Friday, March 26, 2010

Celebrating New Brunswick's Place in History

On behalf of Web Talk - Newfoundland and Labrador I would like to take a moment to congratulate the people of New Brunswick on the successful struggle they have just waged, and won, to protect their future and their right to a democratic voice.

It isn’t often in Canada that such a monumental battle is waged over such an extended period of time. It is even less often that a people are willing to put aside their differences, be they religious, political, ethnic or social, in order to band together, as one, for the common good.

As is often the case in situations such as this, it will likely be years, perhaps even generations, before anyone can fully comprehend what this day means, not only for the people of New Brunswick, but for all Atlantic Canadians and perhaps for all of Canada.

The economic and political implications of Quebec dominance over the power markets of Atlantic Canada and the Eastern U.S. may well have been a tipping point, had it come to pass, in the very future of the entire Nation.

Those implications aside, on the New Brunswick home front, the political shock waves this struggle has sent through the provincial government will surely be felt by every future leader in that province.

From this day forward, whenever a government decides to force its will on the people of New Brunswick they cannot help but have at the back of their minds the political implications of such a massive, sustained, dedicated, focused, well organized and surperbly executed public opposition.

Here in Newfoundland and Labrador our people know all too well the implications of rushing into any sort of agreement with Hydro-Quebec. Thankfully the citizens of New Brunswick have learned from our history and the milstone we must carry.

They have overcome, as we hope we shall also overcome one day.

The first page of text from the story of Brinco and Churchill Falls contains a quote which reads:

“All those who have studied the past from the standpoint of economics, and especially those who have studied economic geography, are aware that, from the material point of view, history is primarily the story of the increasing ability of man to reach and control energy.”

Those words were written by the American historian and author, Allan Nivens, and how true they are.

Energy is the backbone and lifeblood of all civilizations and, as the old adage goes, history is written by the victors.

Today, in New Brunswick, it is the people, every man, woman and child who are the victors and it is they who have written a new future for themselves. They have also, in time, written a great historical legacy, not only for themselves, but for all of Atlantic Canada and the entire Nation of Canada.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Will Old Harry Put Ottawa - Quebec - Newfoundland & Labrador at Odds Once Again?

With excerpts from the Vancouver Sun

Que. seeks deal on petroleum exploration in Gulf of St. Lawrence

QUEBEC — The Quebec government on Tuesday called on Ottawa to come to an agreement that would allow oil and gas exploration in Quebec's sector of a multi-billion dollar prospect in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The Old Harry formation is one of the largest undrilled prospects in Eastern Canada with an estimated potential for up to two billion barrels of recoverable oil or up to five trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas, making it almost twice the size of the Hibernia oil project.

Old Harry has remained undrilled because Quebec and Ottawa have not struck a deal yet on oil and gas management and revenue sharing. The most likely reason for the delay in striking a deal is the location of Old Harry which straddles a disputed marine border between Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador.

"This represents a good opportunity and lot of money for Quebec...", said Natural Resources Minister Nathalie Normandeau. "We want to settle this issue for good. Quebec has been very patient and we're taking a firmer line today. We've been waiting for 12 years and now we want to reach a deal."

The minister noted the main two points of contention are the ownership of the sea bed and the boundary between Quebec and Newfoundland in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The Old Harry prospect is located in the Laurentian Channel and straddles the Quebec-Newfoundland boundary, agreed to by Quebec in 1964 but still disputed by Newfoundland and Labrador.

Normandeau wants Quebec to come to a deal similar to the ones reached separately by Newfoundland and Nova Scotia with the federal government in the 1980s.

In a statement sent to Canwest News Service, federal Natural Resources Minister Christian Paradis said his government is "willing to work with Quebec and all provinces to ensure a responsible and lasting development of our natural resources."

Corridor Resources, which has the drilling rights to 60% of the Old Harry site announced last month that it will conduct a site survey on the Newfoundland side of the Old Harry structure in preparation for drilling an exploration well.

The PQ fears the company will siphon Quebec's resources through Newfoundland and end up leaving the province short of billions of dollars in royalties.

"We don't want Old Harry to become payback for Churchill Falls," said PQ critic Alexandre Cloutier.

The CEO of Corridor Resources said Quebec's sector of Old Harry remains the most desirable location for an exploration well, but stressed the company has to go where there are no impediments.

"If a well on the Newfoundland side is indicative of a potential, there may not be a followup on the Quebec side," said Norman Miller.

Monday, March 22, 2010

I am a Witness

The following video link speaks to the undemocratic actions currently being taken by the Graham government in New Brunswick but with a Newfoundland and Labrador angle.

If the Graham government has its way, in selling most of its power assets to Hydro Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador won't be the only province getting royally Scr#%ed by the Quebec government. The difference being that while our contract with Hydro Quebec ends in 2041, New Brunswick's will last forever.

Have a look: I am a witness