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| Last updated at 8:36 AM on 04/11/08 |
Have not no more 
'This is a very proud day', premier says
ROB ANTLE
The Telegram
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| In a hastily called news conference late Monday afternoon, Premier Danny Williams speaks to the media at Confederation Building after learning the province no longer qualifies for equalization payments. Williams learned of the news from Finance Minister Jerome Kennedy, who is attending provincial finance ministers' meetings in Toronto, Ont. — Photo by Joe Gibbons/The Telegram |
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Newfoundland and Labrador officially became a “have” province Monday, a year earlier than expected.
Premier Danny Williams called it “a momentous day for the people of this province.”
Effectively, the province came off equalization as of April 1 — more than seven months ago.
The government had expected to barely fall on the other side of the “have not” divide in 2008-09.
But revisions in the complex series of calculations that go into equalization entitlements pushed Newfoundland and Labrador over the line for the first time since Confederation.
Williams said the change in status should be significant for the average citizen.
“It’s a tremendous sense of relief and gratification, that we’ve worked so hard in Newfoundland and Labrador,” the premier said.
“I’m just here as a spokesperson for all the rest of us today. We’ve worked so hard in this province. We are a proud people … Now we can really hold our heads high.”
Newfoundland and Labrador will continue in the “have” column in 2009-10, according to figures issued by the federal Department of Finance.
The feds released their new projections at a meeting of the country’s finance ministers in Toronto on Monday.
“For too long, we’ve been perceived as second-rate citizens, or Canada’s poor cousins,” Newfoundland and Labrador’s newly minted finance minister, Jerome Kennedy, said in an interview from the Toronto airport.
“That day is no longer — at least from an economic and a social perspective — present any more.”
The province has surfed the wave of a commodities boom over the past few years to unprecedented prosperity, racking up surplus after surplus.
Ironically, while Newfoundland will leave equalization for the first time in history, Ontario will receive its first-ever benefits from the program in 2009.
The feds will funnel $347 million in equalization cash to Ontario next year.
Other recipient provinces include New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Manitoba.
Newfoundland and Labrador joins British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan on the “have” side of the divide.
Equalization is aimed at allowing so-called “have-not” provinces to provide reasonably comparable public services as other provinces, at similar levels of taxation.
The program is entirely funded by federal tax dollars.
rantle@thetelegram.com
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04/11/08
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Dave d'Entremont from St. John's, NL writes: This is truly a great day for our province and our people. Hold our heads high but let's not get caught up in this. Instead let's work together to ensure that we remain a have province long after the oil and gas has been exhasuted.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 8:52 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Sandy from nl writes: I am paying $1.07 a Litre of gas in HAVE province of NL;
Ontario is paying $0.85 a Litre in a HAVE-NOT province !!!
QUEBEC, our longterm HAVE-NOT province, who received over $8, BILLION of equalization, in paying $0.91 a Litre !
Are these NEWAV jokes towards NL ???
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 9:07 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Duck N Cover from St. Johns, Newfoundland writes: With out migration and limited spending, of course we were able to achieve this. But with this new status we also not going to see the downside? I wonder how people will feel about needing to pay for provincial health care premiums as all other “ have” provinces charge their residence?
With the current drop in oil prices and a shift towards more renewable energy resources could be at not be that we have placed all our eggs in the proverbial single basket which will soon be empty?
It just seems to be in very poor timing to attempt to go it all alone during what has been un-categorically announced as a global recession which will last well into 2010 by world financial leaders. Do we have that much faith in Danny Williams that he is better informed and better educated than the rest of the world?
If the Williams government thinks the offshore oil industry will be the saviour of the province they should be thinking alternatives. Royal Dutch Shell, Syncrude and CNRL have all scaled back projected expansion in the oil sands due to the falling value of crude and the increasing expenses involved with the development of current and future operations. The demand for petroleum products has shifted somewhat where it is not a sure thing as it once was. Oil reserves have peaked, and we are now at the precipice of the bell curve which only shows a downward trend. What then?
