there has been no truly concerted effort to bring things to a head. Like any grassroots movement, in order for anything take place, a mass outcry and combining of efforts will have to happen. Talk is cheap but action takes time and effort.
To this point no organized effort is nationalist movement is underway and it’s doubtful it will even happen until something, some catalyst, actually forces the issue. I have no doubt it will come eventually, the only question is when it will happen and what the catalyst will be. If living in Newfoundland and Labrador (as a part of Canada) has taught me anything it’s that eventually another slap in the face will come from Ottawa. What remains to be seen is if the people of the Province still have the stomach to simply turn the other cheek once again.
40 comments:
Will it be INCO’s ultimate refusal to build a processing plant in the Province?
What does that have to do with the federal government or Canada? As difficult as it is for many to believe, companies aren't government departments.
Every day more and more Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans are becoming disillusioned with the results they see from Confederation and each day their voices get louder.
Why do Noofaundlannders like yourself insist on mis-spelling "Labradorian"?
quoted from dictionary.com
Labra·dore·an or Labra·dori·an
uh oh
"Labradorian" is the only correct modern spelling. "Labradorean" is antiquated. Only the ignorant use it... which adequately describes too many New Foundlanders when it comes to Labrador, sadly.
TO WJM: When the facts are with you pound on the facts, when they aren't, pound on the table.
(Sound familiar)
As for the spelling Labradorean being antiquated that's a part of the problem you have. You seem to think that just because something is old or historical that it no longer has value. There is nothing wrong with traditions, including traditional spelling.
Isn't it wonderful to see that with all the important issues facing this Province (Including Labrador) that you have nothing better to discuss than a spelling preference.
As for the spelling Labradorean being antiquated that's a part of the problem you have. You seem to think that just because something is old or historical that it no longer has value.
FAR FROM IT! My collection of hundreds of old books and documents back to the 18th century would beg to differ.
There is nothing wrong with traditions, including traditional spelling.
Why single out one word, then?
Isn't it wonderful to see that with all the important issues facing this Province (Including Labrador) that you have nothing better to discuss than a spelling preference.
I can walk and chew gum at the same time.
Can't we just block WJM from posting??? I mean really, we have things here that need to be discussed, like getting out of this god forsaken country.
Hey Starrigan, welcome to our humble home. Don't let WJM get to you. He's harmless enough. I think he thinks he's doing what he thinks is right. (Did that make any sense at all? Hang on until I get the gum out of my mouth. Never could master that trick) Geeze WJM you must be some smart eh?
Starrigan - Don't you mean getting out of this God-forsaken province??
wjm --Once again you hit the nail on the head. I really think that New Foundlanders think that companies are government depts.
Tis a sad situation...."what's government gonna do about it" seems to be the mantra of every Newfie I've ever met here.
Man! I wanna go home!!!
Another day, another anonymous ignoramus shares their narrow minded point of view.
If you want to go home so bad, than do everyone a favor and leave already. It amazes how many people complain about the place they are living in or the job that they have, it reminds me of a battered wife. No one is keeping you here, if you don’t like something than change it and don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out.
[b]Starrigan - Don't you mean getting out of this God-forsaken province??[/b]
Of course I can’t answer for this person, but, I believe he meant what he wrote. We need to get out of this country. No different than Ireland’s long struggle with England, an “isolated” Island that was long the butt of every joke in the UK and Europe has become a model country for the entire European Union and UK. The people of this great province need to stop feeling sorry for their selves and unite under a common voice to every make a change though.
"Labradorian" is the only correct modern spelling. "Labradorean" is antiquated. Only the ignorant use it... which adequately describes too many New Foundlanders when it comes to Labrador, sadly.
Out of curiosity, why was the spelling changed? Or more so, why is the former out-of-date? Is it really that big of a deal?
Maybe I should expand on my WJM comment from earlier. I read this blog on a regular basis and there are many valid points and issues that need to be discussed. I just get tired of knobs like WJM and various "anonymous" entities who keep posting their uneducated verbal diarrhea, based on some simple minded racist attitude that they have towards Newfoundlanders in general. These people are feeble-minded tools that would go out of their minds if we were ever to throw off our chains. It would be like freeing the slaves in the American south, OMG!!!, can't have that, those people in Newfoundland might start thinking they are as good as everyone else!!!
