NL-Outsidethebox [confederation]

All I can say is wow!

This new ad campaign for NL tourism makes me want to explore NL some more there is so much to see. Unfortuneately I've been many places in Canada and the world but have hardly visited much of NL. For instance I have never been along the south shore never been to Labrador just to name a few places which I hope to some day explore.

I just hope that as apart of this new tourism initialtive they see the error in their ways of putting NFLD on one side of our map and Labrador on the other. I'm sittng here looking at a map of Labrador and if I want to look at NFLD I have to untack the map and flip it over. I would love to be able to look at my entire province without having to flip the map over.
http://www.newfoundlandandlabradortourism.com/media/rm_edgeoftheearth.zap

The NDP still hold the balance of power because if they unite with the CPC and only the CPC the Liberals will be forced to unite with the Bloc to make any non confidence vote work and in doing so shoot themselves in the foot.

Unless of course they plan on winning the next election with only Quebec and Ontario support assuming Ontario were opposed enough to the issue which was used to bring down the government and be damned with the rest of the country.

The reality is that this parliament is a
308 - 51 =257
1/2 of which is 128 seats to make a majority government not 155 like the MSM touts.

CPC 124 + NDP 29 = 153

Lib 103 + BLOC 51 = 154

Throw in the 1 independant from *QUEBEC* for good measure.

The Liberals will need to align themselves with a party (BLOC) who is bent on destroying this country as we know it to make this government fall if they know what is good for them they won't go down that road.

I predict a full 4 year term for this minority government Forgoing some really really idiotic moves by Prime Minister Harper. The really really contentious issues are going to be those with the interests of Quebec and Ontario at their core.

How about a prerequisite for a Equal senate be that any senators be bilingual? This would appease Quebec who is sure to be a strong opposer to the triple E idea.
By making it a requirement that all senators be bilingual this would actually be better for Quebec than what they have right now as well as for bilingualism in Canada on the whole.

There could even be a clause where by if a senator is elected he has one year to take french training in order to sit in the senate.

Since we are supposed to be a bilingual country and most provinces have some comunities of french this shouldn't be to hard to achieve. And if it is the claus would allow for any anglophones or Fracophones to take the required language training.

Fair warning keeping with the rap cultures afinity to swear Gazeebow unit from NL is no exception. But with their NL accents it really is fun to listen to!
I wonder what has taken so long for a NL rap group to become popular you would think that with our fast speak and slang we'd be naturals.
I'm only able to find dribs and drabs from googling and have yet to find a good composite of all their work or their web site that is to say if they have one?


Gazeebow Unit Diss by Compton and Juice
Compton and Juice Diss by Gazeebow Unit - (.aiff file, 44.4mb)

Bring your kid to parliament day.

Do a little coaching prior so as they don't look stupid on National TV and let them have a question period.

Hopefully they won't look like the regular kids that are in there normally.

I realize the parliament has alot of official business to complete in a short time so the timing would be an issue. Maybe the opening or closing day. Better still during one of the school holidays if at all possible so as MP's can bring their kids or grand kids.

I've emailed this proposal to all of our political leaders with no response so I figured it was time to enlist some others to help put pressure on our politicians to affect change.

Dear Elected officials

I think we should take a page out of the European polution hand book. In Europe their regular gasoline has the same if not higher octane content as our Supreme gas. What this does is it takes less gas to travel further and puts less pollution into our atmosphere especially in and around our cities where smog has become a health risk due to the creation of micro climates and the density of pollutants being put into the atmosphere in such a small and confined area.

Now at first glance you might think that legislating the use of Supreme gas only will have a negative impact on our economy because of the higher cost of supreme gasolines. But I say the cost offset of no longer having to provide pumps tanks and infrastructure for Regular and mid grade gasolines would more than compensate for for the cost of the higher octane gasolines and they could be sold for the same price as regular gas is now sold. The higher milage from the higher octane gas would also more than help compensate for any higher cost if it actually does occur from such a measure.

By having only one high octane gas would also make it more economical for the smaller gas distributors thus promoting small business especially in our remote and rural areas where the olume of traffic and business doesn't warrant stocking more than one grade of gasoline.

This one simple step towards a made in Canada solution to pollution would immediately have a positive impact on reducing pollution and protecting the enviroment and curbing global warming without negatively impacting our economy.

This is a quick simple and easy solution to our growing pollution problem. Especially in our larger urban areas which have their own micro climates of smog and pollution due to the sheer number of polluters in such a small area.

Sincerely

mail to:
Harper.S@parl.gc.ca, pm@pm.gc.ca, laytoj@parl.gc.ca

Put snow guns on top of the high rises. The mist should collect the particulate and make it drop out of the air?

Added bonus could be to lower the soaring temperatures in the cities.

Excerpt from the Independant When Cultures collide.
Stealing Mary is scheduled to air on History Television this spring, and it’s currently making the film festival rounds (it first played the Women’s Film Festival in St. John’s, may show in Berlin, and already “was received well at a film festival in China”). He’d like to see it played in classrooms, certainly in Newfoundland.
Stealing Mary screens at Empire Theatres Avalon Mall, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m.

www.heritage.nf.ca/aboriginal/beothuk.html
www.wordplay.com/tourism/beothuk.html
www.nfmuseum.com/notes1.htm
www.chebucto.ns.ca/%7Eae050/beothuk.html
www.geocities.com/bigorrin/beothuk_kids.htm
collections.ic.gc.ca/rock/pages/beothuk.html
www.histori.ca/peace/page.
www.native-languages.org/beothuk.htm
http://www.histori.ca/peace/page.do

IMHO I think all border crossings should have some sort of road spikes or barricade to close of access.

There should also be observation windows or cameras to view under each and every vehicle.

All of these incidents as of late about our security really makes me wonder if we aren't being trifled with?
BC Border crashing.
US ambassadors claim that the north isn't canadian.

If I were a paranoid person and looked into the result wanted from such postering it would seem the US is giving Harper justification with the people to beef up our military and border crossings.

Don't get me wrong I think we need to do these things but I don't like being pressured into thinking we need them .

In Switzerland they have premade explosive holes in all of their bridges with the explosives siting close by for immediate access.
All of their tunnels and choke points have some sort of Barricade system ready to be put in place at a moments notice. I beam slots at the entrances to tunnels etc.
Every man and women serve some time in their militia.

You don't become and remain a NEUTRAL country without planning to stay that way.

We don't need electoral reform NOO!

The NDP has as apart of their platform to hold a referendum on Pro Rep and the CPC is toying with the idea.

We might actually see Pro Rep in this parliament?

See the full map and notes here.

