2005-12-11 by The Independent

VOL. 3 ISSUE 50

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ST. JOHN’S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR — SUNDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11-17, 2005

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OPINION PAGE 11

FOOD COLUMNIST 22

Michael Harris says Liberals favour corporate communication over dialogue

Nicholas Gardner experiences Taste of France with whisky chaser

MUMMERS ALLOWED IN?

Phil Churchill, Steve Cochrane, Jonny Harris, Amy House, Dana Puddicombe, Dave Sullivan and Sara Tilley don mummers garb for 12 evenings of performances at the LSPU Hall. No Mummers Allowed In, written by the ensemble cast and directed by Andy Jones, continues until Dec. 18. Paul Daly/The Independent

‘Do-or-die condition’ Memorial professors reveal questionable Hydro-Quebec tactics in landing upper Churchill deal

CLARE-MARIE GOSSE

he 65-year upper Churchill contract that will see Quebec make as much as $2 billion this year in profit compared to $32 million for Newfoundland and Labrador was signed as the result of a last-minute, gun-to-thehead non-negotiable demand by Hydro-Quebec. According to a soon-to-be released paper by two

Memorial University professors, the upper Churchill contract originally promised relatively reasonable terms until Hydro-Quebec realized the company in charge of the development — the Churchill Falls (Labrador) Co. (CFLCo) — was bordering on bankruptcy. At that point, Quebec altered its demands concerning a renewal clause, insisting on an automatic 25-year extension. CFLCo was forced to agree — or fold, taking the already well-underway upper Churchill project with it. Shortly afterwards, CFLCo’s top two negotiators were killed in a Labrador plane crash and another senior member of the company’s negotiating team resigned in grief. Details surrounding the upper

Finger of blame Independent surveys show most Ontarians and Quebecers point to foreign fishing for stocks’ collapse; Williams targets feds, calls for action STEPHANIE PORTER

ccording to surveys commissioned by The Independent, 60 per cent of Ontarians and only 45 per cent of Quebecers are aware of the cod moratorium off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. But a large majority — 77 per cent — of residents in both provinces blame foreign overfishing as the primary cause of the stocks’ collapse. Significantly fewer respondents pointed to domestic overfishing as having a major impact on cod. In response to the survey results, Premier Danny Williams says in his experience central Canadians are “certainly aware of what’s gone on in the province” in terms of the fishery.

“But I think the problem is, what’s the tone or nature of their awareness?” he tells The Independent. “When they look at it they say, ‘Oh yeah, we’re aware that the fishery went down there and we had to give a whole pile of handouts in order to get them through because fishery’s their only resource.’ “It’s that mentality we’ve got to turn around.” The two surveys, carried out by St. John’s-based Telelink, asked a series of identical questions to a random sampling of residents in Ontario and Quebec. The study focused on perceptions of the people and economy of Newfoundland and Labrador, with emphasis on the fishery and, especially, hydroelectricity. Results of the survey, and accompanying analysis, were released as Power and Perception, a three-part See “You’re either,” page 8

Churchill contract then fell by the wayside. James Feehan, an economist and co-author of the paper, tells The Independent he and his colleague, historian Mel Baker, uncovered the facts behind the signing of the upper Churchill by examining archived material, as well as from filing official Freedom of Information requests with the provincial government. “It’s quite a story,” Feehan says. “A story that leads to substantial questions of, I think, business ethics — if not law. “No one knew what happened, you have to remember that after this negotiation, the CFLCo negotiators, two of them were killed in a plane accident.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Going to see Revue is like putting on a Christmas concert when all the family is home.”

— Donna Butt, Director of Revue 2005 See In Camera pages 20-21

Who is this boy?

See “An entirely,” page 8 Also see related stories pages 8, 9, 23

Retirement costs Province says up to $130 million needed to cut fishery workforce ALISHA MORRISSEY

LIFE 17

“When I get the paper done I think it may open some eyes. Essentially I think it knocks away some of the myths.” Some details exposed by Feehan’s paper include the fact the upper Churchill contract was originally set to be renegotiated in 2016; CFLCo was completely aware of the importance of escalators (which are absent from the contract, meaning Hydro-Quebec gets fixed, low-rate power for 65 years); and then-premier Joey Smallwood was not part of negotiations and had no power to stop CFLCo signing the contract, due to the fact the

he province estimates an early retirement package for fishermen and fish plant workers would cost between $100 million and $130 million, the sixth such package since moratoriums were first introduced in the early 1990s. Meantime, the question remains whether the leaders of the three federal parties running in the Jan. 23 election will agree to take part in yet another early retirement program. Premier Danny Williams wrote each of the three federal parties last month with a wish list of 16 items the province is looking for commitments on prior to the election. No. 1 on the list is a 70/30 cost-shared, early retirement package. Labour and Employment Minister Paul Shelley says the province’s fishing industry is in drastic need of change. According to the Fish, Food and Allied Workers’ union (FFAW), the

province has 13,100 fishermen — 3,600 of whom are 50 years of age or older. Another 1,600 are over 55. Another 13,100 people are employed in fish plants at peak season. An estimated 1,500 of them are over 56 years of age, while more than 3,000 are between the ages of 46 and 55. Details of eligibility requirements would be hammered out when, and if, the feds sign on. Shelley says it’s vital Ottawa come on board, adding historically the federal government has paid 70 per cent of such programs. “At this stage, without the federal government even saying yes to it, it (the price) certainly could go higher,” Shelley tells The Independent. “There’s always been a debate over the age … but that would be up for debate — (it would) certainly be a long discussion if we go ahead with this program,” he says, adding the province would also fight against clawing back other benefits such as old-age pension from retirement See “Getting industry,” page 2

2 • INDEPENDENTNEWS

DECEMBER 11, 2005

Since 1992 the provincial and federal governments have cost-shared five early-retirement programs for fishermen. The province has recently asked the feds to chip in again, these are the details of past programs:

Getting industry ‘more in sync’ with resource

PROGRAM (year)

cheques. Shelley wouldn’t comment on minimum or maximum payouts. “There are so many details with this, on age and the amounts and so on that it would be really premature to go speculating … because once we have an agreement from the federal government (we will) iron out those specifics.” The premier spoke with Conservative leader Stephen Harper about the possibility of an early-retirement package for fishermen when his campaign bus stopped in St. John’s Dec. 6. Williams says Harper was apprehensive about such a program. “If you do this for a pile of people, then someone else moves in, and you keep doing it again and again,” Williams says of Harper’s chief concern. “If it’s going to be a solution that’s there for people who are more advanced in age … and if we’re going to try and sustain a future for our rural communities … this

RETIRED WORKERS

COSTS (70/30 federal/ provincial)

BENEFITS (Monthly)

Plant Workers’ 190 Adjustment Program (1991)

$10 million

not available

Northern Cod Early Retirement Program (1993)

1,436

$64 million

not available

Fish plant Older Worker Adjustment Program (1995)

560

$40 million

$630 - $1,231

Atlantic Fishers Early Retirement Program (1995)

252

$22 million

$630 - $1,231

Fisheries Early Retirement Program (ongoing since 1998)

1,321

$93 million

not available

Total:

3,759

$229 million Source: Provincial Department of Labour

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From page 1

is very important,” the premier says. “As a government we can’t put the fish back in the water … so we have to try and work with and live with what we’ve got.” Earle McCurdy, president of the

“As a government we can’t put the fish back in the water … so we have to try and work with and live with what we’ve got.” Premier Danny Williams FFAW, says he’s “quite pleased” to see the early retirement request on the premier’s list of priorities — and even happier to see it at the top of the list. “(This) is something we have been campaigning on for quite sometime and

clearly with the situation in the fishery this year, the need is all the more acute,” McCurdy says referring to a rising Canadian dollar, high gas prices and a failed crab management plan. “We really got to try and get our industry … more in sync with the resource and this is true in both the plant and the fishing sectors.” The program must be voluntary, McCurdy says, and eligibility should be based upon a formula of years of service and age, unlike programs of the past, which were generally fixed for people between the ages of 55 and 65. “You had some long-term people who might have been born a few days too early, then again, short-term people who happened to have the right age to qualify,” McCurdy says. McCurdy and Shelley say the federal government is responsible for the management of the fishery and the number of industry workers need to be reduced. Both also say they hope all three parties step up to the challenge.

