Monday, September 26, 2005

 

Political reform or Political Secession?

Labrador Newfoundland needs more political representation! Not just because of people but because of the sheer vastness, remoteness and inaccessibility of the region.

It’s a credit to those MHA’s and MLA’s who have served this area in the past. As well as those to come in the future, if we chose to remain apart of Canada?

Newfoundland and Labrador is 6 times larger than the other Maritime Provinces combined but we only have 7 members of parliament. One of which is in Labrador which is twice as large as the island portion.

Don’t get me wrong here I don’t want to further divide our already divided province geographically anyway, but rather I wish to highlight the need for reform within Canada.

Our Confederation is in dire need of an overhaul. Maybe a factor of Geographical and population could be used to determine a fair and equal representation. This would also ease the burden on those MHA’s and MLA’s who have large geographical constituencies.

If Canada isn’t willing to recognize and change this injustice then the least our province could do is give up one of the island portions of the provinces representatives to better enable Labrador MP’s to cope.

The money could be recouped from abolishing the Lieutenant Governor General which serves no purpose other than to remind us of our colonial roots. Cut the roots and grow a new tree I say starting with a sprig for Labrador in the form of another MHA. The Governor Generals House would make a fitting Premiers residence IMHO Money well spent also. (Presidents residence of the Republic of NL)

Since the additional 7-8 seats were added to Ontario our representation has become even less effective and if this precedent is to continue we will be losing even more power representation in the years to come due to out migration.

I propose splitting Labrador into two separate ridings one in the West and one in the East the coastal communities.

We could go even one better and add representatives or token none voting representatives for each of our Native communities/Cultures so as they have a real voice in the House of Commons/ Assembly.

Welcome To Labrador Metis
Micmac Federation of Newfoundland Indians
Welcome to Nunatsiavut
Innu nation

The ball is in your court Canada! You wanted us to join so badly in 1949. What are you willing to do to keep us now that our eyes have been opened to exactly what Confederation is, at least for NL?

I wouldn’t expect government/big business to go along with this change but the people of Canada with a sense of fair play and justice will. I don’t think any of these proposals are unreasonable or of the wall but rather something that a lot of the other provinces will probably agree with and want apart of.
Comments:
Labrador Newfoundland needs more political representation! Not just because of people but because of the sheer vastness, remoteness and inaccessibility of the region.

How many MPs should Nunavut have?

Newfoundland and Labrador is 6 times larger than the other Maritime Provinces combined

Nope. Three times.

but we only have 7 members of parliament. One of which is in Labrador which is twice as large as the island portion.

Representation is based on population. By your model, Nunavut, with a smaller population than Labrador, should have more MPs than the entire province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Our Confederation is in dire need of an overhaul. Maybe a factor of Geographical and population

Done! Geography is already a factor in determining riding boundaries.

island portions of the provinces

If you mean "Newfoundland" why not say "Newfoundland"? "Island portion of the province" is an unnecessary circumlocution.

The money could be recouped from abolishing the Lieutenant Governor General which serves no purpose other than to remind us of our colonial roots.

Abolishing the office of Lieutenant-Governor can be done, but all provinces have to agree to abolish the monarchy in all provinces.

The Governor Generals House would make a fitting Premiers residence

Rideau Hall?

Since the additional 7-8 seats were added to Ontario our representation has become even less effective and if this precedent is to continue we will be losing even more power representation in the years to come due to out migration.

The number of federal seats in NL cannot go below 7.

The ball is in your court Canada!

Canada has nothing to do with your proposed changes to the House of Assembly. The province can reform the House of Assembly, or even create a provincial upper chamber, on its own.
 
"The number of federal seats in NL cannot go below 7."

I don't think that's what he meant. He meant that as more and more seats go to Ontario (not to mention Alberta and BC), Newfoundland's influence will get smaller and smaller. 7/308 seats is bad enough, but what happens when the House of Commons needs to grow to accommadate growth in the other provinces? NL's already small voice will be dwarfed even more.
 
I don't think that's what he meant. He meant that as more and more seats go to Ontario (not to mention Alberta and BC), Newfoundland's influence will get smaller and smaller. 7/308 seats

Newfoundland has six seats; Newfoundland and Labrador has seven.

is bad enough, but what happens when the House of Commons needs to grow to accommadate growth in the other provinces? NL's already small voice will be dwarfed even more.

How do you suggest remedying this, to the extent it's a problem at all?

Small-pop and declining-pop provinces in this country have it very good in terms of federal representation; just try applying the federal representation formulas in the US or Australia.

Should seats be taken away from, or denied to, provinces which have growing population shares?
 
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