Cudos to Small Dead Animals and Kate comments section for this link.

If voter turn out is to be increased something needs to be done. When only 64% of the population votes to form the government and only 36% of that decides who will form the government something is wrong IMHO.

So here are some of my suggestions to help curb this trend toward electoral reform and increasing voter turn out without making it law to have to vote.

Make fixed election dates either on November 11 or somewhere there abouts. What better way to remind people that the only reason they live in a democracy and have the right to vote is because of the sacrafices made by the brave men and women who sacraficed, fought and died for that freedom.

Make voting day a national holiday.

Make public transit free for election day. Maybe funded by the federal government.
This would promote public transit as well as increase voter turn out.

Implement Proportional Representation where every vote counts and strategic voting will become less of an issue.

Proportional Represntation would also eliminate our extremist governments and make every government a minority where coalitions must be made on differing issues.

Pro Rep would be good for the federation as a whole with less fringe groups like the Bloc being able to have a disproportionate number of seats regionally and better foster a federal government unlike our fractious first past the post system we have now.

Here is how our government would look if Proportional Representation were used according to Fair Vote Canada. They don't state which system of Pro Rep was used to come up with these numbers. I'm guessing but I think they just used National representation numbers to come up with these figures,

VOTING SYSTEM REWARDS SEPARATISTS,

PUNISHES WESTERN LIBERALS, URBAN CONSERVATIVES, NEW DEMOCRATS, AND GREENS

Conservatives - 36.3% of the popular vote: 113 seats (not 124)

Liberals - 30.1% of the popular vote: 93 seats (not 103)

NDP - 17.5% of the popular vote: 59 seats (not 29)

Bloc - 10.5% of the popular vote: 31 seats (not 51)

Greens - 4.5% of the popular vote: 12 seats (not 0)

However, Smith emphasized that speculation should be tempered.

“With a different voting system, people would have voted differently,” he said. “There would have been no need for strategic voting. We would likely have seen higher voter turnout. We would have had different candidates - more women, and more diversity of all kinds. We would have had more real choices.”

Visit Fair vote Canada site to read their arguement for Pro Rep and the effects of antiquated First Past the Post system we now have.

I can't take credit for this idea suggestion I heard it on VOCM one day some guy mentioned it.

Basically his premiss was NL'ians don't mind going away for 6 months of the year for work but basically they don't want to uproot and move to Alberta.

So what he proposed was for there to be some sort of plan or set up whereby tax breaks were given for people to go to Alberta and work for 6 months but still keep their houses and family in NL.

Some of the ways this could be encouraged and accomplished would be by
Organized Direct flights to Alberta.
Tax breaks along the lines of deemed resident like if you were to work outside of Canada.

Since most of the jobs in Alberta are seasonal, especially the drill work which is only done in the winter. Also alot of the jobs are done from work camps out in the boonies it really doesn't make much difference if you live in Alberta or NL since you will be away from home either way.

This would be a win win compromise. Since Alberta is in dire need of workers and NL'ians are in Dire need of work. But Alberta has a shortage of housing in and around the tar sands and the cost of living is quite high in and around the tar sands importing seasonal workers would seem to be a viable solution.
NL could implement specific trades training programs to better full fill the work requirement for Alberta. IE. Welding, Heavy equipment, Construction etc

I think there were some more but I can't remember what they were now.

My vote was a wasted vote at least on the local level. Well with the exception of giving the conservatives my 1.75$. My other consolation is that the federal party I voted for got in.

Now I personally am dead set against strategic voting and even more dead set against not voting at all. Worse case scenario spoil your ballot to send a message.

This is just one more reason for me to promote Proportional Representation and a change in our democratic process.

On the flip side the only people who would even thing about strategic voting are those who are informed. Since all of the parties are are basically Cats exception being the NDP and we are mice it really doesn't make all that much difference which party between the Libs and the CPC gets in we are still going to be mice and Ontario is going to be the Fat cat.

Anyway I found another pretty good write up on Proportional Representation albeit it is written by an American it is still quite informative and uses some examples of different scenarios and how they would work and affect our democracy.

Here are the links I have so far explaining Pro Rep.

http://www.democraticspace.com/canada/er/MakingEveryVoteCount.pdf
http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/polit/damy/BeginnningReading/howprwor.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proportional_representation
http://www.fairvote.org/irv/
http://www.fairvotecanada.org/

With another MAD COW on the loose lock up your daughters!

When will we learn to stop feeding Herbivores meat?

For a country that produces most of the worlds wheat and grain I fail to see why we need to feed cows rendered cows?

I can honestly say from a Newfoundland and Labrador perspective I am glad the Greens didn't get a seat.

What their leader did by using NL's Seal Hunt as an issue to try and garner votes from the rest of uninformed canada at NL's expense was nothing less than disingenuous and I'm glad the rest of Canada saw through it and didn't reward him and his party with a seat. Thus effectively eliminating any chance of the Greens being involved in the debate in the next election.

Just my thought's on why the CPC didn't pick up any seats in the urban ridings.

Urban ridings have a large proportion of immigrants. Immigrants from generally speaking who come from war torn or corrupt government and regime governed countries. As such these Immigrants have a fear of change in government. Never having lived in a true and fair democratic country they fear change and anything to do with the military or an increase in the military. On top of that these immigrants may not have a firm grasp of the english language especially the older ones so. So a message of fear is easier to get across than the intricacies of good governance policies.

I saw this when doing UN tours they even fear soldiers wearing the UN Blue. Maybe it was just the guns they feared but the fact remains they have this underlying fear of soldiers and anything to do with the military or increased policing because even the polie in these countries are corrupt and are an extension of the corrupt rulers.

I must say Prime Minister Harper did a wonderful job in his acceptance speech addressing these fears and highlighting his agenda for his time in office. I look forward to the coming years and the changes that PM Harper is about to implement.

Congratulations one and all who have so selflessly donated their time to public office! Whether they have won lost or had a draw they should be commended for their interest in their fellow man.

Just thought I'd add this link to an article about the upcoming Cain's Quest Ski-Doo race in Labrador.

Cudos to Verbena-19 blog spot for this.

Mouseland: As told by Tommy Douglas in 1944

This is the poignant little parable called "Mouseland", which was told by Tommy Douglas in 1944. For those readers who have never heard it, I have posted it here. It is well worth reading or, for some of you, re-reading. -- Annamarie


Introduction

Tommy Douglas (1904 -1986) was one of Canada's best known New Democrats. He was a man of many talents and, being involved in politics since 1936, he is renowned for various reasons.

The "Mouseland" story is a small sample of the wit and humour many people knew him for. To see and listen to Tommy Douglas in person was a rare treat. Tommy was a most accomplished orator.

