Well it's issue number four since the New Year came in. That's the fourth issue that the Liberals said they were prepared to topple the government over. Stephane Dion, go with your gut! Do not put this off any longer.
Dion's biggest assets have been his sincerity and his credibility. As of late the latter has taken a bit of slide but in a contest precipitated by a scandal like the alleged offer to Cadman, he remains head and shoulders above Harper.
The Liberals have been hammering away at the Government for good reason. The Conservatives are looking like they got hit by a train. They are confused, anxious and nervous. They do not know what else is out there related to the "alleged offer". Is there something from Cadman that will come back to haunt them? A statement from the grave? Even the Prime Minister's credibility took a bit of knock when he said he knew nothing about offers to Cadman but than had to retreat a little after an interview with him surfaced that showed he did.
The PM still denies that any Conservative made an offer of a one million dollar life insurance plan. They point to the fact that no life insurance company would provide insurance to a dying man.
That said, Liberal Ralph Goodale has some up with a plausible scenario involving MP's benefits and pensions. "Under the existing parliamentary life insurance plan, if members cease to be MPs they can keep their insurance but the premiums go up and the benefits go down," Mr. Goodale said. "Did the Conservatives offer to make up that difference in exchange for Mr. Cadman's vote? Was that the offer?"
Retiring or defeated MPs can carry over their publicly funded life insurance into the private sector, but either their benefits would drop off or they would be forced to pay their own premiums. The departing MPs would not need a medical exam to execute such a transfer.
Now Garth Turner is saying time is running out for the Conservatives to provide a plausible explanation or his party ought to be thinking about bringing these guys down.
So guys let's not huff and bluff. It is time to end this now.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
SIGN THE DAMN CARD
The issue of post-mortem organ donation can be a squeamish one. The idea of my eyes being scooped out or my organs being hauled out can be a little disconcerting. However let's face the facts, dust to dust. The moment we kick this plane of existence our organs start to decompose. In no time flat they are useless. Chances are we will be autopsied. The funeral home will drain our bodies of chemicals and stuff if we are not incinerated. The organs are goners, we are gonna be cut up. Such is life, er, I mean death.
An article in yesterday's Globe & Mail on living donors and the demand for organ transplants got me to thinking about the issue. A study called "Treatment of End-Stage Organ Failure in Canada 1996-2005", shows that young people who receive a transplant from a living donor do remarkably well, with a five-year survival rate of 96 per cent. That is markedly better than children who spend a lot of time on dialysis, who have a survival rate of 84 per cent. At the end of 2005, there were 32,375 Canadians living with end-stage kidney disease. This included 19,721 patients on dialysis and 12,654 living with a transplanted kidney.
If more people were permitting their organs to be removed when they die, less living donors would be needed. Between 1996 and 2005 there were 3,866 liver transplants, 1,622 heart transplants, 1,128 lung transplants and 553 pancreas transplants in Canada.
So get over it. Sign the post-mortem organ donor agreement on the back of your drivers license, or let your family know your choice. Your organs could do so much good for someone else.
An article in yesterday's Globe & Mail on living donors and the demand for organ transplants got me to thinking about the issue. A study called "Treatment of End-Stage Organ Failure in Canada 1996-2005", shows that young people who receive a transplant from a living donor do remarkably well, with a five-year survival rate of 96 per cent. That is markedly better than children who spend a lot of time on dialysis, who have a survival rate of 84 per cent. At the end of 2005, there were 32,375 Canadians living with end-stage kidney disease. This included 19,721 patients on dialysis and 12,654 living with a transplanted kidney.
If more people were permitting their organs to be removed when they die, less living donors would be needed. Between 1996 and 2005 there were 3,866 liver transplants, 1,622 heart transplants, 1,128 lung transplants and 553 pancreas transplants in Canada.
So get over it. Sign the post-mortem organ donor agreement on the back of your drivers license, or let your family know your choice. Your organs could do so much good for someone else.
MULRONEY NEITHER JUDGE NOR THE JURY
Brian Mulroney has put an end to his participation in the ethic committee hearings. He has proven his innocence and that is that. There is no reason to have a public inquiry. The matter is settled. So says the former Prime Minister at the center of the scandal.
Sorry Brian, blarney does not eclipse substance. Your revelations and the revelations of others only point out how rotten the arrangement was with your former German buddy. There is much to be learned. For example, what is the status of Mulroney's Revenue Canada arrangement? What about the settlement regarding the RCMP investigation that harmed the former PM's reputation? At that time Mulroney said nothing about accepting cash from Schreiber. I also would like to know what role the German industrialist played in getting support out of Quebec to Winnipeg to bring down Joe Clark and pave the way for Mulroney to become leader.
There is a long way to go. We have more questions than answers. Let the public inquiry begin.
Sorry Brian, blarney does not eclipse substance. Your revelations and the revelations of others only point out how rotten the arrangement was with your former German buddy. There is much to be learned. For example, what is the status of Mulroney's Revenue Canada arrangement? What about the settlement regarding the RCMP investigation that harmed the former PM's reputation? At that time Mulroney said nothing about accepting cash from Schreiber. I also would like to know what role the German industrialist played in getting support out of Quebec to Winnipeg to bring down Joe Clark and pave the way for Mulroney to become leader.