DECEMBER 11, 2005

INDEPENDENTNEWS • 3

By Alisha Morrissey The Independent

“He (O’Dea) was looking for the earliest … the first map that shows Newfoundland,” Penney says. “But the y the twilight of his life, Fabian thing about his collection that I see is O’Dea had collected 110 maps the numbers. He has 110 maps that deal of Newfoundland dating from with Newfoundland here … and to get 1556 to 1979 — and not one of them that you have to devote time and enerlooks the same. gy and money. The maps, handed over to Memorial “This is what O’Dea was interested University’s Centre for Newfoundland in … the settlement of Newfoundland, Studies as per O’Dea’s last wishes, or the design of Newfoundland, depict the then-British colony in vary- through maps,” he says. ing shapes, sizes and even as a number “I don’t think that any one map is of smaller islands. going to tell you a lot. It’s like a puzzle Gerry Penney, a St. John’s archaeol- … and in his lifetime I guess he was ogist, rare book collector and an avid trying to get as many pieces of that puzmap collector, was commissioned by zle as he could get.” Memorial’s Queen Elizabeth II Library Before O’Dea’s death he was comearlier this year to evaluate the value pleting a book called Cartographica and condition of O’Dea’s maps. Terra Nova: Mapping the Island of While there are a number of unusual Newfoundland, 1500-1800, which is maps, Penney says expected to be pubmany are similar to lished soon. those already owned Most of the maps by the library. In fact, depict the island as “I don’t think that only five of the triangular in shape, O’Dea maps are not but only the Avalon any one map is going already owned by the Peninsula has any to tell you a lot. university. detail. “Not every map is “The thing about It’s like a puzzle.” the same,” Penney … the English maps tells The of Newfoundland Gerry Penney Independent. “A map they are really good goes through a numfrom Trepassey to ber of various states. Cape Bonavista. It was printed from a copper plate and The English Shore, right, that’s where then the copper plate got re-engraved the Englishmen were,” Penney says. … so you might have the map, but He adds the odd thing about the island’s might not have the exact state.” shape is that it started out being a fairly The old printmaking process means close interpretation before deteriorating certain symbols on the map become in later maps. misshapen or fade away when reprintSome maps show the Northern ing. Peninsula at twice the thickness or O’Dea, a one-time naval officer and more of what we see on a map of the prominent St. John’s lawyer, also island today, but no matter the map served a term as lieutenant-governor, “Cape Raze” and Cape Bonavista are but he wasn’t known for his map col- always clearly visible and properly lection. While Penney knew little about labelled. the man, he knows much about “Most of these weren’t made by the O’Dea’s maps. people that were actually using the Penney says the maps — some of place,” Penney says. “Fishermen of which were framed and hung on walls England, the fishermen of Portugal and — were bought from various places Spain all had their own maps, but they around the world. weren’t into producing maps for the

A map from 1689-1897

Mapping the past Old maps of Newfoundland donated to Memorial public.” The most intricate part of any map is known as the cartouche — usually found in the lower left had corner — a symbolic picture, with the name of the place and other technical information is printed here. Those areas on O’Dea’s maps depict intricate designs with cherubs and codfish and fishing ships with flags of all nations.

The Grand Banks are a huge part of many of the maps, which should come as no surprise. The Banks themselves may also be one reason the land masses are generally inaccurate. “If you’re coming looking for fish you’re not really looking at what way the land is,” Penney says. While cartography (the study of

maps) doesn’t interest everyone, for some it’s an obsession. “Buying maps is a pricey business and they don’t come cheap and of course the scarcer they are the more expensive,” he says. Compared to digital images available today, Penney says, most people would say the maps are 110 pieces of inaccurate data, “but they’re beauties.”

Writing renaissance

Province’s authors dominate Canadian literary field By Clare-Marie Gosse The Independent

he surge of talented authors emerging from Newfoundland and Labrador in recent years seems to be ever increasing — at total odds with the small, 522,000 population. It’s being called a writers “renaissance,” although it’s not so much a re-birth; this wave of new and established local talent, which is becoming nationally and internationally renowned and attracting major award nominations at every turn, is something that’s never quite been seen before. Where does it all come from and why? Perhaps it’s the moody, evocative weather getting the creative juices flowing or the rich use of colloquial language. Maybe Newfoundland and Labrador’s literary popularity is because readers and publishers crave the romantic notion of the place. Or it could just be something in the water. Award-winning St. John’s writer Michael Crummey, author of the acclaimed novel River Thieves and more recently The Wreckage, is at a loss to explain the talent boom — although he’s willing to offer a few “pet theories. “I think probably the final transition state, moving from a predominantly oral culture to a predominantly written culture,” he tells The Independent. “There’s a particular kind of energy that’s created with any kind of major shift like that. “Some of these stories are being written down for the very first time, so that creates a certain level of uniqueness in and of itself, but I think the culture of Newfoundland is in the middle of a major change, and so that creates a particular kind of energy that I think the writers are really picking up on now.” Crummey — who is a Canadian Giller Prize and an IMPAC Dublin Literary Award (largest literary prize in the world) nominee — says there seems to be an “endless supply of really interest-

Michael Crummey

Paul Daly/The Independent

ing younger writers, pushing up behind” names that have gone before. He adds it’s hard to imagine that the province could continue to churn out “minimum, half a dozen of the 30 best writers in the country” — but it’s already happened so perhaps it will continue. Crummey says he was “shocked” by his own massive success, which catapulted in 2002 with River Thieves. As a member of the local writing community, he witnesses firsthand all the emerging talent and says he sees a similar future of success for many others. “It’s amazing to watch and really exciting to be a part of.”

Mainland publishers are far from oblivious and the Newfoundland “fad” seems to be sticking. “I think they’re still really interested,” says Crummey, “because I think it isn’t cookie-cutter Newfoundland writers that are being signed up. I think that there’s a real variety to what is coming out of here.” Paul Butler, another successful local writer and a book reviewer for The Globe and Mail, has become so fascinated by Newfoundland and Labrador talent that he’s started up a forum on his website, paulbutlernoveliest.com, to discuss the issue. “That’s why I did the forum. There has to be more debate about this,” says Butler, who most recently penned Easton’s Gold. He says he wants to especially draw attention to great provincial talent that might not yet have the recognition it deserves, and the forum is also an opportunity for new writers to make people aware of their own work. “It’s supposed to be an ongoing, vital debate everyone can take part in.” Butler is originally from the UK and came to St. John’s 10 years ago. Although there’s a massive pool of born and bred local writing talent in the province, he says the art-friendly environment also tends to draw and hold on to come from aways. “Joan Clark (Audience of Chairs) is not from here, Alison Pick (The Sweet Edge) is not from here; I think after a while what happens, is a place gets known to be very art-friendly and I think it draws people like a magnet … that’s just like a double effect.” Butler says when he picks up a new book by a Newfoundland author he tells himself it can’t possibly be “another” good one. “You tell yourself it can’t be and then you start reading it, and the way they’re handling descriptions, the way they’re handling theme and character … it’s top notch, it’s really good. Statistically it shouldn’t make sense, but that’s the way it

