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That's Danny Billions to you

JOHN GRAY

From Friday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 2:06 PM EST 28/02/08

Newfoundland's premier isn't afraid to battle Big Oil or "Steve" Harper. You can't catapult Confederation's poor cousin to "have" status without a few scrapes, can you? ...Read the full article

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  1. Robert Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: I can honestly say that this is the best written story that I have ever read about Premier Williams of Newfoundland -- Obviously, the author gets it!

    Williams is a Progressive Conservative in the true sense. Atlantic Canada's politics had been rife with political lap dogs and 'leaders' that no one could be proud of... This guy, Williams, has people thinking differently out here... even outside Newfoundland and Labrador. That's good for Canada because increased independence and economic advances are what all Canadians should want for the Atlantic provinces.

    The original fall out between Harper and Williams, however, was in Gander when the PM refused to help Newfoundland and Labrador develop fallow field legislation for the offshore in NL as in Alberta -- It has been speculated locally that the Atlantic Accord betrayal was Harper's way of getting back at Williams for that original falling out.

    PS. The title, Danny Chavez, was one that was conferred by some of the rubes at the National Post -- sticks and stones... lol
  2. Chris Young from Newfoundland, Canada writes: I remember one article in the Globe and Mail back during the Hibernia oil development stated that the federal government should not be investing in that offshore project because oil would have to be close to $30 a barrel for the government to get a return on their money and oil was in the $18 a barrel dollar range.

  3. V. Prud'homme from Montreal, Canada writes: I agree with Robert Miller: it's a very good reportage and probably one of the best on a Premier of Newfoundland & Labrador.I learned a lot on this very unique personnage on which (I have to admit) I had non-favorable assumptions.I have a lot of respect for people who have principles and stand for them.Newfoundland has always been a distinct society (like Quebec) and Newfoundlanders should be proud to stand (and fight,when necessary) for their rights.
  4. Northern Pike from Kitchener, Canada writes: Haven't read the article yet but the picture spoke a thousand words. Is this the level the globe has resorted to? Keeping at this pace the globe is becoming no better than the gossip rag on the shelves today. The whole reference to Chavez is enough to see what message the globe is really trying to send across. This picture could deem slanderous. The globe should be considered a non-biased paper but instead builds itself up on propaganda, trying to convince the average Ontarion that it's province is by far the greatest and everyone else is poor and living off it. It's prety pathedic that when someone logs in one of the first pics you see is Danny Williams potrayed like this. What's the next story in here Williams pregnant for Harper? This paper is smelling more like a teenage gossip magazine everyday.
  5. Northern Pike from Kitchener, Canada writes: Read the article now, few good points put in about Williams but mostly an attempt to insult Nfld as best the author could. Feds get $4.8 NL gets $1.2 billion (4X). The numbers the feds get in this article was no less than 3X NL's amount. I wonder how much NL could get if the feds didn't block the fallow field bit? Maybe the author could have mentioned the lack of involvement by the feds when the foreign fishers were taking the cod long after the fishery was closed in Canada and even before. A government that quickly came to the rescue for manufacturing when the dollar climbed. Maybe the author could have mentioned how NL is held at gunpoint for the exporting of it's power or anything else through Quebec. Maybe mention how there is little attempt at connecting mainland NL to the rest of the mainland. There are many points left out (conveniently) that would help give a better understanding to why NL is not the powerhouse it should have been and should be today. In large part too many NL politicians have given too much away as well, likely thought to be backed into a corner by the feds and having taken the easier way out (unlike Williams). The author liked to make a comparison between Williams and Chavez to make his Ontario posters happy but how about an article comparing NL with Norway and how one is prospering and one isn't. Maybe someone is needed from a non-biased point of view which the globe lacks.
  6. George Bain from Canada writes: Interesting article! I have never voted Conservative in my life, but I would vote for Dany if I lived in NL.

    I think it says a lot about the man when Mr. Lau from Husky stated how his negotiations went with him. He sounds like a guy who when he gives his word it's genuine. I like and respect the man.

    He's one of the few politicians who seem to have a vision for his Province. I wish we had more of them in Canada.
  7. Sam Snead from Canada writes: Williams is treating the situation like any competent business person would. It is a bit of a hard battle because he also has to change expectations from past experiences.

    The picture depicting Williams as Chavez sets a tone. However it appears to be in jest as the article clearly demonstrations the absurdity of the comparison.

    Williams hardest job at first was resetting expectations. I wouldn't say he beat big oil, they'll do OK. But he wasn't shy about telling them to go away until they get serious.