There is a long way to go. We have more questions than answers. Let the public inquiry begin.
JUST HOW FAR DID SOME CONSERVATIVES GO?
The scene was set for a dramatic showdown in May of 2005. The fate of the Martin government was in the hands of a couple of independents. The Liberals had poached former Conservative leadership candidate Belinda Stronach out of the arms of Peter Mackay and into the role of senior Liberal Cabinet minister. The Liberals were desperate to buy time.
The fate of the government came down to one man, a renegade former Conservative MP by the name of Chuck Cadman who was dying of cancer. Allegations broke this week that Cadman was offered a $1 million health insurance policy by the Conservatives if he would vote against the Liberal budget and bring the government down. His wife, now a Conservative candidate herself, says the allegations are true.
The dead cannot talk, but when Mr. Cadman was alive he voted with the Liberals and he never mentioned the offer.
Stephen Maher of the Halifax Chronicle puts the issue in perspective and examines the sordid affair.
The fate of the government came down to one man, a renegade former Conservative MP by the name of Chuck Cadman who was dying of cancer. Allegations broke this week that Cadman was offered a $1 million health insurance policy by the Conservatives if he would vote against the Liberal budget and bring the government down. His wife, now a Conservative candidate herself, says the allegations are true.
The dead cannot talk, but when Mr. Cadman was alive he voted with the Liberals and he never mentioned the offer.
Stephen Maher of the Halifax Chronicle puts the issue in perspective and examines the sordid affair.
CAN YOU SEE THE DIFFERENCE?
James Travers of the Toronto Star says the Liberals made a mistake 15 months ago in Montreal and their tactics of late are just amplifying the demise of the party.
As the Liberals make accommodations that prolong the Conservative minority government they are just making a very big rod for their own arses come election time. Each time Dion provides a "pragmatic" extension to the life of this government he is telling Canadians that Harper is not all that bad. That we are wrong, these guys are like the devil, not nearly as bad as they have been painted out to be. The Liberal Party Of Canada loses when Conservative Policy becomes Liberal Policy. The old inverse equation of left and right is getting blurrier as Liberal values and policies appear closer to the Conservatives.
Sure that is not really the case. The Liberals are not going to vote for the budget, they are just not going to vote. To Canadians that little caveat does means nothing. To Liberals, like me, it means we are giving the Conservatives another break. Another chance to be seen as more moderate than we know they really are. Some people are saying if the Liberals are just going to rubber stamp the Conservative agenda, why not just give them the government.
I do not like the way things are headed. I suppose I can pray that the Cadman issue is real and we can win by default.
As the Liberals make accommodations that prolong the Conservative minority government they are just making a very big rod for their own arses come election time. Each time Dion provides a "pragmatic" extension to the life of this government he is telling Canadians that Harper is not all that bad. That we are wrong, these guys are like the devil, not nearly as bad as they have been painted out to be. The Liberal Party Of Canada loses when Conservative Policy becomes Liberal Policy. The old inverse equation of left and right is getting blurrier as Liberal values and policies appear closer to the Conservatives.
Sure that is not really the case. The Liberals are not going to vote for the budget, they are just not going to vote. To Canadians that little caveat does means nothing. To Liberals, like me, it means we are giving the Conservatives another break. Another chance to be seen as more moderate than we know they really are. Some people are saying if the Liberals are just going to rubber stamp the Conservative agenda, why not just give them the government.
I do not like the way things are headed. I suppose I can pray that the Cadman issue is real and we can win by default.
CICV'S WEST COAST OIL PLAY COMEBACK
P&P has written about the potential for a significant oil find on the Province's West coast many times. Every time there is a new development we have tried to keep up with it. Over the past 15 years a number of locals and biggies, like Hunt Oil, have spend a lot of money exploring in the region.
Oil has been discovered a couple of times. For example, Hunt Oil hit some sweet crude at Garden Hill at Cape St. George. They were pumping for weeks. The flare was a sight to behold at night. It did not produce the commercial quantities hoped for. That was the first of three wells the company drilled in the area.
Canadian Imperial Venture started with a bang. They held a press conference with great fanfare in the main salon at the Delta. Spared no expense to announce they had an arrangement with Hunt and were going to continue exploration and find the commercial zone. After the St. John's announcement the gang piled on a jet and went to Stephenville for a similar announcement.
The announcement created lots of hype. The company's stocks took off and it was just a matter of time before the region, the company and all those smart investors would be rolling in cash. Well exploration is a dicey game and issues with wax and the drill hole led to cost overruns, the company's stock value plummeted and CIVC filed for bankruptcy.
A sad story because there is oil, someone just has to find where it is pooling. I ran my lawn mower on sweet unprocessed crude from the Garden Hill well one summer. There are examples of oil seeping out of the ground at Parson's Pond and near Deer Lake.
Today, I read in the Telegram that CIVC recreated the Delta announcement. This time the venue was the Geo Center. In an event designed to impress, the company laid out the lure of a big pay off. They demonstrated the potential, laid out the geophysical data and pictures of a 15 story heavy rig that they have assembled to do the job. The target is off Shoal Cove (where hunt drilled hole #2) and the company says there is a 90% chance of a discovery as big as Terra Nova.
