Newfie Canadian

John Reynolds is quitting one of the most important posts in a minority government situation, House Leader for the Official Opposition. Seem a little strange to anyone else? http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...?hub=TopStories

That's a pretty good link there Stoker. I love Lew MacKenzie. He makes some valid points. I also agree with August. If Martin was shocked that it came up during the visit, he needs new advisors and better briefing people. I wonder if it isn't so much that he was shocked that it came up, but more that it came up so much and so publicly, ie the Halifax speech.

Here's what Ujjal Dosanjh said:

She seems to have had a party happening, if the allegations are true.

So much for Sgro. She has resigned from cabinet. Didn't Martin make a big deal out of her during and after the campaign? http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/20...ning050114.html

I'm not a rancher, nor am I an expert in the cattle industry, but I don't believe the market for beef has yet rebounded from the first case of Mad Cow from last year. In my opinion, perhaps born from ignorance, the only way to esure a stable market place for Canadian beef is go full test, that way there is no excuse for the Japanese, Americans or whoever to close their borders. I just can't beleive that the governments of Canada, Alberta and the ranchers themselves can't come to an arrangement to make it happen.

Speaking for my own area, the Maple Leaf adorns all federal buildings (HRDC, Post Office, RCMP detach.) The provincial buildings around here have no flags at all that I can recall, with the exception of the hospital, which has all the Maple Leaf, NL flag and the Union Jack. Municipal buildings generally have the NL flag, the Maple Leaf and the Union Jack, and in most cases the municipal flag. The businesses that display flags usually show the Maple Leaf and or the NL flag. From what I can recall of St. John's (I used to live there a while ago and still make frequent visits) the Maple Leaf and NL flag are both represented well at all sorts of establishments, from local businesses to lager corporate offices and provincial buildings. It may be worthwhile to note, the Union Jack is still widely respected and used in NL. My wife's grandfather for example, had no time for the Maple Leaf or the NL flag. The only flag he flew was the UJ. And as I indicated above, many businesses and establishments fly it. I personally fly the Maple Leaf ,proudly I might add, and the Union Jack out of respect for my wife's grandfather, a WWII RN vet.

It keeps getting worse for our beef industry. Possible Third Case of Mad Cow in Canada That means it was born after 1997 when the ban on feeding cattle remains to other cattle was put into place. To get the industry back up, there are going to have to be some drastic steps taken, IMO.

I agree. The timing in raising the flag could have something to do with a provincial poll that came out last week, indicating a vast majority of people supported the premier's position on negotiations and the accord, the people were split down the middle on the issue of the flag. He needed an indication of clear support for lowering the flag and wasn't getting inside the province, to say nothing about the lambasting he was getting from outside NL.

Well said Fleabag. I agree. I share the concerns and reservations of the majority of Canadians in the above mentioned polls. The system now sucks, as the most recent test of a few weeks ago prove, and if we're talking tactical nuclear weapons, a missle shield wouldn't stop fallout from intercepted missles from falling right over our heads. I was just pointing out the position of the CPC. I see PM PM's position right now, and it appears to have been echoed in some of his statements and the statements of Bill Graham, as an effort to keep NORAD effective and in the loop.

BD is right on with the polls. All the polls I've heard have had the majority against the idea of joining the missle shield. I also would suggest that the CPC wouldn't necessarily "aye-aye" joining the missle shield, especially in a limited way or conditional way that the Liberals would most likely proceed. From a CPC policy statement from Sept of 2004. I cannot see the Liberals becoming "full partners" in a program that the majority of Canadians oppose.

I'm not an economics expert by any means, but here's my 2¢ worth. In province that is primarily rural in nature, the economy of many of these rural economies rely on small businesses with limited resources and low profit margins. IMO, forced minimum wages hurt these small businesses by forcing them to pay more to employees. I know one business owner who may cut a job to help pay for the rest and working more himself to some cover the work. Our minimum wage is currently at $6/hr., and the government has announced a plan to phase in a $1/hr. increase over 2 years.

I'll concede that participation was expected, but not required. The US has had, as have other countries, the opportunity to stop tyrants and needless death over the decades, but haven't bothered. Rwanda is one example.The Taliban before 9/11 weren't even on the radar.

Canada is hardly unique in that area. I would argue that this is historically inaccurate. Where was the US in the fight against Nazi Germany before Dec 7th, 1941? Not sacrificing lives on the battlefields of Europe like Canadians, Britons and others. That's a simplistic view of Canadian history, IMO.I will agree that the Canadian identity is a fickle thing.