    Most of the negative stories regarding Williams in this adventure can easily be summed up in total as: He wouldn't give us stuff for free so he's a bad man.
  8. michel pelletier from Canada writes: Great article, I know the region of newfoundland myself, newfoundlanders are the people that best represent Canada, they know what to do when situation are hard and are even more resilant when sitaution become harder , they are true survivors. Danny Williams has the brains the guts and all the stuff the vision of a real leader and businessman. I fell in love with newfoundland and I a still in love with people, and they deserve all what they are getting now, never mind the bad publicity. I can only imagine Danny William in the place of steven harper, this is a no brainer, Canada would the perfect place to live.
  9. T M Burke from Canada writes: I moved to NL in 2005 because I felt that there was a change in the momentum in this province and perhaps there was a future here for me. I am pleased to say that I am still here and plan to be for a long time. The feeling here is contagious and Danny Williams should be given much of the credit, not only is he fighting for a fair share of resources, he is encouraging the people of Newfoundland and Labrador to stand up, hold their head high and be proud of who we are. That is a real leader and I am deeply greatful to the man for instilling this in the people. There will always be naysayers who do not understand this province or it's people, who will tell us that it is not possible to achieve more. Fortunately we have a leader who sets the example that anything is possible and the future is indeed so bright it hurts our eyes!
  10. M Yetman from St. John's, Canada writes: Northern Pike - I'm not sure I agree with you in that the author of the article was trying to insult NL. I think that the article did a fine job of simplifying what the real issues are out here in NL and in relaying to readers what the province has faced in the past and continues to face today. There have been many instances since our union with Canada where NL has come out on the losing side and I attribute that to poor leadership and a lack of bargining power by the province and its leaders. For the first time since 1949 we have something (oil) that the rest of the country/world wants and needs and we have an individual (Williams) negotiating on our behalf who is on a higher intellectual plane than most of the those he is facing off against. For once we have someone who knows the game and can play it and is not intimidated by taking on the prime minister or oil company executives. There has been an inferiority complex out here in NL for a long long time and it has effected and been prevalent in almost all newfoundlanders from premiers on down to fisherman. For once we have a man in charge who believes he is at the very least on a level equal to all other canadians and in all likelyhood feels superior to most - and that is someone who you want to follow and you want mixing the kool-aid. So pass the cups around mr. premier and drag 507,000 great people into a real and equal union with Canada.
  11. Gerry Dunnhaupt from Toronto, Canada writes: Canada is supposed to have the second-biggest oil reserves in the world. In all other oil countries, the people get a break by much cheaper gas prices -- but not in Canada!
  12. A B from Calgary Area, Canada writes: I give him credit for giving 'Steve' the middle finger.... And Harpler better watch out for his job: I have a feeling that Danny is eyeing the big house on 24 Sussex.

    Canada's New Government'..... New and Ugly

    The Good Ship HMCS 'HarperLiedAboutIncomeTrusts' and the CON-BORGS aboard, are doomed.
  13. D Anderson from Canada writes: The national media are finally getting it! Many of us Canadians have known it all along. What a Prime Minister he would make!
  14. P Martin from St. John's, NL, Canada writes: Not exactly a pleasant article. While there are enough nuggets of truth in the article to give some information about NL and Danny Williams, it is negative in many ways, extremely biased in other (not in a nice way) and lacking in so many ways. This is NL and Danny Williams bashing with enough positives not to be a complete mudslinging piece of sleaze. But not by much.

    There is so many information 'missing' in this article that is must be deliberate. There are enough 'facts' in certain sections but lacking in background and reasons as to provide just the right negative impression. This is the usual centralist rant by the extremely biased and NL-negative GaM.
  15. John Doucette from Manotick, Canada writes: Scene 1: Gray, a business writer looking for an angle.

    'My editors, their friends and chief advertiser, Mr. Big Oil, will love this story: Painting a picture of Danny Williams like Fidel or Che! Since my writing isn't really very good, I'd better get the art department to do a drawing!
    Wow!
    Great idea!
    I don't even need any facts or any content at all,
    Harper will love it too, its his type of story, no facts!
    I wonder, Can I get appointed as nuclear regulator?
    I could do that!!


  16. garlick toast from Canada writes: i like that the article acknowledges the role played by the fraser institute and the atlantic institute for market studies,both toadies for big oil and big biz.they,unlike danny,do not stand on guard for us.
    nova scotia's roddy[bobblehead]macdonald could take notice of how it's done by real leaders.our off shore gas was frying burgers in new brunswick long before it was available in n.s.
  17. Jeremy Fewster from Montreal, Canada writes: I agree with the poster who said that the comparison with Chavez is absurd...except the part about standing up to big oil, and his people loving him for it.
  18. Hypocrisy Abhorer from St. |John's, Canada writes: NL_Expatriate Republic NL from www.nlfirst.ca, Canada who wrote a comment on the Article Danny admits to yakking on the telephone. Before I had a chance to respond Comments were closed. The Globe closed it right where it wanted to. NL_Expatriate if Joey Smallwood had not been programmed by the Ottawa government in 1949 to sing the praises of Ottawa to the High Heavens of the social programs that Canadians were enjoying, ALL THE WHILE, ignoring the wonderful resources that the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador was bringing into Canada with its union and are being utilized in other provinces of Canada right to this day to grow and maintain their economies. As far as I am concerned, and also many others, our province union with Canada was a forced union. Had matters being done properly and Newfoundland and Labrador's resources been utilized to grow economies here instead of elsewhere, the province WOULD NOT HAVE ENDED UP IN THE DIRE ECONOMIC MESS that it sees itself in 2008 with high per capita debt and no real-economies created, and yet with the irony of being on the cusp of being a 'HAVE' province. Isn't that crazy very little infrastructure, very little economy, very large provincal debt and yet on the cusp of being a 'Have' Province? CRAZY, CRAZY! Why should Premier Danny Williams not expect that we get $11 Billion dollars by having our NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES removed from the equalization formula? It isn't a direct payment like the $5.75 Billion that Ontario received directly after the Atlantic Accord payment was paid to Newfoundland and Labrador as a result of our oil production in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador's territory for a 10 year period. What are those well-entrenched Canadians talking about anyway, when they don't know the details?
  19. Confucious Smith from Toronto, Canada writes: Northern Pike writes: '...the picture spoke a thousand words. Is this the level the globe has resorted to? Keeping at this pace the globe is becoming no better than the gossip rag on the shelves today...'

    Got to agree 100%.

    Journalistic Integrity as a concept has taken a serious beating with the way that it is currently practiced. It has long taken a back seat to the concept of selling more newspapers.
  20. Dave Roberts from Toronto, Canada writes: Williams uses the broad populist stroke of 'us against them' with great effect. It also means he is neither a uniter or a good leader. That plus he uses the Canadian flag as a prop in a money dispute makes him a pretty poor premier.
  21. edward martin from St. John's, Canada writes: I don't see where some people are seeing the negative. I thought it well balanced and positive on Williams.