It is my humble opinion that the individual needs to take stock of where he or she wants to be and to plan accordingly. It is clear that our elected officials are unable to properly manage our resources effectively to show a sustainable growth factor. I know where I will be when the lights go out, I just wonder where the rest of you will be.
I think that it was a foolish pipe dream to believe that the province had a sustainable base at this time to make this declaration. The employment rate in this provinces is still poor, along with the cost of living in wage scale. It would seem that the haves will continue to be the haves and have-nots will continue to be the have-nots long into the future.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 9:27 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Doug from Ontario writes: While this is an important day for Newfoundland and Labrador, the symbolism is more important than the event for Ontario. Before we snicker too much, let's keep in mind that of the 13.6 billions put into the equalizition fund this year, 5.6 of it will come from one province. You guessed it, Ontario is paying itself equalizition.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 9:35 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Richard from NL writes: Ya know, Danny Williams and Jerome Kennedy are the only politicians I know that keep referring to me as a second class citizen.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 9:40 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Brian from NL writes: Yes Sandy, we all know what Ontario and Quebec pays for gas yada yada yada. Big bloody deal! You are living proof that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are our own worst enemy.
What is it with people like you? Can't you just simply accept the fact that maybe, just maybe, things are finally turning around here and enjoy good news for a change?
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 9:42 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Bob from St johns, nl writes: Sandy
Everything does not happen overnight. Give it time. The world was not built in a day
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 9:45 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Phoebe Tilley from NL writes: Perhaps now Danny can remove the excessive Provincial tax from home heating oil and gasoline. Or does he still feel the urge to gouge us like the oil companies do as they rake in huge profits. Gas is almost 30cents a litre cheaper in the have not province of Ontario.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 9:56 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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George Hicks from Mount Pearl, NL writes: We have higher sales taxes, higher gas prices, higher housing costs, higher unemployment, higher food prices than most parts of this country. We may be a have-province but we are not a have-people . I think it's time our have-premier took a look outside the Confederation Building.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 9:57 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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T from NL writes: Dave you said correctly!! Thanks to the leadership of Danny and the hard work of the people of this province we have acheived the HAVE status. Way to go Newfoundland and Labrador.
I am living away now in Manitoba but I will assure you that in every conversation I have today it will be mentioned.
To all of you ONTARIO people who like to write here saying what a petty province we are, take a look at the road you are going down. HAVE NOT carma is a b@T*H!!!
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 9:59 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Bert from GFW, nl writes: Yes Sandy its strange how we pay more than Quebec and Ontario for gas. Alberta which is the richest province also pay more than either Ontario and Quebec for gas at the gas station.
The same is true with the dollar versus the american. Our economy is to be so much better than the americans yet when their economy suffered and their dollar went down, what happened to our dollar? We went from $1.10 to a low of 78c versus american. One would think we would go up instead of down because we are being told we have a stronger economy than the americans.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 10:25 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Marjorie Medeiros from Toms River, New Jersey writes: Go newfoundland!!!!!
Nice to see you on top!!!!!
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 10:31 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Frank from St. John's, Newfoundland writes: Good news and a good photo op and public relations exercise.
It is very important to note that the Premier stated at this announcement that our Have status for the next fiscal year, 2009-2010, is in question due to the fluctuating price of oil.
It remains premature to state The Future is Ours when this good news may be tempered in the next 5 months
The future was ours when oil was $140 a barrel, now, we have to wait and see.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 10:44 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Blair Brookfield from Newfoundland writes: Congratulations Newfoundland! However, I wouldn't get too comfortable with your newfound status considering the recent plunge in oil prices. Also, Newfoundland still has 15% unemployment. Call me stupid, but shouldn't a have province have jobs.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 10:45 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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LL from Newfoundland writes: Now that Newfoundland has reached the 'have status', I guess all our husbands working in Alberta can pack their bags and get ready to come home to make big money in Newfoundland.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 10:52 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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G from NL writes: I think most people don't understand what it means to be a have province . It does not mean that everyone in the province is rich and jobs are flowing endlessly. It means that the province, based on a prescribed formula, can afford to pay its own share of certain basic programs/expenditures and then contribute to provinces that cannot afford to offer the same to its own residents. In essence as stated by the name, equalization is meant to make some financial aspects more equal to all provinces and afford them the opportunity to offer all residents at least the same basic level of care as other provinces. It does not mean have provinces are individually rich people or have not prvinces are individually poor.
