NL Call to Action - Friday May 11th
Stand Up For Newfoundland & Labrador
A Trust and Confidence Rally!
Friday May 11th, 2007
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: Confederation Building
Hosted by Mr. Randy Simms of VOCM Open Line
Entertainment by Wince Coles and Ward Pike (Ode to Newfoundland)
Speakers will include representatives from:
Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers Association.
Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour.
MUNSU
Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities.
Newfoundland and Labrador Federation Of Students.
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Association.
Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees
Canadian Federation of Students Newfoundland and Labrador
Ryan Cleary - Editor In Chief The Independent
The rally is intended to give the people of Newfoundland and Labrador a chance to show their strong support for the province’s position on equalization.
Recent budget decisions out of Ottawa have the potential to impact Newfoundland and Labrador far into the future. This has galvanized the public and cut across all political and social groups. The current situation, one that places a backdoor cap on the 2005 Atlantic Accord the province fought so hard for, is one that affects every man, woman and child in the province.
This is a public call for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to stand united and strong on this issue and to attend the event if at all possible.
If you would like further information you can call 709–576-2330 or email whittlep@nf.sympatico.ca
As one supporter noted, "By standing shoulder to shoulder as proud Newfoundlanders and Labradorians we hope to send a clear message to Ottawa that the people of this province refuse to sit idly by while our future is stolen from us."
Let's make this the biggest public protest in the history of our province!!!"
A Trust and Confidence Rally!
Friday May 11th, 2007
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: Confederation Building
Hosted by Mr. Randy Simms of VOCM Open Line
Entertainment by Wince Coles and Ward Pike (Ode to Newfoundland)
Speakers will include representatives from:
Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers Association.
Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour.
MUNSU
Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities.
Newfoundland and Labrador Federation Of Students.
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Association.
Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees
Canadian Federation of Students Newfoundland and Labrador
Ryan Cleary - Editor In Chief The Independent
The rally is intended to give the people of Newfoundland and Labrador a chance to show their strong support for the province’s position on equalization.
Recent budget decisions out of Ottawa have the potential to impact Newfoundland and Labrador far into the future. This has galvanized the public and cut across all political and social groups. The current situation, one that places a backdoor cap on the 2005 Atlantic Accord the province fought so hard for, is one that affects every man, woman and child in the province.
This is a public call for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to stand united and strong on this issue and to attend the event if at all possible.
If you would like further information you can call 709–576-2330 or email whittlep@nf.sympatico.ca
As one supporter noted, "By standing shoulder to shoulder as proud Newfoundlanders and Labradorians we hope to send a clear message to Ottawa that the people of this province refuse to sit idly by while our future is stolen from us."
Let's make this the biggest public protest in the history of our province!!!"
64 comments:
I won't be in the province on May 11th but I have taken the day off and I will be watching the event on TV. Really looking forward to it.
Before I forget, Ottawally and Crazy Eddy are big a$$holes!!!
I won't be in the province either. Matter of fact I will be on a plane all day. I was truly hoping that it would have been held before May 11th.
I want so badly to know the details of the rally, such as if it was well attended and how it was perceived.
I am wondering will the details of the Rally appear on a blog or a web site somewhere. If anyone has an address so that I can learn the details, I would much appreciate it.
I am sorry Peter I cannot attend, but I wish you and the Rally all the Success in the World.
Is it just me or have we been free of Ottawally, Simple Simons Mrs. and Crazy Eddy???
They must be regrouping, working on a new strategy. Be afraid kids.....
What a pathetic "rally" that was. Wasn't even worth coverage on any station either.
Embarrassing.
actually it was reported on the CBC. But the headline and the body of the article seem to indicate a discrepany of numbers. I wonder why the headline says hundreds and the article itself says at least 1500.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2007/05/11/rally-williams.html
Also, when you consider the population, depending on whether you use the CBC figure of 1500 or the figure of several thousand mentioned by the Telegram, the gathering was objectively rather substantial in terms of the overall percentage of population.
