Newfoundland and Labrador BC (Before Canada)

In the twenty-four years between the birth of my father and the birth of his son, this land we call home was reborn into a new history. In the year of my birth Canada was already celebrating its centennial.

In the year of the Centennial Newfoundland in Canada, Labrador in Canada, less than two decades. My country’s last leader, my country’s first Premier was still the current Premier and would be for another five years. This allowed me the unique opportunity in the history of a province to be alive during the leadership of every Premier that has ever governed. And I am not an old man. When we sit with our grandparents and elders and discuss the old times we speak of growing up in a foreign country. We speak of arriving in – a foreign country. Such is the history of my Newfoundland and Labrador.

It is perhaps difficult for a Toronto-centric middle Canada to comprehend, let alone empathize with this perspective. When my elders speak confederation with Canada they are not recounting stories from generations ago that were passed to them through a spoken heritage, they are recounting a history that they in fact lived. Our history in Canada is but a grain in the sands of time.

What of that history ending in 1949? The lost races, Maritime Archaic, Dorset Eskimo, and Beothuck. The Inuit, Innu, Métis, and Mi’kmaq. The arrival of the Scandinavian Vikings, and later the Europeans. The first permanent settlement by Europeans in Cupids in 1610. The generations of loggers, farmers, fishermen, that struggled to survive those first winters.

So what’s the deal with Newfoundlanders? What’s the deal with Labradorians? We are grounded by our history. We are at once marred by and grounded by the lives of those before us. Our hearts are wounded by the story of the Beothuck. We carry with us the loss of those countless men and women who are lost to eternity in the icy depths of the Atlantic on the Ocean Ranger, the fishermen, the merchant marines.

Our relationship with mother Ottawa is brand new. Just fifty-eight years. A relationship that has seen Resettlement and Centralization. A relationship that has seen the collapse of our cod fishery. Fifty-eight years that has seen inequitable contracts like the Upper Churchill deal with enormously unbalanced profit division. Fifty-eight years that saw the once proud and strong people of Newfoundland and Labrador reduced to its perceived welfare state. Fifty-eight years that has seen constant debt. Unemployment unequalled in the federation. Out-migration unequalled in the federation.

And if Newfoundland dears to question the Terms of Union it is seen as treason, conspiracy to separation. If Labrador looks for equity it is dismissed as a sparse population of complainers.

The history of Newfoundland and Labrador since 1949 has seen an unparalleled evolution of character in Canada. It has turned Newfoundland and Labradorians into Canadians. Through the looking glass of Central Canadian imperialism the Newfoundlander and the Labradorian wears rags like Dickens’ lost boys, with their hand-out for another cup of gruel. It has seen the emergence of a new class in Canadian society – the Newfie, Canada’s Jigger Nigger. Although in this province we are intensely aware of the rock and salt water that has brought us into being there are far more looking through that looking glass than those of us standing behind it.

The message to the mainland media rags and political spin doctors. Write whatever you wish, we are not defined by your words. We know who we are.

Blame Canada (at least Harper's version of it)

Equality is a funny animal isn’t it? It’s truly a noble concept of democratic society, but it’s such an elusive beast. Look at Canada’s Equalization Formula. Has this fundamental Canadian policy leveled the playing field across the federation? Is the health and education of Nain equal to that of Toronto? Could it ever be? Should it ever be? Can we expect resource rich Alberta to prop the rest of the country? Should we expect population rich Ontario to pander to the whims of Rural Newfoundland and Labrador?

It’s a double-edged sword this whole equalization thing. On the one hand you have the argument that says “why should Newfoundland and Labrador be allowed to achieve "have" status while still receiving funds from equalization? (I hate that term "have" because it necessitates the term "have-not" which is horse shit, anyway...) It’s a hard nut to crack and a difficult one for us to ask for. The fact remains though that two of the more recent Prime Ministers of this country agreed to it. Why?

Therein is the other edge of the equalization sword. Given that a region with significant resource potential can be allowed to grow, be invested in, with a minimal investment it can become a strong and contributing member of the federation. On equal terms with its sister provinces. Equal – there’s that elusive concept again.