    Question I have, when are they going to start selling posters of 'Danny Chavez like the cover. I want one for my wall!
  22. Gord Cee from Canada writes: To answer the question he's an 'egotistical despot'. Also I might add he's dumb, self absorbed, dangerous to Newfoundlands future and credibility, a bumbler, lacks talent and the sooner he fades away the better for us all. Of course I would become much more complimentary if he could just engineer Newfoundland's separation from Canada
  23. Bob Robblee from Innisfail, Canada writes: Seeing as Mr. Williams has wrested billions from oil revenues which are coming from the continental shelf, one would hope that he does as well at controlling the fishing in the region. Overfishing brought Newfoundland to its knees long before the discovery of oil and obviously must be better managed. Perhaps a fishing ban of 10 years or so enforced by Mr. Williams under his usual head of steam.
  24. M Yetman from St. John's, Canada writes: Dave Roberts - you must either a) work for an oil company b) a relative of Steve Harper or c) both a and b to say that Danny is a pretty poor premier. Name another politician who has done more for his province in the last 10 years. The fact is that until Williams pulled down the maple leaf Ottawa didn't give a damn about NL. Until that moment the country's leaders felt that the premier and the people of this province could be ignored. Pulling down the flag at least brought some national attention our way and got the rest of Canada to ask the simple question 'why and what would cause NL take down the national flag' - answer - broken promises and lies. NL will never have the population and votes to make it any more than a side note in Canadian politics - but I do feel that we are becoming somewhat the voice for canadians living in other small town provinces who do contrary to what the uppity of Toronto may think deserve to be respected and treated fairly by whomever is in the PM's office.
  25. Harry Jackson from Simcoe, Canada writes: If I did not know better I would think that this was a work of fiction.

    It is hard to believe that a Politian exists, anywhere let alone in Canada, who genuinely acts for, and cares about the people who put him in power.

    I have never in my time come across a politician that I could believe was an truly dedicated individual to the people he represents.

    He certainly would be the first of his kind that I would even remotely consider trusting.

    A man of his obvious passion for fairness and dedication for the people should earn him the 'Order of Canada'

    But alas we give to Hockey Players and Singers.
  26. William Easton from Canada writes: If I was Williams I would tell Harper to take a hike and remove the province from the federal screwup
  27. Cesar Viaña from Fort McMurray, writes: There is no point of comparison with Hugo Chavez. The message this article is sending is that Hugo Chavez is a popular hero which is totally false.
  28. Dave Lane from NL, Canada writes: I agree that this was an objective, fair article. I find that I get most of my objective news from RoB, as these writers tend to give facts more than opinion.

    I am glad that Canadians seem to be learning more about Danny and what he truly stands for. There is no denying that his national images has been drawn primarily with stories of fighting and 'whining,' but I argue that a) these are tactics that are working w.r.t. getting fair treatment in the federation, and b) he is not damaging Canadians impression of NL because, frankly, they already thought this way about us.

    Finally, I would like to note that I doubt Danny will ever run for PM. Not that I wouldn't be overjoyed to have him in the PMO.
  29. A Canuck from Ottawa, Canada writes: The Danny Chavez analogy is appropriate. I am ashame of my country when a confrontational, rude, arrogant, petty man is elevated to a level he does not deserve...NL is simply showing they deserve to be the butt of so many jokes when collectively, they glorify this kind of destructive attitude...they showed narrow mindness through Clyde Wells sabotaging Meech to re-electing Danny Chavez...and by the way, when we realize that 50% of all NL GDP comes from transfer of payments from the ROC, 50% of the federal's share is returned to NL...so what are they complaining about? really?
  30. Hypocrisy Abhorer from St. |John's, Canada writes: If the late former Premier Joey Smallwood had touted Newfoundland and Labrador's rich Natural Resources and its great geographic location, which positions the province of NL half-way between Central Canada and Europe, instead of the Social Programs which Canada offered, we would have faired much better economically in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

    Also the fact that the province of Newfoundland and Labrador gives Canada 17,000 miles of Atlantic Coastline on the busy shipping routes of the Atlantic Ocean, which included the once prolific fish nursery known as Grand Banks of Newfoundland, and it included what would be known as the complete Eastern Book-end of Canada should have been touted to the high heavens to Canadians. AGAIN not the social programs which Canada used as an enticement should have been touted, without Canada ever once uttering the names of the VAST NATURAL RESOURCES that were contained in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Things were done backwards and the ordinary Newfoundlander and Labradorian did not have any say in the matter. Once in the hands of the politicians the game was over for us ordinary folk OF nEWFOUNDLAND AND lABRADOR.
  31. Paul Sweeney from The Ship Inn, Canada writes: 'Dave Roberts from Toronto, Canada writes: Williams uses the broad populist stroke of 'us against them' with great effect. It also means he is neither a uniter or a good leader.'

    Dave,

    Please explain how the leader of Newfoundland is supposed to represent the interests of people other than those in Newfoundland? Of course its 'us against them' -that what leaders are supposed to do - represent their constituents, not the people elsewhere.

    Secondly, money talks. Danny gets the people the money. That's why the people like him. He does not need pander to celebrity like the Liberal party. Nor does he need to make people in Toronto happy. Maybe Mayor Miller should try to get some of that federal oil money to fix up smelly, traffic congested, bullet bound and overcrowded Toronto - we Newfoundlanders will not hold that against him.

    Instead of insulting the man by calling him a despot or comparing him to Chavez, why not treat him with respect: he's a businessman exercising his fiduciary duty to his 'shareholders' - a much more apt analogy than the trite reference to Chavez.

