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Sunday, October 01, 2006

Canada's Colonial Empire

How is Canada still managing to hold itself together after all these years? It may sound like I’m asking that question facetiously but I’m not, not at all. Why has it not disintegrated, even though it’s should be obvious to even the dimmest among us, that Canada is essentially made up of two provinces and a cluster of territorial colonies. Let’s face it, there are only two provinces as far as Ottawa is concerned and one of those has itself been flirting with hopping the next bus out of town for decades, so why not the rest of us?

Both the west and the east have no voice in what happens or where we are all heading in this Country. Oh, by the way, when I say “east” I’m referring to the real east, you know that little cluster of provinces just right of Quebec on the map in your kid’s geography book. At least I think it’s still included on Canadian maps but you never know these days.

The only thing the governments of Quebec or Ontario have to do is yell loud enough about wanting a more lucrative equalization deal and “Poof!” it’s done. Never mind that it means the rest of the Country will have to tighten its metaphorical belt. Hell, a few less dialysis machines in our hospitals and a steady supply of 1960’s encyclopedias for the classrooms out this way might even be character building.

Looking for a huge federal influx of cash to keep your auto plant or aircraft factory from going bankrupt? Not a problem, as long as you’re in big O or the mighty Q.

Do you need a few sympathetic judges on the Supreme Court of Canada? Then you better hope you live in a place where the hockey players wear red jerseys and a big C on their chests because if you hail from a place like Newfoundland and Labrador you won’t even find one. It’s like the commercial says, Never had it, never will.

Simply put, Ontario and Quebec are the biggest kids on the block and every year they solidify their strangle hold on the playground in Ottawa. Don’t get me wrong, I’m don’t have an issue with those provinces using their political might to make things better for their people, in fact I applaud them. They’d be crazy not too use it. My problem is with a federal political that nurtures two provinces at the expense of the other eight.

The only thing that exists outside these two behemoths, as far as Ottawa is concerned, is a vast empire of resources for their consumption. The rest of us are simply poor peasants (yes, even in oil rich Alberta) who are meant to serve it up and smile while we do it.

Let’s try seeing what Ottawa sees when they look at us shall we?

Newfoundland and Labrador – Petroleum, fish, forest products & minerals.
PEI – Lobster & potatoes;
Nova Scotia – petroleum, fish & coal;
New Brunswick – forest products and potatoes;
Manitoba – Wheat, wheat, wheat & more wheat;
Saskatchewan – petroleum & wheat;
Alberta – petroleum, beef & wheat;
BC – Lumber, fish & some wicked good weed;

That’s it folks. That’s all we are to the Ottawa elite. I know, I know, I can hear you all out there in the great expanse mumbling that your province has more to offer than just that. You’d be right of course. We all do, but I’d love to see you convince the federal leaders from Canada’s two provinces. Just try telling it to some MPs from the big two. I can see the expression of utter dismissal on their faces already. Just try telling them that there are people in Nova Scotia manufacturing products or in Newfoundland producing goods. I can here the response now. “Yeah, sure they are. But beer in buckets in their basements doesn’t count.”

It’s a harsh reality but that’s all we are to Ottawa and we might as well face it. We’re nothing more than resource rich clumps of soil populated by ignorant serfs. We, the people of the wilderness are peasants who are expected to supply Canada (read Quebec & Ontario) with raw materials, drink our homemade slurry and mind our manners while we wait for them to something else that they want and we have.

So, I’ll ask my question once again. How is Canada still managing to hold itself together after all these years? I really want to know because I’ll be damned to hell if I can figure it out.

Oh, one more thing. I realize my commentary neglected to mention the Canadian territories but I figured they had been so forgotten by Ottawa that they might just prefer to be left alone. I’ll be damned if I’m going to tell the feds where their hiding.

55 comments:

WJM said...

Newfoundland and Labrador – Petroleum, fish, forest products & minerals.
PEI – Lobster & potatoes;
Nova Scotia – petroleum, fish & coal;
New Brunswick – forest products and potatoes;
Manitoba – Wheat, wheat, wheat & more wheat;
Saskatchewan – petroleum & wheat;
Alberta – petroleum, beef & wheat;
BC – Lumber, fish & some wicked good weed;


Almost everything you list is under provincial control. Even assuming that's how "Ottawa" views the provinces, which is separatist bullshit, what can "Ottawa" do about its covetousness?