And the thing that baffles me more than anything else is why do they even read this blog, if your feelings for us are so contemptuous why do you even read what we have to say? Seriously you should just move on and let us do what we need to to.
Great advice mr chills.....if you don't like something then change it.
Great advice for your province.
You misunderstand me I think...I am ALL FOR NL leaving Canada. Go! Shoo! Good Riddance! I'll help you pack.
I can't leave your "fair" province until I'm done raping your resources, remember?
Z.
Can't we just block WJM from posting???
Why?
I mean really, we have things here that need to be discussed, like getting out of this god forsaken country.
Don't let the door... you know the rest. Just remember, though, Labrador isn't part of the "we" in your statement.
No different than Ireland’s long struggle with England, an “isolated” Island that was long the butt of every joke in the UK and Europe has become a model country for the entire European Union and UK. The people of this great province
"This great province" IS NOT AN ISLAND!
Out of curiosity, why was the spelling changed?
Your choice of verb mood suggests you think it was an act. It wasn't. Spellings change over time.
Or more so, why is the former out-of-date?
Because it was used more in the past than it is in the present.
Is it really that big of a deal?
No, but it's also not a small one. No different than, say, the Newfoundland fixation with "Halifax to Victoria". (But "St. John's to Port aux Basques" is fine...)
It just suggests that your awareness of Labrador leaves a lot to be desired.
I just get tired of knobs like WJM and various "anonymous" entities who keep posting their uneducated verbal diarrhea, based on some simple minded racist attitude that they have towards Newfoundlanders in general.
I don't have "racist attitudes" towards Newfoundlanders in general. If you read that into my legitimate critiques and myth-busting of the Newfoundland nationalist canon, you have much bigger problems to deal with.
These people are feeble-minded tools that would go out of their minds if we were ever to throw off our chains.
What chains?
Wow — A Marxist revolutionary Newfoundland. Danny's dream come true...
And the thing that baffles me more than anything else is why do they even read this blog, if your feelings for us are so contemptuous why do you even read what we have to say?
The only contempt I have is for the misinformation, paranoia, deceit, self-delusion and outright lies of the Newfoundland nationalist subculture.
Seriously you should just move on and let us do what we need to to.
And that would be?
and there goes WJM again blah blah blah, seriously just go away.
WJM said:
"...Just remember, though, Labrador isn't part of the "we" in your statement."
Gee WJM, look at the ego on you. When did you get the phone call in your Ottawa Dorm room informing you that you now represent the views of everyone in Labrador?
When did you get the phone call in your Ottawa Dorm room informing you that you now represent the views of everyone in Labrador?
Didn't need to. I can assure you that if Danny Williams ever calls the separatist referendum he dreams of, he'll be humiliated by the vote in Labrador. Labrador would not vote to leave Canada. I'm not speaking on behalf of anyone, I'm just speaking to what I know of public opinion.
You, on the other hand, are the one who keeps using the pronoun "we". Royal we? Multiple personalities? What's up with that? Who is the "we" you seem to speak for?
The "we" certainly does not mean everyone in Newfoundland or Labrador but it does represent a growing segment as is evidenced by the growing number of blogs, commentaries, news articles, etc. from around the Province.
On the other hand, while I believe Labrador is an important part of the Province, unlike you I don't believe anyone would be embarrassed by the vote if Labrador voted 100% against separation. As much as they should have a right to their say, the Labrador population in reality accounts for only about 5% of the overall provincial population. Not enough to really impact any vote that is popular on the Island.
I don't say that to get your hackles up or to upset anyone in Labrador, but since you like the truth and nothing but the truth then you may as well hear it.
On the other hand, while I believe Labrador is an important part of the Province, unlike you I don't believe anyone would be embarrassed by the vote if Labrador voted 100% against separation.
I do. It would show that the Newfoundland empire is far from unanimous or cohesive. Heck, 100% "No" is probably not that far off what the vote would be in Newfoundland itself.
As much as they
"they".