It is risky business but for those of you who lost your shirts last time, those stocks you held on to could have big value if they unlock the secret to commercial oil.
I give CEO Steve Millan top marks for tenacity. He is no slouch. He knows the oil is there and this time he wants the pay-off. If they are right, the dream of a significant oil play on the West Coast will finally have arrived. Time will tell. Are you prepared to ante up?
Oil has been discovered a couple of times. For example, Hunt Oil hit some sweet crude at Garden Hill at Cape St. George. They were pumping for weeks. The flare was a sight to behold at night. It did not produce the commercial quantities hoped for. That was the first of three wells the company drilled in the area.
Canadian Imperial Venture started with a bang. They held a press conference with great fanfare in the main salon at the Delta. Spared no expense to announce they had an arrangement with Hunt and were going to continue exploration and find the commercial zone. After the St. John's announcement the gang piled on a jet and went to Stephenville for a similar announcement.
The announcement created lots of hype. The company's stocks took off and it was just a matter of time before the region, the company and all those smart investors would be rolling in cash. Well exploration is a dicey game and issues with wax and the drill hole led to cost overruns, the company's stock value plummeted and CIVC filed for bankruptcy.
A sad story because there is oil, someone just has to find where it is pooling. I ran my lawn mower on sweet unprocessed crude from the Garden Hill well one summer. There are examples of oil seeping out of the ground at Parson's Pond and near Deer Lake.
Today, I read in the Telegram that CIVC recreated the Delta announcement. This time the venue was the Geo Center. In an event designed to impress, the company laid out the lure of a big pay off. They demonstrated the potential, laid out the geophysical data and pictures of a 15 story heavy rig that they have assembled to do the job. The target is off Shoal Cove (where hunt drilled hole #2) and the company says there is a 90% chance of a discovery as big as Terra Nova.
It is risky business but for those of you who lost your shirts last time, those stocks you held on to could have big value if they unlock the secret to commercial oil.
I give CEO Steve Millan top marks for tenacity. He is no slouch. He knows the oil is there and this time he wants the pay-off. If they are right, the dream of a significant oil play on the West Coast will finally have arrived. Time will tell. Are you prepared to ante up?
Friday, February 29, 2008
ARCHBISHOP SPEAKS ON UNITY
Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, says that although he is saddened by the unnecessary decision by a small number of parishes to leave the Anglican Church of Canada, the Canadian Church as a whole remains vibrant and united in its witness to the Gospel message.
Despite reports that emphasize division, the Primate says, the reality is that thousands of Anglicans continue to worship together every week, even though they disagree over issues such as sexuality.
In a message to the church specially taped for the Web, Archbishop Hiltz speaks about the state of the Canadian church and asks Canadian Anglicans to pray that they may remain one.
Despite reports that emphasize division, the Primate says, the reality is that thousands of Anglicans continue to worship together every week, even though they disagree over issues such as sexuality.
In a message to the church specially taped for the Web, Archbishop Hiltz speaks about the state of the Canadian church and asks Canadian Anglicans to pray that they may remain one.
STAR WARS ACCORDING TO A THREE YEAR OLD
My kids are crazy about Star Wars. The movies, comics, animated series, Legos and of course the Lego video game.
I saw this video of a three year old girl giving an overview of the original movie in one minute and 30 seconds. It is pretty cute. If you do not like star wars or do not enjoy cute little kids with baby voices than skip this one.
Watch out for Darth Vader 'cause he is gonna get you!
I saw this video of a three year old girl giving an overview of the original movie in one minute and 30 seconds. It is pretty cute. If you do not like star wars or do not enjoy cute little kids with baby voices than skip this one.
Watch out for Darth Vader 'cause he is gonna get you!
ICE WARS
A former US Coast Guard Commander suggests that time is running out for settling issues related to Arctic sovereignty before melting ice conditions make the region even more attractive. Five countries are competing for territory along the Arctic Ocean. Russia, Canada and Norway have been beefing up military and surveillance capabilities.
Scott Borgerson has written an article called "Arctic Meltdown: The Economic and Security Implications of Global Warming." for Foreign Policy Review Magazine. He says the United States should accept Canada's claim to the North West Passage and they should help facilitate a multinational diplomatic solution before saber rattling descends into a an armed conflict.
Wars have been fought over less than the control of shipping and vast oil and untold mineral deposits.
Some scientists are predicting that ice-free Arctic summers are less than 10 years away.
Scott Borgerson has written an article called "Arctic Meltdown: The Economic and Security Implications of Global Warming." for Foreign Policy Review Magazine. He says the United States should accept Canada's claim to the North West Passage and they should help facilitate a multinational diplomatic solution before saber rattling descends into a an armed conflict.
Wars have been fought over less than the control of shipping and vast oil and untold mineral deposits.
Some scientists are predicting that ice-free Arctic summers are less than 10 years away.
TELEGRAM EDITORIAL : GOVERNMENT BREAKING PROMISES ON REPORTS
Today's Telegram editorial hits at some important discrepancies between how the current administration promised it would deal with government commissioned reports and how it has handled them in practice.