Most protests actually have relatively few people, and can be made to seem larger or smaller depending on how its described, and the angle of the cameras.
Anyone actually get a legitimate estimate?
funny. five times as many turn out for frieworks on Canada Day.
Yawn
I was there........no way it was over 1000 people. I was very disapointed in my fellow Newfoundlanders. Once again we flop over and do nothing.
Culture of Defeatism appears to be correct.
There will never be a legitimate estimate because the government and the locoal media will always inflate the numbers.
Doesn't matter....it was a poor turnout considerign what it could have been. And so much for the Premier not getting involved! Everyone knew he wouldn't be able to stay out of the limelight and keep his big trap shut.
Local media are the only ones that bothered with this story, and that's because it was a slow news day.
around a thousand? about not much more than work in the confederation building. funny isnt it?
I know!! There was even extra parking space available.
That's probably what they---emptied out Confederation Building over lunch.
I have a friend who works there and it was "suggested" she go out on her lunch break.
I bet you that's what they did all right---made all the employees stand outside!
Typical Newfie move.
Starrigan----if you are out of the province then how can you watch the "event" on TV??
Did you think anyone off the island was actually going to film it??
Might as well have saved your sick days for when you really need them...like for moose-hunting, camping in a ditch, and ATV'ing.
No National Media coverage. I am wondering how much are things controlled by Governments, both Federal and Provincial? I am also wondering if the Feds were in on this as well? Is it possible the Federal Government warned the Media to just give the rally a little coverage in Nedwfoundland and Labrador and none Nationally?
Youa re trying to imply that the rally was important and worthy of national coverage.
A bunch of buffoons standing around on their lunch is not Breaking News.
Get over yourselves.
I knew it!! I knew!!
I told you that it was a dumb idea and hardly anyone would show up.
From the coverage I saw on NTV, I was impressed with the turn out.
The template that Ottawa designed many years ago to see that the resources of Newfoundland and Labrador would be used for the benefit of the rest of Canada, at the expense of Newfoundland and Labrador will be in effect for quite some time. And neither will Ottawa be placing any of its Federal regional Office and Military bases outside of where these offices have been placed. The template was designed to see that Nova Scotia and New Brunswick were appointed to be the hub of Atlantic Canada, which of course left out the complete Eastern periphery of the country
Newfoundland and Ladorador.
And as a result Newfoundland and Labrador became malnourished and have failed to thrive for a long time because of that template that was created. Don't expect any changes soon. It is a terribly structured country as it relates to the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Any crowd can be made to look big. Don't be fooled by the Williams-in -the-pocket-toting NTV and VOCM news.
I went down with my big Canadian flag and was told not to wave it around while the cameras were there.
This province sucks.
You should all be ashamed of yourselves.
And it WASN'T a big crowd.
You'll Rant and you'll Roar just like True NewfoundLosers.
I see I'm the only person here that didn't post anonymous, and you call NL's pathetic. Looks good on you.
Thanks!
We can rant and roar all we like, we have been caught up in a web of deceit for 58 years now, but it will be the people of Newfoundland and Labrador who will ultimately have to say 'enough is 'enough and go forward and extricate ourselves from the mess that we find that we are caught up in the Federation of Canada.
Yes 58 years of having our resources extracted and exported from Newfoundland and Labrador, for the use of the Johns West of this province AND Yes for 58 years we watched those covetous Johns get all the goodies that got handed out by Ottawa, while leaving this province void of economies. And YET we still have to watch more and more of our natural and human resources leaving our beautiful province of Newfoundland and Labrador every day of the year. These people to the West of us are never satisfied.
I would like the opinion of the 3 Federalist who frequented this blogsite last week on the damage Canada has caused to the province of Newfoundland and Labrador with its treatment that it doled out to us over the past 58 years. If you are still reading the posts on this blogsite Ed, Simon and Mrs. Simon, I would like your opinions on how such treatment of having to have our resources go elsewhere and having no Federal infrastructure placed here by Ottawa have caused the province of Newfoundland and Labrador to have a far worse economical structure than the rest of the provinces that are part of the Federation of Canada, which have far less resources? That is a question that I would like the three of you strong Federalists to answer please.
