I am disappointed, yet not surprised, by the nasty attacks on me in the National Post ( “From Newfoundland, another tantrum,” editorial; and “The Cuckoo of Corner Brook,” by Peter Foster; both of Aug. 26). I certainly can take the criticism. Where I draw the line is at mean-spirited insinuations and inaccuracies about our province and its people.
In regard to the recent financial settlement between the Canadian government and Abitibi Inc., which resolved the company’s NAFTA complaint, let me point out that Abitibi operated in our province for 100 years. After reaping untold millions in profits and also providing substantial employment for our hard working people, the company closed two mills, threw hundreds out of work, and walked away without even paying the severance these people were owed.
There is no doubt that the pulp-and-paper industry is facing difficult times globally. However, Abitibi broke its covenant with our government under the original terms of its operations in the province. We could not simply allow it to desert the workers while keeping rights to our timber, hydro and lands; valuable natural assets that were entrusted to this company based on certain terms and conditions. Our expropriation of those natural resources was the right thing to do for our people.
Additionally, I am compelled to respond to the following inaccuracies:
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Related:
Newfoundland’s national embarrassment
Notes:
Actually, I’m with Danny on this one if what he says is true. We need more premiers just like him.
I now where he is coming from. On Vancouver Island, many years ago, CN was given massive amounts of prime land and forest resources for promising to establish and maintain, in perpetuity, a railway. They have abandoned the railway and it is barely alive running passenger service between Victoria & Courtenay. To my knowledge, CN still is reaping the benefits it received and basically the taxpayers are now supporting the railway. I’m with Danny Boy on this one as well.
mis island mike
Newfoundland in it’s greed make a bad decision and the tax payers of the rest of Canada cover the tab. Not a lot different than the freeloaders of quebec.
And don’t forget the out of court settlement that Codere has also saddled us with. One of the reasons the committee did not want audits of MPs budgets is that a lot of the money goes to settle lawsuits, and if that got out it would harm the MPs reputation.
If a lawsuit results from an MPs doing or saying something, it should all be on that MPs dime.