It's funny. When Newfoundlanders talk about Newfoundlanders, they use the pronoun "we". When they talk about Labradorians, they use "they".
should have a right to their say, the Labrador population in reality accounts for only about 5% of the overall provincial population. Not enough to really impact any vote that is popular on the Island.
Unless people in Newfoundland (why "the Island"? It has a name.) stop to think: what if we vote to separate, but Labrador votes to stay? What does that do to the financial equation of an independent glorious PWG republic?
I don't say that to get your hackles up or to upset anyone in Labrador, but since you like the truth and nothing but the truth then you may as well hear it.
I am well aware of Labrador's population share. Unlike you, I am also well aware of Labrador's disproportionately large contribution to the provincial treasury...
WJM, I don't plan on being pulled into another one of your verbal diarhea debates but for the benefit of other readers I will clarify some of my statements:
First, you commented on my use of "They" when referring to LabradorEANs in an attempt to show that I believe they are not a part of "Us". All I have to say to that is YOU are the one who keeps insisting that Labradoreans should be differentiated from the rest of the Province.
Second, asked what would happen if Labrador voted not to leave and the rest of the Province did. The answer is simple, nothing would happen. Labrador falls under Provincial legislation just like the island (even if you don't like the word island I do and will continue to use it). Having a government and looking for separation has precedent in Canada, being a geographical region like Labrador or for that matter the Humber valley or the Avalon peninsula does not have precedent for separation. That's not to say it couldn't happen but it certainly wouldn't be as simple as you seem to think.
Finally, when have I once suggested that Labrador does not make a massive contribution to the treasury. You are getting desparate and once again through this sort of rhetoric you have shown your true agenda which is simply to keep two parts of the population divided so they will not work together for the betterment of the Province. Your Federal Liberal colors show themselves once again Mr. McLean.
That's all I have to say so if you wish to continue to twist words to suit your Ottawa agenda feel free but realize you aren't fooling anyone.
All I have to say to that is YOU are the one who keeps insisting that Labradoreans should be differentiated from the rest of the Province.
WTF is a "Labradorean"? Why do you insist on spelling this word in this way?
How is that any different from Newfoundlanders distinguishing themselves from "the rest of the Province"? That's exactly what Newfoundlanders do when they talk about "Island" this and that, or refer to themselves as "island province".
Is it any wonder so many Labradorians don't feel like good little Newfoundlanders?
Second, asked what would happen if Labrador voted not to leave and the rest of the Province did. The answer is simple, nothing would happen. Labrador falls under Provincial legislation
Only as long as it's part of the province. With separation, there's no guarantee, just as there is no guarantee an independent Quebec would have its current borders either.
just like the island (even if you don't like the word island I do and will continue to use it).
I don't have any problem with the word "island", but I wonder why you can't call that island by its name. There is, after all, more than one island in the world.
Having a government and looking for separation has precedent in Canada, being a geographical region like Labrador or for that matter the Humber valley or the Avalon peninsula does not have precedent for separation.
Why not?
You are starting to sound like a péquiste! If Canada is separable, why isn't the province? Or any province?
That's not to say it couldn't happen but it certainly wouldn't be as simple as you seem to think.
If Newfoundland voted to separate, and Labrador didn't, it would suddenly become a lot simpler.
Finally, when have I once suggested that Labrador does not make a massive contribution to the treasury.
You seem to think Labrador is little more than a population share; why else would you fixate on its population, and not on its total contribution to the province?
You are getting desparate and once again through this sort of rhetoric you have shown your true agenda which is simply to keep two parts of the population divided so they will not work together for the betterment of the Province.
It's Newfoundlanders who won't work for the betterment of the PROVINCE, by using Labrador's resources for the betterment of NEWFOUNDLAND and Newfoundland alone, while at the same time passing the buck to Ottawa for anything in Labrador that costs public money.
I'll start working for the betterment of THE PROVINCE, when Newfoundlanders do.
Your Federal Liberal colors show themselves once again Mr. McLean.
I am very proud to be a federalist.
You are paid to be a federalist, and a Quebec one at that.
I'm a Quebec federalist?
I come by my federalism quite honestly; no one has to pay me for it, pseudonymous coward.
If it;s so horrible being part of Canada THEN LEAVE!!!