I hate to wade in on the onslaught of Federalist love-in types posting here lately and trying to belittle the protest but I was there and having been to many large happenings (protests, concerts, etc.) before I would put the crowd at around 3000.
In fact the official estimate at the time (as announced by the MC) and broadcast on multiple news programs was in the area of 3500.
I know there are some who would like to make everyone believe it was a failure but the opposite was true.
National news coverage or not, you can bet Hearn, Doyle and Manning got the message loud and clear.
Yeah.....the message that you are all morons.
Anytime several thousand people turn out to make their voices heard it can only be called a success. Perhaps some of the negative posters here should organize a pro-Harper rally of there own and see how successful they are.
Name calling and negativity in the face of such a wonderful act of grass roots democracy only makes these posters look less than successful.
If you do not agree with the goals of the rally or the words of the protesters that is your right but trying to put people down for expressing their views does nothing advance your position.
To the anonymous with the question who wrote:
"I would like your opinions on how such treatment of having to have our resources go elsewhere and having no Federal infrastructure placed here by Ottawa have caused the province of Newfoundland and Labrador to have a far worse economical structure than the rest of the provinces that are part of the Federation of Canada, which have far less resources".
The economic circumstances in Newfoundland and Labrador have not been caused by Confederation.
Since I have no idea what you mean by "a far worse economical structure than the rest of the provinces..." I really can't answer your question.
Perhaps if you could be a bit more specific, we might be able to exchange a few comments. of course, if you could indicate who you are, it would be even easier.
Look Crazy Eddy is here. Good to see you back a$$hole.
So Crazy Eddy how about you organize a little pro Harper rally as suggested in a previous posting. See how many people you get. I'm sure it would be a huge turnout considering the wealth and respect that's been heaped on our province over the last many decades. Get Ottawally and Simple Simon to help you. You could be the three blind mice, no wait, how about the three blind rats. Yes, that's more like it. Rats. Blind to the ignorance and lies we have had to put up with in NL. But I digress, let's get back to the rally idea. Think of the brownie points you would score with your Ottawa overlords. Think of the accolades that would be showered upon you by all the happy NL's that are basking in the wealth and prosperity that has given to us by the demi-god Steve. I'm sure it would be a most wondrous event. Let me know when you get it arranged. I'll make sure I'm in town so I can take part.
And before I forget, Ottawally is a big a$$hole.
I would like the opinion of the 3 Federalist who frequented this blogsite last week on the damage Canada has caused to the province of Newfoundland and Labrador with its treatment that it doled out to us over the past 58 years.
What damage would that be?
Anytime several thousand people turn out to make their voices heard it can only be called a success.
Where and when did several thousand people turn out for that purpose?
The several thousand people must have been at some other rally. The rally I attended at Confederation Building on Friday had several HUNDRED people if that.
Sad, sad, as expected.
Was anyone else at Danny's Rally on Friday??
Make ya wanna gag eh?
see the pictures on facebook? #6 is political staff #7 is government staff #8 is politicians #9 is family members of politicians. yup. big nonpartisan grassroots crowd up there.
a starrigan is "Starrigan, a young fir-tree, which is neither good for firewood nor large enough to be used for timber, hence applied with contempt to anything constructed".. perhaps the comments of one who attacks others as a$$holes should similarly be treated with contempt
Nonosbawsut, very good, you actually looked something up. Very impressive. Your mom must be so proud. I might even be moved to not add you to my a$$hole list. It's good to see Ottawally back with his stupid questions. What an a$$hole, talk about a one trick pony. Stick to the formula bonehead because it's very effective. LOL
And before I forget, Crazy Eddy is a big a$$hole.
Don't listen to the federalists. The message is getting through to the conservative party. I'm a member who agrees with the province and I know for a fact the cracks are showing inside the party over this.
Stay tuned.
why take as fact something said by ANONYMOUS writers?