You sound like those Newfoundland nationalist idiots who say "Ottawa" was only interested in NL joining Confederation for Labrador iron ore... neglecting to remember that St. John's, which had jurisdiction over that resource BEFORE Confederation, also has jurisdiction now.

NL-ExPatriate said...

The celebrated Canadian CD Howe upon finding out about the discovery of Iron Ore in Labrador wrote a letter to the Americans asking them not to make it public until the referendum on NL joining canada was completed.
http://www.tidespoint.com/books/nf_atthecrossroads.shtml

Even then it was 16-18 years before we started to get any monies from the discovery.

Anonymous said...

Sure. Newfoundland is a source of cheap labor.
In Alberta, in Fort McMurray and at the Brooks slaughterhouse

UNSKILLED LABOR!
Anyone can do it.




That's mostly what you have to export to other provinces.





Meanwhile in NL, more than 30,000 people live in poverty. Approx. 30,000 people have to use food banks.

Unemployment rate? Twice the national rate.

Approx. 50% of the 15 + year old people are functional illiterates.

THe mass slaughter of seals is not only supported but defended.


In other words, just a third world country with winters.



-

Anonymous said...

posted by Sue at 7:13 PM | 0 comments

The Giveaway of Natural Resources has begun!

The Giveaway Kid


Today Danny Williams has begun to giveaway our natural resources and then sell them back to us.
I'm sure all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians would be pleased to know that our wind is now owned - in part by the Government of Italy. Now the government of Italy will gain profits when we plug in our kettle.
This all in the absence of an Energy Plan which is supposed to outline what our plans are for energy over the next 25-50 years.
NeWind Group Inc. a consortium of companies lead by ENEL North America ( head office) Quebec - owned by ENEL - Italy's largest energy company was awarded a wind contract.
The Italian Economy Ministry (government) holds 21.4% of the company directly and another 10.2% indirectly through state-run lender Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, leaving a free-float of some 70%. Shareholders include leading international investment funds, insurance companies and pension funds, ethical funds, along with Italian retail investors.
That's beautiful Danny! Well done my man!
How much does Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro own???
0%
with an option to buy it back from them in 10 to 15 years or so - so they can have their investment paid off by us and then take all the profits as well.
Why didn't HYDRO construct the project and we pay ourselves back for the energy.
Why Williams are you seeking an equity position in Hebron.
You fool! Sold us out lock stock and barrell.
Take a good sniff people - the wind blowing around you is now owned - in part by Italy.

posted by Sue at 4:24 PM | 0 comments

Anonymous said...

You voted for Williams


Yes Newfoundland and Labrador.
You deserve him.

Anonymous said...

Yes, and I voted for Premier Williams, but I thought I was voting for a Premier who would regard, our hydro, oil, gas, wind, wave, uranium resources as Newfoundland and Labrador's and for the people of Labrador and Newfoundland, and that he would do nothing in this God's World to jeopardize that. If he does anything to jeopardize even my trust, I will turn on him, as I have turned on the other Premiers. Again I guess I thought we had chosen once in our lives somebody who would make things right for the future of our beautiful province. I know this Premier has the ability to sign solid contracts as he is very astute in legal matters. I thanked God for sending this Premier our way. I do hope everything is not as it seems and this Premier will be above board. Until I hear from the Premier I will have faith in him. But there is a time limit to my waiting. It is just a day or two, not forever.

God knows that, we, the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, need something to go right for us with our economic condition for once in our lives. It is shocking what has gone on here in the past. Politicians only did what was right for them personally and they forgot all about their charges whom they were elected to serve. I hope Premier Williams and his government members do not have the same syndrome, commonly known as the "me syndrome". After all Premier Williams has a lot to work with given the rich resource bank we have here and given our strategically geographical location in this world.

I hope Premier Williams and his government members get to read this blog. I would like to see him answer personally right here and very soon.

Anonymous said...

Hydro is not building this wind project because:

1 it is cheaper to have aprivate company build and run it than a crown corp.

2 Hydro's cash reserves to build new power sources were stolen by the Tobin and Grimes govn. You should know this Sue you were there.

WJM said...

The celebrated Canadian CD Howe upon finding out about the discovery of Iron Ore in Labrador wrote a letter to the Americans asking them not to make it public until the referendum on NL joining canada was completed.

