I thought you were better than this, quite frankly

Danny Williams is very disappointed in you for visiting this blog.

Potty Mouths!

Randy Simms has provided scatological inspiration to four decades worth of Premier's!

A night to remember

And this is how Danny remembers it!

Tories, polish your resumes!

Poppa needs a new set of patronage appointments.

Re-write

Executive Council
Fisheries and Aquaculture
May 5, 2009

Newfoundland and Labrador Calls on Steve to Deliver Message on Trade Action at Steve-EU Summit

Following the European Parliament vote to ban trade in Canadian seal products, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador calls upon Steve to serve notice to the European Union (EU) that Steve will immediately initiate a World Trade Organization (WTO) challenge to the proposed legislation. Steve is about to enter into trade talks with the EU at the Steve-EU summit on trade. Now is the ideal time for Steve to deliver a message that Steve will not conclude a trade deal with the EU unless the legislation banning Canadian seal products is either rescinded or made compliant with the WTO and proposed Steve-EU trade agreements. Steve should also call on the President of the EU and their member states to vote down the current legislation at the Council of Ministers.

"While this vote is certainly a blow to the Canadian sealing industry, it comes at a time when Steve is very well positioned to deliver a strong message to the European Union," said the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. "We are a proud member of this federation and the time has come for Steve to stand up for our people and this industry. The action taken today by the EU has no basis in science or sustainable harvesting practices, and is punitive against our country. The time for leadership is now while Steve is meeting with EU leaders. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has a long history of trading relationships with many EU member states and we are extremely disappointed that they have taken this move which is potentially so damaging to the sealers of our province. This is a serious threat to an industry that 6,000 Newfoundland and Labradorians depend on for their livelihood every year, and countless other Canadians who are involved in this industry. In these times of economic uncertainty, it is even more troublesome that the EU have decided to penalize our country and our people and create unnecessary economic hardship for individuals who participate in this humane and well-managed harvest."

Steve’s own Minister of International Trade has said that there is no justification for any ban on trade in seal products. He said that if the European ban did not contain an acceptable derogation for humanely harvested seal products, Steve would defend our rights and interests under the relevant WTO agreements. Furthermore, he noted that Steve was confident that the WTO would find such measures violate the obligations of the EU under the WTO. Derogation would have meant that Steve could continue to trade in seal products subject to certification by an independent body.

"Our government has never understood why Steve has been so reluctant to challenge the EU in the face of this legislation that clearly violates international treaties that the EU agreed to with Steve," said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "Now that the European Parliament has voted in favour of banning Canadian seal products, certainly the time has arrived for Steve to get serious about trade action through the WTO. Our government has been asking Steve to prepare for trade action against some EU states, through the WTO, since April 2007."

Global leaders agreed at the G20 summit in London, England, that now is not the time for protectionist measures, given that there is a global economic crisis taking place. This was a view that was supported by Steve and EU representatives. They signed a declaration saying that no new trade barriers should be imposed at this time of financial crisis. Certainly, this new legislation is creating a serious barrier to trade for the Canadian sealing industry.

While the major markets for seal products are in Russia and China, the implementation of this ban is a serious problem for the Canadian sealing industry. While the legislation allows for continued transshipment through Europe, seal products will be barred from promotion within Europe.

The Canadian seal harvest is also important for reasons of environmental management and conservation. The harp seal population, at a record high of 5.6 million animals, is impacting the recovery of groundfish stocks. Canadian harp seals alone consume 7 million tonnes of fish annually, which is equivalent to almost 10 per cent of the world’s harvest of capture fisheries. Given that a number of European nations have to engage in seal culls to limit damage to their fish stocks, it is difficult to see how this ban will achieve the animal welfare standards that animal rights groups have been calling for. According to this legislation, it is acceptable to cull seals for population control but not for commercial gain.

The provincial sealing industry has been valued at up to $60 million annually, including primary harvesting and secondary processing activities.

Acceptable discourse (updated again)

Unacceptable political discourse:
"I apologize for raising my voice, but I cannot talk gently and rise above the yahoos in the backbenches over there, because they have been bawling and screaming since I have been on my feet."

Acceptable political discourse:
"On that basis, we are not prepared to turn around and kiss the backsides of the federal government under any circumstances."

Ross in the house

Do not worry about Swine Flu! Is only disease of Canadians and Mexicans! We will never allow Swine Flu into province! Never! There will be no Swine Flu crisis! Do not worry about public health and safety: ROSS WISEMAN IS IN CHARGE!

Acceptable discourse (updated) (updated)

Unacceptable political discourse:

"I apologize for raising my voice, but I cannot talk gently and rise above the yahoos in the backbenches over there, because they have been bawling and screaming since I have been on my feet."


Acceptable political discourse:

"They should be shot over that."

Acceptable discourse (updated)

Unacceptable political discourse:

"Honourable senators, I was disappointed to see that our dynamic young Premier in Prince Edward Island, Robert Ghiz, has climbed into bed with the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and honourable senators know what a grotesque scene that is. Do honourable senators know what happens when two politicians climb into bed together? One of them comes out on top and I am afraid that when one is in bed with Danny Williams he will come out on top and I would hate to see where that will leave P.E.I. in the end."