Where inequality exists we go back to the principals of the great philosophers who have argued these points hundreds of years before we were ever conceived of being conceived. Kantian ethics tells us to be charitable, that the more well to do among us should contribute to the less fortunate. It is this type manner of thinking which separates the third-world dictatorships from a modern country such as Canada. Much of the third-world is stained with the inequality that sees people living in tent cities across the water from mansions and towers. The true test of a great society is how its less fortunate citizens live.

The unfortunate thing about Newfoundland and Labrador is that we have always been perceived as the tent city to the North and East. At this point in our history and so many times in the past opportunity has come in the form of a handout. At least that is the perception in the land of the Towers on the coast of the Great Lakes. Money for a Rolling Stones concert in Toronto is a boost to a city that had taken a slap to its tourism from SARS. Money for Bombardier or Quebec Ad agencies is an investment in the country's future, in Newfoundland and Labrador it’s a hand-out – C’est la vie.

When our sister province of Alberta is cited as an example the Ottawa-Communications Machine (OCM) is quick to tell you that Alberta was not build on hand-outs from Ottawa. It’s a mute point. The fact is this province was allowed to grow into its present state as a financial powerhouse of Canada through people who believed in it’s potential. The fact in Newfoundland and Labrador is that we are historically similar to the pre-oil days of Alberta. This goes to the heart of why “Equalization” is such a big deal to us in this province. The fact is that the promise made by Harper, and Martin before him would have allowed Newfoundland and Labrador to realize some of its enormous potential. To push it up to the ranks of our older sisters Ontario and Alberta and at long last given us a seat at the table of the big guys.

And that was within our sights... it was promised to us... we banked on it!

But this is a country of equality after all. We can’t allow that poor adapted bastard child Newfoundland and Labrador to reach the status of Ontario, it’s just not right. It goes against equality, it flies in the face of the principles of equalization. To allow an unequal opportunity for a province is unheard of in the 140 years of this big country.... Except of course that the Auto-Pact was negotiated with The States that allowed a tremendous industry for Ontario. And the national capital is in the province of Ontario. And Bombardier has received countless millions in Quebec, not to mention the generous support to Quebec Ad agencies. And there is the fact that there are provisions which allow for seven extra MPs for Quebec beyond what they would get from population alone. The other Atlantic Provinces get three extra MPs. Newfoundland and Labrador gets only two. That’s fair right? Of course Alberta, BC and Ontario get zero, so at least we aren’t on the bottom of the scale there. There may be a few more in-equalities in the federation... like three Supreme Court Justices from Ontario and Quebec as a requirement while Newfoundland and Labrador has never had a justice sit on the Supreme Court of Canada. All fair - all equal right?

But I digress – other than these and a couple hundred more inequalities among the people of Canada this country is built on Equality. An equality that ensures that Canadians from coast to coast to coast feel the opportunity and sense of belonging that this greatest country in the world allows its citizens. It is great to know that in this country a young Inuk growing up in a community with a perpetual boil order and the highest suicide rates in the country has the same opportunity to meet their true potential as a the Torontonian who receives a Jag as a graduation gift. All things being equal.

Memorial University - Newfoundland and Labrador's Exporter of the Year

In the Company of Sleveens

It is a scoundrel indeed who incites a racket to cover his own ass. Harper's Conservative government is pitting province against province to take the heat off their own inept governance. On equalization reform they brought all provincial governments together and told them to form a unanimous consenus on how to reform the equalization formula. In what cartoon world would ten provinces in a country as diverse as Canada agree to anything. I would suggest it would be easier to get a Vegan and a Texan to decide on what to get on their pizza. It's just not going to happen... but that's OK! This is failure by design. The addendum to the meeting of premiers is quite simply "if you can't come to a consensus the federal government will decide." Brilliant. Harper has set the stage; his standard reply to any criticism of equalization reform. "Well we tryed to let the premiers decide on equalization reform but they failed and we were forced to make the tough decisions".

Not such a tough decision though is it? For the federal government decisions that cater to the population dense Southern Ontario and Quebec regions buys the most votes, and for a minority government that is where the rubber hits the road.