    (Note to globe: we just want the news, not infotainment -better to drop the hyperbole and fancy pictures.)
  32. kelly moss from Canada writes: oh that John Gray could write an article like that about me !

    comparing him to Chavez is cheap -- cnn ,winnipeg free press , slimey journalism to appeal to the great unwashed ...

    he has stevie pegged

    was it a compliment that as a lawyer that he introduced the 'battered wife ' syndrome and represented mt cashel ... i hope so ! i had the feeling john may think mulroneys law career would be more desireable..

    and so employment in outlying communities is ofen 50% - what would it be if he hadnt been tough ?

    and donating his pay -- awesome

    i think the free press backs steve because its owned by the aspers and they give him money for the museum and the stadium in return for their backing - whats the globes reason for stickin it to danny?
  33. Dave Roberts from Toronto, Canada writes: 'Name another politician who has done more for his province in the last 10 years.'

    Williams has accomplished little in his time. Newfoundland can attribute its recent success to offshore oil revenues. The feds bailed out Hibernia in 92' with loan guarantees and their purchase of the equity stake of Gulf Canada allowing the project to move forward. Williams happened to be in the right place at the right time when oil prices made their dramatic rise over the past few years. And yes Williams is a poor premier for using our national flag as a political prop.
  34. Dianne Winsor from Canada writes: The more I hear about Danny Williams, the more I admire him. Somewhere in my high school years, I learned that democracy was 'of the people, by the people and for the people'. Danny personifies this definition. There is no doubt that he can unite and absolutely no doubt that he can lead - take a look at his results. Shame that the same can't be said about most of our other current 'leaders'! Perhaps we could be fortunate enough to have Danny for PM someday. Then he's really give the whiners and snivelers something to write about.
  35. joe moore from Paradise, Canada writes: Well, what is wrong with calling the provincial leader 'Danny'? What is so wrong with calling the federal one 'Stevie' or 'Steve'? Of course there is nothing wrong unless you are a lying, two-faced person. Good article with the picture of Danny as a hook. With the lying, two-faced Stevie being exposed to Canada for what he is, then the ABC (Anybody But Conservative) slogan only makes sense.
  36. Jim Quinn from Canada writes: Paul Sweeney comments that 'why not treat him with respect' is bang on. Real respect is something to be earned and re-earned and Williams is doing just that. The history of NL in Canada is not a pretty one but the years before joining confederation were also ones of trial and tribulation. However, NL's history in Canada was not much differently than that of the West (west and north of Superior). In its pre and post confedereation periods the west was a source of resources for the canadas. Initially the fur trade, later the land, mines and minerals and later still, oil. The National Energy Plan was the last big exploitation of the west. The past 60 years were not kind to NL but with Williams at the helm they are taking some control. To those that would take a run at Williams, I think he learned his lessons well and is trying to do in a couple of decades what western Canada did in a century. I wish him well. One point on which I disagree with Williams big time is his position on equalization. When you've the cash flow, equalization cuts off. On the otherhand, I think that he has some argument for acquiring federal equity in the oilfields but not as a freebe. I would go along with NL acquiring the share at the net cost to the federal treasury of the equity holding. Give the man his due, I would be proud to shake his hand. Jim Q.
  37. garlick toast from Canada writes: i'd vote for danny if he ran federally.what's wrong with a leader who stands up for his constituency?as for the 'che' beret,i love irony.
  38. Hypocrisy Abhorer from St. John's St. John's, Canada writes: JOHN GRAY - Thanks a BILLION for this article and a BIG BROUHAHA to you. Please forgive me for not making this comment my first to your informative article, but I wanted to address something from a previous article which had become closed a little bit prematurely for my speed.

    Now if only the commentators to the Globe and Mail site would read your informative article, they would learn a lot on how the province of Newfoundland and Labrador was shafted to the tune of Billions and Billions of dollars and then they would be able to comment more fairly.
  39. Greg Atkin from Canada writes: I love the part about Harper resenting the shortened and colloquial 'Steve'. What better way to illustrate the pettiness of the man. Lincoln was quite comfortable being addressed as 'Abe'.
  40. Dawn from Minnesota from United States writes: I agree with Robert Miller's comments 100%. Good post! The article is well written. However, I disagree with the Cesar Chavez comparison, which the article does not support with its content. Chavez was a man of the people. He represented, Mexican migrant workers. Chavez organized a nationwide strike on lettuce in the '60s to bring the issues of migrant workers to the attention of all Americans. His efforts helped migrant workers, but did not change things significantly. Danny Williams is a businessman. He plays hardball with the big boys. That is the reason that he is successful. Newfoundland will be a very popular tourist destination in the future. What it lacks is infrastructure throughout the province. If NL does the right things with the money, there will be a boom in tourism sooner than many might think. It is refreshing to find that life in little towns in NL isn't all about relieving tourists of their money. It is a great place to visit. NL should study tourism in Iceland. Iceland is a very popular tourist destination. We Minnesotans go there in the winter to warm up. :) The Icelandic people have plenty of organized activities going on throughout the year to make visitors welcome. Beach parties with fresh seafood cooked on open fires, nightlife, trips to the glaciers, fjords, The Blue Lagoon, etc. Visit "Iceland Review" on the web. With the links available, which even include ice rink hours for public skating, you can plan a lot of activities in advance. If Iceland can attract tourists during the winter, that should say a lot about the possibilities for tourism in NL.
  41. harvey maclean from Canada writes: IF DANNY WILLIAMS WAS PREMIER OF ONTARIO AND OBTAINED BILLIONS FOR PROVINCE WOULD TORONTO NEWS MAGAZINE ROB CALL HIM "DANNY CHAVEZ" I THINK NOT
  42. Cup of Tea from National, Canada writes:
    Oh Danny Boy....