1) The discovery of iron ore in Labrador was made in the 1860s, and was hardly a secret! Père Babel, A.P. Low, and Labrador Mining and Exploration had repeatedly brought Labrador's iron ore to world attention between the 1860s and the 1930s.

2) A good chunk of "Labrador" iron ore, as under discussion by Howe and others in the 1940s, was already in Canada, lying on the Schefferville side of the line.

3) Regardless, guess what? St. John's had jurisdiction over Labrador's iron ore before Confederation... just as it has after. Nothing changed.

Even then it was 16-18 years before we started to get any monies from the discovery.

16-18 years?

You need to brush up on the history of iron ore exploration and mining in western Labrador.

WJM said...

You forgot one thing in your list NL as a source of cheap labour.

Where are all the great Newfoundland Captains of Industry who can harness that resource IN NL ITSELF?

There was this really successful businessman one time, had cable companies, golf courses, and an offshore supply empire... whatever happened to him? Wonder why he doesn't channel his energies into building new industries and enterprises to harness that pool of what you call "cheap labour"?

Concering Iron ore in Labrador the value of the resource was at the time of confederation only known to Canadien Mining Companies who kept the information from the Newfoundland Govnerment until after conferation. Then they stole it.

Who stole what? Those companies had ALREADY OBTAINED RIGHTS TO THE LABRADOR IRON ORE FROM THE WONDERFUL GLORIOUS GOVERNMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT REPUBLIC OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND ITS LABRADOR EMPIRE.

If done right the royalites COULD have paid for social programs better than Canada's for decades.

And it was "done wrong" while Newfoundland was still a Glorious Pinkwhiteandgreenian Republic. Go back in time and chew Peter Cashin out for me, would ya?

WJM said...

Hydro is not building this wind project because:

It's not in Labrador.

I wonder why "we", meaning Danny "royal we" Williams, "own the wind" in Labrador, collectivizing that resource and driving away a $2-billion investment... yet "we" are willing to allow private-sector wind energy in Newfoundland?

Is the double standard based on anything more than Danny Williams' colonialist-imperialist designs on Labrador?

What is the policy basis for discriminating against Labrador in this way? Why encourage private-sector investment in Newfoundland, but not in Labrador? Or stated differently, why collectivize Labrador industry, but not that in Newfoundland?

It all boggles the mind.

WJM said...

I know this Premier has the ability to sign solid contracts as he is very astute in legal matters.

Yeah?

Then why did Glorious Lawyer become the only politician to have ever broken the terms of the Atlantic Accord Implementation Act by attempting to ram Andy Wells, an avowed Newfoundland separatist, into the chairman's job at the CNLOPB, when the Act, which the province not only agreed to, but is bound by, disallowed his illegal action?

And why was Glorious Lawyer so surprised to learn the Labrador boundary hasn't been surveyed?

Is Glorious Lawyer as "astute in legal matters" as his reputation would have us all believe?

Anonymous said...

The "astute ones" are YOU

YOU VOTED FOR HIM.


If you don't educate your folk you'll never get ahead.


/

Anonymous said...

You're a real broken record Higgins. No wonder you live in St. Phillips.

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Anonymous said...

Tough to grasp for the Newfies but here it is again....food vs fur.

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Anonymous said...

Newfoundland never was and never will be a Republic. It used to belong to Britain, now it belongs to Canada.

Get it through your brains people.

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Anonymous said...

All the while you argue about this and that as it relates to the seal "hunt" and stay in denial, the seafood boycott is taking you down.

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Anonymous said...

You newfies need thank your lucky stars that Canada allowed you to be part of the country.

I guess you have finally figured that the jig is up for you people. you will move to the glorious province of Alberta and live a better life working at whatever you can, and Canada can finally depopulate the stinkin place of those too stubborn to leave of their own will. We can then finally use the resources for the deserving provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British columbia in order to better the country as a whole.

Maybe Quebec can take over running that hellhole Labrador. All that lives there are caribou and seal clubbers anyway.

Anonymous said...

I will respond to this diatribe you are spewing out there Anon after Thanksgiving. The type of people you are can be seen from your last post anon. The post that goes like "You newfies need thank your lucky stars that Canada allowed you to be part of the country.

Anonymous said...

You newfies, and your hero Danny boy are a joke. How long do newfies believe they would last if Canada finally decided to set you adrift on your own!