The only difference for NL now is that it does not qualify for extra assistance from the federal government and can afford to help other provinces. The ideal situation would be for all 10 provinces to be in the position of paying for all costs themselves and the equalization program not necessary. However given cyclical changes in industries etc by province, the program ensures fair social treatment for all provinces. This is what makes Canada so great - we actually care about our fellow residents nationwide.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 11:07 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Willi from NL writes: T from Manitoba, Danny Williams has contributed NOTHING of significance to NL achieving have status. The revenues that made this possible are results of the efforts of previous premiers and increased commodity prices.
Danny Williams affected neither, and to give that politician credit is misleading and political. This government has been great at spending our money, but Williams has yet to prove that he and his government are capable of generating it - pun intended.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 11:08 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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jim from nl writes: I am a retired construction worker who had been employed globally all my life. From the Upper Churchill, the CN Tower to the skyscrapers of New York. It is nice to see that NL + Lab are in a financial position where we will no longer require the payments. Equalization payments have been an issue from day one that divides our country. Ontario has been good to me and many other Newfoundlanders employment wise. Ontario has been good to Newfoundland concerning transfer payments. I personally am proud that we are in a position to assist Ontario. Lets do so without rubbing it in their faces.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 11:11 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Henri Leduc from NL writes: T: the only pettiness here is your swipe at Ontario which is largely a have-not province thanks to the work of Flaherty, both while at Queen's Park an in Ottawa. I have lived in Ontario and Newfoundland for many years and the dislike that Ontarians have for Newfoundland is mostly in the minds of some Newfoundlanders. I wish I could say the same for the venom that I have seen spewed here towards Ontario.
On another matter, we are only in this position because of our fortunate geography, not because of Danny Williams or our hard work. Such a simplistic assertion implies that people in the have-not provinces are lazy and lack our moral superiority. Would you say Newfoundlanders were an idle lot for the past sixty years?
I have had enough of these haughty, patronising lectures from some Albertans implying that their wealth is a result of their “hard work” and their righteousness with the demand that we adopt their self-serving right-wing values. We should know better than to fall for this sanctimonious chest-thumping. What goes around…
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 11:23 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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ROSEMARY SUMMERS from ST. JOHN'S, NL writes: WHY DO WE HAVE HIGHER GAS PRICES, HIGHER TAXES, ETC.ETC.
DANNY HAS THE POWER TO FIX THESE TWO ITEMS, SO WHY NOT ADJUST THE GAS AND TAXES CLOSE TO ONTARIO COST.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 11:36 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Bernadette Hendry from Mount Carmel, Newfoundland writes: Congratulations Newfoundland and Labrador. Achieving have status has made me very proud as I am sure it has made most of this great province.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 11:50 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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W McLean from ON writes: But revisions in the complex series of calculations that go into equalization entitlements pushed Newfoundland and Labrador over the line for the first time since Confederation.
= = =
Why ''for the first time since Confederation'' as a baseline, considering that equalization didn't begin for almost another decade after 1949?
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 11:52 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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T from NL writes: WILLI I guess we can thank Mr. Grimes for signing the great voisey's bay deal where they are shipping out our Ore to other parts of canada while the company can stall building a new plant and creating hundreds of jobs. GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT THERE. Oh lets not forget the collapse of the fishery man if we only had to manage that one!!! I am not even going to mention the famous HYDRO deal.