As I have said in previous posts, this administration is not new. The challenges are many but they were elected to deal with them. Letting reports that demand immediate action in critical areas gather dust until some enterprising reporter forces the Minister to fess up about what he really knows is not good enough. The government promised more transparency on reports that they commissioned. They actually went further and committed to ensure prompt public access, which they said would be 30 days after receipt.
What other issues is government keeping a lid on? It was just a few weeks ago that we learned about issues with Chlorine in provincial water supplies. What other critical issues have not been dealt with when money has been available to address them? Time waits for no man, and unfortunately burying your head in the sand does not make a problem go away.
You can only be judged on living up to your word.
As I have said in previous posts, this administration is not new. The challenges are many but they were elected to deal with them. Letting reports that demand immediate action in critical areas gather dust until some enterprising reporter forces the Minister to fess up about what he really knows is not good enough. The government promised more transparency on reports that they commissioned. They actually went further and committed to ensure prompt public access, which they said would be 30 days after receipt.
What other issues is government keeping a lid on? It was just a few weeks ago that we learned about issues with Chlorine in provincial water supplies. What other critical issues have not been dealt with when money has been available to address them? Time waits for no man, and unfortunately burying your head in the sand does not make a problem go away.
You can only be judged on living up to your word.
FISHERMAN QUESTIONING NEW RULES FOR COMBINING LICENCES
I totally missed this, but the Federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans rolled out some new rules for combining fishing licences late last week. Independent Core licence holders will now be able to buy out fellow fishermen and double up their quotas for 'predominant fisheries'.
I have not heard a lot or reaction to the plan but stumbled on a story in the Northern Pen that outlines the new plan and concerns being expressed by fishermen in 3K and 4R.
I have not heard a lot or reaction to the plan but stumbled on a story in the Northern Pen that outlines the new plan and concerns being expressed by fishermen in 3K and 4R.
OUTFITTERS ASSOCIATION MIFFED
The Newfoundland and Labrador Outfitters Association is frustrated with the government for the way the Tories are dealing with the outfitting industry.
Association president Cyril Pelley told the Western Star that government is not addressing the impact of a 50% cut in caribou licenses on outfitters. He says his members have made substantial investments based on a resource that appears not to be there. They were encouraged to make the investments and are being hung out to dry.
“Really, outfitting is a rural industry that supports rural residents and provides over $40 million a year to the rural economy,” Pelley said. “It’s like the government doesn’t have a real vision for rural Newfoundland and Labrador."
Association president Cyril Pelley told the Western Star that government is not addressing the impact of a 50% cut in caribou licenses on outfitters. He says his members have made substantial investments based on a resource that appears not to be there. They were encouraged to make the investments and are being hung out to dry.
“Really, outfitting is a rural industry that supports rural residents and provides over $40 million a year to the rural economy,” Pelley said. “It’s like the government doesn’t have a real vision for rural Newfoundland and Labrador."
UP FOR SOME HEAVY STRATEGY GAMING
I have become a bit of a game junkie. My collection grows but the number of people who are available or want to share in my newfound passion does not. Recently I stumbled on a group of gamers here in St. John's and I am looking forward to playing Settlers, Power Grid and T&E with real people.On that note I have spied yet another game that I want buy. It is called Die Macher and it is published by Hans im Gluck. It is a game of politics and economy for up to seven people.
Players are in charge of national political parties, and must manage limited resources to help their party to victory. The winning party will have the most victory points after all the regional elections. There are four different ways of scoring victory points. First, each regional election can supply one to eighty victory points, depending on the size of the region and how well your party does in it. Second, if a party wins a regional election and has some media influence in the region, then the party will receive some media-control victory points. Third, each party has a national party membership which will grow as the game progresses and this will supply a fair number of victory points. Lastly, parties score some victory points if their party platform matches the national opinions at the end of the game.
Apparently it takes three to four hours to finish a game which means chances of getting it to the table will not be good as that is a fairly long commitment.
Has anyone played it? What did you think? It is game day, I mean pay day..must go looking for it
TRADE PROTECTIONISM REVISITED
Tough talk from the two Democratic front runners regarding the future of NAFTA if either is elected as president. The two are duking it out for the votes of people displaced from manufacturing jobs that have moved south to Mexico .
Ohio wants jobs and and it is shrewd of the Democrats to connect with that psyche but are they being honest about the impact of foreign trade on the rust belt?
Tom Worstall has an article at PajamasMedia that argues that tariffs and quotas do not work and trade protectionists are deluding themselves. As well he examines the impact of technology and the modern update to the silk route pioneered by Marco Polo from Europe to China.
Ohio wants jobs and and it is shrewd of the Democrats to connect with that psyche but are they being honest about the impact of foreign trade on the rust belt?
Tom Worstall has an article at PajamasMedia that argues that tariffs and quotas do not work and trade protectionists are deluding themselves. As well he examines the impact of technology and the modern update to the silk route pioneered by Marco Polo from Europe to China.
WHAT IS THE LIBERAL PLAN
Another blogger who is having difficulty understanding why the Dion liberals are not standing up for Canadians and bringing this Conservative government down.
ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING
I thought Warren Kinsella's response to the Liberal approach to the Conservative Budget was notable. He certainly reflects a view espoused by many Liberals that I have been talking to in this province and across the country.
SCHISM SENDS COMPETING ANGLICANS TO COURT FOR REMEDY
The schism in the Anglican Church of Canada is headed for the courts. At issue is who owns the properties in three break away congregations in Ontario.
Ontario Superior Court will hear arguments today about who should conduct Sunday's services, diocese-appointed pastors or the break away pastors. The dispute come down to who actually owns the properties, the local congregation or the Diocese.
Recent and controversial decisions by the Anglican Church, including ordaining women and the acceptance of same-sex marriage have led to votes to leave the Anglican Church of Canada in favor of more the more conservative South American Anglican Church.
Ontario Superior Court will hear arguments today about who should conduct Sunday's services, diocese-appointed pastors or the break away pastors. The dispute come down to who actually owns the properties, the local congregation or the Diocese.
Recent and controversial decisions by the Anglican Church, including ordaining women and the acceptance of same-sex marriage have led to votes to leave the Anglican Church of Canada in favor of more the more conservative South American Anglican Church.
The Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Canada is warning break-away parishes that church property belongs to the local diocese.
It is a sad situation.HIGH SPEED ARRIVES IN ST. BERNARD'S
Well I guess I have to really consider moving back home to St. Bernard's now that the age of high speed internet has arrived. The agonizing beeps and pops of dial-up service and excruciating pain associated with long delays for web pages to load are a thing of the past.
The world of War Craft and multi-player games is wide open. I am looking forward to the Easter break with the kids, the grandparents and high speed.
Now if only there was a mall for Kris.
The world of War Craft and multi-player games is wide open. I am looking forward to the Easter break with the kids, the grandparents and high speed.
Now if only there was a mall for Kris.
THE REAL DEFICIT
As if Eastern Health has not had enough issues to deal with, three year old facility assessment reports indicate that the physical infrastructure is in as bad shape as the corporation's reputation.
Reports in today's The Telegram show that $134 million is required at four hospitals in the capital city. The Health Sciences Complex alone needs $50 million. Over half of the work is considered critical or potentially critical. And that is just in St. Johns.
The studies show that the Waterford Hospital has critical issues. It has no sprinklers in the main building cafeteria or its corporate offices, and does not have full sprinkler protection in its north wing. The report indicates stairs, handrails and guardrails that don't meet code, as well as dead-end corridors and fire extinguishers that do not meet standards.
Sprinkler issues in a government health care facility at a time when the same government is shutting down home care facilities in the province for similar issues. A little hypocritical. Why has government waited three years to address the problems at the aging psychiatric hospital?
The bill for bringing the Leonard A. Miller Centre up to national standards is expected to be in the range of $20 million.
Earlier this week the Provinces Health Minister's knowledge of the reports seemed a little fuzzy. He indicated there may be some reports. He denied that any facilities were slated for closure. Considering that Ross Wiseman has been in the Department as Minister, and previously as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister since the Conservatives formed the government, he should not be playing coy about what he does and does not know.
A government that has been carrying significant surpluses has not addressed critical issues when they had the cash on hand. It is a little hard to shrug this one off on anyone else. What is the true cost of the public relations bonanza of a a surplus on Budget Day when the province's public infrastructure is crumbing all around us? There is a deficit all right and it is much more significant than we have been led to believe.
Reports in today's The Telegram show that $134 million is required at four hospitals in the capital city. The Health Sciences Complex alone needs $50 million. Over half of the work is considered critical or potentially critical. And that is just in St. Johns.
The studies show that the Waterford Hospital has critical issues. It has no sprinklers in the main building cafeteria or its corporate offices, and does not have full sprinkler protection in its north wing. The report indicates stairs, handrails and guardrails that don't meet code, as well as dead-end corridors and fire extinguishers that do not meet standards.
Sprinkler issues in a government health care facility at a time when the same government is shutting down home care facilities in the province for similar issues. A little hypocritical. Why has government waited three years to address the problems at the aging psychiatric hospital?
The bill for bringing the Leonard A. Miller Centre up to national standards is expected to be in the range of $20 million.
Earlier this week the Provinces Health Minister's knowledge of the reports seemed a little fuzzy. He indicated there may be some reports. He denied that any facilities were slated for closure. Considering that Ross Wiseman has been in the Department as Minister, and previously as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister since the Conservatives formed the government, he should not be playing coy about what he does and does not know.
A government that has been carrying significant surpluses has not addressed critical issues when they had the cash on hand. It is a little hard to shrug this one off on anyone else. What is the true cost of the public relations bonanza of a a surplus on Budget Day when the province's public infrastructure is crumbing all around us? There is a deficit all right and it is much more significant than we have been led to believe.
HARPER'S STORY DOES NOT ADD UP
Yesterday in the House of Commons Prime Minister Harper said there was absolutely no truth to suggestions that the Conservatives had offered independent Chuck Cadman a one million dollar insurance life insurance policy in exchange for his vote on a motion that would have brought down the Martin minority government in 2005.
