From the Memory Hole, episode infinity at this point

From a front-page report in the St. John's Telegram of August 15, 2009.

In light of certain other recent developments, it's almost as if there was a pattern or something.

Briefings only oral for OramNo paper trail outlining issues in Health department
Rob Antle

It has a budget of $2.6 billion and is responsible for ensuring the well-being of more than half a million residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, but the Department of Health and Community Services says it does not have a single scrap of paper or e-mail provided to brief incoming minister Paul Oram about his new job. 

The Telegram made a request under provincial access to information laws for any briefing materials provided to, or prepared for, Oram.

The request included paper and electronic records.

The response? Nothing. 

Oram said in an interview he prefers verbal briefings. 

"I didn't ask for any briefing notes," the minister said. "To tell you the truth, I don't get much out of briefing notes. I get more out of people sitting and talking to me about what we've got to do."

From the Memory Hole, XI

The ever-astute Bill Thomas notes on the twitters:

Bill ‏@BillThomas_NL

Funny I can't seem to find a copy of either of these reports anywhere. They used to be on MF web @edhollett http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2012/nr/1101n01.htm … #nlpoli

2:28 PM - 28 Jun 2016

At some point in recent history, The Most Open And Accountable Government Ever (TMOAAGE), a Nalcor subsidiary, saw to it to bit-bucket the entire contents of the former powerinourhands.ca rah-rah website, including the two reports referred to in the tweeted link. These were an in-house one by the Department of Natural Resources entitled "Labrador mining and power: how much and where from?", and a report by Our Dear Economist, commissioned for the same department, entitled "Economic Impact Analysis of Iron Ore Mining Industry in Labrador 2011-31".

Here's what you get when you follow a fossilized link to that formerly-active content:

Obviously, TMOAAGE, the government which produced the information-improving Bill 29, and gave Steve Kent the job of opening all of the government, must have removed these files from the internets by mistake.

So here they are, in case you missed them the first time around.

Economic Analysis

Labrador Mining

Blast from the past (I)

From the proceedings of the Bow-Wow Parliament on May 8, 2012, the wisdom of former Kilbride MHA John Dinn:


MR. DINN: One of our members mentioned today, the Member for St. John's South, that we are saving about $250 million a year now in interest payments on our debt.


Over the last several months, I have been keeping an eye on what is going on in the rest of the world. I have been watching the economies in Europe and in the States. If you look at what is going on in Europe for example, countries in Europe have overspent for decades. They are now reaching a point where they are having very, very serious trouble.


I think it was only this past weekend in Greece they had an election. They could not even establish a government; they have to have another election. There are very serious problems in Greece. I can remember this past February watching TV and they were rioting in the streets of Greece because they were in a position where they had to get bailed out. They were in debt so much that they could not afford to go on any more.


In order to get bailout money, Germany and France and some of other banking agencies of the world said that Greece had to curtail their spending. They ended up laying off 15,000 public service workers and had to cut a lot of the programs that they had brought in the past. The people were very upset over that in Greece, they did not agree with it and they thought they should keep spending, spending, spending and spending, but it could not happen.


I saw a man on TV one night; he was a diplomat from Britain. He was interviewed on one of the American stations. He said that there has been very, very few private sector jobs created in Britain in the last eight or nine years. The reason he said that is because so many entitlements have been brought in for British people over the last number of years that people who own businesses will not hire them any more. If they have a store, they would rather close the store up for two or three days a week than hire extra people. He said if you hire them, you have to pay them all kinds of benefits, pay for all kinds of holidays, child care, daycare, all kinds of stuff. He said if you hire them, it is almost like you own them and their families, so they do not hire any more.


I was reading in the paper the other day that Spain is having a terrible time. Unemployment in Spain is 24.4 per cent. Youth employment, people who are under twenty-five years old, the employment rate for them is 52 per cent in Spain. Spain has to take a lot of drastic measures. Their economy is shrinking. They now see that taxes have to rise and wages are going to drop.


Anyway what is going on in Europe, I mentioned Greece, Britain, Ireland, Portugal, and Italy have all had their troubles. What they are doing, they have taken a fiscal path that is directly opposite of what we are doing. They are not paying down debt; they are accumulating debt. They are not looking at what is going on in the future. They brought in programs not even considering that they had to be sustainable sometime. One of the foundations of our economy, of the fiscal path we have put ourselves on, is sustainability. We do not want to bring in stuff that we cannot forward. We do not want to bring in programs that in two or three years' time, if the revenues drop, we are going to have to cut them out. It is better to take an opportunity to take your time and analyze them. Just because you are flush with cash now, does not mean that you should spend, spend, and spend.