All I can see from the past premiers is dept and more dept. So lets have some faith in our leader after all we did elect him and he must be doing something right. I know we have a long way to go as a province but just be happy for once people!!
What makes newfoundlanders great is that we are always willing to help others I didn't mean to rub anything in the faces of ontario its a great place, it was directed just at the bad mouthers.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 11:53 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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W McLean from ON writes: It is nice to see that NL + Lab are in a financial position where we will no longer require the payments.
= = =
Newfoundland and Labrador and Labrador?
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 11:56 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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T from NL writes: Henri WOW you have some big issues I never would ever suggest that the other have not provinces are lazy or that newfoundlanders have been idle . I want each province in our country to be equal.
Also are you saying that all the workers on the offshore and at the refineries are not working hard or something? And Mr. LEDUC there are a lot of Albertans and newfoundlanders that work 60-70hours a week to make good for there families that sir is hard work. I guess you are not part of the working sector like the rest of us maybe you should get a job offshore and then tell me that it is a fluke we are a have province not because of hard work THANK YOU!!!
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 12:05 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Patrick from NL writes: To Doug from Ontario
NL is a Have Province and ON is a have not but you have to try to justify it by citing who pays into equalization. Grow up by, for years NL has been treated as poor cousins of have provinces. your attitude stinks, says congrats and get over it
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 12:06 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Willi from NL writes: T from NL - I see that you share our premier's attitude of deflection being the best defense. The Voisey's deal is a sound one, and despite Williams claiming that you could drivr a Mack truck through the loopholes in the contract, after 5 years as Premier he has yet to produce one such loophole.
As for your dept (debt?) comments, I suggest that you take a closer look at recent provincial budgets, the energy corporation, and the Hebron deal and the impacts that they are having on our priovinces net debt. NL is and will borrow even more money to finance dubious returns. At least our past premiers had the excuse of insufficient revenues to justify their debt loads. This government has more and is spending more - and achieving less. As for hydro, do you have any idea how much of our money this government has invested chasing that pipe dream? The nubers would frighten you if you opened your eyes to them.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 12:54 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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T from NL writes: Willi - if the voisey's bay deal is a sound one why is the plant in argentia closed down approx. 80 jobs lost!! Danny don't need to point out the Loopholes its too obvious!! This is one of them.
So if its so sound why is Inco allowed to ship its ore off like it has shipped off its work force to other parts of the world.
If its so sound why can the company not open its new facility in Long harbour until 2011 whats going on right now with the project please enlighten me WILLI.
As for the dept have you ever gained without investing?? If we could regain control over Churchill don't you think it would be a greater asset to this province! I agree theres no point of beating a dead horse just that we lost a lot of revenue from that deal. We gotta learn and move on I suppose.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 1:44 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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up4discussion from ab writes: minister kennedy's remarks telling unions they have it good and not to look for any increases was very condescending and a slap in the face to all of your hardworking newfies...
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 1:50 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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AnnD from St. John's, NL writes: I think Premier Williams should declare a HAVE Holiday, March 31st for Nf & Lab.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 1:56 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Bert from gfw, nl writes: Willi, how did you get enough education to learn your abc's. Man you do not want to give any credit to the premier for anything. How much is 2.2 billion dollars ?It's 20% of our national debt. It was never on the table befor Danny became premier, but he went to Ottawa and brought it back. Hebron was forced by the premier to allow us to buy 4.9% share of the business. He would have our national debt of 11 billion paid off if Steven Harper had kept is word. Now we will be another 22 years paying it off even if we pay 500 million a year on it.Willi don't be so arrogant as to not give Danny any credit. I guess its all about the color you are RED or just blue.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 2:05 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Martha from NL writes: Does this mean my kids don't have to go out west? And when can my husband come home? Next year? When he retires? What does all this mean for average people?