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appears to be.” Donna Francis, sales and marketing co-ordinator for Creative Book Publishing in St. John’s (Killick Press), says this year they were “completely flooded with manuscripts from people from every corner of Newfoundland and Labrador. “The quality is definitely there,” she says. “We rely heavily on opinions from our editorial committee. We have people who have been in the industry and people who are experienced writers … they read manuscripts for us. They come back with recommendations and some of them are just blown away by the quality of what’s coming in.” Francis puts it down to Newfoundlander and Labradorians being a “talented bunch. “There’s nothing Newfoundlanders can’t do if they put their minds to it.” She mentions the success of first-novel titles such as Bishop’s Road by Catherine Safer and Down to the Dirt, by Joel Hynes — both originally published through Creative. Bishop’s Road was recently nominated for the Amazon.ca First Novel Award (“one of the biggest literary awards across Canada”). Down to the Dirt — already an award-winner — is in the running to be short-listed for a 2006 IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. The award is the largest, most international prize of its kind. The winner receives 100,000 Euros (almost $200,000 Cdn). If Hynes wins, Francis says “they’ll probably hear him over in Dublin yelling.” From her current home in Nova Scotia, Safer says she thinks the “real and basic” way Newfoundlanders and Labradorians write seems to appeal to people everywhere. “It has a sense of humour you don’t tend to find anywhere else and I think it does a good job of mixing the humour and the bleakness of life,” she says. “It’s not often that you find everything in life altogether in a novel. “I think it’s because it’s real and the place is real, that’s what does it.”

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4 • INDEPENDENTNEWS

DECEMBER 11, 2005

YOUR VOICE

Drukens respond Patrick says ‘Ma Druken’ does not do his mother justice

Ray Browne, acting assistant commander of the Canadian Coast Guard, Newfoundland region. Paul Daly/The Independent

Helicopter crew survived crash

he two men killed Dec. 7 when their helicopter went down off the Burin Peninsula survived the impact and died of drowning or hypothermia. Jan Woodford, spokeswoman for the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans in St. John’s, confirmed the report for The Independent. “Regardless of their cause of death it’s a terrible tragedy for their families and for the coast guard,” Woodford says. “We cannot comment while there’s an investigation going on and the Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the crash.” The coroner’s report says veteran transport Canada pilot Gordon (Gordie)

Simmons, 65, and Carl Neal, 46, a coast guard technician, “died as a result of postimpact events.” Officials with the coast guard and federal Transportation Safety Board continued, as of The Independent’s press deadline, to search for the main frame of the helicopter. The MBB 105 helicopter went down off the Burin Peninsula while flying to Marystown after carrying out maintenance work on a land-based navigational aid. There are two other MBB 105 helicopters in use in this province. Said Woodford, “Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families.” — Alisha Morrissey

GENERAL MANAGER John Moores AN INDEPENDENT VOICE FOR NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR

P.O. Box 5891, Stn.C, St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador, A1C 5X4 Ph: 709-726-4639 • Fax: 709-726-8499 Website: www.theindependent.ca

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SALES MANAGER Gillian Fisher gillian.fisher@theindependent.ca

Dear editor, nice guys finish last, so you do whatever you Re: your column, Wait for the book, Nov. 20- have to, to survive. 26 edition of The Independent (by Ryan Cleary). All of a sudden you realize you are not afraid You are right to say there is a story that needs to anymore. In fact, the person you have become be told. creates fear in other people, which gives you a A father who struggled with alcoholism for sense of power. years who finally seems to be winning the battle Every now and then the feelings of shame and against the disease; a father who’s now learning guilt wash over you like a wave, but by this time to deal with the remorse of things his ex-wife and you have discovered that drugs and alcohol work children endured because of his choices. very well as an eraser. As time goes on brothers A mother who took the role of being a mother and sisters who love and care for each other seriously and did the best she could with what become so consumed by addiction that those she had. Over my 49 years I have heard, many same feelings of love turn to hate, revenge, and times, other mothers say, “I maybe even murder. don’t know how she keeps Sure the Druken story has doing it.” all the sensationalism of a big, Over my 49 years I I remember a conversation I fat, dog-eared paperback or had with my mother once: I maybe even a big box-office have heard, many said my brothers were never movie. times, other mothers going to change because she My concern has always kept bailing them out. been if the story is not say, “I don’t know how done that They would get into trouble right the whole point and say they had learned their would be missed. There is a she keeps doing it.” lesson this time and promise to story of great tragedy and brodo right. She would stand ken lives. I am not making beside them in court for support, and there would excuses for my family — they made choices and be weekly visits to prison until they got out, and paid their price. But, like you said, people don’t then their promise to her would be forgotten. deserve to be considered guilty of something Her response to me was, “Pat you are doing because of their last name. OK and I am grateful for that because I don’t My life has been no bed of roses. I made choichave to worry about you. I don’t have that pleas- es and I took responsibility for those choices. I ure with your brothers and sisters and I will con- tell you one thing, if I had to go through what I tinue to do whatever I can for them because they have gone though to get where I am it was worth are my children and I am their mother.” every step. I have learned the true meaning of This is the woman you refer to as “Ma humility and for that I am eternally grateful. Druken,” and it does not do her justice. A few years ago some people asked if I would The children watched as their family was torn be interested in getting together with them to apart by alcoholism. When their mother suffered write a book about my family. I said no I did not. a nervous breakdown they ended up in orphanThey asked me if I wanted people to know the ages and foster homes, suffering various forms truth. I told them that no matter what I said, my of abuse at the hands of those entrusted to protect words would be twisted around and that their them. spin would be put on the story. From what I read Abuse creates toxic shame; the feeling you’re in your article, Mr. Cleary, I get the feeling you not good enough, which causes you to become also would like to put your spin on the story. full of fear. After a while that fear turns into anger and then that anger turns into rage. Before Patrick Druken, long you develop a distorted view of reality that St. John’s

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Only one man could do Druken story justice Dear editor, I am a Newfoundlander now living in Ontario and I recently read your column, Wait for the Book, on The Independent’s Internet site. You began your article by addressing Shirley Druken as “Ma Druken.” I’m sure this was meant to liken her to Kate “Ma” Barker, a woman believed to have been the leader and mastermind of the Barker-Karpis Gang responsible for a string of kidnappings, robberies and murders between 1931 and 1935 — a gang made up mostly of Barker’s own sons. I do not see similarities between the two. Shirley Druken neither masterminded nor condoned any of the criminal actions of her children. As you yourself pointed out, she was known for “ratting” on her kids. This, I’m sure, was an attempt to help. While she made mistakes she loved her children and did the best she could. Your insinuations that she was anything more are both insulting and unwarranted. You column went on to say that the Drukens still among us today don’t speak to each other. That’s not true — some don’t speak to each other but most still do. One of the Drukens that does keep in touch with most of his family is Patrick Druken. I believe you said he was “still around St. John’s and reportedly doing quite well, for a Druken.” This, Mr. Cleary, is where I take offence. Patrick Druken is my father, and he has done well by anyone’s standards. My father lived a difficult

life and learned his lessons the hard way but he most definitely did learn them. He’s made mistakes but he turned his life around and made a success of himself without anyone’s help. He is a man I am proud to call my father and a poppy that my children adore. He is not just “around” St. John’s — St. John’s is his home and he does his part to help young men and women there who are going down the same road he once travelled. He helps them see there is another road. He has all the material possessions society recognizes as success — a comfortable savings account, a beautiful house and a nice car paid for with legitimate money. He is much more successful than that. He has a strong knowledge of right and wrong, a line that — though once blurred for him — is never crossed now. He has a great love for his family, all of his family. He is compassionate and accepting of other’s faults and has a firm faith in God. He doesn’t make excuses for himself or his brothers and sisters but I know there are reasons they all became the people they are. You were right about one thing: the Druken story should be told in a book. That book should be written by my father because he is the only person who can do it the justice it deserves. Jamie Guy Whitby, Ont.