One of the most interesting things that I see happening is what is happening in the United States. We talk about going in debt in Newfoundland – people are concerned about it – going in debt in Canada. Do you realize that the United States of America are going in debt $4 billion a day. Every man, woman, and child in the United States owes $46,000, and that is going up from $13 to $15 a day, every day. What they have done, they are spending without any control. They are putting themselves in a position where they too are going to have difficult times ahead. I think, as a government, we are on a path, economically, that is quite the opposite of the direction that these countries are going in.
We have heard in the House in the last few days about all-day kindergarten, universal child care, universal home care, and affordable housing. I can say this to you: This government, and no government, can provide the level of affordable housing for people in the future – nobody. You cannot expect governments to pick up the tab for housing. It cannot be done. If you do, you are going to have very, very few years of success. We have to take our time and make decisions that are sensible and sustainable.


One of the things we can say that is kind of traditional for Newfoundland is that we are hard workers. I can remember, for years, Newfoundlanders were known as hard workers. We cannot, Mr. Speaker, expect to get a share of the pie without working for it.


MR. SPEAKER: Order, please!


I remind the member his time for speaking has expired.


MR. DINN: I do not need too much leave, anyway. I am just about finished. I do not have time to go into Muskrat Falls.

Kentergarten

Urges

From the memory hole... thirteen years ago today.





Opposition resolution urges Premier to call an election
ST. JOHN'S, May 16, 2001 — Following is the Private Member's Resolution put forward in the House of Assembly today by Opposition Leader Ed Byrne. Government members voted down the resolution.

WHEREAS the current Premier ascended to that post by being elected leader of his Party on February 3, 2001 by 638 delegates to his Party's leadership convention;

AND WHEREAS it is reasonable and proper to demand that a new Premier overseeing a new administration, unless merely filling a caretaker role in continuation of the mandate of his predecessor, should move swiftly to seek a new mandate directly from the people, whom the Premier presumes to govern;

AND WHEREAS on every other occasion in this province when there has been a change in leadership of the governing Party, a general election has followed within 100 days;^*

AND WHEREAS the current Premier, during the first 100 days of his administration, has stated and demonstrated his desire to take his administration in policy directions that deviate significantly from those of his predecessor;

AND WHEREAS on the bulk water export issue in particular, the current Premier has stated publicly he now prefers to pursue a policy that defies not only the policy but indeed the legislation that was drafted, passed unanimously and enacted under the administration of his predecessor, with the current Premier's support at the time, and that is now the law of the province;

AND WHEREAS on the Voisey's Bay development issue in particular, the current Premier has articulated a position on the export of nickel ore prior to finished processing that explicitly defies the position that was published and provided to voters in the Liberal Party's 1999 election ‘red book', on the basis of which the voters of the province gave the current Premier's predecessor his mandate;

AND WHEREAS at least two prominent Members of the Cabinet of the current Premier's predecessor have, publicly and repeatedly, expressed grave concern and opposition with respect to the approach of the current Premier on the Voisey's Bay development issue;

AND WHEREAS the current Premier has stated in this House that he is willing to sign a binding contract on Voisey's Bay development without first bringing it directly to the people of the province and their elected representatives in the House of Assembly for scrutiny and approval, thereby shackling the people of the province to a deal on which they have had no input;

AND WHEREAS the current Premier has failed to articulate a strategic plan for the province's fishing industry as a principal means of fostering the economic development that rural Newfoundland and Labrador desperately needs;

AND WHEREAS numerous other significant public policy issues with enormous long-term implications for Newfoundland and Labrador and its people – including energy supply, Churchill Falls development, oil and gas development, forest management, infrastructure management, federal-provincial agreements and others – are now before the provincial government for decisions, yet the people of the province have been given no clear articulation and no direct opportunity to approve or disapprove of the direction the current Premier intends to take on these vital issues;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this Honourable House urge the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador to promptly ask His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor to dissolve the General Assembly and to issue a writ of general election.

- 30 -

For more information:
Ed Byrne, MHA Kilbride
(709) 729-XXXX

* Note: In this province, there have been four changes of leadership in a governing party. In the case of three of those, a general election followed within 100 days. Brian Peckford succeeded Frank Moores as Party Leader on March 17, 1979 and as Premier on March 26, 1979, and a general election was held on June 18, 1979. Tom Rideout succeeded Brian Peckford as Party Leader on March 11, 1989 and as Premier on March 22, 1989, and a general election was held April 20, 1989. Brian Tobin succeeded Clyde Wells as Party Leader on January 17, 1996 and as Premier on January 26, 1996, and a general election was held on February 22, 1996. Roger Grimes succeeded Brian Tobin as Party Leader on February 3, 2001 and as Premier on February 13, 2001.