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 2:10 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Henri Leduc from nl writes: T, your argument defies -- no -- actually hunts down and bludgeons to death in a dark alleyway all logic. My point T, is that we have achieved this status because of our geography regardless of hard work. If there was no oil, the work wouldn't be there, but it is and, as a result, people are -- and this is painfully obvious -- working. I suppose the alternative would be that no one would bother harvesting it. Do you think that’s likely? And speaking of lapses in logic, how do you deduce that I am saying that the offshore workers are not working hard (how do you quantify hard work?) and furthermore, sir, how do you assume that I am not part of the working sector – and even if I wasn’t what make you think that I’m qualified to work offshore?
I’m sure, like most Canadians, and even some Ontarians, your Manitoban friends will be happy for us, but please don’t go strutting around as if the oil is there by virtue of our hard work or our Dear Leader. They won’t appreciate you for it.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 2:39 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Daffy Duck from St. Johns, NL writes: No Martha. They will still need to leave to pay for your stay here in a province that still refuses to invest in programs and projects that will sustain the population. Those HAVES will continue to profit while the rest of us need to bring our pay cheques back here to spend at WalMart to pay the wages of the rest.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 3:04 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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T from NL writes: HENRI--Its not the oil I will be talking about its the hard work that got us too where we are today as a province.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 3:17 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Jessica from NL writes: Some people will always find the bad in everything. This is a great day for Newfoundland. We should be very proud and very proud in our leader, Mr. Williams. He knew we could get this and he lead us there! Way to Go Danny. I for one am behind you a 100%
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 3:28 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Eric from Toronto, Ontario writes: Henri Leduc from NL wrote:
....is that we have achieved this status because of our geography regardless of hard work. If there was no oil, the work wouldn't be there, but it is and, as a result, people are -- and this is painfully obvious -- working.
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Your argument about geography is about all I can take. That the province - luckily by the hands of God - was situated next to these great oil basins.
If success had followed the geography, becoming a 'have' province could've occurred before this. There are several factors to which NL has become non-dependent on the feds. Obviously the price of oil is one. The sky rocketing price had fattened the coffers, and the PC's benefited from this. Just look at the numbers of the last provincial election, almost a sweep. Another, while I am not a fan, is that Williams is a stubborn man. His determination - for better or for worse - doesn't let NL get pushed around anymore. With that said, if the price of crude was $100 back in 1985, Peckford would be the Saint and not Williams.
To get back to the original point about geography; Ontario - thankfully by the hands of God - is strategically located in middle of this great land. It is the economic engine of the country; where it contains the capital region of Ottawa, and all its benefits. Not to mention that busy trade corridor, with the biggest country in the world; and how about all of those multi-national corporations? So how did this region become one of the greatest melting pots in the world? Geography, I guess……
So let's all rejoice and be thankful, Newfoundland and Labrador is located on the east coast of Canada, along side the great oil basins of the world....and not in the middle of this fine country, sandwiched between two ‘have-not's’, and Uncle Sam. If that’s not good geography, I don’t know what is.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 4:11 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Sandy from NL writes: TO BRIAN.... JUST THE FACTS please. You seem very emotional and present very few facts.
To BERT from GFW:......Gas in Alberta is only $ 0.87 Litre. It is in line with Ontario and Quebec, and $0.20 cheaper than NL. Support your comments with facts please.
And Bert the $2.2 Billion Danny got from Martin. We know why PM martin did that, don't we. The 4.9% share of Hebron business, do you understand the implications of our share of costs and losses should there be any problems with this project.? Do you know how happy the oil companies are with this project? You would be very surprised !
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 4:17 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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W McLean from ON writes: What did Danny Williams have to do with it, Jessica? His policy has been to demand to collect as much equalization as possible for as long as possible. The province (for now) no longer qualifies for equalization DESPITE Danny, not because of him.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 4:51 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Willi from NL writes: T from NL - NL has not lost one penny from the Inco deal. The company is living up to their obligations. There will be another plant - the hydromat plant was a TEST - not a production facility. Where are the loopholes?
The shipping of ore out of the province was part of the contract - not a loophole. Terms were negotiated allowing them to do that, with remediation and penalite included. Do you know anthing about the deal?
