Newfoundland Premier Williams: Harper does not bring any solutions

[trex]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/cbc/071130/cana...williams_harper

Friday's hour-long meeting between Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams and Prime Minister Stephen Harper ended much as it had begun - cordially and without solutions, Williams said. "It's fair to say we agree to disagree on issues," Williams told a press conference following his first sit-down with the prime minister since a political spat arose between the two over the Atlantic Accord more than a year ago.

"The original disagreement affected a promise that had been made, and that position has not changed," Williams said. "As a result, nothing is going to change here." That means Williams's threat to the federal government to mobilize an ABC - or "Anything But Conservative" position - still stands, the premier said. "ABC is still on...as long as the matters are unresolved between us and the government of Canada," he said.

Williams is upset that the spring federal budget only allows Newfoundland to tap into a more generous equalization program if it gives up the accord, which protects the province's offshore revenues from equalization clawbacks until at least 2012. Williams said the province would lose $11 billion due to the changes and how they would affect the province's share of offshore oil revenues.

Harper did not speak to reporters after the encounter.

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Yet another "successful" agreement to disagree for Harper.

Edited December 1, 2007 by trex

[margrace]

When will Harper learn that bully tactics do not work. Does he think we are all so stupid that he can say Shut up and we listen.

[jdobbin]

It looks like Williams will be still seeking to defeat the Tories in the next election. We'll see how much influence he has towards that end in his home province and the Maritimes.

[geoffrey]

When will Harper learn that bully tactics do not work. Does he think we are all so stupid that he can say Shut up and we listen.

I think it's Danny that's trying to be a bully.

He can keep his Atlantic Accord, no one is taking that away. But he wants the positives of both deals with none of the responsibilities. A very typically Atlantic Canadian attitude.

[Michael Bluth]

I think it's Danny that's trying to be a bully.

He can keep his Atlantic Accord, no one is taking that away. But he wants the positives of both deals with none of the responsibilities.

Yup, nothing is being taken away.

Danny is an odd, odd man.

Not the first premier to boost his standing at home by opposing the feds no matter what.

[jdobbin]

He can keep his Atlantic Accord, no one is taking that away. But he wants the positives of both deals with none of the responsibilities. A very typically Atlantic Canadian attitude.

He seems happier with a Liberal government in Ottawa so I suspect he will be working full out to defeat the Tory candidates in Newfoundland.

[geoffrey]

He seems happier with a Liberal government in Ottawa so I suspect he will be working full out to defeat the Tory candidates in Newfoundland.

That doesn't make him any more intelligent or interested in his people. He's there for political gain and that only. Remember when he removed the Canadian flag to bully Martin into his way.

Let's face it. Newfoundland isn't worth a second thought, their population and contribution to Canada is about the same as London or Burlington. They have a disproportionate voice and a completely irrational one.

It's a sad reflection on the intelligence of those involved in the media to give this guy as much air time as they do.

And I think it's rather foolish of you Dobbin to believe that Williams will accept Dion with open arms. Give it a few weeks and he'll be back at removing flags and crying in the corner.

[jdobbin]

That doesn't make him any more intelligent or interested in his people. He's there for political gain and that only. Remember when he removed the Canadian flag to bully Martin into his way.

Let's face it. Newfoundland isn't worth a second thought, their population and contribution to Canada is about the same as London or Burlington. They have a disproportionate voice and a completely irrational one.

It's a sad reflection on the intelligence of those involved in the media to give this guy as much air time as they do.

And I think it's rather foolish of you Dobbin to believe that Williams will accept Dion with open arms. Give it a few weeks and he'll be back at removing flags and crying in the corner.

I have no doubt that Williams cannot be trusted as an ally. Still, Dion should have no problem maintaining the promise he made to Williams and for the time, Williams seems happy with that.

While Newfoundland doesn't represent a lot of seats, they do have three Tory seats which I think everyone can admit are important for a minority government to win if they are to build a majority.

[Michael Bluth]

That doesn't make him any more intelligent or interested in his people. He's there for political gain and that only. Remember when he removed the Canadian flag to bully Martin into his way.