    I love this guy!

    Where do we find more politicians like him?

    Keep up the good work Danny my son, you make us all proud.
  43. Matthew Baldwin from Canada writes: Just for those of you who haven't done the math, what Danny Williams is trying to do is get a free pass for his province which for all intents and purposes has been on federal welfare for as long as we can remember via both "Equalization Payments" and biased EI structures, to obtain an additional $50,000 per resident in accumulated wealth from their energy royalties & taxes without it affecting their handouts from the Feds (which in turn is actually every Canadian citizen not residing in Newfoundland). I know many of you can only see issues in reference to your vitriol for Harper, but this is simple extortion....Dear Danny, bugger off. If you don't like the equalization rules as they exist which are more than fair (given they aren't adjusted to reflect the cost of delivering services in higher cost provinces like Ontario, Alberta and B.C.), then feel free to vote for independence. You can be the champion who showed Harper who was the real man, and the rest of us will stop having to support you because we all know who will be first looking for another fat envelope when Hibernia runs dry.
  44. Scott McLean from writes: Screechy McPuffin from Little Rock.

    Great article. Small mouthy fishwrap who feels his opinions actually count when it comes to anything off of Little Rock.

    Viva la Revolution Screechy.
  45. Percy from NL from Canada writes: The fundamental point which many Canadians fail to see, or prefer to ignore, it that a politically weak province striving for prosperity and the population growth which follows, has to take extreme measures in order to get attention in this country. Denial of that is truly to be in denial of the Canadian political reality. That is one key reason why the people of NL support Danny Williams as they do. That is one of the reasons why he is critical to this province's real last chance at true, long-term prosperity.
    The names and labels which have been put on Danny Williams are based upon a true lack of knowledge. The people of NL no longer are looking for approval from the rest of Canada. We want prosperity because we deserve prosperity. And if peaceful defiance such as taking down the flag and insulting a PM who breaks a commitment, who breaks a deal, who plays petty political games with this province hurts the feeling of some Canadians then that's truly unfortunate. But it is what it is. And the question is not something silly like ... Will NL separate? The question is ... Will Canada adjust to allow us to prosper for the long-term?
    With a PM like Harper, the answer right now is an overwhelming NO! And that is unfortunate!
  46. Sue Hickey from Grand Falls-Windsor, Canada writes: Is this a positive article? As good as can be expected from the G&M I guess. It's better than anything Margaret Wente ever wrote relating to NL. However, it didn't go into the details as much as it should have about rural Newfoundland. I frequently work in the rural areas. Unfortunately while St. John's prospers, little is done to help revitalize rural NL. And our outports and mystical landscapes are the blood of this province. But Danny is too caught up with Big Oil and the PM to concentrate more on the rural regions. For example, there is ample chance to raise animals for good local beef and lamb, and people more than willing in the rural areas to make a living at it, but Danny's government isn't bothering to do anything to detangle the red tape of regulation, etc to help these local farmers produce foods that will save Newfoiundlanders a load at the grocery store. Don't forget about rural Newfoundland, Danny, and don't get caught up in the Chavez mystique.
  47. Northern Pike from Kitchener, Canada writes: From the slanderous articles to the banning of posts from people against the biased approach the globe takes... WTG Globe. Obviously factual reporting and the little thing called "freedom of speech" doesn't get in the way of the globe. No wonder you don't like Williams, he stands for everything you're so horrible at. "Again" I will say to all those thinking this article isn't an attack but rather a "good" article on Williams. If this was indeed an article with the intent of telling the true story and no foolishness then why dress up Williams as the leader of a third world country? Does this not refer to Newfoundland as a third world country? If the writers of the globe want to compare Williams and Newfoundland, at that, to a country then maybe compare to Norway or other country rich in resources. Maybe then you can compare how a gluttonous country such as Canada is sucking the money and life from a rich, hard-working province such as Newfoundland. Maybe then you could look at how the restrictions of a governing country hurts a province moreso than if the province was it's own, independent body. I doubt very strongly I'll ever see an article that would actual bring fact to life in here. That's the thing I guess. It's fine that the writers working for the globe have their little arts degrees (obtained from writing tons of fiction I'm sure) but just because they haven't dipped their hands into the sciences shouldn't mean leaving out the numbers that actually tell the truth here. If the globe continues to write such articles attacking people the way they have and then banning people from posting what they think (without threats, vulgar language, etc.., but just an opposing argument) then prepare to only have customers that are as narrow-minded as your writers.
  48. J Law from Canada writes: I don't think the people of NL should get too hyped up about a central Canadian newspaper finally noticing and taking up their battle. This is the G & M using Danny Williams for its own political purposes.
  49. Duncan Mackay from Canada writes: Matthew Baldwin,
    Danny Williams' complaint is not with the structure of equalization payments; rather, its with the allocation of revenue from offshore (vs. onshore) resources. While Alberta collects royalties from its "onshore" oil and gas production, Nfld&Labrador cannot because of a 140 year old division of federal and provincial powers in the British North America Act, which gives provinces control over their non-renewable resources, EXCEPT for offshore jurisdictions, where they are federally controlled.

    All Danny Williams (Newfoundland) wants is to have control over revenue (through royalties) from their hydrocarbon resources. This would put them on a level playing field with the other big producers, like BC, Saskatchewan and, of course, Alberta.