Private to Sandy Collins and Paul Oram

For the benefit of both the VOCM newsroom, and the Terra Nova cell of the Lone Gunmen, here is the full text of three write-thrus of VOCM's story today on the provgov Wabush announcement, complete with Dwight Ball paraphrase:

Premier in Wabush for Third Transmission Line Announcment

Thursday , February 13 2014 | 9:28:20 AM

 

Premier Tom Marshall is optimistic about what the future may hold for Wabush. With the idling of the Scully mine, the town has lost its main employer with 400 people having lost their jobs.

The Premier is in Wabush today, joined by Natural Resources Minister Derrick Dalley and Labrador Affairs Minister and area MHA Nick McGrath for a series of meetings with the town and union to discuss ways the province can help. Marshall wouldn't get into specifics about exactly what the government would consider, but says all options are on the table. Marshall says the first thing is to meet with the stakeholders. Given these are workers with specific skills, he says it is important they are aware of other projects going on in this province and programs available to them to help get them back on their feet.

While Wabush sits idle, another company is pushing government for power to open. Development of the Kami Iron Ore Mine is being held up according to Alderon because there's not enough power available in Lab West. VOCM's Danielle Barron reports.

Sources tell VOCM News an announcement regarding the third transmission line between Churchill Falls and Lab West will be made this afternoon. Alderon Executive Chair Mark Morabito indicated on Twitter that even with the idling at Wabush Mines there isn't enough power to sustain Kami so a third transmission line is still needed. Morabito boasted that Kami has the potential to replace all of the jobs lost at Scully. Negotiations have been ongoing for some time now between government and Alderon on a third transmission line. Premier Tom Marshall would only say yesterday that a decision was imminent.

Marshall says everyone is aware of the power needs of the region and he will be discussing the issue with stakeholders and the community.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Dwight Ball says government needs to be working with the community and the union to ease the adjustment period. He says government's top priority should be protecting the future of Wabush Mines, rather than focussing on a third transmission line for Alderon.

He says we have core assets including ore in the ground and a skilled work force. He says power is part of that asset, so future developments requiring power should not be the focus at this time.

NDP Leader Lorraine Michael says the workers laid off from Wabush Mines need to be sure their futures are secured. The union is hoping to meet with government and the company to try to work out an early retirement program to help families through a very tough time. Michael says the circumstances in Labrador West are such that appropriate assistance will be needed.

A news conference to discuss mining developments in Lab West is scheduled for 2 p.m. (Atlantic Time). VOCM News will be there to bring you the news first.

 

 

Premier Announces Third Transmission Line for Labrador West

Thursday , February 13 2014 | 3:04:42 PM

Premier Tom Marshall has confirmed that an agreement has been reached for a third transmission line to Labrador West. The premier, joined by Natural Resources Minister Derek Dalley and area MHA Nick McGrath made the announcement just a few moments ago in Wabush. Marshall says the role of government is to provide support to the industry. He also say governmen will do what it can to help the people of Wabush affected by the closure of the mine. He says over the next few weeks, labour market resources will be provided in the town.

The Premier is in Wabush today, joined by Natural Resources Minister Derrick Dalley and Labrador Affairs Minister and area MHA Nick McGrath for a series of meetings with the town and union to discuss ways the province can help. Marshall wouldn't get into specifics about exactly what the government would consider, but says all options are on the table. Marshall says the first thing is to meet with the stakeholders. Given these are workers with specific skills, he says it is important they are aware of other projects going on in this province and programs available to them to help get them back on their feet.

While Wabush sits idle, another company is pushing government for power to open. Development of the Kami Iron Ore Mine is being held up according to Alderon because there's not enough power available in Lab West. VOCM's Danielle Barron reports.

Sources tell VOCM News an announcement regarding the third transmission line between Churchill Falls and Lab West will be made this afternoon. Alderon Executive Chair Mark Morabito indicated on Twitter that even with the idling at Wabush Mines there isn't enough power to sustain Kami so a third transmission line is still needed. Morabito boasted that Kami has the potential to replace all of the jobs lost at Scully. Negotiations have been ongoing for some time now between government and Alderon on a third transmission line. Premier Tom Marshall would only say yesterday that a decision was imminent.