Scant media coverage is how the Feds can control how badly they treat the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. They allow our resources to be pilfered for other places, they do not put any infrastructure here, such as Fdederal Regional Offices and Military bases and they control the National Media by not allowing any of our beefs to be aired Nationally.
And Elvis lives on the Moon which is made of green cheese! And there are so few babies being born in St. John's because of the harmful death rays beamed at St. John's from Ottawa. And we should all wear tinfoil hats to reflect the mind control emanating from Halifax. Come to think of it weren't a number of the weiners wearing those things on Firday (sorry Starriganday, sorry Friday)?
they control the National Media by not allowing any of our beefs to be aired Nationally.
When did they start doing that?
WJM: You really should know about the big conspiracy. You are in charge of it, aren't you?
What about this guy Pius Lasaga? He's in on it too.
You really should know about the big conspiracy. You are in charge of it, aren't you?
No, I'm in charge of the First Canadian Mineral Ores Redistribution Division.
My good buddy Jean Couillard is in charge of the National Media Censor Bureau.
Drat. Now I've said too much
It was quite plain to see from our large Rally on Friday compared to the people who live here, that we received completly no National Media coverage while a gathering of 200 members in a rally in Ottawa got quite adequate National Media attention.
I think the people of NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR are getting the message.
Messages, messages.. everybody is getting messages from Friday.. the conservatives, the people in NL.. what is the "message"? that a bunch of wieners/whiners who can't count ("one, two, three, five hundred, three thousand") wandered around Confederation Hill over their lunch break protesting something that they don't understand?
while a gathering of 200 members in a rally in Ottawa got quite adequate National Media attention.
Which rally was that?
"I think the people of NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR are getting the message."
About the only message they might get is that every once in a while the caps lock on your keyboard sticks.
Anon, it's funny, but a regular caller to the local talk shows made exactly the same point today. of course she didn't mention what rally of 200 they were talking about either.
The local rally here was reported by a number of mainland media, just as the provincial budget was reported.
Saying that it was a large rally isn't factual. At most the crowd was 1500. Under the circumstances that would make the crowd very small.
Saying it wasn't reported across the country also isn't factual.
That would put you "oh" for two.
Saying it wasn't reported across the country also isn't factual.
Pretty close, though.
Funny I thought Ed had his own blog.
Does he really need to troll through other peoples blogs jumping on anyone who has the nerve to express an opinion that differs from his own. Where does he get the time to spend all day reading blogs and commenting on them anyway. If people really want to read Eds thoughts they can do it at his place.
For gods give it a rest man.
The previous anon mentioned a rally of about 200. I suspect he/she was talking about a pillow fight held by university students in front of Toronto city hall to raise funds for a charity. That was reported on mutltiple networks late Friday and early Saturday of last week.
Also, when N.S. signed onto the green plan with Ottawa about 5 or 10 people protested in that province. It was also broadcast nationally.
I personally find it odd that a protest related to the federal budget and it's impacts, held the friday before the bill is to be voted on, would not get at least the same sort of exposure and I did scan many news casts that Friday and Saturday. Not a word.
I also did a google news search and other than CBC St. John's I didn't find any evidence of it being reported. Some in here say it was so could you please provide examples since you wanted confirmation from the previous anon about the 200 person rally?
I also find it odd that when Jim Flaherty was interviewed by Mike Duffy and by Don Newman yesterday from the Commons about his flip flop over corporate taxes, the subject of equalization was brought up by both of them. They both mentioned NS and Sask specifically but not once did the province of NL come up in those conversations. It was like they were told to avoid saying Newfoundland and Labrador or they wouldn't get an interview.
I know some people say government doesn't control the press but you only have to look to the U.S. for an example of it happening.
Essentially, political reporters are often "hinted" to that if they bring up a sore subject they will not be grated access to the political leaders for interviews and basically be shunned. This happens all the time and it leads to those reporters avoiding subjects that would lead to them losing their "inside" track on government stories.