    Duncan
  50. Jesse H from Calgary, Canada writes: Newfoundland is growing up...slowly. Danny Williams' premiership reminds me of a teenager growing up: 1) He is one child in a family of 10 2) He just got his first job and is able to buy things like an iPod, Xbox, and new car 3) Despite the job that pays enough to buy all of his toys, he still wants his parents to pay an allowance 4) When the parents decide to cut off the allowance he tells them he hates them, storms upstairs to his room, slams the door, and turns his stereo on full volume 5) At 6pm dinner is ready; he comes downstairs, sits at the table, eats the food his parents bought and prepared 6) After dinner, his parents ask him to do the dishes and the fight is back on 7) Several years later, he has finished University, and is making wads of cash on his own. He suddenly realizes that when he got his first job, there were 9 other kids in the house, a mortgage, and car payments that his parents had to look after; his parents “clawing back” his allowance was probably not unreasonable, and him storming up to his room and behaving like the victim of the family was kind of silly. 8) Like his brothers Alberta and Ontario, he now makes enough to send a cheque every now and then (without a lot of reservation) to help out the others in his family. Some get more than others, but we all know that as in every family, not everyone gets an equal share!
  51. The Bubble from Canada writes: He looks more like a Prime Minister than the one he calls Steve.
    Alberta should take a few lessons here and stop giving their oil away.
  52. Scott McLean from writes: Bubbles.

    Your Progressive Conservatives will never be a force on the national stage again. You already have the Liberals, so one is enough for you.

    Now back to the Trailer Park Boys with ya.
  53. dwight tanner from Canada writes: I lived in Newfoundland in the early 1980's, and visted there regularly for work and pleasure for about a decade, so anything positive that happens to Newfoundland and its people warms my heart.

    Williams has the heart of a terrier and has done good for his province.
  54. Northern Pike from Kitchener, Canada writes: Duncan Mackay VS. CD W? Like fact and fiction. Notice what happens when you have fact and logic thrown out there instead of plain dribble? MacKay: under the same structure is that why Newfoundland does not have fallow field? Anything this absurd would have been abolished long ago if in relation to Ontario. Newfoundland was once a colony and I can't even see it being screwed over any less than it is now.
  55. Percy from NL from Canada writes: Northern Pike from Kitchener, you are correct in suggesting that attacks on an entire people is absolutely disgraceful. The idea that it is only so if they are black, jewish, women, or fall into some other current category of the politically and legally incorrect is garbage. Take it from someone who has kept extensive records of all of this, it is making for a recorded shameful black-eye of abuse on the face of Canada. The benefit to all of this being recorded is that there is no room for future denial.
    Canada must change with NL and do the right thing; allow it the opportunity to prosper for the long-term. Time will tell if this country has the capacity to allow that to happen. We at least know the financal capacity are there right now. I'm not convinced that the politcal capacity exists however.
    And as long as PM Harper caters first to the support of people like CD W who has posted here, Canada will fail NL again.
  56. Matthew Baldwin from Canada writes: Dear Duncan, Your quote: "All Danny Williams (Newfoundland) wants is to have control over revenue (through royalties) from their hydrocarbon resources. This would put them on a level playing field with the other big producers, like BC, Saskatchewan and, of course, Alberta."....you left off "and still receive the same equalization payments regardless of this new revenue stream."
  57. Kan Tankerous from Tronna, Canada writes: Danny has flushed the CCRAP out of Newfoundland. The rest of the country will catch on eventually.
  58. Percy from NL from Canada writes: Matthew Baldwin from Canada, your statement is simplistic and 'recent Harper like'. I'm guessing you don't even know fundamantal facts like ... the percentage of total Federal transfer payments, including equalization, NL received this fiscal year. Prove me wrong. You guess which is closest to the correct figure from the following ... 20%, 10%, 3%, 1%. Quickly now.
  59. Northern Pike from Kitchener, Canada writes: Jesse H: speaking from experience huh? Yet another little bit of fictional writing. Has anyone ever told you numbers speak louder than words? Liked the part about "Like his brothers Alberta and Ontario" which obvioulsy has you admitting to your province being this way. One part of this could deem to be true, Ontario (being the older sibling - joined with Canada) having everything new when growing up passes on their old junk to the younger while mom and dad end up buying new things for the older. When mom and dad come home with the groceries the bigger kids (i.e. the province WITH the federal government) push the littlier ones out of the way to grab what they want and leave little for the younger ones (the least sought after and/or lower portions). The younger being bullied by the older because of the "I'm bigger" bit (a.k.a. holds more seats). I can keep going but as far as I'm concerned anyone who wants to depend on such ridiculous comparison for an argument knows very little about the true story. Someone who can't throw out the numbers to win their side. I think Duncan Mackay's few sentences were more to the point and knowledgable than if you wrote a book.
  60. Northern Pike from Kitchener, Canada writes: Strange. You never hear any negative comments about the situation from people knowing their facts OR people that have "visited" Newfoundland do you? Geez I wonder why? Just the ignorant and arrogant living their bitter lives in mainland Canada where the politicians and grants are plentiful and both are always hidden. Wonder how equilization stands up to those big government grants? Someone mentioned $50,000 per head in Newfoundland earlier. What? My parents live off far less than that as do many people I know. There's hardly any money for highway maintenance, health care, etc..,. So people make far less than the average in Canada, there isn't nearly as much money for public works as in the rest of Canada, and NL has the highest export per capita? Newfoundland has 1/2 million people, a billion dollar fishery still, billions in oil, millions in minerals, and throw in electricity, water, forestry, and such things as natural gas? You'd have to be dumb to believe Newfoundland isn't pulling it's own weight.... by FAR. Just imagine if NL could export it's power the way it should, have fallow field, could take in the same sort of money as Alberta can do, etc..,. Next time you want to post against this do some reading first (I'm not talking biased bull from the globe either, the kind that can brainwash the nieve either).
  61. Percy from NL from Canada writes: Matthew Baldwin from Canada, I don't want to exhaust you with research sooooo, the answer to my question is 1%. The number is actually 1.76%. And FYI, NL has 1.53% of the total population of Canada. Now before you jump in again you can compare that to some other provinces if you wish, maybe even look at the per capita numbers.
  62. Euegene Howell from Vancouver - Former Newfoundlander, Canada writes: I am a former Newfoundlander living in Vancouver. I like to keep myself informed about what is going on in my real home "Newfoundland. For many of us who grew up in Newfoundland with little money and few material pocessions it is heart warming to see that there may finally be hope that Newfoundland will see a new future. People talk about the Newfoundland welfare state. There are more people in Vancouver on the drug infested streets of the downtown east side than are unemployed in Newfoundland. Over the years billions of dollars have been spent here on the drug problem. It is funny to see how others in the Canadian society wish to see Newfoundland progress but when that progress starts to show up the same critics want to keep the province to a limited progessive state. ie - equalization. It is ok to give a family member a boost to jump start them on the road to success. Many Canadians living in other regions of the country have only known middle to upper class life styles. Newfoundland is finally getting a chance to achieve this as well and I feel very proud of my home province. As a former Newfoundlander living in Vancouver, I get to hear the stupid Newfoundland jokes. I no longer just laugh along, but speak up and tell people that it is not a joke rather a put down. I feel that Danny Williams represents a little bit of all the Newfoundlanders who have succeeded in making a great life no manner where they live. He represents the new breed of Newfoundlanders who no longer feels like the inferior child and no matter what it takes we will stand up and be proud. Eugene Howell I do love living in Vancouver
  63. r b from Calgary, Canada writes: Let us revisit this next year at this time: if Newfoundland's unemployment rate is still in double digits, we'll see how brilliant Danny boy appears to be.