Marshall says everyone is aware of the power needs of the region and he will be discussing the issue with stakeholders and the community.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Dwight Ball says government needs to be working with the community and the union to ease the adjustment period. He says government's top priority should be protecting the future of Wabush Mines, rather than focussing on a third transmission line for Alderon.

He says we have core assets including ore in the ground and a skilled work force. He says power is part of that asset, so future developments requiring power should not be the focus at this time.

NDP Leader Lorraine Michael says the workers laid off from Wabush Mines need to be sure their futures are secured. The union is hoping to meet with government and the company to try to work out an early retirement program to help families through a very tough time. Michael says the circumstances in Labrador West are such that appropriate assistance will be needed.

A news conference to discuss mining developments in Lab West is scheduled for 2 p.m. (Atlantic Time). VOCM News will be there to bring you the news first. 

 

 

Third Transmission Line to Labrador West Announced

Thursday , February 13 2014 | 4:39:42 PM

Premier Tom Marshall has confirmed that an agreement has been reached to bring additional power to Lab West through a third transmission line from Churchill Falls. It comes on the heels of the decision by Cliffs this week to idle the Scully mine. As VOCM's Danielle Barron reports, the power deal was finalized just last night.

The 165 m/Wh line will take about two years to construct at an estimated cost of $300-million. It will be up to Newfoundland Hydro as to when construction will begin, but the province has asked the utility to expedite the process. The cost of the line will be bore by those who use it, in this case a combination of industry and residents.

The Public Utilities Board will set power rates and allocation, but Marshall says the planning and design of the line is exempt from PUB review. Marshall says the PUB regulates rates and protects consumers.

Alderon, the company who had been pushing for extra transmission for its Kami Iron Ore project is expected to start construction as early as mid-summer, with an estimated 2,300 jobs at peak and a workforce of 650 once operational.

The fall out from the shutdown of Wabush Mines has far-reaching effects. Not only are 400 employees without work, the town has lost its major employer and small businesses now worry what the closure will mean for their operations. Roger Enault owns four of six hotels in the region, including the Wabush Hotel. He's been operating in the town for some 26 years. Enault says while he doesn't suspect to feel the pinch in terms of occupancy, he says the closure will affect the bottom line of the dining room.

Every day he says the hotel restaurant serves 500 customers, Enault estimates at least 100 of them are workers at Wabush Mines.

Bob Cole runs three restaurants and bars in the Wabush region including Stanley's. He's been doing business in the town for 10 years. The closure of Scully, meant the loss of a contract for Cole, who use to provide meals for workers doing overtime. While it's a big loss, he says he's not going to lie down and die over it.

Cole says he's confident other projects will help prop-up the loss of Scully. He says Labrador people are resilient and while this loss is significant they will survive.

The provincial government will be providing labour market resources to the town and those affected in the coming weeks. Premier Tom Marshall had meetings today with the Steelworkers Union, and members of the town council to discuss ways government can help. The union has suggested an early retirement package for those eligible, an option that is being considered according to the Premier.

Marshall says through the department of advanced Education and Skills a full range of individualized training and transition support programs will be offerred in the weeks to come. Things like career counselling, resume writing workshops and help with interviewing skills.

All just a little bit o' history repeating

From the Memory Hole, a March 14, 1987 CP wire report on the leadership thrubbles of a Newfoundland and Labrador opposition party.

ST. JOHN'S, Nfld. (CP) - Four months after he won 98 per cent of his Newfoundland Liberal party's support at a leadership review, Leo Barry is facing another challenge - from within his own caucus.
In what Barry himself described as a coup, virtually the entire caucus has demanded his resignation. Barry, a former Conservative cabinet minister, says he will take the weekend to decide his political future.
Government officials said if he doesn't resign, as many as three Liberals are ready to bolt from the opposition benches. Barry said at least one has been offered a cabinet post.
There are 35 Conservatives, 15 Liberals and two New Democrats in the 52-seat legislature.
The demand for his resignation came in a letter handed to Barry after he returned from Boston Thursday night.
Yesterday, all but one of Barry's Liberal colleagues - Eugene Hiscock - issued a joint statement that they "have identified certain concerns" they conveyed during a 3 1/2-hour caucus meeting and "the only adequate way to clear the air is to convene a leadership convention at the earliest possible date."
Monday is St. Patrick's Day, a holiday in Newfoundland. Barry said he will hold a news conference Tuesday morning to announce his decision.
The party's constitution does not require a leadership convention unless Barry resigns.