When I first heard the allegation yesterday I thought it had to be a flight of fantasy. Considering the fact that Cadman was in the very advanced stages of terminal cancer, who would have insured him? However this morning a tape has surfaced of an interview between Stephen Harper and journalist Tom Zytaruk that appears to confirm two things. One, Harper knew of the offer, and two, that he might have misled the House of Commons about his knowledge yesterday.
Cadman's widow, who is the Conservative Party Candidate in Surrey North, has published the allegation in her book Like A Rock: The Chuck Cadman Story.
The Liberals are asking the RCMP to launch a criminal probe into the allegations that the Conservatives tried to buy the support of the independent MP
It's a soap opera that could have some very sobering repercussions for the minority government that has managed to stick handle its way through a third budget process and has been trying to trigger an election. It will be interesting to see how this issue impacts the numbers.
The issue certainly plays up to Stephane Dion's biggest asset, his credibility. Boy it sure would have been sweet to be in the first week of an election campaign with a Conservative candidate, the widow of an independent MP, standing behind allegations of wrongdoing. Manna from heaven.
When I first heard the allegation yesterday I thought it had to be a flight of fantasy. Considering the fact that Cadman was in the very advanced stages of terminal cancer, who would have insured him? However this morning a tape has surfaced of an interview between Stephen Harper and journalist Tom Zytaruk that appears to confirm two things. One, Harper knew of the offer, and two, that he might have misled the House of Commons about his knowledge yesterday.
Cadman's widow, who is the Conservative Party Candidate in Surrey North, has published the allegation in her book Like A Rock: The Chuck Cadman Story.
The Liberals are asking the RCMP to launch a criminal probe into the allegations that the Conservatives tried to buy the support of the independent MP
It's a soap opera that could have some very sobering repercussions for the minority government that has managed to stick handle its way through a third budget process and has been trying to trigger an election. It will be interesting to see how this issue impacts the numbers.
The issue certainly plays up to Stephane Dion's biggest asset, his credibility. Boy it sure would have been sweet to be in the first week of an election campaign with a Conservative candidate, the widow of an independent MP, standing behind allegations of wrongdoing. Manna from heaven.
THE VIEW FROM OUT AROUND:
This province’s potential is boundless
PASADENA
HARRY CAMP
The Western Star
PASADENA
HARRY CAMP
The Western Star
The long term future of Newfoundland and Labrador depends on many things but at last they are within our grasp and should soon become reality. When we reflect on what Newfoundland and Labrador consists of, to quote an earlier premier — “It would blow your mind,” and it really would.
Fishery, agriculture, forestry, wildlife and tourism come to mind as renewable resources that should be kept in the forefront, as well a large hydro potential in Labrador which could add greatly to our infrastructure. Then to add to all the above in our larder, we have petroleum and minerals of all kinds. So really is there a richer province in the country?
Why haven’t we prospered and grown? Now if we had Ottawa’s backing on all the above we could prosper for well into the future and leave something for our grandchildren and their grandchildren.
Transportation is the key to development everywhere and Newfoundland and Labrador is no exception. Ferry travel can be very enjoyable if conditions are right, but that is not always the case, so where possible, other modes of travel need to be given serious thought and examination, i.e. roads, causeways, bridges and tunnels.
There is also a great deal to be said for water transport because that is how we got here in the first place but vessels have to be comfortable and seaworthy.
No other province in Canada can compete with this province when it comes to tourism, there is so much to see and do, but we need easy access, in a comfortable manner. Tourists would gladly pay for such luxury.
In about the last 20 or so years all efforts, federal and provincial, have been put into the petroleum sector in Newfoundland and Labrador, and I believe other natural resources have been neglected.
The oil business seems to be coming right along. However, what is a 25 or 30 years life span for industry of a country? Sure the petroleum has the potential to finance our valuable renewable resources and we have many of them. We have been well blessed with resources, but only with careful use and development will we gain from these resources. Conservation should be a major consideration if we are to benefit in the long term and keep this province alive.
Harry Camp lives in Pasadena and is a member of The Western Star’s Community Editorial Board.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
THE VIEW FROM OUT AROUND: BSG OIL PLAY
A few weeks ago I wrote about the oil exploration being conducted on the Province's west coast. Lots of activity at Lark Harbor and on the Port au Port Peninsula.
The Georgian is reporting that another player, Vulcan Minerals Inc, has received some favourable seismic analysis of their Hurricane Deeps property north of Robinsons.
The company recorded 60km of seismic data in the Bay St. George basin which will help them target potential drill sites.
The company hopes to spend $8 million drilling a deep well on the Hurricane Deeps target this year.
The Georgian is reporting that another player, Vulcan Minerals Inc, has received some favourable seismic analysis of their Hurricane Deeps property north of Robinsons.
The company recorded 60km of seismic data in the Bay St. George basin which will help them target potential drill sites.
The company hopes to spend $8 million drilling a deep well on the Hurricane Deeps target this year.
"Because of its climate and geography, Newfoundland is ideally suited for the production of alcoholics, royal commissions, snow, unsolved enigmas, self-pity, mosquitoes and black flies, inferiority complexes, delusions of grandeur, savage irony, impotent malice, unwarranted optimism, entirely justified despair."