In fact, how long do you ungratefull lazy bums think you could continue to live in comfort, if Canada decided to cut off your dole (transfer money). We have a Prime Minister now who won't take any of your childish crap. Canada owns your sorry a$$es so get used to living off that which Canada generously provides!

Anonymous said...

And lo, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians led all the rest


Cross Examination by Averill Baker
The Charter
The last line in the poem Abou Ben Adam reads, “And Lo Ben Adam’s name led all the rest.” Amen.
Figures were released three weeks ago identifying the provinces that contribute the most to the Canadian economy in exports to foreign countries and lo Newfoundlanders and Labradorians led all the rest – again. But, this time, it’s in spades, as the gamblers say, with the one-eyed-jack-of-diamonds-and-the-devil-close-behind way.
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians now contribute more to the Canadian economy per capita than any other Canadians to such a remarkable degree that it makes one feel sympathy toward Canadians from other provinces.
Other Canadians who look at these recent figures must feel embarrassed that Newfoundlanders are, in economic terms, contributing so much more than they are to the Canadian economy.
Canadians in Ontario and Alberta must feel like they’re on unemployment insurance with Newfoundlanders paying the bill. Quebecers and Maritimers must feel they are on welfare with Newfoundlanders paying the bill.
In economic terms each Newfoundlander is now worth four Canadians from other provinces.
It’s becoming embarrassing.
And what is just as embarrassing is that historically, since 1949, this province, on average, on a per capita basis, has led all other Canadians in contributions to the Canadian economy.
Of course, the billion dollars of power that we export indirectly to the United States shows up as Quebec’s power on the official figures. That’s one billion dollars of exports that must be taken from the Quebec column and counted as coming from this province.
Oh yeah, says the economist, we lead every other province on a per person basis with just over a half a million people - of course Newfoundlanders and Labradorians lead the rest of Canada. Also we have always exported practically everything we produce - wood, pulp and paper, minerals, fish, and now oil. That is why we have always contributed more to the Canadian economy than any other Canadians on a per capita basis.
And that is why some people sometimes suggest that we would have been better off had we not joined Canada or if we were today to separate from Canada. On the economic yardstick this province is in a far better position to separate and print its own money – just like we did prior to joining Canada.
The Export Development Corporation in releasing its figures last month claimed that this province is now exporting about $4 billion of crude oil to the United States. It points out that Statistics Canada figures, used by the provincial government, are incorrect.
Those incorrect figures, used by provincial governments and Ottawa, show that most of our exports of crude oil are going to other Canadian provinces for refining. The Export Development Corporation claims in their end of July report that in fact most of our crude is being shipped to the United States for refining and not to Canadian refineries. I believe the Export Development Corporation.
Together with the power through Quebec, these adjustments are necessary to get to the truth about our exports to foreign nations.
Some of our offshore crude and all of Voisey’s Bay nickel are shipped within Canada for processing and cannot be counted in values of exports. Voisey’s Bay nickel and Duck Pond copper and zinc, and iron ore, will lead exports of minerals next year. Where is Duck Pond you might ask? It’s around Trout Pond, which is next to a smaller pond called Goose Pond.
The Newfoundland separatist makes a valid point in saying that if we were not a part of Canada all of our exports would be to foreign nations.
Then look at the fantastic economic position we would be in.
Maybe Major Peter Cashin and Malcolm Hollett were right in 1948.
The only thing missing today is the quality of politician we had years ago - from the records of the National Convention and Hansard, quality politicians like Peter Cashin, Malcolm Hollett, Gordon Bradley, Joey Smallwood, James Chaulker, Dr. Jim McGrath, Dr. Fred Rowe, Bill Rowe, Charlie Ballam, C. Max Lane, Ed Roberts, John Crosbie, James McGrath, Clyde Wells, Nathaniel Noel, Bill Marshall, Dr. Noel Murphy, Ambrose Peddle, Jack Pickersgill, Dr. Frecker, Tom Hickey, John Lundrigan, Jim Morgan etc. etc.
Yes, today we do have some outstanding politicians, like Danny Williams, but they are like hen’s teeth – they’re hard to find.

Anonymous said...