From the MemoryHole, X

From the long-since bit-bucketted opposition-era PC Party web site:
 

Ross Wiseman resigns from the Liberal Caucus,
accepts invitation to join the PC Caucus
CLARENVILLE, September 7, 2001 — Trinity North MHA Ross Wiseman issued a statement at a news conference at 10:00 a.m. today at St. Jude Hotel in Clarenville.The following text may vary from the delivered version.

Today I have written Premier Roger Grimes and advised him I am resigning from the Liberal Caucus and have been invited to sit as a Member of the P.C. Caucus in the House of Assembly. This is not a decision made in haste nor was it an easy decision. My message today is for the residents of Trinity North.

On April 25th, 2000 you elected me to represent you in the House of Assembly. At that time I made a personal commitment to:

• be available to constituents;
• be responsive to the district; and
• be a strong voice for the interest of the district.

I have worked extremely hard to honour these commitments; I have made the interest of my constituents my #1 priority. I will continue to speak out on your behalf.

It is because of my concern for the district and for the entire province that I can no longer support the Liberal Government. The people of Trinity North and the rest of Newfoundland and Labrador deserve a government that has a vision for the future and a plan of action to ensure the prosperity of all regions of the province, especially rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

Our province is in desperate need of: strong leadership, improvements in our health system, greater benefits from our oil, gas and mineral resources, better management of our fishery, greater financial accountability and fiscally responsible spending. We also need a government that will insist on negotiating better financial arrangements with the Government of Canada. I have lost complete confidence in the current government's ability to lead us into the future; they do not have a plan but rather are reacting to issues as they arise. We need an action not a reaction oriented government. The actions that a Government take should be based on a plan and that plan should reflect a vision for the future. This vision is formed by understanding the potential for our Province and our people and understanding the issues that are important to our Province.

I am especially concerned about the approach the current government has taken with respect to Voisey's Bay. The political parties and people of the province had reached a strong consensus on Voisey's Bay development. We had drawn a line in the sand saying, on this resource, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians would be the principal beneficiaries. The government was elected in 1999 on a mandate that no Voisey's Bay nickel ore would be shipped from the province and that there would be a proven processing facility established in this province. That was still the government's position when I was elected last year. But Mr. Grimes, since becoming Premier, has abandoned that position. I have seen the direction he is taking on Voisey's Bay development and I don't support it.

I am also very concerned about the serious fiscal problems facing our province and the growing expectation that the government will miss its financial target this year by a wide margin. It is becoming increasingly apparent that this year's budget rests on very shaky ground, and that worries me greatly.

I am afraid for the future of our district, particularly our smaller communities. While the current government jumps aimlessly from issue to issue, Danny Williams has a vision for a strong, more prosperous Newfoundland and Labrador and he has the strength and the leadership skills to make that vision a reality. I am convinced that the people of Trinity North will be better served by his vision and his plan. My decision to join his team is intended to send a strong message to this government and to the people of the province. I have lost confidence in this government's ability to deal with the critical issues that face our people and it is time to go to the people of the province and ask them to choose who they feel is better prepared to represent us on the many critical issues facing our province.

Many people throughout my district share my concerns and my frustrations with the current government. I will be seeking the nomination for the PC Party in the next election whenever it is held, and I will be asking for the support of Progressive Conservatives as well as those who stood by me in the last election as we fight for the best interest of Trinity North and of Newfoundland and Labrador.

- 30 -

For more information:
Ross Wiseman, MHA Trinity North
(709) 729-3391

Nickel back

From the Memory Hole:
Williams asks for public input before vote on Voisey's Bay  ST. JOHN'S, June 6, 2002 — Danny Williams, Leader of the Opposition and MHA for Humber West, is asking for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador to be fully briefed on the terms of a deal on Voisey's Bay before MHAs vote on the deal in the House of Assembly. "The people of Newfoundland and Labrador have made it abundantly clear that they want to see any tentative agreement concerning the development of Voisey's Bay before it is signed and becomes legally binding. They most certainly want to see the deal before a ratification vote occurs in the House of Assembly," Williams said in a news conference. "I have written the Premier and asked him to ensure that the public will have direct access to the terms of the deal before it is signed and voted on in the House of Assembly so that they can express their concerns to their member and provide instruction as to how their member should vote. In a democracy that is based upon elected representation, it is imperative that members consider the wishes of the people they represent in casting their vote in the legislature. "The Premier, the Minister of Mines and Energy and Inco have all confirmed that a key element of any deal will involve shipping Voisey's ore to Ontario and Manitoba for processing where it will create jobs for Manitobans and Ontarians instead of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. "Our research shows that people have concerns with that. The people fear that once nickel leaves this province, it will never come back, nor will we ever get the jobs that are associated with its processing. They want that nickel to be processed in this province, as was promised by this government in both the 1996 and 1999 elections. Everyone can remember those famous words: not one ounce, not one spoonful of Voisey's Bay nickel will be processed anywhere but in Newfoundland and Labrador. "I encourage every Newfoundlander and Labradorian to ask their member how he or she intends to vote in the House of Assembly. Will their member support the will of the people and vote against this bad deal? Or will their member vote in favour of sending jobs and nickel to Ontario and Manitoba? That's the key issue in this deal."  A copy of the letter follows.

