Newfoundland's Conservative govt. angry with Ottawa...

[Rovik]

The Hebron-Ben Nevis fields are not been developed because the NL govt. and the oil companies have broken off negotiations. The Hibernia and White Rose fields have been developed and are producing.

So Newfoundland is trying to up the take after a deal was made.

There has been no deal with Hebron-Ben Nevis, the negotiations broke down after both sides weren't willing to back down.

The Hibernia and White Rose are separate and there were deals made, though many conclude that Newfoundland has not seen the benefits and monies that it should have received.

[Rovik]

So you are basically saying that it is ok for the oil companies to basically hold the province at ransom until they get their way because otherwise they won't develop the fields for at least 30 years? And you think this is fair to Newfoundland?

And you're saying tha ta province should be able to force a business to make an investment?

No, what i am suggesting is that the province should make the best deal possible to benefit the people of Newfoundland and Labrador from an industry making billions of dollars of profit. Even if the oil companies accepted the province's offer 100%, they would still make oodles of money.

[B. Max]

There has been no deal with Hebron-Ben Nevis, the negotiations broke down after both sides weren't willing to back down.

The Hibernia and White Rose are separate and there were deals made, though many conclude that Newfoundland has not seen the benefits and monies that it should have received.

If one oil companies can't reach a deal it's unlikely another will either.

[B. Max]

No, what i am suggesting is that the province should make the best deal possible to benefit the people of Newfoundland and Labrador from an industry making billions of dollars of profit. Even if the oil companies accepted the province's offer 100%, they would still make oodles of money.

oodles is not a percentage. What seems like big money to one, is not necessarily enough to the company.

[geoffrey]

So you are basically saying that it is ok for the oil companies to basically hold the province at ransom until they get their way because otherwise they won't develop the fields for at least 30 years? And you think this is fair to Newfoundland?

Yes. Either compete or stop complaining. Why should a company go to Newfoundland when business conditions are better in Alberta. There is no oil and gas establishment there, it costs alot of money in infrastructure and development for the companies. They need to be guarnteed their share long-term.

If you want your money, you need to adopt more pro-business measures. Newfoundland is nearly as anti-business as Quebec.

[margrace]

When do the Newfies not feel like they are getting the short end of the stick? I honestly can't think of a situation where they thanked Canada for our rentless support of their unemployment paradise.

When your provinces chief objective is to get government offices, it's a pretty pathetic reflection on your officals. I'd elect a government that attracts business offices and not government offices.

Alberta doesn't have many Federal offices, and we do ok. I'm sure Newfoundland can do without an equity office providing a couple of jobs and miles of red tape. A couple tax cuts and less socialist policies and you might even see someone come and develop your expansive oil and gas resources.

A neighbour spent the month of August touring the Maritime Provinces and Newfoundland and Labrador.

His observations were that they are the most honest people he has every met, that they are the poorest people in Canada and also the friendlies and would do anything for you.

Many people from Newfoundland are working in the northern regions of Alberta, living in motels and trying to send money home

Until you have walked in these peoples shoes you do not know what you are talking about.

[M.Dancer]

When your provinces chief objective is to get government offices, it's a pretty pathetic reflection on your officals. I'd elect a government that attracts business offices and not government offices.

The office workers will miss some pretty good Newfie music. No singing of "Barrett's Privateers" in Quebec bars.

Barrett's isn't "newfie" music........

[geoffrey]

No, what i am suggesting is that the province should make the best deal possible to benefit the people of Newfoundland and Labrador from an industry making billions of dollars of profit. Even if the oil companies accepted the province's offer 100%, they would still make oodles of money.

Oil companies in Newfoundland making billions in profit contribute greatly to your corporate and personal income tax base. You should applaud oil industry profits, it's a sign of great success of a region. Maybe St. John's can be the Calgary of the East?? It has the resources, will Newfoundland use them or get caught up in a ridiculous idealogical game that is costing you billions in lost potential.