Let's face it. Newfoundland isn't worth a second thought, their population and contribution to Canada is about the same as London or Burlington. They have a disproportionate voice and a completely irrational one.

It's a sad reflection on the intelligence of those involved in the media to give this guy as much air time as they do.

And I think it's rather foolish of you Dobbin to believe that Williams will accept Dion with open arms. Give it a few weeks and he'll be back at removing flags and crying in the corner.

Well said.

Danny plays well in slow news times.

Nothing much on the horizon between now and the new year.

Then the talk of the Government getting defeated before the budget will be everywhere and Danny can go back to his corner.

[jawapunk]

All I hear in here is a lot of crying from western Canadians....I can't recall Williams ever crying when he took down Canadian flags. The gesture was never aimed at other Canadians but since the parliament doesn't have a flag per say, it was the most meaningful act he could come up with. I think it worked. I guess he is not such an idiot if he gets things accomplished.

Edited December 4, 2007 by jawapunk

[DrGreenthumb]

The simple fact that he opposes Harper and gives people the very intelligent advice to vote for anyone other than conservatives shows that he is a lot more intelligent than many of the posters on this forum. Conservative policies don't play well to anyone with common sense.

Only those used to hellfire and brimstone indoctrinations from an early age are suseptable to the fascists brainwashing. Forget what science and history prove to be true, cons only rely on what they "believe". The earth is only 6000 years old to these people.

[M.Dancer]

Another jejune post adding nothing....

[jdobbin]

Looks like there is still no peace between Harper and Williams.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...14?hub=Politics

The prime minister said he doesn't need Newfoundland and Labrador's support to win a future federal election, according to Premier Danny Williams.

The premier told reporters Monday that when he met with Stephen Harper on Nov. 30 in St. John's, the prime minister made a "very telling" comment that revealed his open disdain toward his province.

"At one point during that meeting he said to me: 'I don't need Newfoundland and Labrador to win an election,'" said Williams, who has been embroiled in a bitter feud with the prime minister for more than a year over the province's ability to retain its offshore oil revenues.

"From that point on, I knew where his head was going to be and where his attitude was, and the kind of disdain in which he treats Newfoundland and Labrador. But you know I didn't respond at the time, I let it go in the interest of having a cordial meeting, I perceived it as an attempt to bait me into a confrontation during that meeting, and the bait was not taken."

The accusation drew an unequivocal denial from the Prime Minister's Office.

A spokesman for the PMO told NTV: "The premier's comments are false."

But Williams said smaller provinces should take note of the prime minister's alleged comment.

"If that's his attitude and he doesn't feel that Newfoundland and Labrador is significant because it only has seven seats, then provinces like Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, the territories and others have to be very, very concerned if they don't fill his political appetite,'' he said.

Williams had asked Harper for $10 billion in compensation over 15 years for breaking a promise over the equalization program.

When they met for the first ministers meeting last Friday in Ottawa, Williams said the prime minister indicated his response to the request won't be favourable.

Williams certainly gets his shots in regularly at Harper.

Contrast that with Gary Doer's relationship with Harper. Harper's government came to deliver huge money on election day for the NDP for not taking swipes at the federal Tories.

[noahbody]

Williams earned my respect when he first came into office and personally confronted the picketing union members (can't recall which) to explain why his offer, contrary to what the union bosses were saying, was fair and reasonable.

Since that time, however, he's taken on the role as the union boss, crying foul at every opportunity, playing it up in front of the cameras for his loyal followers.

Considering all offshore oil revenue is constitutionally owned by the federal govt, maybe Newfoundlanders could be thankful for their good fortune.

[Borg]

When will Harper learn that bully tactics do not work. Does he think we are all so stupid that he can say Shut up and we listen.

In all actuality I am not so sure we are getting the truth on this matter.

You on the other hand seem quite prepared to believe it is a one way street - perhaps you need to look at this differently.

These guys do not like each other.

How do we truly know who is telling the truth?

Otherwise it is simply be the yapping of "kick me" sized dogs and the media loves it. It gets played and people take sides.

I figure Williams is an ass.

Be that as it may, it is time to bury the hatchet and start afresh.

Put on the big boy pants and start running the country / province - get over it boys.

Borg