- 30 -

For additional information, please contact:
Brian Crawley
Tel. (709) 729-XXXX

---

Text of the letter to Premier Roger Grimes:  June 6, 2002 Honourable Roger Grimes
Premier
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
8th Floor, East Block
Confederation Building
St. John's, NF  Dear Premier:  The people of Newfoundland and Labrador have made it abundantly clear to the Official Opposition, and no doubt to the Government, that they want to see all the details of any tentative agreement for the development of Voisey's Bay before it is signed and binding on the Province, and before a ratification vote is taken in the Legislature.  In light of the importance of ensuring transparency and accountability in making decisions of this significance, I am recommending that the Government follow the precedent established by the procedure for public consultation and legislative ratification adopted with respect to the Meech Lake Constitutional Accord. As you recall, the Government at the time, having already tabled in the Legislature the proposed agreement in question, implemented the following procedure:

1. adjourned the Legislature for a period of time;
   
2. asked Members of the House of Assembly to "take whatever steps are necessary to consult with their constituents in ensuring the maximum possible level of public participation in this circumstance";
   
3. announced it would "provide for reasonable expenses which will have to be incurred by MHAs in this process, the objective being to ensure the people of this Province have some say in their future"; and
   
4. promised a free vote on the acceptability of the proposed agreement so that "when the vote is taken it will, without a doubt, reflect the decision of the people of our Province".

A development agreement that cannot withstand prior public scrutiny must not be signed.  I look forward to your early response to this recommendation.  Yours sincerely,  DANNY WILLIAMS, Q.C., M.H.A.
Humber West District
Leader of the Opposition c.c. Mr. Jack Harris, Leader of the New Democratic Party

---

Note: The quotations in the letter are from a Ministerial Statement by Premier Clyde Wells on June 11, 1990 in which he announced the consultation and ratification process for the Meech Lake Constitutional Accord.

Eleven Septembers ago

From the memory hole:

Ross Wiseman resigns from the Liberal Caucus, accepts invitation to join the PC Caucus

CLARENVILLE, September 7, 2001 — Trinity North MHA Ross Wiseman issued a statement at a news conference at 10:00 a.m. today at St. Jude Hotel in Clarenville. The following text may vary from the delivered version.

Today I have written Premier Roger Grimes and advised him I am resigning from the Liberal Caucus and have been invited to sit as a Member of the P.C. Caucus in the House of Assembly. This is not a decision made in haste nor was it an easy decision. My message today is for the residents of Trinity North.

On April 25th, 2000 you elected me to represent you in the House of Assembly. At that time I made a personal commitment to:

• be available to constituents;
• be responsive to the district; and
• be a strong voice for the interest of the district.

I have worked extremely hard to honour these commitments; I have made the interest of my constituents my #1 priority. I will continue to speak out on your behalf.

It is because of my concern for the district and for the entire province that I can no longer support the Liberal Government. The people of Trinity North and the rest of Newfoundland and Labrador deserve a government that has a vision for the future and a plan of action to ensure the prosperity of all regions of the province, especially rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

Our province is in desperate need of: strong leadership, improvements in our health system, greater benefits from our oil, gas and mineral resources, better management of our fishery, greater financial accountability and fiscally responsible spending. We also need a government that will insist on negotiating better financial arrangements with the Government of Canada. I have lost complete confidence in the current government's ability to lead us into the future; they do not have a plan but rather are reacting to issues as they arise. We need an action not a reaction oriented government. The actions that a Government take should be based on a plan and that plan should reflect a vision for the future. This vision is formed by understanding the potential for our Province and our people and understanding the issues that are important to our Province.