SHIPPING NEWS Keeping an eye on the comings and goings of the ships in St. John’s Harbour. Information provided by the Coast Guard Traffic Centre. MONDAY, DEC. 5 Vessels arrived: Maersk Nascopie, Canada, from Hibernia; Atlantic Hawk, Canada, from White Rose oil field. Vessels departed: TUESDAY, DEC. 6 Vessels arrived: ASL Sanderling, Canada, from Halifax; Koryo Maru #68, Japan, from Las Palmas, Spain; Maersk Chancellor, Canada, from Hibernia; Porsch, Canada, from Port Hope Simpson; Shishin Maru #38, Japan, from Galway, Ireland; Nain Banker, Canada from Fishing; Koyo Maru #5, Japan, from Spain. Vessels departed: Atlantic Hawk, Canada, to White Rose Oil Field; Atlantic Eagle, Canada, to Terra Nova; Maersk Nascopie, Canada, to Hibernia; Oceanex Avalon, Canada, to Montreal. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7 Vessels arrived: Teleost, Canada, from Sea; Maersk Dispatcher, Canada, from White Rose; Maersk Placentia, Canada, from Dartmouth; Atlantic Eagle, Canada, from Terra Nova. Vessels departed: ASL Sanderling, Canada, to Halifax; Shoshin Maru # 38, Japan, to sea. THURSDAY, DEC. 8 Vessels arrived: Maersk Nascopie, Canada, from

Paul Daly/The Independent

Hibernia. Vessels departed: Wilfred Templeman, Canada, to Sea; Cape Roger, Canada, to sea; Atlantic Kingfisher, Canada, to Terra Nova; George R. Pearkes, Canada, to sea; Shamook, Canada, to sea. FRIDAY, DEC. 9 Vessels arrived: Astron, Canada, from Bay Roberts. Vessels departed: Maersk Dispatcher, Canada, to White Rose; Maersk Nascopie, Canada, to Hibernia.

DECEMBER 11, 2005

INDEPENDENTNEWS • 5

On the campaign trail: Paul Martin, Jack Layton and Stephen Harper made stops in St. John’s last week.

Paul Daly/The Independent

All I want for Christmas is a … campaign donation Federal election candidates try to raise funds as best they can By Clare-Marie Gosse The Independent

means running an office of at least a dozen people for two months, including funding, advertising and signage. ll Peg Norman, the New Rogers says her team runs a “creative, Democrat Party candidate in the lean” campaign. federal riding of St. John’s “We’ve hauled up stuff from people’s South-Mount Pearl, wants for basements and garages. People have Christmas is an unwrapped, non-return- been very, very generous,” she says. able campaign donation. “Somebody will walk in with toilet Making the best of the festive holi- paper and paper towel, somebody else day election, Norman and her cam- is going to walk in with, oh here, I’ve paign manager and partner, Gerry got an extra chair you can use … and Rogers, are offering people the oppor- it’s great.” tunity to give a different kind of gift Norman had the foresight after the this year. 2004 election campaign to collect and “We’re saying, ask people to donate keep all her old signs — one of the to Peg’s campaign in your name, most expensive parts of campaigning, instead of buying you something,” but unfortunately the name of the riding Rogers tells The Independent. “I’ve has since been changed to incorporate sent out an e-mail far and wide inviting Mount Pearl. people to do that.” “We’ve had to Norman says raiscome up with ways ing money for a sucof changing the cessful election name on the sign “We’ve had to come campaign can be without having to daunting and is a spend a whole lot of up with ways of major consideration money,” she says. changing the name for people thinking “Signs are a huge about running. expense, advertising on the sign without “I think that’s one is a huge expense.” of the major reasons Norman and having to spend a why we don’t see Rogers say the camwhole lot of money.” more women in polpaign this year itics, is how much seems to be easier Peg Norman money it actually the second time takes to run a sucaround. Still, they cessful campaign,” say the time of year she says. is probably going to “It’s incumbent now on individuals hamper fundraising (last election they that support parties to dig into their managed to raise $36,000). pocket books and give — and they do.” “Even though we’re the second richEvery federal riding has a cap on est riding in the province, still, there’s a candidate spending, depending on pop- lot of people in this riding that are not ulation and geography. For example, rich and don’t have a lot of disposable candidates running in St. John’s East income and find this time of the year can spend up to $62,000. For Labrador, more difficult than any others,” says the figure is closer to $80,000. Norman. “But so far we’ve seen a good Candidates and individuals can trans- response.” fer as much funding as they like into a Labrador MP Todd Russell is expericampaign (as long as spending stays encing his first full general election (he below the maximum amount). Official was voted in earlier this year during a donations, which would be eligible for byelection, stepping into the shoes of tax credits, are limited to $5,000 per the late Liberal MP Lawrence individual and $1,000 per corporation O’Brien). in one calendar year (this election is In a land the scope of Labrador, the unusual in that it spans two calendar campaign trail can be a tough place. years). Willed donations are unlimited. Some areas are only accessible by air Individual donations of up to $400 and road travel wracks up significant are eligible for a tax credit of 75 per gas mileage and people hours. More cent. As donations go up in amount, the than one campaign office is also needtax credit rate changes. ed to cover different areas. A candidate who receives more than Russell says support has been strong, 10 per cent of votes cast is eligible to however, and Christmas doesn’t seem receive reimbursement of 60 per cent of to be stalling contributions to the cause. election expenses. “I have a broad base of support from Norman says running a campaign various sectors,” he says. “I mean, I

rely on individual contributions and corporate contributions and some various organizations throughout Labrador and, to date, that effort is going very, very well.” He acknowledges raising money for a campaign is certainly a consideration for people wanting to throw their hat in the ring — but he doesn’t think it should deter someone.

“Someone gave me a quote, one time, by a president of the United States, I believe it was Roosevelt … who said that if you’re concerned about the money, you don’t belong in the White House. If you believe in what you’re doing and you’re passionate about it, that’s just a challenge.” As for Norman, who’s currently juggling running a full-fledged Christmas

campaign and a relatively new, downtown retail business at the same time, she says there are some other things she wants and will probably need for Christmas — aside from donations. “Gerry and I have decided we’re just giving each other consumables,” she says. “I’ve asked for chocolate and scotch.”

6 • INDEPENDENTNEWS

DECEMBER 11, 2005

Challenging the Williams government I

was elected as the representative for the district of Twillingate-Fogo in the 1996 provincial general election. During my 10 years in office, I have witnessed many decisions by former and present governments that leave people asking questions. While the Danny Williams administration continues to receive the support expected for a recently elected government, there are many issues that must be challenged. As leader of the official Opposition, I raise many of these issues on a daily basis. Road conditions, fishery issues, health care and education receive daily discussion in the House of Assembly. In this editorial, however, I want to discuss two issues that don’t always grab the headlines. I will put forward some facts and let you, the reader, decide the answer to two questions. Has the Williams government honoured its commitment to remove patronage from government? Is the Williams government committed to women’s rights and equity in the public service? On Jan. 6, 2004, the premier went on provincewide television to advise public sector workers they would not be getting a raise. We all know that was the beginning of the largest public-sec-