    Unless of course success is measured differently in Newfoundland than anywhere else on the planet.
  64. Northern Pike from Kitchener, Canada writes: Percy: remember the time when mainlanders loved to call Newfoundlanders stupid. Once these same Newfoundlanders began moving to the mainland for work and started outcompeting them for jobs and the fact that Newfoundlanders then saw how mainlanders drove then they decide "Hmmm maybe that's no longer a good idea now they know what we're like EH?". Yes Newfoundlanders weren't big on college and university since they lived "hard-working" lives. Once the fishery went they got involved more with post secondary education. Just as this migration happened so does the need to move from being exploited to being more independent. Mainlanders are sore about this case a province that they used to exploit is now saying "no more". Not only is Newfoundland doing extremely well but it's the hardwork of NLers that is driving a good many companies in Ontario and Alberta. Take those workers away and you'll see an even bigger gap. Get used to hearing NL as a "have" province and get used to hearing McGuinty begging for more handouts.
  65. liz fox from nanaimo, Canada writes: Alberta could learn some lessons from Danny Williams! Instead of allowing their non renewables go for unbelievably low royalties and cowering when the oil industry threatens to leave they should show a few guts like NL. To assume that a comparison with Hugo Chavez is necessarily negative demonstrates the power of Big Oil/ Big business to influence and maintain the propaganda against someone who stands up for the interests of the majority. This week latin America announced the inauguration of the Bank of the South that directly challenges the power of the IMF, World Bank and the corporate policies they have been able to dictate to millions of people around the world. It is refreshing to have politicans who appear sincere and who stick up for the majority interest but who then unfortunately fall under the red painted/beret wearing radical labelling of the establishment!
  66. dan ungshang from markham, Canada writes: we should admire and have more politicians of Danny Williams' caliber - someone who will stand up to the corporate bullies and their ilks, e.g. federal know-it-alls. Canada is a confederation, so provincial premiers are on equal footing with the Prime Minister. Try to work out the revenue sharing - $2B out of $18B and these resources belong to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. The same can be said of Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez; they champion the cause of their own people instead of the multi-national corporate bullies. It is one thing to infuse foreign capital investment into a country directly and another to call one's investment in a foreign country as foreign investment when one goes in to sap up all domestic funds for local entrepreneurs.
  67. earl gilbert from normans cove,trinity bay, Canada writes: a fair and balanced article. c'mon people, a lot of us were wrong while we waited for a deal and we wondered if danny had pushed too hard.
    i am a lifelong liberal who voted progressive conservative in our last election.
    way to go g&m for helping to overcome a perceived slant against nl.another great article from john gray!
  68. dar cullihall from Rocky Harbour, Canada writes: Wow! The editorial board of the Globe and Mail must be having a change of heart to allow such a balanced and informative article about Newfoundland and Labrador's Danny Williams to grace their pages. John Gray is to be commended. Although there are a few out-of-date barbs (reference to flipper pie and, naturally Queen Margaret's rude remarks) the article is very positive, pulling no punches. For the first time, I would argue, the Globe and Mail is allowing the 'mainland' readers to truly understand Mr. Williams and see why he fights so hard for this province.
    We've been burned in the past, it is true. Steve would like to burn us again, but, thanks to Mr. Williams, our interests are being guarded. I don't speak for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, but with Mr. Williams in charge, I sleep just a little bit better.
  69. Commander Adama from Caprica, Canada writes: Danny , being a businessman , and a very bright one at that ,had a pretty good Idea how far he could negotiate, and still make it attractive for the oil companies to continue. A slidingscale royalty plus and equity stake in the development were the result of some pretty shrewd negotiations.

    On the other hand, special Ed will have to do some backpedaling on the royalty side because of "unintended consequences" of the royalty hikes. The gas industry has been dealing with low commodity prices for some time, and this royalty hike will render most of the gas business uneconomic.