So what can the Atlantic do to fight for regional rights and descrepancies in the federation? Provinces can form their own consenus - scare the feds into paying attention because in the end all they really heed are population numbers. But Harper is safe enough in that regard too isn't he... because as long as their are sleveens like Nova Scotian Premier Ronald MacDonald, Harper doesn't have a worry. MacDonald's strategy for his province goes like this. Side with Premier Williams in negotiating with Harper. Plan fails, go to plan B. Backroom negotiations with Harper trying to cut a side deal - throwing the Rodney-Danny alliance to the wind. Flaherty tells MacDonald to 'bugger off - he's not cutting any side deals'. MacDonald cries foul.

Oh if only MacDonald can rekindle some of that warmth he had with Newfoundland and Labrador's Danny Williams in the early days of the Equalization talks. I suspect though that Danny may take a page from Flaherty's book and tell MacDonald that what they had is over. Find some other Sleveen for your side-deal negotiations. Lucky for MacDonald the country has more than it's share of 'em.

Stevey Wonder

Secrets of the Canadian Spy Coin Revealed

WASHINGTON - An odd-looking Canadian coin with a bright red flower was the culprit behind a U.S. Defense Department false espionage warning earlier this year about mysterious coin-like objects with radio frequency transmitters, The Associated Press has learned.

The harmless "poppy coin" was so unfamiliar to suspicious U.S. Army contractors traveling in Canada that they filed confidential espionage accounts about them. The worried contractors described the coins as "anomalous" and "filled with something man-made that looked like nano-technology,"... (full story)

A Trust and Confidance Rally!

Stand up for Newfoundland and Labrador
A Trust and Confidance Rally!
Friday May 11th, 2007 Time: 12:00 PM
Location: Front Lot, Confederation Building
More information coming soon!

Write: info@according2.ca
www.according2.ca

Also the Newfoundland and Labrador Defense League are planning to attend. If you have further questions about the NLDL or the Rally feel free to contact Us at nldl_nl@yahoo.ca www.nldl.org

The Face of Outmigration

Subliminal Advertising

How many boobs are in this Picture.

(Bit of fun for the kids)

Dinner with the Canadians

Sitting at the table of confederation with Canada is like Christmas at Nan's. Nan has a big ol' table - but also a big ol' family to fit around that table - So the overrun of course have to sit at "the kids table". (The kids table being a colloquial for coffee table with a plastic cover.)

It was quaint when I was a young gaffer of eight. As I get older and heavier though it is becoming harder to sit on the floor and fashion a table out of my kneecaps. Unfortunately given the size of my maternal family there will never be a seat for me at the "Big" table.

For some reason I was reminded of dining at the kid's table after the budget last night. Newfoundland and Labrador sitting with its knees up into its chest next to cousin Sasketchewan. Happy to be invited but knowing that no matter how many dinners we sit down to, we'll always be sitting at the kid's table - eating our mustard pickles and kam while our older siblings carve the turkey.

Throw us a giblet - please - Sasketchwan just ate my pickled beets.

Canada's National Spewspaper - The Mop and Pail

Again the Ontario rag affectionately known as the Mop and Pail has poked it's little stick in the sides of Newfoundland and Labradorians.

From the rag that brought us Maggie "I like Newfoundlanders I really do" Wente comes the little gem above.

Ironically (perhaps) the cartoon displays on the Globe and Mail website with rotating Newfoundland Labrador Logo Ads... Ya the ad with the Super Mario Mushrooms that our government invested so heavily in.

Let's think about this a little bit. What do you think would happen if these were Coca-Cola ads and the Cartoon Read "Coke is shIT". Or perhaps the ads could be for Tommy Hilfiger and the Cartoon could have labour from Third World Countries making those overpriced Jeans?

I'll tell you what would happen. Coca-Cola would shake that bottle and ram it up their collective arses. Tommy would hire a posse of third-world lawyers to take the Globe down brick by brick. I'm being facious - I can assure you though as sure as there are monkey's on typewriters at the Globe and Mail that Coke or Tommy Hillfiger would not pay a red copper for the ads. At the very least...

So to the province of Newfoundland and Labrador - what are we going to do with the money returned from the free Globe and Mail ads? Perhaps a strip of asphalt for the Trans-Labrador Highway? Perhaps an investment in our rural communities to stem outmigration?? Ah hell - I'll leave it up to you guys -I can trust you to be fiscally responsible I'm sure.