Wayne Johnston
Baltimore's Mansion p.123
Baltimore's Mansion p.123
THE VIEW FROM OUT AROUND: SAD GOODBYE
The Town of Port aux Basques is losing a valuable asset! Deputy Mayor Kris Parsons has resigned his job effective March 01 to pursue the position of Atlantic regional director with First Canadian Title in Halifax. It is a big job for the young lawyer. His young family will join him when school finishes this summer.
Port aux Basques has been lucky to have a number of young people who have returned to their home town and have become instrumental in trying to create economic opportunity and giving back to the community
If I know Kris, this will not be a permanent move. We will hear many great things about him in the years to come.
Port aux Basques has been lucky to have a number of young people who have returned to their home town and have become instrumental in trying to create economic opportunity and giving back to the community
If I know Kris, this will not be a permanent move. We will hear many great things about him in the years to come.
Sad goodbye, hopeful hello
MANDY RYAN
The Gulf News
Every community in this province has said good-bye to some great citizens it lost to better employment opportunities elsewhere.
Port aux Basques is no different.
Through damp eyes, the deputy mayor of Port aux Basques read from a prepared speech on Tuesday, announcing his resignation from the town council.
With a job offer “too good to pass up” waiting for him in Halifax, Kris Parsons thanked his voters, town staff and fellow councillors for their support over the nearly three years he served in public office.
He described his tenure as deputy mayor as rewarding and challenging and said appreciated the opportunity to serve the town.
Mr. Parsons stepped up to the plate and respectfully dealt with everything associated with serving on council. His leadership abilities were proven repeatedly during the memorable 2005 Come Home Year celebration, not to mention the years of service on other volunteer committees and contributions to various organizations around town.
That is why the mayor and other councillors were genuine as they thanked Mr. Parsons for his service to the town.
Mayor Brian Button told Mr. Parsons during his final council meeting as deputy mayor last week that it was a pleasure working with him. The mayor said he always offered something positive to their discussions. “Your ideas and your thoughts were top-notch,” he said, adding that people who voted for him can be proud to know they didn’t make a mistake electing him to council.”
The mayor is right. Mr. Parsons’ contributions will be missed.
Now it’s time to change gears and look at what the future will bring with a new deputy mayor and a new member joining the town council.
In just a couple of weeks, the council will elect within itself a new deputy mayor, and in about three months, voters will return to polling stations to give another person a seat on the council.
Who will that person be? Will it be someone who has already served or ran for council? Might a woman be interested this time in putting her name forward? How much interest is out there to take on the responsibility of helping to govern the town?
For those who may have an interest, now is the time to really put some thought into the possibility of filing nomination papers.
The coming weeks and months are indeed shaping up to be interesting ones on the political scene in the gateway town.
NEWS FROM OUT AND ABOUT: CARIBOU STUDY IS A JOKE
It's a joke that's been around for a long time. When faced with a problem, and not knowing what to do or how to approach it, a government will resort to launching a study.
It buys time and saves face. The problem, however, continues to fester.
In fairness to elected officials and civil servants, there are times when a review of developments and information is necessary. There are times, though, when further study is just plain ludicrous.
Take the situation involving the province's population of woodland caribou. The numbers have been in a freefall. In the last 11 years, the decrease is in the range of 60 per cent. That's staggering. It's anyone's guess what the population will be like at the end of a five-year study. The question is, can we afford to wait five years to get the answers to questions that may already be apparent to a lot of people?
Among them is Eric Patey, an outfitter based in River of Ponds. For years, he's been warning anyone who would listen that coyotes were responsible for the rapid mortality rate facing caribou. He received anecdotal support from people who had seen what he had seen and supported his claims with similar calls for action. But the people who are entrusted with managing the wildlife resource didn't appear to heed the warnings. If they did, they certainly didn't do anything about the reports.
So now we're getting a study which, as Mr. Patey points out, is 10 years too late. He says something similar to a bounty program, provided there was sufficient incentive for hunters, would at least curtail the problem. It has to start soon, otherwise there might be too few caribou to even bother with a study.
ANOTHER DAY AND ANOTHER SETBACK FOR CLINTON
I really want to feel bad for Hillary Clinton. If talk of continued superdelegate defections in advance of next Tuesday's do or die primaries was not bad enough, a prominent black supporter has defected.
Georgia congressman and civil rights veteran John Lewis announced today that he wants to be on the side of the people and that means supporting Barack Obama.
As he is a black civil rights leader, I can only imagine how much pressure he has been under to join the Obama campaign. But this campaign is not about race, it is about ideas.
Obama has picked up 11 consecutive primary wins and has slowly been grinding down Clinton's earlier lock on confirmed superdelegates.
Even with a big win, which is very unlikely, Clinton may be doing her farewell speech next Tuesday night following the big primaries in Texas and Ohio.
Georgia congressman and civil rights veteran John Lewis announced today that he wants to be on the side of the people and that means supporting Barack Obama.
As he is a black civil rights leader, I can only imagine how much pressure he has been under to join the Obama campaign. But this campaign is not about race, it is about ideas.
Obama has picked up 11 consecutive primary wins and has slowly been grinding down Clinton's earlier lock on confirmed superdelegates.