GERRY REID Guest column tor strike in the province’s history. However, in the same address the premier made a statement that many do not remember. He stated: “We believe that a strengthened public service will ensure that individuals are being hired on their merits as opposed to who they know in government.” The statement reinforced the premier’s stance that patronage was not acceptable in government, a stance that he continually touted when trying to defeat the Liberal government. Since that infamous speech, patronage has occurred at all levels of this administration. Many of the premier’s political friends were appointed to high-paying positions, many of whom were not qualified to undertake the job requirements. Recently, Joan Cleary, a defeated Tory candidate, was appointed to the president’s position for the Bull Arm Site Corporation. Cleary has no experience in the international marketing

effort required for this type of position, a position that was usually held by senior civil servants in the provincial government. How many people heard about Len Simms, a former PC party leader, being appointed to the CEO position at the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation? How about Glenn Tobin, a former PC cabinet minister, appointed chair of the Newfoundland Liquor Corporation? How about the Premier’s future son-in -law, who was given a public service position without going through an interview process or job competition? These are just a few examples; there are dozens of other PC party supporters, former candidates, business partners, family and friends of the premier who have been appointed to various government boards and agencies. Has the Williams government honoured its commitment to remove patronage from government? In my opinion, obviously not! Another important issue that has come to light over the past several months is this government’s treatment of high-profile female civil servants and their lack of commitment to women’s rights. We witnessed the premier personally attack Joyce Hancock

of the Provincial Advisory Council for the Status of Women because she challenged this commitment. It is easy to see that the premier doesn’t like to work with strong and highly qualified females. Evidence shows that females who challenge the premier are quickly shown the door. This was first indicated by the decision of his former Health minister, Elizabeth Marshall, to step aside in what she said was a disagreement with the premier’s management style. There has since been a revolving door for women in the provincial civil service. Some of the more prominent names include: Deborah Fry, former clerk of the executive council and deputy minister of Health; Ann Marie Hann, former CEO of the Workplace, Health, Safety Compensation Commission; Florence Delaney, former deputy minister to the Treasury Board secretariat; and Pam Walsh, former president of the College of the North Atlantic. In addition to these dismissals, the Williams administration has refused to move forward with pay equity settlements for female public sector workers even though the province is in a budget-surplus position, sufficient funding is not being put forward for women’s

shelters in the province, and there is no real funding commitment for the violence prevention initiative that would directly help women. Is the Williams government committed to women’s rights and equity in the public service? In my opinion, obviously not! Political patronage and the lack of commitment to women are two issues that really bother the premier. In many ways, pointing out the truth hurts. Instead of addressing the problems that exist on both issues, the premier would rather attack the messenger. Whether that messenger is Gerry Reid, Elizabeth Marshall, Joyce Hancock or senior female public servants, we have all felt the rage of this premier. Denying that these problems exist within his government will not lead to improvements. You, the reader, will have to make up your own mind. The only way to have your voice heard is to write editorials, letters, or contact your MHA to express your displeasure. Eventually, Premier Williams will get the message and realize that his management style and approach to these issues is not acceptable. Gerry Reid is leader of the official Opposition and MHA for the provincial district of Twillingate-Fogo.

YOUR VOICE Adding reason to the rant Dear editor, consumers. I have been sometimes entertained Morgan paints Newfoundland and and occasionally informed by Ivan Labrador Hydro as some sort of charMorgan’s column, Rant and reason. itable, consumer-friendly organizaI appreciate that you have chosen tion that is benevolent by nature of to include in your paper the voice of the fact that it is a Crown corporation. the left, since it creates a conscious- In reality it has been an inefficient ness and balance with regard to pub- and costly bureaucracy that has lic policy and debate. Mr. Morgan is passed the costs of its inefficiency to very effective when he confines him- consumers for many years. self to topics where Thankfully that is he has actually conchanging with the ducted some basic arrival of their new research that will president and CEO, Before Morgan inform his “rant” Ed Martin. undertakes to trash and balance it with Thirdly, Morgan some “reason.” talks about Newa business entity His column in foundland Power’s The Independent’s changes in payment he needs to do a Dec. 4-10 edition, processing and little research. Power to the peopoints to the cost ple, is a blatant savings for shareexample of what holders and the negcan happen when a columnist is given ative impact on customers resulting the flexibility to write on a subject from their business decision to move that he has not researched. I wish to pay points from their office locations. challenge three of Morgan’s com- The reality is that Newfoundland ments. Power is testing the feasibility of this First of all, Morgan leaves the read- approach (as is Aliant and other server with the ill-informed view that ice providers) in order to create better Newfoundland Power sets the rates it access and convenience for cuscharges consumers and that it has a tomers who wish to pay their bills in “habit of always fixing their prob- person. lems by raising our rates.” The question that Morgan and The reality is that Newfoundland other consumers have to answer for Power is regulated by the Public Newfoundland Power is whether Utilities Board and any changes in there is increased access and convenrates occur only upon the approval of ience created by being able to pay that governing body. It’s the same bills at Dominion stores throughout body that holds hearings and the province. Before Morgan undertakes to trash approves rates for Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and the same body a business entity he needs to do a little that approves higher rates to be research. Commentary is about more charged by Hydro to Newfoundland than personal opinion, it’s also about Power, its largest customer. New- fairness and responsibility in expressfoundland Power ends up charging its ing that opinion. And no one should residential and commercial customers appreciate this more than Mr. Morgan rates to keep abreast of the costs of himself, who is a human rights advopower purchased from Hydro. It’s the cate with a mission of ensuring respect one cost that they cannot control for all people in this province. Terry Greene, internally and the one that most sigConception Bay South nificantly influences rates charged to

Questioning ‘parasitic’ relationship Dear editor, I very much appreciated Ivan Morgan’s recent column, Power to the people, Dec. 4-10 edition of The Independent. Is has always perplexed me that so few people seem willing to question the parasitic Newfoundland and Labrador Power/Fortis relationship. It

would be interesting to do a serious accounting of the extent to which our monthly utility bills are financing Fortis enterprises which seem to be located everywhere else on the planet except here. Maynard Clouter, St. John’s

AN INDEPENDENT VOICE FOR NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR

P.O. Box 5891, Stn.C, St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador, A1C 5X4 Ph: 709-726-4639 • Fax: 709-726-8499 www.theindependent.ca • editorial@theindependent.ca The Independent is published by The Sunday Independent, Inc. in St. John’s. It is an independent newspaper covering the news, issues and current affairs that affect the people of Newfoundland & Labrador.

PUBLISHER Brian Dobbin MANAGING EDITOR Ryan Cleary SENIOR EDITOR Stephanie Porter PICTURE EDITOR Paul Daly

All material in The Independent is copyrighted and the property of The Independent or the writers and photographers who produced the material. Any use or reproduction of this material without permission is prohibited under the Canadian Copyright Act. • © 2005 The Independent • Canada Post Agreement # 40871083

The Independent welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be 300 words in length or less and include full name, mailing address and daytime contact numbers. Letters may be edited for length, content and legal considerations. Send your letters in care of The Independent, P.O. Box 5891, Station C, St. John’s, NL, A1C 5X4 or e-mail us at editorial@theindependent.ca

Quebec’s main squeeze T

he secret to undoing the upper Churchill contract may be to view it from a different perspective: Quebec’s. What would La Bellowing Province do if the roles were reversed and it was screwed to the wall by a 65-year deal, signed under shady circumstances? Would it A: suck it up and see the contract through to the bitter end in 2041? Or B: flick the off switch on the Churchill Falls hydro generating station and tell Newfoundland and Labrador where to go? I’d lay money on option B. I’d also bet Quebec would have made a move 30 years ago. Quebecers would go stark raving mental in demanding redress, in demanding fairness, in demanding decent treatment from its sister province. The thunderous cries would shake Confederation to its core. And Quebec would have a point: everybody knows you don’t screw family. It’s not just the money that’s important either. Yes, the upper Churchill contract sees Quebec rake in up to $2 billion a year in profit (a fantastic amount compared to our estimated $32 million or 1.7 per cent take). Yes that kind of coin would wipe out our $11.9-billion net debt in jig time, improve our roads to the point fewer of us are dying on them, and generally improve our standard of living so that a scattered outport may once again, someday, boast a kid under 35. Yes, all that’s true, but a renegotiated upper Churchill contract would also go a long way towards improving our self-image. We’ve been down on ourselves for a generation or two. The most lopsided deal in Canadian history did quite a job on the Newfoundland psyche. Nobody forced us to sign the contract, so why did we? One answer is because we were stunned, because we were incompetent and unfit to manage our own affairs, because the newfie jokes are true and we really don’t have two sweet clues.