To Anon who said this: "In fact, how long do you ungratefull lazy bums think you could continue to live in comfort, if Canada decided to cut off your dole (transfer money)

I WILL ASK YOU ANON THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

1. "HOW LONG WOULD THE UNGRATEFUL CANADIANS LIVE IN COMFORT, IF CANADA DIDN'T HAVE THE FISH QUOTAS FROM THE GRAND BANKS OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND ALL THE OTHER WATERS SURROUNDING NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR IN ITS GRIP, WHICH IT HAS USED OVER THE PAST 57 YEARS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS? THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF JOBS ADDED TO THE CANADIAN ECONOMY BECAUSE THE FISH WAS THE ENABLER SO THAT THE MANUFACTURED GOODS AND AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS COULD BE TRADED.

2. HOW ABOUT ALL THE DOLLARS CANADA BRINGS IN BECAUSE IT HOLDS 8 PER CENT EQUITY IN OUR OFFSHORE OIL FIELDS.

3. HOW ABOUT THE CORRIDOR THAT CANADA WOULDN'T INTERVENE ON FOR THE UPPER CHURCHILL ENERGY THAT BRINGS BILLIONS TO QUEBEC COFFERS AND COULD HAVE MADE US A HAVE PROVINCE.

4. DIDN'T NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR GIVE CANADA ITS COMPLETE EASTERN SEABOARD? THERE COULD BE A FOREIGN UNFRIENDLY COUNTRY ON CANDADA'S EATERN FLANK NOW, INSTEAD OF DOCILE NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR. THEREFORE WE MADE CANADA A HUGE COMPLETE COUNTRY FROM COAST TO COAST TO COAST.

5. IF YOU READ THE ARTICLE BY AVERILL BAKER ABOVE ONE STATEMENT SAYS IT ALL: QUOTE

QUOTE ...."Newfoundlanders and Labradorians now contribute more to the Canadian economy per capita than any other Canadians to such a remarkable degree that it makes one feel sympathy toward Canadians from other provinces. UNQUOTE

I WOULD SAY, WE AS NEWFOUNDLANDERS AND LABRADORIANS, WOULD HAVE THE FIGHT OF OUR LIVES IF WE WANTED TO DEPART FROM CANADA. IT WOULDN'T BE VERY EASY. AND CANADA WOULD NOT BE TOO FACILITATING IF WE WANTED TO LEAVE. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE OBSTACLES THAT WOULD BE PLACED IN OUR DEPARTURE PATH.

NL-ExPatriate said...

Lets not forget the Railroad, Marine Atlantic Inhibitor, Iron Ore descovered before confederation and kept secret from NL until the back room deal was done.
We still are being discriminated against with the Hamilton River. We are in no better position now than we were in 1968 when the Upper hamilton conflict of interest and lack of support from Canada caused NL to be robbed.
Discriminated against in the HOC's and all of the Canadian Buracracy with as little as 2% representation or less or none in the case of the Kangaroo court of Ontario and Quebec.

Anonymous said...

Separate you say. Go ahead and separate, and then watch your standard of living drop like a stone!

Your losing people faster than any other province in Canada, any thoughts on why that is? And please spare me the whiny "Canada is screwing us over" crap. You are the authours of your own misfortunes. Danny boy is hell bent on driving big oil away with his silly demands. Newfies (at least some newfies) are wising up and getting away from the great canadian welfare state and searching out a better living in places like Alberta. It will be interesting to see how many newfies are left on the rock in the next 10 years. No wonder you newfies are the laughing stock of Canada!

Anonymous said...

We are losing people faster than any other province in Canada and you ask why. The reason of course is all of our resources have to be used the way Ottawa wants them to be.

If we were allowed to have equity in our oil, our fish, our hydroelectric, our minerals, then we would have had a vibrant economy. We wouldn't be losing people. But you see Ottawa has a structure, the fish of Newfoundland and Labrador have to
be used to garner trade and foreign affairs clout for Canada. For instance the nickel of Voisey's Bay had to go to Sudbury, Ontario and Thompson, Manitoba to breathe life into both those cities for another 15 years. We aren't allowed equity into our Oil, but Ottawa has 8 per cent equity there. The hydroelectric is for Quebec's benefit and so on and so it goes. Do you get the picture?

Anonymous said...

Hey you morons, or you so called anti-seal scammers, did you achieve your objective of diverting the attention from the seal campaign you flourish on? It looks like you did. The attention should be focused on the duck, goose and calf that are produced for "foie gras" and "veal". The most barbaric industries in the world.