Even with a big win, which is very unlikely, Clinton may be doing her farewell speech next Tuesday night following the big primaries in Texas and Ohio.
LIBERAL PARTY FARCE
So the Federal Liberals are the target of a bit of political humour in light of their decisions to pass the Conservatives' crime bill package, allow the budget and compromise on Afghanistan.
I have said in the past that Dion's leadership is all but certainly going to be challenged if no election is triggered this spring.
Now Rick Mercer has joined the pile-on.
I would laugh were it not so depressingly true!
I have said in the past that Dion's leadership is all but certainly going to be challenged if no election is triggered this spring.
Now Rick Mercer has joined the pile-on.
I would laugh were it not so depressingly true!
THE CONSUMER ONSLAUGHT CONTINUES
Record setting prices for furnace oil is causing a lot of concern for people in the Province today. The Petroleum Pricing Office raised the maximum price for furnace oil to 94.16 cents per litre in St. Johns to as high as $1.11 in some remote areas. That is a jump of 3.47 cents.
The all out assault on my pocketbook continues unabated today.
Home heating fuels are 23 cents higher per litre today than they were a year ago on this date. The prices reflect the highest costs for furnace oil and diesel in the history of the product's sale in Newfoundland and Labrador. Considering the average household consumes 2000 litres in the heating season, a quick back of the envelope calculation equates to about a $500 increase over last year.
Gasoline prices jumped last week by six cents per litre and were raised again today by nearly 2 cents. If your gas hand is down it will cost you at least $1.218 per litre to fill up in St. John's, or more depending on where you reside.
The PPO says dramatic spikes in commodity markets worldwide have led to the record setting prices.
One of the last things I am prepared to give up is a comfortably warm house. Home heating is one of those inelastic items, even compared to gasoline, because it is not something that I am willing to sacrifice for the sake of other spending. Yet, here I am watching the heat settings and grumbling every time I hear the furnace cut in.
I know that we are wearing sweaters around the house more. Yesterday the insurance bill for our two vehicles arrived and I am considering selling one and buying a bus pass.
The all out assault on my pocketbook continues unabated today.
Home heating fuels are 23 cents higher per litre today than they were a year ago on this date. The prices reflect the highest costs for furnace oil and diesel in the history of the product's sale in Newfoundland and Labrador. Considering the average household consumes 2000 litres in the heating season, a quick back of the envelope calculation equates to about a $500 increase over last year.
Gasoline prices jumped last week by six cents per litre and were raised again today by nearly 2 cents. If your gas hand is down it will cost you at least $1.218 per litre to fill up in St. John's, or more depending on where you reside.
The PPO says dramatic spikes in commodity markets worldwide have led to the record setting prices.
One of the last things I am prepared to give up is a comfortably warm house. Home heating is one of those inelastic items, even compared to gasoline, because it is not something that I am willing to sacrifice for the sake of other spending. Yet, here I am watching the heat settings and grumbling every time I hear the furnace cut in.
I know that we are wearing sweaters around the house more. Yesterday the insurance bill for our two vehicles arrived and I am considering selling one and buying a bus pass.
MONEY FOR A FERRY BUT WHERE IS THE BOAT?
I missed this story yesterday but there may have been some good news in the Federal Budget for Marine Atlantic.
There was $17 million dollars for a new ferry on the Gulf Run for this season. P&P has written in the past about the need to replace the Atlantic Freighter and other deficiencies on the run. The company is hoping to replace the Freighter with a larger vessel that can accommodate both commercial and passenger traffic, to create enhanced flexibility on the run between Port Aux Basques and North Sydney.
However Federal Minister Hearn has confirmed that Marine Atlantic is in talks regarding a ferry that has twice the capacity of the Smallwood and Caribou. It is getting late and the tourism season is close. Marine Atlantic has been tight lipped about the new vessel. The public has not been able to determine if this is a lease or a new boat? As well any new vessel will most likely come from Europe and Asia. This means that modifications will have to be made to accommodate the run and meet Transport Canada regulations.
I'll be interested in seeing what we get and when we get it!
There was $17 million dollars for a new ferry on the Gulf Run for this season. P&P has written in the past about the need to replace the Atlantic Freighter and other deficiencies on the run. The company is hoping to replace the Freighter with a larger vessel that can accommodate both commercial and passenger traffic, to create enhanced flexibility on the run between Port Aux Basques and North Sydney.
However Federal Minister Hearn has confirmed that Marine Atlantic is in talks regarding a ferry that has twice the capacity of the Smallwood and Caribou. It is getting late and the tourism season is close. Marine Atlantic has been tight lipped about the new vessel. The public has not been able to determine if this is a lease or a new boat? As well any new vessel will most likely come from Europe and Asia. This means that modifications will have to be made to accommodate the run and meet Transport Canada regulations.
I'll be interested in seeing what we get and when we get it!
TIME FOR ASSISTANCE
The storm clouds gathering around the economy continue to haunt me. P&P has written many times about the rising cost of providing the fundamentals for most families. Gas and home heating fuels continue to rise. The cost of milk and associated products like cheese and yogurt are way up. The cost of wheat and grain products are soaring. The cost of raising, growing, producing and transporting fruit, vegetables, and animals soars while peoples' incomes remain the same.<