Some people saw Tommy Douglas as a true democratic socialist, someone who placed human rights and needs above the mere pursuit of profits and power. Such principles should be implemented at the wish of the majority of the people. A social minded government would plan the economy of the country to allow all people to share in the country's wealth and have equal access to such basic needs as health and education.

Others saw Tommy as a great politician whose natural speaking, story telling and debating abilities helped bring social change to the country. Tommy was first elected to the House of Commons in Ottawa in 1936. He later switched to provincial politics and it was during his years as Premier of Saskatchewan that Medicare was first introduced to North America. Prior to Medicare, health care services were only available to those who could pay the price.

When the C.C.F. (Co-operative Commonwealth Federation) was renamed the New Democratic Party in 1961, Tommy Douglas was chosen as the Leader of the New Party until he resigned in 1971.

Tommy Douglas relates his message of social democracy in such a fashion that any audience can understand even the most complicated issue and be well entertained at the same time.

To social minded people everywhere, Tommy Douglas remains a constant source of inspiration.

Mouseland

As told by Tommy Douglas in 1944

Mouseland (1962)
Click here to go to the site and listen to this story in Quick time - 4MB, 6 min.

It's the story of a place called Mouseland. Mouseland was a place where all the little mice lived and played, were born and died. And they lived much the same as you and I do.

They even had a Parliament. And every four years they had an election. Used to walk to the polls and cast their ballots. Some of them even got a ride to the polls. And got a ride for the next four years afterwards too. Just like you and me. And every time on election day all the little mice used to go to the ballot box and they used to elect a government. A government made up of big, fat, black cats.

Now if you think it strange that mice should elect a government made up of cats, you just look at the history of Canada for last 90 years and maybe you'll see that they weren't any stupider than we are.

Now I'm not saying anything against the cats. They were nice fellows. They conducted their government with dignity. They passed good laws--that is, laws that were good for cats. But the laws that were good for cats weren't very good for mice. One of the laws said that mouseholes had to be big enough so a cat could get his paw in. Another law said that mice could only travel at certain speeds--so that a cat could get his breakfast without too much effort.

All the laws were good laws. For cats. But, oh, they were hard on the mice. And life was getting harder and harder. And when the mice couldn't put up with it any more, they decided something had to be done about it. So they went en masse to the polls. They voted the black cats out. They put in the white cats.

Now the white cats had put up a terrific campaign. They said: "All that Mouseland needs is more vision." They said:"The trouble with Mouseland is those round mouseholes we got. If you put us in we'll establish square mouseholes." And they did. And the square mouseholes were twice as big as the round mouseholes, and now the cat could get both his paws in. And life was tougher than ever.

And when they couldn't take that anymore, they voted the white cats out and put the black ones in again. Then they went back to the white cats. Then to the black cats. They even tried half black cats and half white cats. And they called that coalition. They even got one government made up of cats with spots on them: they were cats that tried to make a noise like a mouse but ate like a cat.

You see, my friends, the trouble wasn't with the colour of the cat. The trouble was that they were cats. And because they were cats, they naturally looked after cats instead of mice.

Presently there came along one little mouse who had an idea. My friends, watch out for the little fellow with an idea. And he said to the other mice, "Look fellows, why do we keep on electing a government made up of cats? Why don't we elect a government made up of mice?" "Oh," they said, "he's a Bolshevik. Lock him up!" So they put him in jail.

But I want to remind you: that you can lock up a mouse or a man but you can't lock up an idea.


The Moral of the Story
"Mouseland" is a political fable, originally told by Clare Gillis, a friend of Tommy Douglas. Tommy has used this story many times to show in a humorous way how Canadians fail to recognize that neither the Liberals or Conservatives are truly interested in what matters to ordinary citizens; yet Canadians continue to vote for them.

The story cleverly deals with the false assumption by some people that CCF'ers (NDP'ers) are Communists. The ending shows Tommy Douglas has faith that someday socialism, which recognizes human rights and dignity, will win over capitalism and the mere pursuit of wealth and power.
Mouseland - Sask New Democrats

I was loath to publish this piece before the election was over. But now with these newest incidents of challenges to Canadas soverignity by the US I'm really beginning to wonder if the US really isn't trying to influence our internal affairs?

Social policy by Conditioning and power of suggestion. If there was one thing I hated about Martin it was his disingenuousness by saying one thing but letting the complete opposite happen either by ignoring it or implementing policy so that he got what he wanted.
IE: War in Iraq while we didn't send troops to Iraq we did send ships to the gulf and troops to Afganistan.
BMD said he wouldn't support it but gave the Americans the data infop from NORAD so missiles tracked using NORAD could be shot down over Canada.
Privitize health care remoed so much money from it that it was broken and didn't do anything to stop the spread of privatization.

I just hope this series of coincidences and events to sway the public into siding with Harpers policies aren't contrived between Harper and Bush. It is one thing for Bush to try something like this but it is another thing all together for Harper to conspire with Bush to sway public opinion onto his side.

Maybe I'm being paranoid but there sure does seem to be alot of coincidences of US actions that would influence Canadians to want to militarize. The same as releases that would sway public opinion to accept his right wing views about social policies on Gays and Lesbians and Same sex marriage. While I personally am not in favor of SSM I do favor equal rights for Same Sex couples when it comes to taxes rights and benefits of Same Sex civil unions.

1930 US Invasion of Canada plan released?

Polygamy report leaked?

Sexually transmitted diseases on rise report?

US Submarine surfacing in Canada's artic?

American investigation into Income trust Leak?

American Ambassador to Canada comments on Martin comments US reticent nation and global conscience and Kyoto?

Murder convicts crashing BC border and being stopped 3 feet from peace arch?

US Ambassador claiming Canada doesn't own the North West passage in the high Artic?

I guess since most of Canada doesn't get to vote for Gilles Du Separatist we don't pay as much attention to his bio etc. But you would think Buzz and Paul Martin would know these things. That is Gilles Du Separatist was a member of the communist party for three years "Later he spent three years in the Marxist-Leninist Communist Workers' Party; he has since called that membership a mistake, based on a youthful search for absolute answers."

Video clip here in french but Gilles Du Separatist is identified as being apart of the Communist party.

Now it isn't a crime to be a member of the separatist party but it does make one wonder who he will ally with if and ever he does manage to separate Quebec from Canada? Also who his supporters and money backers are?

Cudos to polyscopique.com/blog/

and This Canada

If this poll had been released before the last set of debates it could have actually made people realize that the NDP could in fact form the official opposition.

Now on the last day of the election CBC has decided to not talk about or publish the polls?