It was the Turks and Caicos Islands. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...079293949072_14 According to CNN, Canada leads the list in regards to the number of tourists that visit Cuba each year. Fidel may do it too, just to stick it to the Americans.

Assuming for the sake of argument that God exists, isn't it presumptuous to assume that He even has a will, and assuming further that He do have a will, our comprehension of such a will would be implausible, wouldn't it?

If you don't mind my answering BBM (I don't consider myself a Conserative), I'll take the money for the military. They need serious money for equipment and recruiting. I can see the pros for the tax cuts, but my vote still goes for the men and women of the Forces.

Money, probably.The DART website says: and I don't know what formal requests have been made, if any. On the other hand, the Globe & Mail says in an article that: Do we have 24 operational Hercules aircraft? The optimist in me says it's the request and formality issue that's keeping DART here, but the pessimist says it's the lack of money.

I would like to wish everyone a safe and joyous holiday season. I've been here for 3+ months and have found great debate and considered opinions. Thank you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Joyeux Noel et Bonne Année.

I love this response. As I said, the show may be for the emotional benefit of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. As for footing the bills, get the deal done, hopefully bring us up to "have" status so we can start helping out. Maybe then people with the attitude like the one you are displaying can sleep at night. I find this hard to believe. Let's not forget that we aren't the only one being shafted here in these negotiations. While Premier Hamm is being more diplomatic and patient than our rookie premier, he still don't have a deal either. I get a great kick out of some of the attitudes of some mainland Canadians. Ontarians and Albertans contribute to equalization and some complain about it. Other provinces try to get a deal to help them get off equalization and some complain about it. Hard to please much?

Anyone has the right to claim assylum in Canada, as well as the US I believe, whether they are from Syria, the US or Mars. But then there is a process to approve or deny it.Why is our own rule of law and due process offensive? She may do a lot for her constituents. I believe that many people vote for the person who would do a lot for their constituents, as opposed to do a lot for the country. LMAO. Everywhere the President goes there are going to be protests. I don't think Layton had to do anything. Not that I support Layton or some of his tactics mind you. There are bigger protests against Bush in hte US than we will ever see here.

And that's not what they are asking for, Cartman. Williams has stated as recently as yesterday on national television that NL is not looking for equaliztion and all the revenues after NL becomes a "have province". Once the "have province" status has been acheived, equalization would stop. Yes he does. I'm not sure if he's playing up to the NL public or if it out of true frustration. Probably both. He's getting support though. The local radio phone in shows has been tremendously positive for the premier. A popular NL Senator, Liberal George Baker has come out with his support for Williams. Conversely, Natural Resources minister John Efford (from my own riding of Avalon) is taking a huge pounding over this. I'm afraid August, that that is the attitude that has plagued NL for a long time and that Williams is apparently trying (at least in public view) to shed. That's the whole point caesar.

He may not file a civil suit. In regards to the whole situation, I have a friend who's an RCMP corporal, and when the charges were filed he said he was embarrassed that this all went to court. What Bertuzzi did was outside the rules, outside the code and seriously damaging to himself, Moore and the game, but it didn't belong in the judicial system.

As I understand it, NL wants to keep all of it's royalties from the offshore oil and have those resources exempt from the equalization clawback until such time as NL becomes a "have province". The clawback now is at 70%, meaning for every dollar NL receives in offshore royalties Ottawa takes back 70¢ in equalization payments. In the long run, wouldn't it benefit Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan to have another "have province"? This has been brewing for a long time with the apparent belief in the bureaucratic and political mentalities that Canada ends with Nova Scotia. Take for example the recent closure of the Gander weather office, with the service and most of the jobs being moved to Halifax. The weather forecast has been atrocious since (it wasn't the best before). Around here he's a bigger hero than Robin Hood was in Nottingham. It goes back to what IMR said about someone finally standing up for NL, especially when you've got Martin on the record as saying he'd do this when he needed the seats and backtracking after he's got them. This has all ensured 3 things: Danny Williams is going to get himself re-elected, Paul Martin is going to lose at least 5 seats in the next federal election and John Efford is the new Sheriff of Nottingham to Paul Martin's Prince John. I personally don't agree with the flag situation. I think it's a little childish and melodramatic. But you have to admit, it's got everyone's attention.

While it's not indicative of a trade war, China is looking to buy oil. NYTimes Article