I'd say I'm surprised at people like Ed Hollet and WJM not realizing this but I'm sure they do. They would just never admit it.
Come on WJM, you're on Todd Russel's payroll. Why don't you tell everyone how it really works.
As for you Ed, in the past you've claimed to have multiple degrees including one in journalism I believe? If that's true, you should already know this. By the way, where did you get your degrees from? I can't find anyone who can confirm you even have any though you claim to.
Michael:
thanks for a perfect example of what passes for political discussion in these parts over the past four years. First we have the exaggerated importance of this place, a “demonstration”/picnic with Danny of 300 should rank high on the national radar, then the provincial grievance (national reporters dare not speak its name (how Wildean.. oh yes he was Irish wasn't he)), and finally a personal attack on anybody who disagrees with the mantra.
Nonosbawsut,
How typically slanted and self serving your comments.
You say, "...the exaggerated importance of this place, a “demonstration”/picnic with Danny of 300 should rank high on the national radar"
First of all there were far more than 300 there, even conservative estimates put the number at 1500 and some much higher.
Second, the question was not if it should be high on natinal radar but why a gathering of 200 having a pillow fight or 10 protesting the green plan in other parts of the nation would be more news worthy than a demonstration that clearly was much bigger and directly related to this week's agenda in the House.
You go on to say, "..the provincial grievance (national reporters dare not speak its name (how Wildean.. oh yes he was Irish wasn't he))"
If you had seen the two political broadcasts in question and how both hosts handled the questioning of Flaherty you might be more convinced by the awkward style and brief silences that they were avoiding asking about NL.
Then you say, "...finally a personal attack on anybody who disagrees with the mantra"
What personal attack? I asked some questions or are questions out of order now?
If someone is willing to use their signon (WJM) and makes statements then it's only fair that they should let people know that they are paid by a federal politician.
If some one claims in public to have a degree in X or Y then it's a simple question to ask where they got it from. Geeze, maybe someone I know enjoys Ed's style and would like to study at the same university.
I figured about 500 by what I saw.
Pretty piss-poor turnout anyway. I was hoping for more.
Perhaps it is Gerry Reid and the provincial Liberals that need a call to action.
Excerpt from CBC news:
"What was to have been a pre-election blitz for Newfoundland and Labrador's Liberals turned into a flop, with the party unable to make good with a pledge to showcase a dozen star candidates poised to take down governing Tories.
Liberal Leader Gerry Reid blames fear of Danny Williams for preventing possible challengers from stepping forward.
Although the Liberals had touted it in advance as "super weekend," the party was able to find candidates for only six of the 12 districts. A news release added an acclaimed candidate in a seventh district.
The Liberals say the recruitment obstacle is fear over repercussions from the Progressive Conservatives, particularly Premier Danny Williams.
"There are people who not only work for government but they also do business with government, and they're afraid if they announce so early in advance of an election that they may indeed feel the wrath of Danny," Liberal Leader Gerry Reid said.
The general election is scheduled for Oct. 9.
So far, the Liberals have candidates in place in 23 of the province's 48 districts.
In the house of assembly on Monday, the Tories took advantage of the Liberals' recruiting problems to poke some fun.
"Super weekend? What a splash it made," said PC backbencher Terry French. "They can't even convince people to run for them opposite."
Liberal party president Danny Dumaresque promises a strong, credible slate of candidates for the October election.
Among the candidates who have stepped forward is Winston Carter, the president of the Canadian Teachers' Federation, who is challenging Harry Harding in Bonavista North, and Bishop's Falls Mayor Jody Fancey, who will take on Clayton Forsey in Exploits.
Another candidate is Jim Bennett, the west coast lawyer whose brief tenure as provincial Liberal leader in 2006 unmasked a number of internal problems. Bennett will be running in St. Barbe district.
The Liberals held the government between 1989 and 2003, when Williams and the PCs won the general election. The Tories have held commanding leads in public opinion polls since, while the Liberals are trying to deal with a debt left over from the last election.