After this poll was taken the pollsters decided to change the questions and the way the questions were asked in their polls.

Nodice a polling web page has disabled their page?

Discovered another NL paper. The Troubador published by the College of the North Atlantic.

Great Pic of our Premier playing a game of Pick up in Stephenville. For the Hockey day in Canada festivities.

I wonder was Gerry Reid on the official Opposition team?

Anyway this article is a brief explanation of the response to OUR PREMIERS list of issues affecting NL by the leaders of the federal parties.

Thanks to North American Patriot and This Canada

Now I know why I always loved this guy. Boy did he ever get the final word and did he ever call a spade a spade.
The best part is he wasn't reading from a script it seemed to be of the cuff!


Ed Broadbent's last statement as an MP
Fri 20 Jan 2006 | Printer friendly

Good morning. I expect this will be my final press conference and I want to speak about the opportunity that Monday’s election presents to working people.

I’ve been in politics a long time. I entered in the election that elected Pierre Trudeau as Prime Minister. I worked with Mr. Trudeau on the Charter of Rights and I’m appalled at Paul Martin’s treatment of it as if it is a prop.

I know many long-time Liberals are looking at the Liberal Party they see and concluding they cannot in conscience vote for it. They are right.

No matter how unethical, undemocratic and unprincipled the Liberal Party becomes, the team of insiders at the top can simply not imagine people choosing to take power away.

It should be taken away. The Liberal Party thinks about itself more than working people. Its conduct in office has not been ethical. Its contempt for Parliament is rivaled only by its manipulation of voters.

In this election, Mr. Martin is asking voters who find Liberal behaviour unforgivable to vote for them all the same. And to those who choose a better option, he dares equate that with supporting the Conservatives. He should be ashamed.

I sat in a caucus with Tommy Douglas. With David Lewis. And with Jack Layton. For 40 years, I’ve seen New Democrats work for working people in Parliament. And we have the medicare system, pension system and a new budget to show for it.

Yet Mr. Martin accuses the New Democratic Party of partisanship. Were it not for the NDP putting its interests aside and putting working people’s interests first, the Liberal Party would have been fed to voters last spring.

It now is. And it has run a campaign that at best is incoherent, and at worst is deeply offensive. To women. To members of our armed forces. And to people who long for intellectual honesty in politics once more.

It is clear the Liberal Party no longer has the moral authority to deserve people’s votes. It is, simply, not the party it used to be or the party it portrays.

Mr. Martin’s team is running a campaign based on intellectual dishonesty. Cynical manipulation. And recklessly using significant issues for the sole purpose of continuing Liberal entitlement – which we know is used to benefit Liberal insiders, not working people.

For those reasons, I urge people to look at the option presented by Jack Layton and the New Democratic Party. And this once, vote for the kind of change you want. Vote NDP, for the kind that puts working people first.

Way to Go ED! I wish you all the best you deserve it! Thank-You for serving the Canadian People so unwaverinly well all these years.

Hi Guys.

Because of skepticism about verbal commitments from politicians, I have been asked by local officials to provide letters from the Leader on party letterhead confirming commitments the party has made that effect this riding. These officials have cast doubt on our commitments in the media, and will continue to do so unless they get these letters.



My campaign manager, Bill Hayley spoke with Aaron C and Jonas about this, and was asked to provide drafts of the letters we need signed. Those drafts are attached, and the text is pasted below in case you can't open the attachments.



Two of these letters contain the exact wording of commitments I have received by email from the national war room. The letter about the Gander weather centre contains the exact wording of a petition Stephen Harper has already signed, and also reflects comments he has made publicly.



These letters should be faxed to my Campaign Manager Bill Hayley at my campaign office, 709-489-6799. Two of these letters are also cc'd to Patrick Dwyer, who is a great ally on these issues. They can be faxed to him at 709-651-3091.



These three letters will help greatly in securing a Conservative win in this riding. I thank you for your urgent attention to this request. We need these letters in time for a major debate this Tuesday!





Thank you.

Aaron Hynes

Conservative Candidate

Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor







15 January 2006



Mayor Claude Elliot

Town of Gander

P.O. Box 280

Gander, NL

A1V 1W6

Dear Mayor Elliot,

I am pleased to provide this written confirmation of my previous public statements that a Conservative government under my leadership will fully reinstate public, marine and aviation forecasting services to the Gander weather centre.

During my visit to St. John's on 6 December 2005, the Conservative Candidate for Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor, Aaron Hynes, arranged for me to meet with advocates of reinstating the Gander weather centre. At that meeting, Mr. Hynes and I, along with all current members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Caucus of the Conservative Party of Canada, added our signatures to a petition calling for the full reinstatement of the weather centre. I have since confirmed that commitment in a letter to Premier Danny Williams.

A Conservative government will address this important issue in a timely manner, to ensure the safety of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, especially those working in the fishery and other offshore industries.

Sincerely,




Stephen Harper

Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada

cc: Aaron Hynes Campaign

Patrick Dwyer, PSAC Director, Non-Treasury Board, Newfoundland and Labrador



15 January 2006



Mr. Gary Vey, President and CEO

Gander International Airport Authority

P.O. Box 400

Gander, NL

A1V 1W8



Dear Mr. Vey,

Further to your meeting with Conservative Candidate Aaron Hynes on 8 January 2006, I am pleased to confirm that a Conservative Transport Minister under my leadership would investigate the financial impact of government and military aircraft landing free at Gander, and would take steps to mitigate this impact.

The Conservative Party understands the unique challenges faced by Gander International Airport as a result of the extraordinary volume of military and government traffic it accommodates, and we do not believe the federal government should place such an unfair burden on a community-based not-for-profit body. A Conservative Transport Minister would work with the Gander International Airport Authority to develop a suitable formula to offset that burden.

Among other options, we would consider a system of payments to the Gander International Airport Authority similar to the 'grant in lieu of taxes' paid by the federal government to the City of Ottawa for the use of municipal infrastructure and services.

In addition, a Conservative government would expand the Airport Capital Assistance Program (ACAP).

Sincerely,





Stephen Harper

Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada

cc: Aaron Hynes campaign office

Pat Dwyer, PSAC Director, Non-Treasury Board, Newfoundland and Labrador



15 January 2006



Mayor Jerry Dean

Town of Botwood

P.O. Box 490

Botwood, NL

A0H 1E0

Dear Mayor Dean,

Further to the letter you received from the Conservative Candidate in your riding, Aaron Hynes, I am pleased to confirm that a Conservative government will allow the flexibility required to give the Town of Botwood a fair chance to negotiate its participation in the federal Port Divestiture Program.

