Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
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.
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.
Monday, March 19, 2007
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
Friday, March 02, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Weather or Not
Ya the weather has been pretty tough in St. John's in recent days. This is my barometer from this morning.
Friday, January 19, 2007
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Sunday, January 07, 2007
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.Friday, December 22, 2006
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.
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.
Monday, December 18, 2006
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 ...
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 ...
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
If I had a Pink Car - Could I Have a Pink Car-Nation?
Apparently the government of Canada is finally giving out free Nationhood status to anyone with a bone to pick about the constitution. The criterion is not distinction, because Newfoundland and Labrador would certainly be on the short-list for mini-nationhood if that were the deciding factor. It also isn’t history, because again – we have the least history in the federation and are the only people in the Canadian family who can still remember what it was like to have our own place (pink white and green flags for curtains, and what an ocean view!) No - the experience with being a separate nation and the issue of distinction are not the criteria for subletting the country with your own small “n” nation. The deciding factor is language!
This will be welcome news to my Uncle Jason who has been living for years “off the grid” on Carnation Rock in the Bay of Exploits. No one except his wife from Haiti has been able to understand Jason since they married in 1976, so he certainly fits the criteria for establishing his own nation:
So it gives me great elation to declare The Rock of Carnation its own federation, a nation within a nation where uncle Jason and the Haitian have been on permanent vacation, now I’ve lost my concentration… What in tarnation?!
Ah hell now I’m all confused. All I really wanted to know is if Quebec is a nation within a nation do I still have to go through Montreal to visit my brother-in-law in Whitby?
This will be welcome news to my Uncle Jason who has been living for years “off the grid” on Carnation Rock in the Bay of Exploits. No one except his wife from Haiti has been able to understand Jason since they married in 1976, so he certainly fits the criteria for establishing his own nation:
So it gives me great elation to declare The Rock of Carnation its own federation, a nation within a nation where uncle Jason and the Haitian have been on permanent vacation, now I’ve lost my concentration… What in tarnation?!
Ah hell now I’m all confused. All I really wanted to know is if Quebec is a nation within a nation do I still have to go through Montreal to visit my brother-in-law in Whitby?
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Newfound-brand and La-brand-or
"Florida" is as much a brand of Orange as it is an American State. American restaurants like to sell "Maine Lobster" even though they are likely to be Atlantic Canadian lobster. New Zealand has it's lamb and the Swiss have their watches. These places have successfully attached a brand to their geography. If you want the best chocolates you go to Belgium, sports cars Germany or Italy.
So this is it. The brand that will come to symbolize Newfoundland and Labrador to the whole world. Does it work? We haven't been particularly good at branding ourselves in the past. Not that we don't take well to branding. The seal hunt protesters have pinned the words "barbarian" to us quite successfully. It has no element in truth but such is the way with branding - only the perception has to be maintained. The Japanese for example have started making some great watches after the Swiss failed to monopolize on the technology of Quartz time movement. The Swiss maintain their stronghold on the quality clock industry though, in spite of the popularity of Seiko or Casio.
So how will these stylistic pitcher plants work for us. Only time will tell I guess. The branding of Newfoundland and Labrador is definately a step in the right direction. Perhaps this little graphic can do for us what a couple of young American campers did for the Canadian identity and clothing industry when they started the company ROOTS. The raw material is there. Newfoundland and Labrador is an easy sell, with its untamed beauty and friendly folk.
The fact that the flowers are a little like the Magic Mushrooms of Woodstock fame (or Super Mario Brothers for the youngsters) is really besides the point. If this simple graphic can succeed as a logo then more power to 'em.
God Speed little fly-eating bog plant - God Speed!
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Wag the Dog - Revisited
An article in June called "Wag the Dog" argued that a story by CBC used poor methodology in a story on MLS prices in Canada. The story compared The Province of Newfoundland and Labrador with cities (not provinces) in the rest of Canada. The article asserts that MLS prices in Newfoundland and Labrador are very low relative to the other numbers. This indicates poor economic growth. In fact if that article had properly compared The city of St. John's with other cities, Newfoundland and Labrador would not have appeared in such a negative light.
I offer this most recent story from CBC to illustrate my point:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2006/09/13/assessments-city.html
As it turns out there is an average assessment increase of 22% over three years in 'ol Sin John's. Since growth has been steady over those three years it is fair to say that there has been a growth of over 7% each year. Now when we go back to the stats from the "Wag the Dog" article we see that the city of St. John's is very much in keeping with Halifax-Dartmouth.
That's a spin you are not likely to see in any national CBC story on MLS prices.
I offer this most recent story from CBC to illustrate my point:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2006/09/13/assessments-city.html
As it turns out there is an average assessment increase of 22% over three years in 'ol Sin John's. Since growth has been steady over those three years it is fair to say that there has been a growth of over 7% each year. Now when we go back to the stats from the "Wag the Dog" article we see that the city of St. John's is very much in keeping with Halifax-Dartmouth.
That's a spin you are not likely to see in any national CBC story on MLS prices.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Thursday, August 24, 2006
I Love You...You Love Me - But Who The Hell Asked Margaret Wente?
Apparently Marg was not happy enough with the "welfare ghetto" comments. She has stuck her face back in the window long enough to shout "and another thing - you're fat too!" Sticks and Stones Marg.
I find her phrasing particularly humourous: "I like Newfoundlanders, I really do, but St. John's weighs in with more fat people per capita than anywhere else in the country (36 per cent, versus Toronto's slender 16)".
Where I have heard that before? 'I like Newfoundlanders I Really Do'?!
Was it when she said: "I like Newfoundlanders. I really do. But their sense of victimhood is unmatched"... or perhaps when she said "I like Newfoundlanders, I really do. Where would we be without Rex Murphy and Mary Walsh and Rick Mercer? On the other hand, they left" ... or this recent one "I like Newfoundlanders, I really do, but St. John's weighs in with more fat people per capita than anywhere else in the country."
So we can draw a couple of conclusions from Margaret: 1. She likes Newfoundland, no really she does! and 2. Toronto is not only the centre of the universe but boasts only 16% fat people. Send them the Medal - the contest is over! Margaret, may I introduce you to Mr. Toronto (below). He has something in his coffee cup you will be particularly interested in. Me thinks I have a reason why T'rontonians are so damn trim... but it wouldn't be polite to tell you about it here.
... and give me back my bloody hat - I said you could try it on, not adopt it...
___
http://www.pcparty.nf.net/200501061.htm
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/.../BNStory/National
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinions/columnists/
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