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 6:33 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Willi from NL writes: Bert from GFW, I have voted PC more often than not. I don't vote by colour, I vote for a credible candidate. Williams once had a good vision, that vision has been lost and has been replaced by smoke and mirrors.
Gains are made by investing in opportunities that have a reasonable expectation of payback. Churchill Falls has no power route - you cannot make money if you cannot bring you product to market. There's a pretty big gap in that plan - about the size of Quebec. The island route fairy tale that Williams has proposed as a bypass is as real as Santa Claus. As for the Harper red herring - whatever. He was not in a position to make or keep that promise and the fact that the premier bought into it shows how short sighted he is. NL is not off equalization early due to our success. We no longer qualify due other parts of the country falling on hard times. Hebron? What exactly do we get for that 4.9% non-voting stake? What makes it such a wonderful thing? When will Hebron be developed? The $2.2 billion? Wrestled from a weak Prime Minister desperate to buy votes. Please, that was no major accomplishment. It's not as if Williams negotiated anything as significant as say, the Atlantic Accord.
Get the full story before you go talking through your Williams Team hat, you'll have much more credibility.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 6:41 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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George from Newfoundland writes: Man!! I am absolutely amazed at how people can make mountains out of mole hills, be negative about just about everything and spin so much from one story!!
Dumping on Ontario, digging up old bones and things that have been long buried should not even enter into a story such as this. We are all Canadian and each make a contribution someway to this country. Yet so many have to try and slide us into slots and establish a position for us.
I have no problem with anyone making a comment using constructive criticism but give up the rethoric.
Regardless of the reason it is nice to finally be at this point. I don't give a lot of credit to Williams or any other premier of the past. Geography plays a part here just as it did in the glory days of the fishery and the build up of American bases in the 40's and 50's.
Enjoy it and be proud of it while it lasts! World economic affairs, the price of oil and the willingness of people to leave small rural fishing communities for the boom in Alberta will have a bigger effect than Danny and Jerome.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 8:04 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Rory McLaren from NL writes: Congrats to the province for achieving a 'have
status, however, I wouldn't gloat at the misfortune of Ontario. With Hibernia production rates dropping off, Terra Nova not far behind, those royalties that made us a 'have' province can disappear; and then try going to Ontario or Alberta looking for a job. People have long memories... Word to the wise... Be Careful
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 8:29 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Alex Rooney from NL writes: Well done Newfoundland! From my post in California, I feel immense pride in being a Newfoundlander...can I come home now?
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 8:42 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Ed from NL writes: As far I am concerned we have been a have province for a long time Just think of all of our natural resources that have been plundered & exploited for the benefit of I would suggest mainly central canada put a dollar value on that & I believe you will see we were a have province a long time ago.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 8:53 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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Blair Brookfield from Newfoundland writes: Hey Martha,
Sorry to break the news, but your husband won't be coming home anytime soon. And yes, your kids will have to leave. Much like a third world economy, Newfoundland relies heavily on remittances to fuel consumer spending. Newfoundland is still Canada's poorest province when one considers the labor market and public debt. Like you, I'm puzzled how a vast, bountiful province, with only 500,000 people can't provide for it's own.
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| Posted 04/11/2008 at 10:41 PM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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md from nl writes: Welcome everyone to the Danny show. Maybe his next campaign will be to change the name of the province to Williamsland. The rest of us drones are only here to pay homage while he preaches, and of coarse to pay taxes so that his knights can have their salaries and perks. If they are not happy with their salaries and allowances they will just dip into the public purse for more. There is more money going into King Danny's causes these days then our schools and hospitals. Paradise hasn't had a school in three years. Is there a safe school left in this province? One question, when the king leaves the throne and has successfully driven all the professionals out of the province, who will be left to pay taxes and support local business? Newfoundland..today we are a have province. Tomorrow we will be a has been province where the only residents are retired
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| Posted 05/11/2008 at 8:53 AM | Alert an Editor | Link to comment |
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