Most of the nominations already filled were not contested, but that does not trouble provincial party president Danny Dumaresque.
"But what we are seeing is very, very high profile and high-quality candidates come forward, and that's what's more pleasing to me, than whether we have two or three or 10 in a nomination fight," Dumaresque said.
Dumaresque admitted the party is having trouble recruiting candidates, especially in districts held by Williams and several cabinet ministers.
The Liberals currently hold 11 of the 48 seats in the legislature, with the Tories holding 35. The New Democrats hold one. "
Leave it to Gerry Reid to whine and make up excuses as to why the Liberals under his leadership are so unpopular.
The Liberals are not in a position to govern let alone provide a viable opposition.
Perhaps it is time to have a rally for the provincial Liberals.
Michael:
The key word is "newsworthy". It be should embarassing to you that a pillow fight outranks Danny's picnic. But why should it? Could it be that the topic has been exhausted, that it is boring?
Seems the best guess is around 500? How many were just enjoying sun during lunch break from their office. That many people walk/run around Kents Pond over lunch on a good day.
You also seem to be psychic.. my comments are "typically selfserving and slanted", I don't know you.. TV reporters and Cabinet ministers have hidden thoughts that only you can discern
They both mentioned NS and Sask specifically but not once did the province of NL come up in those conversations. It was like they were told to avoid saying Newfoundland and Labrador or they wouldn't get an interview.
yes, all a big conspiracy.
Duffy's question was open-ended: "Finally on the question of federal/provincial relations, Scott Brison was up in the House today saying tax havens today, maybe just maybe there will be a change in the offshore arrangements tomorrow. I know you've been in some discussions with the provinces. Is there anything new there?"
It was Flaherty who mentioned NS and SK.
Newman mentioned NS because that's where Flaherty had given a speech:
"I know you were in Nova Scotia recently talking about the Atlantic Accord and equalization. What have you got in mind there that you didn't have in the budget?"
But believe in the conspiracy if you want to. You probably also think Elections Canada rigged the Canadian Idol vote.
"As for you Ed, in the past you've claimed to have multiple degrees including one in journalism I believe? If that's true, you should already know this. By the way, where did you get your degrees from? I can't find anyone who can confirm you even have any though you claim to."
Michael: I have made no such claims therefore I am under no obligation to prove or disprove anything.
"Essentially, political reporters are often "hinted" to that if they bring up a sore subject they will not be grated access to the political leaders for interviews and basically be shunned. This happens all the time and it leads to those reporters avoiding subjects that would lead to them losing their "inside" track on government stories.
I'd say I'm surprised at people like Ed Hollet and WJM not realizing this but I'm sure they do. They would just never admit it."
Again you see fit to invent situations rather than deal with what is.
We can certainly have a lengthy discussion about how media relations works in different places and at different times with different people. The situation you describe dopes exist. it happens in ottawa but given the competition, it is much harder to give it any effect.
A little closer to home, you might ask local reporters who have worked here over the past decade who tried and tries to practice that sort of manipulation in this province.
Now that we've established how much of your commentary is false, including the comments aimed at someone else, did you have anything of substance to offer?
Funny how when false comments are exposed as false, the whole thread suddenly stops.
ED: Sorry it IS as it IS. The method in which the province of Newfoundland and Labrador's resources were meted out was wrong. It caused so much destruction in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador that I doubt if we will ever recover from it. I personally will place a lot of the blame on Ottawa.
Sorry! Since I know you do not want to hear that, but it is the truth.
The method in which the province of Newfoundland and Labrador's resources were meted out was wrong.
Which resources?
And why the passive? "Meted out" BY WHOM?
It caused so much destruction in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador that I doubt if we will ever recover from it.
Destruction of what?
I personally will place a lot of the blame on Ottawa.
For what?
"The method in which the province of Newfoundland and Labrador's resources were meted out was wrong. It caused so much destruction in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador that I doubt if we will ever recover from it. I personally will place a lot of the blame on Ottawa."
Since the resources were set out by Mother nature, your beef would seem to be with a power considerably higher up than any Earthly one.