It seems like your questioning to this blog suddenly diverted attention from the duck, goose and calf where it should have been focused, to the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador that should have been a vibrant one, if Ottawa hadn't stolen all the resources that should have gone into making Newfoundland and Labrador the vibrant province that it should have been. The ordinary people had no control because the power was in the hands of the politicians and bureaucrats of the Ottawa Government.

If only Newfoundland and Labrador could have held on for another year or two after 1949, we would have been o.k. because it was the 1950s after the two World Wars that the whole world caught on fire with vibrant economies. But unfortunately we were swept up by Canada and Canada caught on fire with Newfoundland and Labrador's resources and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador got left in the ashes. If Japan and Germany could have become part of the G7, there is no doubt in my mind with the resources that Newfoundland and Labrador were endowed with, we would have been there as well. Both those countries came under the guidance of the U.S. with the Marshall Plan since they were oblierated in the War. Newfoundland and Labrador were untouched and it still had all of its natural resources. What an economy we could have been. It is very sad we fell under the guidance of Ottawa. I will lament it to the day I die.

Anonymous said...

Yes, not only could Newfoundland and Labrador have become a powerhouse onto itself at that time of Renaissance in the World after the two Great Wars, but the United States had three of the largest Military bases in its arsenal here, so the U.S. had a great interest in us. We know they rejuvenated Japan and Germany into economies that became part of the G7 Nations and they became very powerful in their economies.

We had many opportunities knocking at our doorsteps in the 1940s and had we taken the other road, I have a gut feeling that this place would be powerful in its economy and its stature in the world.

Ah, the road not taken, sometimes shakes us out of our tree. Too bad.

But can you imagine the diplomatic uproar it would have caused if Newfoundland and Labrador had decided to align itself with the United States instead of Canada? Had the United States taken us over, imagine Canada's borders would have been Quebec and Nova Scotia and Canada would have had very little border on the Atlantic Ocean that it enjoys today. Newfoundland and Labrador made Canada a far greater country than if we weren't part of it. The attributes that NL brought to Canada were a vast Ocean frontage and Resources galore. There is no mistake about it that Canada was greatly enhanced when they came into the territory of Newfoundland and Labrador by hook or by crook.

As a Newfoundlander and Labradorian I now know the reason for the words in the song about the Canadian Wolf. Now that wolf has eaten us up to such a great extent we are unable to get ahead. We existed for 450 years before Canada and I am sure given the New Age that everyone had entered and the rejuvenation everywhere after the war, we would have made it in Spades.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

We aren't allowed to live in the present here in Newfoundland and Labrador because Canada has complete control of our resources. When we try to look at our future by taking a resource out of the closet for development, well then Canada sees to it that it goes to Sudbury, Ontario or Thompson, Manitoba or some other place in Canada. We can never be the primary beneficiary of our resources, so you explain to me how can we live in the future, at least, here.


You ask the question of "Why don't you consider your level of high school gradates"? We have been doing that for a long time here and also University graduates, but guess what happens to them? Since we are never the beneficiary of our resources, our graduates have to move away to Sudbury or Thompson or Edmonton, or Fort MacMurray and to every other point on the Globe.

You also ask the question "What about the highest unemployment rate in Canada"? Well are you too dumb to figure out when a place doesn't get to keep its resources for its development, well then the unemployment rate can be nothing but the highest.


Again you stated "You can talk as much as you like about natural resources, but that won't be of any help if you don't have the educated people to manage the resources". Well now in your next post I would like for you to tell me how do we get to keep our resources for development here when there are so many lobbyists vying for those resources on the mainland and they have Ottawa's help to boot. And then please explain without those resources helping us how do we get to keep our educated here?


And this statement you made "And , for the one who pretends to mention the duck and the geese and the other farmed animals and the inhumane treatment of everything non-human, the fact that ducks and geese are treated inhumanely doesn't make the seal hunt right". I say to that No it doesn't but why do you not put some effort into stopping the inhumane treatment of humans, ducks, geese and calves? You should be able to get a wonderful campaign swinging on all these subjects.

And finally you said this "You can't justify the brutal and massive slaughter of the seals by saying that other animals are treated worse.
The seal hunt is inhumane and cruel. It is indefensible". And I say No I can't and I am not, I am just saying broaden your scope to include the mal-treatment of other animals that suffer a more barbaric and horrific death than the seal. You will make me a happy person who you do that.