DJ

From CBC cartoonist defends...

From NLDL - Marg Like Newfoundlanders (pdf)

Seal Friendly Pork Products

From seashepherd.blogspot.com

MP Scott Simms takes a stand against Hypocrisy

The Newfoundland and Labrador Defense League (NLDL) Public Meeting

Wondering about the NLDL? Do you want to have a voice in Newfoundland and Labrador? Are you going to be in the St. John's Area on Feb 4? Check out the Newfoundland and Labrador Defense League...

Weather or Not

Ya the weather has been pretty tough in St. John's in recent days. This is my barometer from this morning.

The Canadian Spy Coin

http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/070113/n011317A.html

The Ecology of the Newfoundland and Labrador Culture

I always get a little deflated when there are articles about the defeatist Newfoundland and Labradorian. This is the opposite notion of what we have come to believe about ourselves. We were ready to lynch Margaret Wente when she said (in her maternalistic pseudo-sympathetic way) "I like Newfoundlanders, I really do - but their sense of victimhood is unmatched". As Newfoundlanders and Labradorians we know this is not the case, but at the same time we can not deny that there is something that holds us back. Is it just in our nature to be cynical? Have we put our fingers into the fires of deals-gone-bad one too many times. Are we afraid of getting burned again?

When the group the Newfoundland and Labrador Defense League (NLDL) was formed it's inception was in response to that alleged "can't do" attitude. It's goal quite simply being the "empowerment of the Newfoundland and Labrador People". To consider the potential, the "what ifs", given the resources and dedication we are known to have. What if we were not tied to the ideals of a political party? What if we remove the incentive of money and greed? What if we could tap into the enthusiasm that all but shut the doors at Costco? What if we could tap into the enthusiasm that blocks the phone lines when a Newfoundland and Labradorian is on Canadian Idol? This shows me the power is there, often beneath the surface but it is there, and it is strong. So we go back to the victimized Newfoundland and Labradorian who knows the failures of the fishery, Churchill Falls, the Sprung greenhouse - the chronic failure of industry to push Newfoundland and Labrador beyond the corner and finally take hold of the Golden Arrow of the Pratt Flag.

The victimized Newfoundland and Labradorian is not the true face of Newfoundland and Labrador . Although some may say "it will never work" there is an inner voice that says "please make it work!" and the less vocal majority who are saying "Hell yes we're going to make it work."

That's why the NLDL, FINALY, CLCC, Young Farmers and others have joined forces. That's the reason for the Dec 22 press conference with Ray Johnson and Rex Goudie. There is a lesson in the ecology of the George River caribou. It lives among the craggy barrens of Labrador in winter and its population thrives. It is in fact the largest population of caribou on the planet. It doesn't flourish on blatant abundance. It lives on lichens and small alpine plants. On closer inspection we can see that there is more than enough life and hope among the rocks to sustain this place. Find the fighting Newfoundland and Labradorian who are anchored to the rocks and get your own footing. They are out there. There are no give-aways on the rock or the big land. For the fighter though the wealth is here. It is persistence in this often-formidable landscape that lets us live because in the end this is where we flourish. As those before us have fought and flourished - this is home.

Fish and Ships

Everyone wants a piece.

For the Love of Cod

Atlantic Cod, from Highliner in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, purchased at Costco in St. John's, Product of China. These little cod fillets have more miles on them than a dancer at the Piccadilly Pub.

Were once they stood - WE STAND (.CA)

Making the Choice to Stay, Live and Work in Newfoundland and Labrador

Today the NLDL stood together with groups like the Futures in Newfoundland and Labrador's Youth (FINALY), The Community Linkages Concept Committee (CLCC) and the Newfoundland and Labrador Young Farmer's Forum (NLYFF). We stood with bright and talented Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, artists and entrepreneurs like Shelly Broomfield, Jill Curran, Jamie Baker, Rhonda Tulk-Lane, Chan Wiseman, our very own Steve Penney, Ray Johnson and Rex Goudie.