Acceptable political discourse:

"If Stephen Harper and his ministers and the people in Ottawa want to continue to try and nail Newfoundland and Labrador and punish us for exercising our democratic rights, even though it may have been questionable electing Liberals by the same token, but by the same token, when you do not have much other choice you elect Liberals and you elect New Democrats."

"They should be shot over that."

Stage managed!

This is an IP Freely exclusive. A traitor has leaked the original speaking notes, including stage directions, for Premier Williams' speech to the House of Assembly about the "wheeling" deal which he announced last week.



Mr. Speaker: I rise in this Honourable House today to share with Members and the public-at-large, what can only be described as a historic day for the Province and the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING.]

You have heard our government say on many occasions that we are striving to take control of our own destiny. We have put action plans in place and we have exercised wise and strategic financial management to position us for future economic growth.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING. WATER BREAK]

We have taken equity stakes in our offshore projects; we have invested in strategic areas of growth; and we have risen above the detrimental actions of the Federal Government and stood strong in the face of adversity.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING. LICK LIPS]

We have also made it very clear, that we will control the development of one of our most valuable renewable energy resources, the Lower Churchill project.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING. GESTICULATE]

Our government’s Energy Plan set in place a plan to develop this resource with a view to 2041 when we finally take full control of the Upper Churchill project.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING. CLENCH FISTS]

In the meantime, we have been working to secure maximum benefits strategically and financially from our recall power from the Upper Churchill project.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING. LICK LIPS X 3]

Since 1998, we have had a power purchase agreement with Hydro Quebec for a block of recall power from the Upper Churchill. This renewal expired on March 31, 2009.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING. WATER BREAK]

Essentially, this agreement gives Hydro the right to recall 300 MW at the same price as Hydro Quebec’s current pricing under the 1969 Churchill Falls power contract.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING. BLINK]

Nalcor Energy in conjunction with government decided to not renew this agreement.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING. CLENCH FISTS X 2]

Instead yesterday, on April 1, we as a province for the first time in our history sold hydro electric power from the mighty Upper Churchill River in Labrador directly through Quebec and this hydro electric power was then sold into markets in the United States.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING. SHOULDER TWITCH]

Simply put we, as a province, began wheeling our power through Quebec unfettered to North American markets for the first time in history. This is precisely the obstacle that was not overcome in the original Upper Churchill agreement, resulting in that unfair and lopsided deal.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING. BLINK HARD]

Today, we have overcome that obstacle. We have proven that no challenge is too big or too daunting for our people to take on.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING. BLINK REAL HARD]

In fact, this new arrangement means that we can now sell our own power which may access the United States and Canadian markets.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING. WATER BREAK]

At the present time, we are working with Emera Energy to have our power get to these markets. We have concluded a sale agreement with them so that with their considerable expertise in the industry our power will be sold into these markets. Our goal is to eventually develop the expertise at Nalcor so that we can act as seller into final markets.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING. CLENCH FISTS. WATER BREAK]

A maximum of 250 megawatts of power can be transmitted in the summer time through lines out of Labrador, through Quebec and into the northeastern US and can potentially go into other Canadian provinces.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING. SHOULDER TWITCH X 3]

I want to also assure the people of Labrador that the priority of Nalcor and this government is to ensure local and domestic needs for power are met with recall power. As with past recall arrangements only energy surplus to the province’s own needs would be exported outside of the province.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING. CLENCH FISTS]

We understand from Emera that power from Labrador today is being sold directly into the United States; destination – New York. Newfoundland and Labrador is taking a bite out of the big apple.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING. SMIRK. WATER BREAK]

Nalcor secured this transmission access through Quebec to the Canada-United States border under Hydro Quebec’s Open Access Transmission Tariff.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING. WATER BREAK]

This represents a tremendous accomplishment and bodes extremely well for the Lower Churchill development as we move forward.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING. WATER BREAK]

It also opens doors in terms of our future ability to sell wind power and other potential energy into a hungry North American market place.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING. WATER BREAK]

This is truly a historic and momentous occasion for the people of our province, as never before have we been granted access through the Province of Quebec with our own power.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING. CLENCH FISTS. WATER BREAK.]

This power sales arrangement puts us squarely in the game as a hydroelectricity producer and seller, with our clean, hydroelectric generation being sold from Newfoundland and Labrador and finding its way into the North American market place. Just as we have taken equity stakes in our offshore resources, we see tremendous potential for long term value in entering this business arrangement and will continue to assess future potential.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING. CLENCH FISTS. BLINK. WATER BREAK. SHOULDER TWITCH.]

This is about our province finally acting in a strategic manner and going through proper processes to wheel our power through our neighbouring province of Quebec.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING. WATER BREAK. WHY ARE WE ALWAYS SO THIRSTY? BOOK APPOINTMENT WITH NEPHROLOGIST.]

What we are talking about today is our future and the future of generations who will follow us. Today’s announcement is one more step on that road. Our view is long term and we will not be swayed by short term thinking.

[PAUSE FOR DESK THUMPING.]

I ask all honourable members to join with me in celebrating this outstanding and significant day in the history of Newfoundland and Labrador.

[DESK THUMPING. CLENCH FISTS. LICK LIPS X 5. BLINK X 2. SHOULDER TWITCH. WATER BREAK.]