'

October 10, 2006 10:23 AM

Anonymous said...

There is only one solution for your province, in fact for all the Atlantic provinces. Newfoundland and labrador, Nova Scotia, PEI and New Brunswick would be smart to join into one large province. Unfortuantely, you people are not able to see the wisdom of such a merger. Your province has seven seats, which is far too many for your population. The four atlantic provinces should merge and put the capital in Halifax, but of course you newfies are not able to go along with a sensible idea!

Anonymous said...

Yo don't have the capacity to understand that Newfoundland and Labrador has 77 per cent renewable resources, Nova Scotia has 12 per cent, New Brunswick has 27 per cent. Plus Newfoundland and Labrador have many more non-renewable resources. NL is a bowl of resources. So why should we have the capital in Halifax. Nova Scotia has very few resources period. It just does not make sense. And please stop asking your silly questions, if you don't understand by now the workings of big industry and governments and what has happened here in NL, then you will never know.

Patriot said...

Nor does this person understand that NL is not hte same as the Maritimes. It's the same mistaken logic used by the feds. They think that the problems and issues of the maritime provinces are the same as those of NL which they are not. This is why things have continued to get worse here rather than better over the years and this person just want's to solidify that misperception.

Patriot said...

Sorry folks but I deleted a great number of comments in this thread that were clearly not intended to discuss the issue at hand but to debate the seal harvest (both pro and con were deleted). If you want to debate that issue I'm sure you can find a more appropriate thread in our index or archives. This thread is about something altogether different.

Thanks

Anonymous said...

At last Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are beginning to understand what we have in resources and what did happen to us as part of Canada to be as poor off as we are. Now that we know how Ottawa works, Good Grief we have to do something about it.

We cannot say we have not been apprised and carry on the way we did before by being complacent. We know the facts so let us all do something about the corruption that has been going on through big industry and governments at both levels.

Anonymous said...

Patriot - Why the abundance of fish plants? Governments don't spend money without a reason. You see during the time the fish plants were added, it was during that time that Ottawa was gaining a firmer and firmer grip on the fish quotas and what could be done with those fish quotas to make Canada into a stronger country both economically and a country with more foreign affairs clout. It was during that time that monies were doled out for EI and it was during that time when the countries off Newfoundland and Labrador's waters increased from four, Portugal, Spain, France and England to many countries representing almost all the continents on earth. North Ameirca, South America, Europe, Asia, Greenland, Australia. I am not sure whether Africa is represented there, but the others are. These waters were accustomed to seeing 4 nations and now there are so many, I am not sure that we know who is out there.

Ottawa would never have given out the Employment Insurance solely to appease Newfoundland and Labrador's fishers. These fishers fished all their lives up to the 1970s without receiving EI, and they would have fished forever if things had been left alone. They would have eventually have figured out how to make big industry, the same way other industries around the world figured things out. Economics all around the world grew vastly during the 1970s on.
It is a shocking state of affairs that which happened to the enormous fish resource that this province brought to Canada. And it is a shocking state of affairs what happened to our fishers who depended on that resource and had depended on it for 450 years before we had joined Canada, without receiving one cent of assistance.

I say the Federal Dept. of Foreign Affairs and International Trade have a lot to answer for. I would like for that subject to be brought to the forefront by our politicians and let us discuss it.

Anonymous said...

Amended Post

Patriot - Why the abundance of fish plants? Governments don't spend money without a reason. You see during the time the fish plants were added, it was during that time that Ottawa was gaining a firmer and firmer grip on the fish quotas and what could be done with those fish quotas to make Canada into a stronger country both economically and a country with more foreign affairs clout. It was during that time that monies were doled out for EI and it was during that time when the countries off Newfoundland and Labrador's waters increased from four, Portugal, Spain, France and England to many countries representing almost all the continents on earth. North Ameirca, South America, Europe, Asia, Greenland, Australia. I am not sure whether Africa is represented there, but the others are. These waters were accustomed to seeing 4 nations and now there are so many, I am not sure that we know who is out there.

Ottawa would never have given out the Employment Insurance solely to appease Newfoundland and Labrador's fishers. These fishers fished all their lives up to the 1970s without receiving EI, and they would have fished forever if things had been left alone. They would have eventually have figured out how to make big industry, the same way other industries around the world figured things out. Economics all around the world grew vastly during the 1970s on.
It is a shocking state of affairs that which happened to the enormous fish resource that this province brought to Canada. And it is a shocking state of affairs what happened to our fishers who depended on that resource and had depended on it for 450 years before we had joined Canada, without receiving one cent of assistance.