No great loss.
Except Labrador....leave us Labrador we like them.
The rest we can just blast off and send sailing out to sea.
New person here, enjoy reading the comments. Who is this WJM person and why does he/she hate the island portion of the province so much?
Who is this WJM person and why does he/she hate the island portion of the province so much?
I don't hate Newfoundland. (Why can't you call it Newfoundland? Why resort to five words and eight syllables when one, three-syllable word, "Newfoundland", will do? "Island portion of the province", sheesh.)
Why is it that when anyone criticizes Newfoundland nationalism, or Newfoundland's attitudes towards Labrador, they are said to "hate" "the island portion of the province"?
Why don't we just call the whole province Newfoundland while leaving the name for Labrador as it is but changing the island's name to "Island of Newfoundland"? henceforth Newfoundland will include both "Labrador" and the "Island of Newfoundland". That way we can all be Newfoundlander's leaving nothing nitpicky for federal agitator's like wjm to carp, whine, complain and annoy about. Say wjm, why are you taking fish out of us Newfoundlander's(that includes all of us,Labradoreans and Islanders of Newfoundland)mouths? You retarded federalist thing you.
Why don't we just call the whole province Labrador while leaving the name for Newfoundland as it is but changing the mainland's name to "mainland of Labrador"? henceforth Labrador will include both "Newfoundland" and the "Mainland of Labrador". That way we can all be Labradorians leaving nothing nitpicky for separatist agitator's like anonymous coward to carp, whine, complain and annoy about.
I haven't taken fish out of anyone's mouth.
And "Labradorean"... Hmmm... I wonder who the anonymous coward could be?
Say fuckshit, why don't we put it to a provincewide vote as to what the name should be?
Anyways historically Coast of Labrador therefore all Labrador has belonged to Newfoundland and not the other way around. It's much like you to put the cart before the horse.
Say fuckshit,
Time to prohibit anonymous comments, Myles!
why don't we put it to a provincewide vote as to what the name
should be?
Sure, at the same time as the referendum in Labrador on the political
status of Labrador, mkay?
Anyways historically Coast of Labrador therefore all Labrador has
belonged to Newfoundland and not the other way around.
I'm not sure what that sentence is supposed to mean grammatically, but
I will say this: only slaves "belong".
It's much like you to put the cart before the horse.
Well, when you've spent all those years on the cart, looking up the
horse's ass, you sometimes want a change of view.
I love newfoundland I am so proud to be a newfoundlander and I shall return again someday right now im stuck in god damn Alberta where the people are so rude and they have no values in life, all they friggen care about is MONEY MONEY MONEY, well guess wha, it's not all about money, its about family and home being where the heart is, screw u albertans bunch of ignorant bastards
this is funny. I'm from Alberta, and I've been here for few months... and OH MY GOD, is this place ever a sheeeat hole! I'm not a "native" canadian, and I've been all over the world, and only now do I finally understand where do all those newffie jokes and lack of respect come from. This place doesn't deserve respect.
Out of all the places I've been to, this is the only one that I can honestly say I hate. Why do people stay in this hell hole? I do not understand? I mean sure, the family roots must be the main answer, but for pete's sake, have some balls man, move out of this sh!t hole the first chance you get. YOU NEED TO! Your survival depends on it. Let me explain. The very first thing I noticed when I came down here is the bland, unattractive looks of the pople. The similar facial features. The The slight retardation in many faces. And full retardation and birth defects in just too many people. Translation for the impaired newffies: inbreading. My god people, stop f*cking your cousins and sisters and get off the island. You've f*cked yourself into retardation... It is really plain to see and quite obvious for outsiders. And you wonder why the great newffieland is a joke.
Another problem is the unbelievably horrible weather. This place simply is not habitable to human beings. Period. To those that live here; I feel sorry for you. I trully do. I suppose the retardation + laziness prevent most from making the life changing decision of moving out of this hell hole.
so anyways... I know I offended many here, but try to take some positives out of this posting and do something to change your sorry lives here. Because even though I've been blunt and straighforward with my views, I have also been honest.
cheers.
Oh... and just to keep on topic, I guess if you do separate from Canada... well, no big loss. Really.
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