The Conservative Party of Canada understands the importance of Botwood's port facilities to the economy of central Newfoundland. We also understand that Botwood encountered impediments to its participation in the Port Divestiture Program that were beyond municipal control, and it would be unfair to expect the town to negotiate the terms of its participation under the threat of the port facilities being demolished.

Therefore, a Conservative government will extend the deadline of 31 March 2006 for the demolition of the federal port facilities in Botwood if negotiations aimed at upgrading those facilities under the federal Port Divestiture Program are ongoing.

Sincerely,





Stephen Harper

Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada

cc: Aaron Hynes campaign office

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN January 20, 2006

from Patrick Dwyer

Chairman Petition to have Gander Weather Forecasting Office Reinstated

New clip from cbc morning show today.

Some people are questioning why Environment Canada failed to predict a Massive Winter Storm
in Labrador last weekend. The Halifax weatheroffice was calling for just ( periods of snow ) at a time when forecasters at Goose Bay Air Base were predicting a meter.

Paul Pickett reports: This model ( Goose Bay ) goes out to about 15 days the Canadian model
( Environment Canada ) only goes out 7 days. Forecaster OLIvia Lumfit describing a computer modeling
system used by The Circle Weather Office at the Goose Bay Air Base. This office predicted a huge dump of snow a week befor it happened. Forecasters with Environment Canada in Halifax were only calling for ( periods of snow right up until the storm hit.) Lumpfit said it is because Aviation Forecasters
in Labrador use long term prediction models and he says they are in much better location to know what is happening. We can centre on Goose Bay and Labrador and actually be more specific then they can. It is not to put them down, it's just that we have a little bit more time to look at our area than they do.
Bill Appleby is a spokes person for Environment Canada He Says ' we really didn't miss it "he say
snow was in the Government Forecast from Halifax, just not the huge amount that actually fell.
The next morning we issued warning that covered 40-50 cm and that is a fairley significantly snowfall
even though it doesn't hit the 118 cm snow that actually fell.

It should be noted that their was 8 people lost in the country on snowmobiles due to this
IN ACCURATE FORECAST

WE NEED OUT FORECASTING REINSTATED IN GANDER IMMEDIATELY

BEFOR A TRAGEDY HAPPENS................

Story from CBC about the weather forecasting in Labrador

Hill and knowlton also has a similar set up where by you can play with the swing vote to see who will win. Or how much swing is needed to make a change. I'm not exactly boned up on these projectors but they seem to be using the results from the last election as a basis to project. If so they may be very out to lunch with the way this election has turned out.

I did a little swing vote projecting in NL and the two that stood out the most to be accurate were
RANDOM-BURIN-ST.GEORGE’S with a 7% swing vote from the Liberals to the NDP the NDP would win. Even more so what with the Liberals lack of action on the Portnoy case.
BONAVISTA-GANDER-GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR would elect a Conservative if there were a swing vote of 10% from Liberal to Conservative.
IMHO Avalon is a whole new ball game with efford gone and the 2004 election results aren't applicable.
Labrador is a lost cause mainly due to the fact that they only get the CBC as a news source IMHO. Can you say conflict of interest!
HUMBER-ST.BARBE-BAIE VERTE well personally I think it's going to a close race but who knows?

I couldn't agree more!

God help me if I lived and hunted in and around those transmission lines that are bleeding NL dry. I would be some tempted to take out a few of those insulators that are insulating Hydro Quebec from owning up to the injustices they have perpetrated against the people of NL.

The study done by the Harris centre discovered that the Hydro Quebec held 20% of NL hydro at the time of the negotiations for the Upper Churchill and sat in on the NL Hydro meetings in which NL Hydro revealed that they were on the verge of Bankruptcy if the Upper Churchill deal didn't go ahead.

NL Hydro has as apart of the original contract clauses for inflation but once Hydro Quebec through their conflict of interest by having controlling interests in both companies but more so Hydro Quebec used this information to renegotiate the contract removing the inflation clauses and extending the original contract for another 25 years.

Still haven't found a link for this report by the Harris centre but will keep looking.

Dam this guy writes good press releases. I'm looking forward to hearing him on the CPAC channel during question period. There are two more releases just follow the link makes for some good reading.

Manning wants to see Gander Weather Station reinstated

St. John�s, December 7, 2005 � Fabian Manning, Conservative Candidate for Avalon says he is delighted with Stephen Harper�s promise to reinstate the Gander weather office if the Conservatives form the government. Whether it�s the lives of our fishermen, the safety of our children on route to school or the handling of oil related traffic off our coast the Gander weather office is vital of the quality of life for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

�There were individuals that pocketed more out of the sponsorship scandal than what the Gander weather office cost �, says Manning. I cannot believe that the Prime Minister is prepared to insult our people by saying no to reinstatement but suggest this is an excellent place to study weather patterns. The people who worked at the Gander weather office studied weather patterns and furthermore they forecasted the weather and reported it to our media. �Centers of Excellence, ivory study towers and global warning about global warming is little comfort to a family with someone at sea��, says the Avalon Conservative Candidate.

Manning goes on to say, �I believe that the Prime Minister rolled into St. John�s listening to his own polls and said no to every request, confident that he could once again take Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for granted. Don�t be surprised if he does an about face on this as they did on the offshore oil royalties and custodial management�.

The weather office at Gander not only affects Gander but this whole region. We are not just another Atlantic Province. We are larger than all of the rest of Atlantic Canada combined.

�To treat this Province as a suburb of Halifax is our great Canadian insult and one that�s about to change�, says Manning. In excess of 100,000 names on a petition from the people should never be overlooked and ignored says the Avalon Conservative Candidate.

Just look at the 3280 federal civil service jobs that we lost in the last ten years.

The Gander weather office is a part of the larger picture and I�m delighted that our party is on record to reinstate it�, says Manning.

"The responses from Mr. Martin are clearly not as definitive as some of those from Mr. Harper and Mr. Layton. This is disappointing from the provincial government’s perspective;"

http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2006/exec/01martin.pdf
http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2006/exec/01mclellan.pdf

http://www.cbc.ca/nl/story/nf_ndp_williams_20060117.html

That confirms it for me. I'll take this as an endorsement by MY Premier to vote either Conservative or NDP.
Now it is just a matter of trying to vote to make it count. Strategic voting I guess is what it is called.
In my riding here Beausejour NB it is looking like the only party that has a chance of getting in other than the Liberals which for me voting in the best interest of NL is out of the question.
From playing with the Hill and Knowlton election predictor Conservative would seem to be my only option of actually having my representative elected of the party which will best represent the interests of NL.