I am especially concerned about the approach the current government has taken with respect to Voisey's Bay. The political parties and people of the province had reached a strong consensus on Voisey's Bay development. We had drawn a line in the sand saying, on this resource, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians would be the principal beneficiaries. The government was elected in 1999 on a mandate that no Voisey's Bay nickel ore would be shipped from the province and that there would be a proven processing facility established in this province. That was still the government's position when I was elected last year. But Mr. Grimes, since becoming Premier, has abandoned that position. I have seen the direction he is taking on Voisey's Bay development and I don't support it.

I am also very concerned about the serious fiscal problems facing our province and the growing expectation that the government will miss its financial target this year by a wide margin. It is becoming increasingly apparent that this year's budget rests on very shaky ground, and that worries me greatly.

I am afraid for the future of our district, particularly our smaller communities. While the current government jumps aimlessly from issue to issue, Danny Williams has a vision for a strong, more prosperous Newfoundland and Labrador and he has the strength and the leadership skills to make that vision a reality. I am convinced that the people of Trinity North will be better served by his vision and his plan. My decision to join his team is intended to send a strong message to this government and to the people of the province. I have lost confidence in this government's ability to deal with the critical issues that face our people and it is time to go to the people of the province and ask them to choose who they feel is better prepared to represent us on the many critical issues facing our province.

Many people throughout my district share my concerns and my frustrations with the current government. I will be seeking the nomination for the PC Party in the next election whenever it is held, and I will be asking for the support of Progressive Conservatives as well as those who stood by me in the last election as we fight for the best interest of Trinity North and of Newfoundland and Labrador.

- 30 -

For more information:
Ross Wiseman, MHA Trinity North
(709) 729-XXXX

Step three: profit!

Just in time for Titanic Week, a couple of articles from Ye Olde Memory Hole. And no, this was far from the craziest idea in Newfoundland history, or even in the Peckford era.

First, from a CP wire story which appeared in the May 21, 1981 edition of the Ottawa Citizen:

Peckford eyeing Titanic

ST. JOHN'S, Nfld. (CP) Newfoundland Premier Brian Peckford, who has already laid claim to offshore oil and gas resources, is now eyeing the remains of the Titanic, which lie far down on the ocean floor somewhere on the Grand Banks.

Peckford apparently thinks the Titanic, which sank when it hit an iceberg off Newfoundland on April 14, 1912, with the loss of nearly 1,600 lives, could be a tourist attraction if plans to refloat the vessel ever succeed.

The matter was brought up during the legislature's question period Tuesday by Steve Neary (L - La Poile).

Is the Newfoundland government going to lay claim to this valuable tourist resource?" Neary asked the premier.

Peckford quickly replied the government is carrying out research on the matter.

"(The government) intends to make sure of every single possibility of development we can get our hands on. We will never overlook the Titanic nor every last microscopic opportunity for the benefit of Newfoundland and Labrador," Peckford said.

And wire copy from the July 15, 1981 edition of the Montreal Gazette:

Nfld. wants share of 'Titanic' riches

St. John's – Newfoundland Premier Brian Peckford said yesterday his government wants to "work something out" with explorers seeking the Titanic to decide who can claim the fortune in gold and jewels believed to be aboard the sunken luxury liner.

A group of American adventurers, headed by Texas oilman Jack Grimm, dropped underwater cameras into the frigid north Atlantic yesterday to determine whether a 500-ton metal fragment lying on the ocean floor might be part of the sunken ship, lost since 1912.

While explorers have been searching off the Newfoundland coast, Peckford said, his government has decided the province, too, has some claim to the vessel.

Peckford said the explorers would have a legitimate claim on the ship if they successfully discovered it, "but in the legal constitutional context, we do have some claim as well."

"We will allow those people, who have all the interest and all that money, to raise the vessel, and then we'll sit down with them and work out some arrangement for its use and for the wealth that may come from it."

Sound familiar?

Another blast from the past, this time the Globe and Mail of August 23, 1969:

On the importance of debate (I)

A blast from the ever-more-distant past.

What ever became of that nice Mr. Ottenheimer, anyway?

* * *

Any Lower Churchill deal must be publicly debated prior to signing

ST. JOHN'S, February 18, 2000 — Opposition Mines and Energy critic John Ottenheimer says if the province is close to a deal with Québec on developing the Lower Churchill River's hydro potential, then it's time many questions were addressed.

Ottenheimer said it is of the utmost importance the public see what's in any agreement with Québec before the deal is signed. "Let's not repeat the Upper Churchill fiasco where our people were left in the dark only to discover the agreement was to the detriment of this province," he said. "Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have been promised updates since the premiers of this province and Québec announced a framework for negotiations to develop the Lower Churchill in March 1998."