It just took one industry to make Calgary-Edmonton the richest region in the world. Now we have tons of subsiduary industries... an uneducated roofer or trade labourer can easily pull $60-70k a year. Newfoundland has the potential... they have a massive labour pool that has oil folks drooling. Pressure your government to give just a little to the companies, and you'll all be rolling in the dough soon enough.

It's all government policy, off-shore deposits are likely greater than all the conventional oil left in Alberta. All poverty in Newfoundland and lack of economic growth can be placed directly on your government's unwillingness to give a good deal to oil companies.

A neighbour spent the month of August touring the Maritime Provinces and Newfoundland and Labrador.

His observations were that they are the most honest people he has every met, that they are the poorest people in Canada and also the friendlies and would do anything for you.

Many people from Newfoundland are working in the northern regions of Alberta, living in motels and trying to send money home

Until you have walked in these peoples shoes you do not know what you are talking about.

I find Newfies really good people, I've got no beef with them individually. I just wish they could see the ignorance and incompetent of their political leaders and grow their economy to be Canada's second big economic power. They've got the resources, it's frustrating to see 15%+ unemployment in an area with so much potential.

Not to mention its costing me personally when I have to pay 5-7% inflation because of labour when people refuse to move despite having very little chance of having gainful labour in their home city.

[jbg]

When your provinces chief objective is to get government offices, it's a pretty pathetic reflection on your officals. I'd elect a government that attracts business offices and not government offices.

The office workers will miss some pretty good Newfie music. No singing of "Barrett's Privateers" in Quebec bars.

Barrett's isn't "newfie" music........

Yes, I know Stan Rogers was born in Ontario and was more associated with NS than NL. Given its audience effectively it is "Newfie" music, I think. Am I wrong?

Oh OK, maybe no singing "Mummer's Song" in bars.

[Hydraboss]

I suspect Alberta sets the rules for resource development since it is a provincial responsibility and has nothing to do with the feds.

Offshore drilling is an exception, I believe.

You're right. Our offshore drilling is rather limited.

[Rovik]

So you are basically saying that it is ok for the oil companies to basically hold the province at ransom until they get their way because otherwise they won't develop the fields for at least 30 years? And you think this is fair to Newfoundland?

Yes. Either compete or stop complaining. Why should a company go to Newfoundland when business conditions are better in Alberta. There is no oil and gas establishment there, it costs alot of money in infrastructure and development for the companies. They need to be guarnteed their share long-term.

If you want your money, you need to adopt more pro-business measures. Newfoundland is nearly as anti-business as Quebec.

It's not complaining at all, it's all about standing up for your fair share. Why should Newfoundland grovel and pander to the oil companies who have profits to the companies and shareholders as their number one priority, not the province and its people.

Listen, Newfoundland has made sacrifices to the oil companies in the past such as tax breaks and incentives. In the case of Hibernia, many people say that the oil companies were the big winners, Newfoundland lose big time and are still not getting their fair deal in that arrangement. In regards to lack of oil establishment , people I know who work in the oil industry say that the oil companies won't develop as much as they should here is because of our location, not anything to do with provincial's stance in regard to the oil companies. That's why you won't see a major oil company moving their HQs here; the cost of shipping stuff here from the states and elsewhere, compared to Alberta, is much more expensive.

I don't see anyhting wrong about Newfoundland's stance towards big business, instead the oil companies should adopt a more pro-provincial stance.

[geoffrey]

I don't see anyhting wrong about Newfoundland's stance towards big business, instead the oil companies should adopt a more pro-provincial stance.

Exactly why Newfoundland is independantly one of the poorest areas in North America... well excluding the central folks... definitely the poorest in Canada. That attitude needs to change or your stuck with what you've got, a bunch of fishermen waiting for the cod to come home.

Why should business bend to you? You need to develop an environment that attracts business, or they will go elsewhere, bottom line.