NLIS 3
January 16, 2006
(Executive Council)

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Premier Danny Williams today received a letter from NDP Leader Jack Layton, outlining that party’s position on several key issues for Newfoundland and Labrador.

The premier sent the federal leaders of the Conservative, Liberal and NDP parties a letter on November 28, 2005, requesting party positions on matters of importance to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Last week, Premier Williams received a response from Conservative Leader Stephen Harper. At that time, the premier indicated the letter would not be released until he had received responses from all three party leaders. However, giving there is only one week remaining in the federal campaign, Premier Williams today released the Conservative and NDP responses so that people can begin to make a decision heading into election day.

Premier Williams is traveling outside of the province today, however, Deputy Premier Tom Rideout is available to media seeking a comment on Mr. Layton’s letter.

* View Conservative leader Stephen Harper's Response (PDF)
* View NDP leader Jack Layton's Response (PDF)

Media contact

Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960, 690-5500
Lori Lee Oates, Communications, Minister Rideout, (709) 729-3733, 690-8403

2006 01 16 3:15 p.m.

Stand Up For Canada!
Conservative
New Democrat Party

Isn't the new Ad-Lib eral policy to bring in REVERSE ONUS another way of saying Guilty until proven innocent?

Yep thats right folks not with standing we will be allowed to have multiple partners.

Twice the fun, twice the allimony, twice the divorce proceedings, twice the dither, on Mr Dithers part.

Apparently it is already going on in exceptional cases where the immigrants have those morals from their original country. Now we will have the same rights or loss of rights depending upon how you look at it.

And Mr Dithers wants to abolish the Not Withstanding clause. HMM I have a parody idea on that one.

Paul Martin said

he supports same sex marriage

He wants to abolish the Not Withstanding clause

Does Paul Martin want to have more than one wife?

Were no making this up he really said this!

To the sound of a B rate porn flick.

I have trouble keeping track of the family trees and relatives now. Can't wait until I have two daughter or son inlaws. Hmm Two mother inlaws I'm against Poligimy just on those grounds could you imagine two mother inlaws see I told I had trouble tracking relatives.

We will have to add whole new verses to the fabled song I am My own GrandPa!

Yep you can smoke pole but you can't smoke dope what are we coming to?

http://www.peatresources.com/

While not what I had in mind or recommended it is a start towards diversification.

It would seem this form of Peat mining is to make something similar to wood pellets used in wood pellet stoves.

Who knows maybe they can excavate the bog in such a manner than the excaated depression could be used for bog farming of Cran berries and such once they are done with the peat?

Or if they were smart they could excavate a pond or lake from the bog then build a seniors complex around the pond lake. Boy talk about your value added land. Buy some bog land excavate the peat moss for sale as peat pellets then turn around and develop a seniors community complex around the lake you just created! They do this all the time in the States big time money makers.

Anyway all the best to Stephenille with this initiative.

Now if the government would just link up Buchans/Badger with Stephenville via the Red Indian lake road Stephenville would have a real fighting chance as well as NL.

OH lets not forget the remaining 5 km separating Bucans from Howley!

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have for the past 50 years exported more per capita to foreign nations than any other province, and so on the economic balance sheet we have contributed more to the nation than any other province.

In past referendum debates, the Quebec separatist party ran advertisements saying that since Quebecers exported more per capita than the Canadian average, they could print their own money, if need be, after separation.

Of course, by that standard, since we export three times more per capita than the Canadian average and three times more per capita than Quebec, then we should be three times more confident we could print our own money if we separated.

I'd be really curious to see what he results from ridings with a high percentage of prisoners would be? IE: Dorchester in NB, Spring Hill in NS, Hope in BC.

Same could be said for ridings with a high percentage of military members? IE, Cold Lake AB, The Island in BC, Halifax NS, Gagetown NB.

Newfoundland and Labrador doesn't need to worry because we don't have a high percentage of either to sway the vote one way or the other. No federal penitentary, two bases one in GAnder and one in Goose bay in name only with literally no troops stationed there.

These musings are obviously about the Conservaties policies to get tough on crime and increase the military back to somewhat the shadow of it once was. 90,000 troops versus 50,000 officers and gentlemen that it is now.

Great write up from straight.com about Newfoundland and Labradors Theatrical stage.

Way to go Mike Duffy! There is some integrety left in the MSM even in the CBC.

Special thanks to proudtobecanadian for capturing this titalizing tid bit.

HAving served this country and basically resigned myself to the reality that if I had to I would give MY LIFE to defend it's citizens. This latest slanderous ad by the LIE berals that Prime Minister Harper would use the military to control and over thropw Canada as if we were a third world country is just dispicable and insulting to the point of treason by a former Prime Minister.

NDP bingo debate that is.

Personally I think Gilles Duceppe won the debate unfortunately he is a separatist. I hope this isn't an omen.

Does anybody remember the Chief Meteorologist coming on the MSM outlets at the start of the election and predicting harsh winter weather for the upcoming election?

HMM it would seem enviorment canada's election weather forcasting is as good as the none existant weather forcasting in Newfoundland and Labrador since the Liberals removed the gander Weather forcasting office.

I must say I found it strange and at best suspect that Enviorment Canada's chief meteorologist would come on the MSM outlets and do some election weather forcasting at worse this particular meteorologist was campaigning for the Liberal party. Because as wel all know a winter election was at first one of the scare tactics being used by the Liberals to try and slander the opposition parties.

What the Liberals forget to mention is the common sense bill for an election that wouldn't span the christmas break by the NDP's which the Liberals refused, all the while knowing that they would be condeming Canadians to an election over the holidays.

AHH but the Liberals even took advantage of a loop hole there. The Liberal party sent their MP's back to work over the holidays to do government work/Electioneering on the tax payers dime and not the Liberal dime. When questioned about the integrity of this policy of using the Canadian Government offices for electioneering during an ongoing election the Liberals say it is totally legal but like all things the Liberals have done.

It might be legal because of a loop hole with it never having happened before but where is the integrity of the Liberal party when they know full well nothing will be accomplished over the holidays for the people but rather it is just a cost saving measure for the Liberal party and shows the Liberal utter contempt for the tax payers dollars and just highlights the inground culture of entitlement the Liberals feel they have for the tax payers dollars!

If you haven’t read it yet, you have to read the funniest blonde joke yet.

This is an update I received on the ongoing Gander Weather Petition. Some great coverage here as of late due to the efforts of a few dedicated people who care deeply about the safety of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Hi! Cathy and Jeannie Happy New Year to you.