But on a less facetious level, would care to explain what you mean by saying the provinces resources were "meted out"?
If I understand you correctly, your comment is sheer nonsense. The provincial government controls all resources within the province and, in the case of offshore oil, it controls stuff not in the province.
Why do you blame Ottawa for that?
It seems the only person likely not to want hear something is you.
or which ever one of the anons you are this time.
But look.
If you have some hard facts, bring it on. If all you have is the old nationalist fairy tales, then maybe you should just think about what it makes to build a belief system on Mother Goose.
I just got back from a road trip to Jasper, Banff, Calgary, Edmonton and North Eastern British Columbia.
I cannot believe the inequities that exist in the Highways alone in the two provinces, I just mentioned, compared to the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. In Alberta every highway we travelled was twinned, with in most places 3 lanes on each side, and every 30 kilometers or so you would find a large town with a flourishing economy on the sides of the highways.
They certainly have taken advantage of their oil resources, and it is quite plain to see that they are not exporting that resource anywhere else other than keeping it in their own backyards and making it work for Alberta Municipalities. Alberta is prospering and so is North Eastern British Columbia from one resource oil and the spin off industries that result from that resource.
The Park System in Jasper and Banff is a wonder to the world. And as I heard one person say to another at a Columbian Icefield lookout, the Ottawa Federal Government, over the years, has put billions of dollars into these two parks and it is plain to see. Both parks were teeming with tourists from all around the world. They have no down time, winter the skiers flock to the area and summer you have the hikers, walkers, and people who come to just marvel at the terrain. Asians tourists flock there in the thousands.
I don't know why the Federal Government cannot create the same type of attractions in the Torngat Mountains of Labrador or Gros Morne Mountains on the Great Northern Peninsula. In order for the Federal Government to do so they would have to devote the same type of attention to building up the sites and advertising as it has done for the two National Parks it owns and runs in Alberta.
not to agree with ed or anything, but god put the attractions in banff and the torngats and elsewhere. governments both federal and provincial have preserved the landspace through creating parks. businesses have put tourist amenities in place (hotels and restaurants etc). And governments have promoted and marketed the parks as tourist destinations. how much more can you do? people will either want to visit or not. they certainly want to visit gros morne. and as for the highways, the state of the roads has in part to do with now much money the province has - these infrastructure projects are not sole-funded by the feds, they are cost-shared with provinces. if both the province and the feds put $$ in, the roads get done. so the highways around banff are great at least in part because alberta has a strong oil-driven economy and the bucks to parter.
Yes indeed Alberta has a strong oil-driven economy. It is essentially what I said.
None of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador's resources drive its economy, basically because they are driving the economies of places elsewhere.
If you delve into the monies going into Alberta's Banff and Jasper Parks, you will find they are completely funded by the
Ottawa Federal Government, not Alberta's propvincial government. What the Feds are responsible for, Alberta will have no part of chipping in to assist.
you missed what i was saying, anonymous. federal parks are federally funded - signal hill and gros morne as much as banff and jasper. our provincial government does not kick in to federal parks either. highways are fed-prov funded.
on the other matter, how do alberta's resources drive their economy and ours don't? their oil mostly goes out of their province, just as ours goes out of newfoundland and labrador.
they *have* developed their gas and use it for domestic heating as well as export. we haven't developed our gas yet, partly because the government (not just this one, but 10 years of them) have not set the royalty regime so developers don't yet know what they will have to pay and whether they think its worth it for them to invest in based on that royalty.
also, alberta's petroleum industry generates about 25% of the alberta budget revenue - roughly the same proportion as ours.
what makes the alberta economy and provincial treasury stronger and richer than ours is that they have lots of exploration, development and production (conducted by multinational oil companies, who take the profits), which means lots of business for supply and service companies that are local-based (which mean they generate in-province profits and employ lots of people in alberta).
to become more like alberta, we need more exploration, development and production. we don't need more 'control' of the resource - we've got all the control we need.
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