RYAN CLEARY

Fighting Newfoundlander Why else would we agree to sell upper Churchill power at 1969 rates until halfway through the next century? Didn’t it dawn on anyone that the price of electricity would rise over time — and with it the profit? Were we that backward? The answer is unequivocally no, we weren’t. There’s evidence we did know the price of electricity would rise but Hydro-Quebec wouldn’t hear talk of an escalator clause, which would have seen our take jump with inflation. There’s evidence Hydro-Quebec put the squeeze on the Churchill Falls (Labrador) Corporation to force it into signing the upper Churchill deal — despite objections — and, at the last minute, the 25-year extension. There’s been evidence for years that the Churchill Falls agreement was arrived at in an “unfair way,” as former premier Brian Tobin put it in a 1996 speech to Toronto’s Empire Club. To get Churchill Falls power to market, it had to cross Quebec. But Quebec in the 1960s said no to the free movement of electrical power. Quebec said you cannot run Churchill Falls power through the Hydro-Quebec power grid and you cannot build a power line to reach markets in the U.S. That’s another way Quebec put the squeeze on. Tobin said there were three main problems with the upper Churchill contract: it was arrived at in an unfair way; Hydro-Quebec has reaped “unconscionable” windfall profits; and the Churchill Falls project is not viable under the current agreement. “For all these reasons, the agreement must be re-negotiated,” Tobin said. “It is not a question of whether. It

is a question of how and when.” If all that wasn’t bad enough, The Independent pointed out in the fall of 2004 that not only has Newfoundland and Labrador lost billions of dollars in the upper Churchill contract, but the province was penalized for years as if it was receiving a fair return for the 5,200 megawatts of power. Between 1972, the year Churchill Falls began producing power, and 1982, the federal government — for purposes of equalization — treated Churchill Falls as if the province was receiving normal market value for the sale of electricity. As a result, the province lost hundreds of millions of dollars in equalization, while Quebec gained. In the end, Hydro-Quebec would say a contract is a contract. True, but contracts are renegotiated left, right and centre when there’s a change in circumstances. (Public sector unions know all about that.) In 1984, Hydro-Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro signed a statement of intent regarding Churchill Falls negotiations to renegotiate the upper Churchill agreement. Nothing has happened since then. So where to now? This week marks the final week of our three-part series, Perceptions and Power, in which we surveyed Quebecers and Ontarians about Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and our energy resources. Our rationale is that unless we put our issues on the national agenda — unless the mainland is educated on where we come from and where we’re going — wounds like the upper Churchill will continue to fester. Should we care what people in central Canada think about us? Absolutely not, but unless we play it smart, unless we get them onside on whatever campaign we wage — and there are so many to come — we will never win the war. Ryan Cleary is managing editor of The Independent. ryan.cleary@theindependent.ca

DECEMBER 11, 2005

INDEPENDENTNEWS • 7

Why should we care what other Canadians think? Because, as Ivan Morgan writes, perception is our reality

his paper has been dealing a lot lately with perceptions. Ironically, this has prompted people to tell me how they see the paper. The most common criticism I have received from readers about the series comes down to this question: “Why do you care so much what other Canadians think about us?” So why do I? The Buddhists teach us that with our minds we make the world. Absolutely. And to paraphrase my wise friends — how others see us makes our world. That’s why I care. The Buddhists hold no patent on common sense. How others view us does affect who we are — both personally and nationally. I don’t think it is too bold a statement to say The Independent has dedicated itself to combating that view — changing not only how others view us, but also how we view ourselves. Much has been written in this paper on the fact that others in Canada see this place as an economic sinkhole propped up with their tax dollars.

IVAN MORGAN

Rant & reason Western editorials growl that “we” have to become more self-supporting and less dependent on social programs. This paper, I think, has been trying to show that this is not the truth — just a perception. But perception can be reality. Buddhism is not the only religion to deal with truth. The big economic religion we all now live under — capitalism — is no different. It teaches us truths, but like many organized religions, somewhere along the way these truths can be misplaced or misinterpreted in the name of righteousness. For instance, capitalism teaches us that competition is good, and that hard work and thriftiness leads to wealth. So Ontario feels superior to the rest of us because they are wealthy — and that

YOUR VOICE Think before yelling ‘kill’ Dear editor, I must disagree with the remarks of Clare-Marie Gosse about dog haters in her column (How to stay in my good books, Dec. 4-10 edition of The Independent) in which she printed a list of her major pet peeves, saying she’s highly suspicious of people who don’t care for dogs and never want to own one. Well, I am a senior who likes to walk the trails and was once bitten by a dog. I’m afraid of people like you who may let your dog run off a leash when you think you own these walking trails. Many pet owners will say to us

AGREED TO RENEGOTIATION But on moral principle alone, without clear knowledge of the facts, they agreed that the deal should be renegotiated. We clearly accept their support, respect and good will. I would suggest the same sense of moral principal (if for no other reason) should be applied to the women being discriminated against in this province on the basis of their sex. In seeking equality of pay for work per-

ing cars in Canada. By the time of its demise in 2001 there were 491,000. That was a legislated deal to bring jobs to Ontario. Go Ontario! As a lad in the ’70s I remember watching tractor-trailer loads of frozen cod blocks being shipped from our local plant to the United States and wondering why we couldn’t make the fish sticks right here. Why did we ship the cod south and then buy the fish sticks back from them. Oh, I was told, we are too far from the markets. And the Americans won’t import finished fish products. Yet no government pushed to draft a Fish Pact. Not worth the time. Now we’re the welfare bums. As goes the fishing industry, so goes a host of other provincial industries. The Churchill Falls deal, the brutal treatment of Newfoundland workers by Abitibi, a company whose success has been paved with concessions from the people of this province, or the brutal treatment of the people of places like Harbour Breton by FPI, a company that owes its very existence to the taxpay-

ers it now treats so contemptuously. It is all in the perceptions that our realities are formed. I’ll close this column with my own favourite example of how we have been perceived. I have written on this before, but it bears repeating. Years ago I was watching a TV program on the work done between whale scientists and fisherman. Whales were awfully hard on codtraps — and vice versa. Codtraps were expensive. A fisherman was standing at the head of his wharf (cliché!) and over his shoulder, in the background, a whale was thrashing about snarled in a net. There was a great deal of concern by the whale people about the whale. The fisherman looked at the camera and dryly noted, “If there were creatures 40-feet high roaming the Prairies smashing combine harvesters, they wouldn’t be long getting clear of them.” And our hearts would go out to those hard-working wheat farmers. Ivan Morgan can be reached at ivan.morgan@gmail.com

GOUDIE UNDER THE LIGHTS

seniors when we cower away, “Oh he won’t hurt you.” Well, I have a major problem with you dog owners who might laugh at us seniors for not liking your husky on a secure leash. As Ms. Gosse said in her column, she’d like to unleash and yell “kill.” Yes your dog looks nice, but remember some time later in your life you’ll be a senior who might like to walk and not have to worry about hearing, “He won’t hurt you.” Jean Kavanagh, St. John’s

Canadian Idol runner-up Rex Goudie launches his debut album in front of a sold-out crowd at Mile One Stadium Dec. 13. Paul Daly/The Independent

Was government responsible for man’s death?