My computer was down for the last few days so I did not get all my e-mail.
The media CD that I sent to you had a news clip, the VOCM open line show
that was showing on C Pac all across Canada.
I gave Rogers TV a copy of this last week. They got permission from C Pac
their sister company, Requested me to do an interview which I did Jan 3rd a
seven minute interview, the four minutes of C Pac and then I was interviewed
for five more minutes this will be on Rogers TV all across NL this weekend.
Also Aaron Haynes for the Conservatives was on Rogers Jan4th, talking about
the weather forecasting and federal jobs, Liberal Scott Simms was on Rogers
TV Jan 5th talking about the weather forecasting and the federal jobs he is
now saying on public TV that his party is not looking at twenty jobs on
Gander weather center but more like forty to fifty federal jobs but we do
not have a commitment from the Liberal party. I phoned into to the VOCM
open line show last week and made it clear that we have a strong commitment
in writing from Stephen Harper and Jack Layton. I did state that I would not
vote for any party that does not support the reinstatement of the NL weather
forecasting. After that there were several calls to all three open line
shows on the issue of the weather forecasting and the federal jobs. Several
of the callers stated that Paul Martin and the Liberals were very
disrespectful in not giving our group (Larry, Margie and myself) a meeting
and for those reasons they vote will not be voting Liberal. This issue has
been on CBC, VOCM, Rogers TV, NTV all week, even Premier Danny Williams has
spoken on these issues several times this week on VOCM and NTV. The heat is
on the Liberals and now is the time to turn it up, we need more people to
call into the open line show. I also wrote letters to the editor and sent to
the Beacon and Telegram on this issue only. I did send this information to
Jeannie and you this week but I am not sure if you received it. I will try
my best to keep all of you informed but it is hard to keep up with this and
work too. Pam helped send out the presentation CD Jimmy done and we sent
twenty to Debbie which she hand delivered to the news media and the
politicians. The very next day I got calls from VOCM, CBC and Rogers TV all
said they liked the presentation and wanted interviews. I think you and
Jeannie made a good move on this CD and it is well worth the dollars it
cost. I plan to call all three open line show this week and the week after,
also will write the editor of the Beacon and the Telegram again next week.
Thanks to all for your support.
Patrick

This is a very intersting game into the poll itics of an election. Well worth the 2 minute download of a free trial and if you like it the cost is something like 20$.
I really liked how you could adjust party platform policies with reference to their relation to left or right of center.
You can even play with the americam or british political system. This would be a wonderful way to educate people about the issues and an even better way of getting our youth interested in their country.

Have fun and may the best party and platform for the Nation building win!

No comment I'll let you draw your own conclusions. Very worth while 15 page read.

Doesn't anyone else see a conflict of interest with the CBC reporting on the election?

Pure speculative but lets say the Conservatives wanted to downsize or abolish the CBC do you think the CBC would be doing any favorable reporting on the Conservative party?

IMHO the CBC shouldn't be allowed to report on elections because they are in conflict of interest!

OK maybe they shouldn't be totally disallowed from reporting because there are areas in this country that are only serviced by the CBC but they should only be allowed to rebroadcast other MSM outlets stories. Even then they can pick and choose?
Then there are those poor slobs who can't afford Satellite or Cable like me and are stuck with peasant TV.
Kinda like asking the fox to guard the hen house, asking the CBC to cover which party will support its funding is what it amounts to.

Pure gold here LOL. Read the entire article it's worth it! Lots of your number one with me of the camera.

Unofficially, Paul Martin's speech writer, Scott Feschuk, has revealed the prime minister's "Top 10 Resolutions for 2006" in his blog on the Liberal party website, as follows:

10. Publish my sonnets.

9. Use Canada's international reputation as a peacemaker to permanently reunite Pink Floyd.

8. Replace cliched old phrase "very, very" with dynamic new phrase "very, very, very."

7. No diet. Just South Beach.

6. "Hello, PMO switchboard? Put me through to Naomi Watts."

5. Work with provinces to pass a constitutional amendment requiring each senator to dress like their favourite Osmond.

4. Remember to change the wood shavings on the bottom of Feschuk's cage.

3. Set aside $6 million from the next federal budget - build bionic man.

2. Maybe infer from the gleam of rage in my sons' eyes that I should stop speaking out publicly about how desperately Sheila and I want a grandchild?

And the prime minister's No. 1 resolution for 2006:

1. Surround myself with a whole new bunch of idiots.

These are just the highlights if you will, each request comes with a clarification statement and can be read in it's entirety by clicking on the link. It is only 4 pages long so isn't a long read.

Fisheries

Does your party support providing an early retirement program on a
70/30 Federal/Provincial cost-shared basis for workers impacted by
changes to the industry?

Does your party support this request for a Northern shrimp
allocation?

Will your party support imposing custodial management on the
continental shelf immediately outside Canada’s 200-mile exclusive
economic zone to preserve fish stocks from unsustainable
harvesting practices?

Does your party support the province’s view that recovery of cod
stocks is best achieved through the implementation of the Canada-
Newfoundland and Labrador Cod Recovery Strategy, and not
through the listing of cod as a species at risk of extinction under the
federal Species at Risk Act?

Does your party support the development of a comprehensive
Aquaculture Framework Agreement, including the provision of
financial support for the establishment of a cod aquaculture
demonstration farm?

Energy

Does your party support efforts to develop the hydro-power
resources of the Lower Churchill River System for the primary
benefit of Newfoundland and Labrador, including the provision of a
Federal Government guarantee to proceed with the project?

Does your party support the transfer or sale of the Federal
Government's share in Hibernia to the province of Newfoundland
and Labrador provided the Federal Government is kept whole on
their expected return at the time of their initial investment?

Federal Presence

Does your party support immediate efforts to significantly increase
the Federal Government’s presence in the province, commencing
with the immediate restoration of forecasting services at the Gander
Weather Office?

Equalization

Does your party support these reforms to the equalization program?

Labrador

Does your party support a Federal-Provincial cost-shared agreement
to complete the TLH?

Is your party committed to both maintaining a foreign military
training program at 5 Wing Goose Bay and utilizing the Base for
regular Canadian Forces training activity by designating an
operational requirement for it? Further, is your party committed to
building a substantive and meaningful federal presence in Goose
Bay, as part of a broader economic diversification effort, to
compensate for an expected decrease in military activity?

Does your party support establishing a reserve at Sheshatshiu by
June 30, 2006?

Marine Atlantic

The periodic threats from labour disruptions and the cost of the service have
proven to be serious impediments to the economy, as these factors affect
commerce, tourism and the traveling public. Immediate action is required of the
Federal Government to:

1. Take the appropriate legislative action to ensure that there is no
cessation to the MAI service to Newfoundland and Labrador, in
conformity with Term 32(1) of the Terms of Union of
Newfoundland and Labrador with Canada.