Panelists: Jill Curran, Steve Penney, Rhonda Tulk-Lane, Rex Goudie, Ray Johnson, Chan Wiseman, Shelley Broomfield and Jamie Baker

We stood together as a group with a simple but very powerful message: that the will and passion of the Newfoundland and Labrador people will be the strength that drives this province into future prosperity. The message is directed at the teachers and parents of our youth to instill in them the positive spirit of Newfoundland and Labrador. To encourage them to believe that the choice work in Newfoundland and Labrador, that the choice to be innovative and create new industry and ideas is attainable right here. The message was also directed at those who would challenge the idea of revitalizing rural Newfoundland and Labrador, and would discourage our youth from their dreams. The message for the nay-sayers is that a fundamental shift in thinking is necessary to drive the positive force that is our youth and rural communities.
The conference opened with the inspirational words of Ray Johnson of Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers. Ray is Chairperson of the Flambro Head Heritage Society and Acting Chair of the Community Linkages Concept Committee. He shared his passion for the province and spoke of the choices our youth make “some of us must make the choice to leave, others wonder if they have a choice to stay.” The message he wanted everyone to take away from the conference is that we do have a choice. When questioned on how we can resolve the choice of our youth to stay. Ray responded “With inventiveness” He spoke of the hard-work and ingenuity that has built this great land. The never-say-die attitude of past generations who made it work because they had to; because the bond with their home strengthened their resolve. We as Newfoundland and Labradorians have to recapture some of that attitude and ingenuity and with it we will prosper.

The conference was also highlighted by some of the examples of the ingenuity and drive of our youth who have managed to build successes in rural Newfoundland and Labrador:
Jill Curran returned to N&L and built a business in Ferryland offers a unique tourism experience. Her venture called Lighthouse Picnics has grown from a makeshift roadside stand to a business which employs a seven people. She spoke about Increasing Rural Economic Development.

Jamie Baker is a columnist originally from Dildo who spoke passionately about the need for regionalization.

On Youth issues Steve Penney of the NLDL spoke about education and the obstacles of student debt.

Shelley Broomfield is Inuit with a brilliant mind and is a well-spoken Labradorian who told the conference about Aboriginal Youth Issues.

Rhonda Tulk-Lane of FINALY spoke about the out-migration and her own experience in taking the leap of faith to return to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Chan Wiseman of the Newfoundland and Labrador Young Farmers Forum used his experience growing up in a farming family to speak about diversifying rural Newfoundland and Labrador economies beyond the one-industry towns.

To close the list of guest speakers Rex Goudie, who went through hell and high-water to make sure he was able to make it to the conference, spoke about valuing where we come from and what we have. Without any notes Rex spoke from the heart, describing seeing so many of his classmates and friends working in Fort MacMurray. He told us of the simple pleasures that he grew up with and still looks forward to when he returns to Newfoundland and Labrador. Playing a game of shinny and snowmobiling. The joy of the outdoors, the freedom we have in this province to enjoy the environment. With a message directly for the young people in the audience he reminded them that it is these simply pleasures that are worth preserving.
The conference closed with a final thought from Ray Johnson. He pointed to the six students of Mary Queen of Peace who had left during the speeches. "These" he said "represent the youth who will be lost due to out-migration" and reminded us of the impact of this trend. He asked “Who will speak for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador?”. His answer: “I Will. You Will. We Will.”

To follow up on the message of: “Making the Choice to Stay, Live and Work in Newfoundland and Labrador”, the launch of a new website was announced. Building on the phrase from The Ode to Newfoundland – “where once they stood we stand”. "westand.ca" will build on the momentum of this Christmas Press Conference and bring our message into the new year.
Congratulations to all organizers and participants. The emotion and passion in the room was evidence that this was a press conference like no other.

What's on the go December the 20th?

Is Rural Newfoundland and Labrador Alive? Is there a choice for our youth growing up in rural Newfoundland and Labrador? Are there success stories among all the doom and gloom?

The Newfoundland and Labrador Defense League says there is!
Futures in Newfoundland and Labrador Youth (FINALY) says there is!
The Community Linkages Concept Committee says there is!
So do young entrepreneurs like Newfoundland and Labrador Young Farmers Forum!

Watch your news on Wednesday Dec 20 for a news conference that is sure to be the talk around the water cooler. With guest speeches from some of the brilliant minds and artists from this province including Ray Johnson of Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellows, young entrepeneurs and a special surprise celebrity guest.

Got your attention? Stay tuned ...