‘I feel shame’ Dear editor, Sensitive issues can resurface for us when triggered by our senses. I feel my sensitivities triggered today. I feel shame. I read The Independent’s upper Churchill poll results today (Renegotiate, Dec. 4-10 edition). Yet another poll, this time the opinion of our Ontario and Quebec friends regarding their views on this province’s quest to have the upper Churchill contract reopened. Three quarters of Ontarians and half of Quebecers surveyed pleaded ignorance of the details of the project and the deal.

must mean they are hard working and thrifty. They feel that we should start paying our own way. Read Margaret Wente in The Globe and Mail if you don’t believe me. Now that Alberta has economic power, they too are beginning to feel that they “deserve” this prosperity and that if we weren’t lazy and stupid that we would prosper too. So is this the truth? I’ll offer an example from our fishery. There is a perception that the fishery is a social industry — meaning that the taxpayers of Canada are keeping it going. When you reflect on the stamp fishery, the TAGS fiasco with its “retraining,” and the history of FPI from its creation to the pathetic “free vote” in the House last spring, it is hard to argue with that. But what about the Canadian Auto Pact? What was the Auto Pact if not a great big social program for Ontario? When the pact was signed in 1965, most cars were made in the United States. There were 75,000 people mak-

formed they should be supported by the province and not further abused by all of us ... as we are the government by extension. As one individual, it is not my wish for my government to treat any woman as a second-class citizen, for no reason other than she is a woman. These ladies simply wish to be paid the same amount of money as their male counterparts for similar work performed. I still do not understand why the courts, while agreeing with the principal of equal pay for equal work applied in the case, nevertheless supported the discriminatory behaviour on the part of government, by extension, by not ordering that the outstanding earned monies be paid. The court should have decreed that the money owed be paid, while adding that there can be no price tag placed on the correction of a wrong, especially a wrong so obviously immoral. Shame on the court, shame on my government, therefore shame on me. Ron Tizzard, Paradise

Dear editor, On Nov. 14, my brother was killed in an accident on the Argentia Access Road after he hit a patch of black ice. So far, my family has yet to receive an adequate answer to the question that is foremost in our minds — why was the road in such a hazardous condition at the time? We believe the road should have been salted. If it had been, my brother would most likely still be alive. Comments by Transportation Minister Trevor Taylor on Nov. 15 are confusing and disconcerting. Mr. Taylor seemed to suggest that the road appeared dry earlier that morning and that the truck responsible for sanding and salting it turned around. However, we have heard reports that no salt truck was dispatched that morning to the section of the Argentia Access Road where the accident occurred. In fact, we have heard reports that a truck from the Transportation Department’s Whitbourne depot surveyed another section of Route 100. However, the accident occurred on that portion of the Argentia Access Road for which the Placentia depot –— not the Whitbourne depot — is responsible. Reports indicate there

was a shortage of vehicles at the Placentia depot that week because at least one vehicle was down for repairs. The place where the accident occurred is known as a dangerous section of road. There have been other accidents in the same area in the past. Moreover, this incident was the third fatal one involving road conditions in this province in less than a week. Furthermore, the Transportation Department knows that the probability of black ice is high in midNovember. We are wondering whether cutbacks to the Department of Transportation in recent years were contributing factors in the accident. We are wondering whether the Placentia depot had the necessary resources to protect the public on the morning of Nov. 14. Are there enough trucks available to keep our roads safe? Is any rationing of sand and salt posing a threat to motorists? These are among the questions we would like answered. My brother was commuting to St. John’s to support his family when he encountered black ice. If this fatal accident had happened on a worksite, there would be a full investigation by the Department of Labour. If a company

were found derelict in its duty to protect employees, the department would likely lay charges against that employer. We want a full investigation. We want answers. But if these answers were to point to some dereliction of duty on the part of the provincial government, to whom would the government be accountable? Can our auditor general do a complete review of the impact cutbacks have had on public safety? Can there be a full public inquiry? Like a negligent employer that endangers its employees for the bottom line, could the government be held accountable for risking public safety for the sake of debt reduction? Cutbacks to government services, including highway maintenance, began with the Liberals and have snowballed under the current government. We are concerned that these cutbacks played a role in the tragic accident on Nov. 14. Is it because of the agenda of cutbacks by the government that our families and community follow the agenda of a “Mass of Christian burial?” Daniel Pomroy, Jerseyside

DECEMBER 11, 2005

8 • INDEPENDENTNEWS

INDEPENDENTNEWS • 9

By Stephanie Porter The Independent

o one argues the point: Newfoundland and Labrador was built on the fishery. And according to two surveys commissioned by The Independent — and discussed in the paper over the past three weeks — the majority of Ontarians and Quebecers still see this province as reliant on the sea. That perception may not be too far from reality, as political and community leaders seem to agree. Further, although much has been made of efforts to diversify the province’s economy — oil and gas developments and hydroelectricity are the big-ticket items these days — the fishery is still considered to be an important part of the future of Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly in rural areas. “You look at Burgeo, Ramea, Harbour Breton, the history is the fishery,” says Wayne Ruth, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Municipalities and Mayor of the west coast Town of Kippens. “And so goes the fishery, so goes the economic stimulus of those towns. Not very often are you going to see an industry relocate to outport Newfoundland and Labrador … with the outmigration of our younger people and the people who would work … who’s going to be the workforce? “If these rural areas are going to survive, certainly the ones that have a history of fishing, they are always going to heavily depend on it.” Ruth points out oil and gas are finite resources — which the fishery should not be, if the stocks are allowed to replenish. “In the future, it may be a more selective-type fishing than we’re used to,” Ruth continues. “But obviously, it’s one of the largest employers in the province and we can’t ignore it.” Premier Danny Williams agrees that when it comes to the future of Newfoundland and Labrador, the fishery is “very very important.” While he won’t say it’s the only key to the survival of the outports — “Because then if the fishery fails completely then we’re admitting that rural Newfoundland has failed.” — he does say efforts in diversification are being put in place so the communities can “sustain the peaks and valleys and the highs and lows of the fishing industry.” And if wild fish stocks aren’t in any shape to sustain a viable fishery, Williams is looking to advance aquaculture efforts to fill in. “We’re trying to put conservation measures in place for the fishery that’s in trouble. But we’re also looking to the future … if the wild fishery is in trouble, then we’re looking to aquaculture and … putting a major investment into aquaculture whether it be mussels, salmon or

Fisherman Doug Williams, says he can no longer fish cod or salmon so, despite days that start at 3 a.m. and finish at 5 p.m,. he will fish crab for as long as he can. Paul Daly/The Independent

So goes the fishery, so goes the economy Oil and gas and hydro hold great promise for economy, but fishery may always be ‘essence’ of Newfoundland and Labrador eventually cod, which is a huge growth area.” In part, The Independent commissioned the surveys in Ontario and Quebec — and launched its accompanying three-part series, Power and Perception — to examine how Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are

viewed in central Canada. Overwhelmingly, this province’s people were viewed in a positive light: friendly, humourous, hard working — and culturally distinct. Many of the questions focused on perceptions of the business atmosphere and economy of this province, with a partic-

ular emphasis on attitudes towards the Churchill developments. The aim was to gauge public support for upcoming negotiations of the lower Churchill — and potential renegotiations of the upper Churchill deal. Williams, for his part, was particularly interested to see the support coming out

of central Canada on the Churchill issue. (Over 50 per cent of Ontarians and Quebecers believe the upper Churchill contract should be renegotiated; a majority believe the federal government should offer financial support in developing the lower Churchill.) “It surprised me,” says Williams.