2. Require MAI to implement a one – time rate reduction of 15% in
2006.
Both of these actions are consistent with recommendations of the Minister of
Transport’s Advisory Committee on Marine Atlantic contained in the Committee’s
Strategy for the Future of MAI.

Does your party support these actions?

Economic Development & Infrastructure

Does your party support the Federal Government entering into
bilateral, cost-shared agreements to address economic development
and infrastructure priorities in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Does your party support ensuring provincial facilities, such as the
Marystown Shipyard and Bull Arm Fabrication Site, benefit from
federal shipbuilding and repair contracts to help transform this
sector’s capacity to the mutual advantage of Canada and
Newfoundland and Labrador?

The province, through its Waste Management Strategy, has set an objective
of 50% waste reduction, and the implementation of modern waste management
by 2010. The total cost to meet this objective is approximately $200 million. The
project comprises three elements: (i) elimination of teepee incinerators; (ii)
consolidation of waste management sites; and (iii) developing modern waste
management systems for the entire province. This project will assist Canada in
meeting its Kyoto commitments, as the reduction of waste and increased
recycling of organic products will yield reductions in methane emissions (a
powerful greenhouse gas).

Does your party support the Federal Government cost-sharing the
above project?

Apparently to date no party leader has replied to the Premiers letter?

Great NL links and you get to vote on which one you think is the best.

I recommend.
http://www.freenewfoundlandlabrador.blogspot.com/
http://tablemountains.blogspot.com/
http://www.ourlabrador.ca/

How are we ever expected to get ahead when our economy only operates 8 months of the year?

I say if a fixed link isn't feasible the least we can do is get some hover crafts to keep the link between NFLD and LAbrador open all year round with hover craft ferries!

Check for yourself the ferry service to Labrador shuts down during the winter months.
http://www.marine-atlantic.ca/
Here is the recent Marine atlantic report.
http://www.tc.gc.ca/pol/en/Report/tp14369/tp14369.pdf

the recently announced CPC plan to build three ice breakers could also very well help to keep lines of communication and traffic open between NFLD and Canada.

Update: 2006 Seasonal Ferry schedules.
A copy of the schedule for the MV Sir Robert Bond is available at:
http://www.gov.nl.ca/FerryServices/schedules/I-goosebay-cartwright.stm

A copy of the schedule for the MV Northern Ranger is available at:
http://www.gov.nl.ca/FerryServices/schedules/H-goosebay-nain.stm

A copy of the schedule for the MV Apollo is available at:
http://www.gov.nl.ca/FerryServices/schedules/J-apollo.stm

A copy of the schedule for the Norman Bay/Williams Harbour Service is available at:
http://www.gov.nl.ca/FerryServices/schedules/G-charlottetown-porthopesimpson.stm

Just thought i would take a moment to highlight the NDP's policy on Demcratic Reform. Mainly due to their policy to create aboriginal seats in Parliament!


The NDP proposes a referendum on whether to change the voting system to one based on proportional representation, which would give parties seats based on based on the percentage of votes they receive
Abolish the Senate

Create aboriginal seats in Parliament

Lower the voting age to 16
Create an independent ethics counsellor, toughen up conflict-of-interest guidelines and crack down on expense accounts
Implement a Parliamentary review of senior appointments to bodies such as Crown corporations, agencies and boards
Have "third parties" report publicly on the funds they received for election campaigns and advertising
Crack down on unaccountable election slush funds
Enact whistleblower laws to protect civil servants
Improve federal, provincial and territorial relationships through the Council of the Federation
Ensure Parliament votes before committing troops overseas
Establish an independent commissioner who monitors federal departments’ compliance to all policies for persons with disabilities and who advises about the effects of pending legislation on persons with disabilities

Other party policies can be seen and compared here.
http://www.ctv.ca/mini/election2006/static/issues/

What better place to buil a jail than on and island on an Island?

Since the Jail on the shores of Quidi Vidi has come under alot of scrutiny as of late with its age, size, and general state of disrepair and lack of facilities. I couldn't think of a better place to build a new one than on Belle Isle.

Or maybe the wilds of Labrador like 5 wing Happy Valley goose Bay the infrastructure is already there it just needs to be updated and turned into a jail. Where are you going to run in central Labrador if you escape?

When are people going to start wising up to the Liberals strategy of stealing any and all ideas that belong to the other parties.
They can steal them all they want but who is going to actually follow through with any ideas taken from another party? Maybe thats why Mr Dithers has his name because his party hasn't had a new idea since Trudeau and as such don't have the true conviction to follow through with implementation the same as if it were their own idea.
If you like the Liberals plagerized policies why not vote for the party who will have the true conviction to implement them and not the Liberal will nilly dithers party.
Why doesn't Martin just admit that his party wasted 2,000,000,000$ 2 billion of your hard earned money to stop Ducks Unlimited!

Martin backs effort to keep gun-crime suspects in jail; race tightens
http://www.cknw.com/news/news.cfm?dir=national&file=n123127A&n=1

Last count 130,000 names!


http://www.gandercanada.com/petition.htm
Printable version to be dropped of at any municipal office.
http://www.petitiononline.com/NLPSC/petition.html

N.L. has good prospects in '06, but province's premier talking tough

The premier said as owner of the resource, Newfoundland and Labrador is seeking a financial stake in the project unless the companies agree to build a refinery in the province or hand over higher royalties.

Dear Mr Harper

I'm afraid you are sadly mistaken with this comment.

"Canada's military capacity in this region has been allowed to age and deteriorate," he said. "British Columbia, which is in an earthquake zone, is now the only region of the country without a regular army presence."

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20051228.wxliberals1228/BNStory/Front

Correct me if I'm wrong but the last time I looked and tried to get a posting in NL there weren't any postings for regular army personnell in NL?

Actually the only military presence in NL is the Foreign air force trainiing base at 5 Wing Goose Bay with little or no Canadian military presence.

Actually BC has several bases that I know of Comox, Esquimault, and Nanimo while not regular army bases it is better than nothing which is what NL has.

I don't think we even have the Northern Rangers or Northern Ranger Militia/Cadets in NL, I may be wrong here? Don't get me wrong I was posted at Chilliwack and thought it was a great posting that should never have been eliminated and would love to see it reinstated.

The way I see it NL lost out on the military base assignments because we only joined Canada after the II World War and all of the military bases were already well established in Canada and not in NL.

Please enlighten Mr Harper as to this error in his campaign speeches and policy's.

Harper.S@parl.gc.ca

Sincerely