I say the Federal Dept. of Foreign Affairs and International Trade have a lot to answer for. I would like for that subject to be brought to the forefront by our politicians and let us discuss it.

WJM said...

I say the Federal Dept. of Foreign Affairs and International Trade have a lot to answer for. I would like for that subject to be brought to the forefront by our politicians and let us discuss it.

What does DFAIT have to answer for?

Anonymous said...

I've been living in Newfoundland for the past few years and can't begin to describe how much these people are disconnected with reality, not to mention the rest of the planet. Views on animal rights are just as primitive as their religious beliefs. Newfies continue to fish the cod away, not to mention the maiming of seals, simply with the argument that it is "a way of life". These people need to evolve to the level the rest of the world has. Slavery was a way of life in America. They evolved. People here need to get jobs like everybody else and stop moaning about the system. Newfies love talking politics but know nothing about it. It's a shame that the stereotyping of Newfoundlanders rings so true. If only they knew how much the rest of Canada looks down on them (as it should). Anyone who defends Newfoundlanders should come here first - it's a huge ghetto in poverty. Most people here can barely string together a sentence. When a province has an illiteracy rate this high it's truely frightening. I had never met an adult who couldn't read before I came here. It's hard to find someone even capable of having a conversation with here. This is not an exaggeration.

Anonymous said...

To the previous Anon, just a few questions and points to help frame your comments:

1) If you dislike the place and the people here so much why have you lived here for several years? Anyone with any degree of intelligence would simply leave if they did not like where they lived.

2) You noted that the religious beliefs in the province were "primitive". Can you elaborate. Since the province is made up of several mainsteam religions such as Methodist, Catholic, Salvation Army, Muslim and United among others I fail to see how you can make such a statement unless you personally worship a tree or practice some other lesser known religion.

3) If nobody here can string a sentence together why do you even bother writing into a blog like this? Who will read it?

4)You mentioned that the only arguement put forward for the seal hunt is because it is "a way of life" then obviously you have never read any of the real arguements for it and likely are a follower of the great mis-informers in teh ARA movements. I can offer you many points why it is conducted far beyond just tradional.

5)You refer to the utter poverty and ghetto like existance however more people per capita in this province own their own homes (and often very nice ones I might add) than do people in other provinces.

6)Your continued use of the derogatory term "Newfie" is clearly the expression of deep seated anger against an entire race. If I were as bigoted as you clearly are I certainly wouldn't be casting stones and talking about the attitudes of others.

7) You're an idiot.

Anonymous said...

To address the questions above brought by Anon.

I happen to be one of the few here who work, doing very well for myself. That is why I have stayed. My house is very nice, this doesn't mean the other 95% of Newfoundland isn't a ghetto.

By "primitive" religious beliefs I didn't mean the people here are sun-worshippers, it means they are about a century behind most of the planet. Many here would argue: "Why did God put the animals here if we're not supposed to kill them?". I'm not a follower of any ARA movement, not even knowing exactly what that is. I'm guessing some animal rights crap. It's a shame you couldn't even spell a simple word like "argument" correctly, not to mention the other grammatical errors you made. Not looking good for the literacy argument. Do you believe Newfoundlanders are a RACE of people? That is hilarious. You are caucasian, so am I. THAT is your race. Thank you for verifying everything I have said. I posted the original blog for the rest of the country to read, not for Newfoundlanders. Most people are unaware of the way things are here. Please take note of the unintelligent response above. In response to #7.....You're a Newfie.

Anonymous said...

That guy above sure showed you. The term is "deep seeded", not "seated". Newfoundlanders are morons.

Anonymous said...

Thanks friend, but he was correct in that term. It derived from the notion of being firmly planted in one's seat, not willing to budge.

Anonymous said...

I'm from Alberta and I have lived in NL for about a year now. So many people are leaving for Alberta and I don't blame them. I came here to take care of my grandmother, but I had no idea the condition this province is in. To call it a ghetto is a bit mean but the place is stricken with poverty. Most Canadians don't realize how bad NL has become in this way. On days people get their welfare cheques I don't get my mail until 6:00 or 7:00pm. Usually I get it at 10:00am. Get what I'm saying?