“Even the Quebec portion of it … I didn’t think, first of all, that a lot of people were interested in it. “And second, if they did have an opinion, I wasn’t so sure that it would be so much pro-us. Not because it’s not a rational, logical, reasonable argument but just on the fact it doesn’t affect them … I didn’t think they’d be concerned. “We have certainly got the message out on that, no doubt about it.” Provincial NDP leader Jack Harris echoes some of Williams’ optimism on the topic. He says developments like the offshore and the lower Churchill will, in reality, have major influences on the basic economic structure of the province, both in the short and long terms. “They can contribute mightily to the GDP and economic activity and help the economy,” he says. Harris then returns to the “essence of Newfoundland’s existence. “Do (those industries) overshadow the importance of the fishery for the future? The fishery, although it may be a diminishing portion of the GDP, it is still a mainstay of what makes Newfoundland and Labrador what it is … “There’s been significant changes, obviously, but it still employs a number of people and numbers of people are dependent upon the health of the fishery and the fishing industry to survive … and the communities too.” Harris says the challenge for the province is going to be using the advantages that come with improvements in the economy — brought about by developing energy resources — and passing those along in support for rural enterprise and development. He points to Norway as a model for finding a balance. “They have a substantial economy in the oil and gas industry and technology, and they have developed policies which provide significant support for rural economies. “It’s a transition and a challenge and there’s no quick fix … the future of rural economies is tied up in the fisheries but it can’t be the only thing. “There are major strides in technology and communication but it’s going to need commitment and investment and those things that are needed to allow any economy to adapt to change.” At the beginning of the series, The Independent spoke with writer and comedian Rick Mercer, about his thoughts on outside perceptions of Newfoundland. “You’re talking hundreds of years of branding with fish so it’s all about branding and really, who cares if (Canadians) think fish is bigger than oil in Newfoundland?” he says. “Our culture is built on fish, it’s not built on oil and gas. So probably 200 years from now, no matter what’s happening, people will still reference Newfoundland and fish and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

‘An entirely different agreement when it came to renewal … it was a substantial deviation’ From page 1 then-privately owned company leased the Churchill water rights. “The most outrageous aspect, really the truly inequitable aspect of the Churchill Falls deal is the renewal clause,” says Feehan. “Something quite opposite to it was agreed to, from ’63 right up to the last minute and in the signed letter of intent. It was an entirely different agreement when it came to renewal … it was a substantial deviation.” The original renewal clause allowed for a renegotiation

between the parties in 2016 (44 years after first power or 40 years after project completion, whichever came first), with a further 25-year extension only occurring following a mutual agreement. The change Hydro-Quebec later demanded for that clause resulted in a non-negotiable 25year renewal in 2016 — which is why 2041 is now the date considered as the culmination of the contract. In 1966, Hydro-Quebec issued its formal letter of intent (containing the original renewal clause) to take the financial development risk of the upper

Churchill, control transmission through its own province and buy the power from Newfoundland and Labrador. Feehan says that letter was looked at as an unsigned contract, a contract with generous terms for Quebec, although not unconscionable given the risk of such a massive project. CFLCo and the province agreed to the terms, including the 2016 expiration date. CFLCo and the province also agreed to sell the power to Quebec at a fixed, inflation-free price that Feehan says even in 1968 was considered low. They agreed to the terms — not

because they didn’t understand the need of an escalator clause — but because Hydro-Quebec, in return, would undertake to ensure CFLCo didn’t go bankrupt. As far as CFLCo and the province was concerned, it was a price worth paying to ensure the development of the massively expensive project would fall right back into Newfoundland’s hands in 2016. CFLCo sunk all its money into the beginning of the project in the mid 1960s, realizing

Quebec required the power by 1972 and that the financial risk would be relieved by Hydro-Quebec as soon as the official contract was signed. By that time, Hydro-Quebec had wrangled control of a 20 per cent share of CFLCo, which had originally been held by a private Quebec company. Despite protests of a conflict of interests from CFLCo and Smallwood, Quebec refused to sell those shares back to CFLCo’s parent company, Brinco.

By 1968, Brinco, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador all had shares in CFLCo. That meant HydroQuebec had inside knowledge of CFLCo’s financial status at a crucial time of negotiations. “Hydro-Quebec knew that CFLCo only had maybe 10, 12 weeks of money left,” says Feehan, “and it was only at that time that they looked for this renewal (clause). CFLCo tried to resist, but they were running out of money quickly and really couldn’t raise any more until they could show the banks that they had Hydro-Quebec’s agreement on a deal.”

Feehan says CFLCo tried to reason and get an escalator clause after 2016, but HydroQuebec insisted it would continue to purchase the power at a similarly low, fixed rate. That rate equals out to less than one quarter of a cent per kilowatt hour (today that power is worth as much as nine cents per kilowatt hour). “People have always talked about the contract as if it was this uniform 65-year contract,” says Feehan. “People have always said, well there was no re-opener clause or people didn’t understand the need for escalation, didn’t know about

inflation. These people understood these notions, they understood it; it’s just that when it came to the crunch, Hydro Quebec said no. “(CFLCo) were aware of all these things and basically they were at a point, financially, where they really were facing a do-or-die condition. This was put on the table and it was essentially non-negotiable.” Hydro-Quebec now owns 34 per cent of CFLCo; the province of Newfoundland and Labrador owns the remainder, purchased when the Frank Moores administration bought Brinco shares in the mid-1970s.

‘You’re either committed to custodial management or you’re not’ From page 1 series in The Independent. This week marks the third and final installment. Eight hundred respondents were polled — half in Ontario and half in Quebec — between Nov. 12 and 20. Findings are considered accurate to within +/– 4.8 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. “It’s interesting there’s a greater awareness of (the moratorium) in Ontario, given Quebec has a greater interest in the fishing

industry,” says Cindy Roma, CEO of Telelink. “But Quebec was still fairly strongly aware.” In Ontario, 77.2 per cent of respondents said foreign overfishing had a great or significant impact on the collapse of the cod stocks; 77.8 per cent in Quebec said the same thing. Domestic overfishing was named a culprit as well — 40.4 per cent in Ontario and 46.7 per cent in Quebec said it had great or significant impact on the collapse of the

fishery. The surveys also asked a question about the impact of “scientific evidence” — but those answers were difficult to read. “This is one of those questions where you see a great deal of people responded either with no opinion, especially in Ontario, and there’s a lot of people in the middle on this,” says Roma. “I think this is one of those cases where they really didn’t have an answer so they sort of grabbed a number in the middle.”

Williams says other Canadians are starting to see that the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador is turning around and diversifying — but the fishery is still “extremely important and No.1.” He says Ottawa bears the blame for the state of the fishery today. “I don’t know if they fully appreciate it,” he continues. “I’ve tried to get it across to people in addresses … that it is the federal government’s gross mismanagement of this very valuable industry that’s the problem.

“You can point to other problems, whether it be foreigners or some of our own overfishing, but basically the main fault lies with the federal government.” Further, Williams is not convinced the political will exists to do what needs to be done to restore the health of stocks. “ I’ve heard some wonderful statements come from the prime minister, I’ve heard some wonderful statements come from Stephen Harper … that they’re committed to custodial management but I’m not so

sure they’re prepared to put the gunboats out there to enforce that. “Diplomacy has been used … I think it’s now time that somebody says OK, fine we’re on a very short fuse here … you’re either committed to custodial management or you’re not. And if you are, then get on with it and get on with it within 12 months. “The stocks continue to erode and they (will) get to a point that they’ve bottomed out so badly that not in any of our lifetimes will you ever see them recover.”

SURVEY RESULTS Are you aware that, for the most part, the cod fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador has been under moratorium since 1992? ONTARIO

Yes No

61.1% 38.9%

QUEBEC

Yes No

45.8% 54.2%

How much impact has domestic overfishing had on the collapse of the cod stocks?

How much impact has foreign overfishing has on the collapse of the cod stocks?

How much impact has the lack of scientific evidence in setting quotas had on the collapse of the cod stocks?

ONTARIO