"It's almost two years later and we're still hearing a memorandum of understanding to proceed with the Lower Churchill development is close, possibly within weeks. It's time the premier stopped the charade and made some concrete statements and answered the many unanswered questions that rest in the minds of people in this province."

Ottenheimer said before any deal is signed, the province's people need to know about: the status of river diversion; development at Gull Island; potential development of Muskrat Falls; and if the development of a transmission line between Labrador and the Island portion of the province is a part of the deal.

"The province's chief negotiator and the premier have made it clear that the transmission line is an important component - an essential condition - in signing a memorandum of understanding with Québec to develop the Lower Churchill," Ottenheimer said. "The premier appears, however, to be softening on the transmission line commitment by trying to switch the public's attention over to a pipeline dream, specifically the construction of a natural gas pipeline to our province from offshore oil fields."

Ottenheimer said if the province has a moral conscience and is sincere about not repeating the Upper Churchill contract, then it will take any potential deal with Québec before the House of Assembly for debate to ensure full transparency. "It would also be wise for the province to hold public hearings and update the people on any deal before it's signed," he said.

- 30 -

For more information:
John Ottenheimer, MHA St. John's East
(709) 729-XXXX

Exit Hickey

And so John Hickey rides off into the sunset, having, along with Danny Williams, achieved everything he ever wanted on the Lower Churchill file when he embarked on his provincial political career a decade ago.

Well done, true and faithful servant of The People. Well done!

The more things change

An 1894 wire story:

CONGRATULATING THEMSELVES

The Newfoundland Government Formally Take Credit for the Way They Have Fixed Up the Business.

ST. JOHN'S, Nfld, Aug. 9.—The legislature closed to-day after the briefest session on record, having been open only a week. All the financial measures, revenue, supply, road loan, and bills which met with the refusal of the Whiteway government were passed. The closing ceremony was unusually impressive. In the speech from the throne, it was declared that nothing in the whole history of the colony's existence was more creditable than the promptness with which the current legislative business had been transacted. The prosperous crops and fisheries were spoken of, and the likely rapid progress in the construction of railways was commended. Regarding new legislation, the consolidation of all the systems of railways under one management was also commended; and the colonization of government lands adjacent to railways was suggested. The promotion of fish culture and the survey of the Labrador coast were advocated.

From the Memory Hole, IX

A fascinating letter to the editor, published in the June 1, 2002 edition of The Telegram.

What ever became of that nice and prudent Mr. Parsons?

Another look

I’m no expert on Voisey’s Bay but I can remember both Churchill Falls and Hibernia.
These projects had a lot in common: the government wanted to get the projects going quickly, and at any cost.

We all know about Churchill Falls and the missing escalation clause. I thought the signing of Hibernia was a wonderful thing, but now I have grave reservations. The limited number of jobs was great in the short term, but over the long haul, wouldn’t it have been better to have negotiated a well-head royalty — again, with an escalation clause?

I think the escalation clause would have benefited the people of the province financially, but the powers-that-be of the day minimized it.

Sign it

Remember, the prominent motivation on both occasions was to simply get it signed.

Voisey’s Bay may be the best deal since sliced bread.

Then again, we thought the same about the other two mega-projects. If this deal is signed, it’s sealed. Why bring it to the House of Assembly? Nothing would change.

Check the fine print

For God’s sake, before signing this deal, let it be scrutinized by members of the House, and also perhaps by a select committee of experts who have no political axe to grind.

There would be no harm in taking a month to delve into this. If everything is rosy, great — but if some adjustments or changes have to be made, let’s make them.

And this time, do the right thing — not for political gain but rather for the people.

We need to make one out of three right.

With this project executed correctly, our province could turn over a new leaf.

Kevin Parsons

Flatrock

Danny then and now (IV)

The Transparency and Accountability Act will greatly enhance openness and accountability in government, but a comprehensive and effective Freedom of Information Act is the best safeguard against the tendency of governments to descend into official secrecy and elitism.

A Progressive Conservative government will:

• Proclaim new Freedom of Information legislation which will include amendments that will clearly identify information that should be in the public domain, including cabinet documents, and will require full and prompt disclosure of the information to the public.

- PC Party platform, 2003 election

If we had to disclose everything that went on in cabinet, then from a Lower Churchill perspective or Hydro Quebec's perspective or anybody who's competitive in that market, they would have access to all our information and we wouldn't be able to sit down and negotiate anything.

- Himself, September 9, 2009