    BTW the refinery in Nfld. up and running
  70. Matthew Baldwin from Canada writes: Percy, I fail to see your point. Newfoundland on a per capita basis receives more money in equalization than I believe every other province excempt Manitoba (I apologize I going from memory of the fed report I looked at about 6 months ago). Bottom Line: The province is receiving significant subsization at the cost of taxpayers in Ontario and Alberta. To now have your own revenue source (oil revenues) and still demand that transfer payment is the height of hypocrisy because it no longer is "equalization" at all. It's supplementation to a province that's already equal based on its own revenue sources.
  71. Cynthia Downey from Stephenville Crossing, Canada writes: CD W from Canada writes: As I have stated, Danny boyo is like the welfare queen who wins the lottery and wants her welfare cheque to be in the mail every month. Time to pay back to confederation all of the bucks you have sucked out of it.

    * Posted 25/01/08 at 12:11 PM EST | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
    I read this and wondered if this person got an idea of where this province is and what it has contributed to the great country of Canada. ( resources, fishery,people etc.)
    I live in NL and I have been involved in the political scene. I know what Danny Williams did for this province and I fully support him. Without his leadership and government we would still be giving everything away.
    John Gray told the story and did a good job. Thank you.
    Today, you can go anywhere in the world and find people from NL, maybe one of our greatest exports.
    We did not win the lottery but got what was rightfully ours and there would have been more if we had a Prime Minister that had the strength of our Premier instead of a person who gave his word in writing and then backed down and do not have the character to admit his mistake and work with NL government to give us what we are entitled to.
    The only cheque that we are looking for is the one that is rightfully ours not one given to get seats to give a majority government to someone who cannot keep his word.
  72. Percy from NL from Canada writes: Matthew Baldwin from Canada, my point is that people make statements about NL and NL's position in this federation without all the facts, and sometimes they are selective in which facts to use and which facts to ignore.
    By the way, you are conveniently only looking at equalization in your statement, "Newfoundland on a per capita basis receives more money in equalization than I believe every other province exempt Manitoba". It is total Federal transfer payments that reflect the demand of each province on the federal treasury, not equalization alone. Now do your per capita numbers. So stop with the propaganda.
    Also, are you suggesting that the hydro, iron ore, nickel, oil etc. that, after decades, NL continues to ship to other parts of Canada have no value in spite of the fact it keeps central Canadian industries running. Do you favour more refining of these materials in NL. And, can you identify raw materials shipped to NL for processing from other parts of Canada?
    So you see, it is not as simplistic and one-sided equation as you pretend it to be. That is my point.
  73. Blue Magic ...... from Canada writes: Good Read. I am a Harper suppoter and from Ontario, so Danny gets me going. But he is doing good, for trying to do what he thinks is right for his Provence.

    So for the people of NL that is good. B/c it is a small provence from the east, but Danny for good or bad has given the provence a strong voice.

    I still disagree about the whole alantic accord beef with Harper, but if I was from NL I would be trying to get the best deal, even if it screwed some other provences over.

    Anyway, I love the picture....
  74. Robert Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Since it was some of the rubes at a certain Toronto paper that originally brandished Danny Williams, "Danny Chavez," some smart Newfoundlanders should turn the name around to Williams' advantage who has done a brilliant job turning Newfoundland and Labrador into a "have province"...

    Has the National Post gone bankrupt yet or is it continuing to operate on a loss every year?

    The real Chavez is nothing to brag about, but Danny sure is... Anyways, please tell me what a "Danny Chavez" tee shirt costs because I want one.
  75. Robert Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Dawn from Minnesota from United States:

    Thank for reading my comments on this article.

    However, I think that their slur of "Danny Chavez" is intended to be drawing a comparison between Hugo Chavez of Venezuala and not Cesar Chavez of Mexico...

    Matthew Baldwin -- You do know that the stats on equalization that you are quoting come directly from "studies" of Brian Lee Crowley, former President of AIMS and current President of Civitas and recent appointee to the Federal Department of Finance... These are hardly independent, unbiased "studies"
  76. Dawn from Minnesota from United States writes: I enjoyed the article, but I don't understand the "Danny Chavez" reference. The cap and the pose clearly pertain to Che Guevara. Is Premier Danny Williams showing his Marxist, revolutionary, Latin American roots?
  77. Hypocrisy Abhorer from St. John's, Canada writes: John Gray - here is my second BIG BROUHAHA! I am shivering with elation. Thanks! John now that you have your feet wet and have done a wonderful job, I might add, please go further and do a little investigation into why the "fish quotas" that Newfoundland and Labrador passed over to Ottawa in 1949 for maintenance and protection got caught up in the Free Trade Movement, an international treaty so complex or so says our Fishery Minister in a piece of correspondence, that nobody in government knows how to extract the fish quotas from the jaws of that complex Treaty. I am sure John that you are aware that since Canada’s entry into that dreaded devil of a Treaty, the fishers of Newfoundland and Labrador have become almost extinct and the outport communities have shrivelled up and almost blown away to Alberta and other parts of Canada, all the while their ‘fish quotas’ are enabling International Trade deals for the same areas that they have migrated to. And oh yes John another resource you failed to mentioned was the largest Nickel deposit in the world, Voisey's Bay Nickel, the fact that two Canadian Minining towns, Sudbury, Ontario and Thompson, Manitoba are percolating because they have a 30 year supply from that deposit. But after saying what I said above, you did a SPOOKTACULAR JOB on the article on which I am commenting. And, oh yes, there are other NL natural resources as well such as the Iron Ore resource in Labrador which saw its One (1) Billionth ton of ore extracted last year and sent off to market to be smelted and feed industries elsewhere in Canada. And, of course, we can never forget the large number of HUMAN RESOURCE which migrated out of this province to work their own resources in the other provinces.
  78. Hypocrisy Abhorer from St. John's, Canada writes: John Gray - here is my second BIG BROUHAHA! I am shivering with elation. Thanks! John now that you have your feet wet and have done a wonderful job, I might add, please go further and do a little investigation into why the "fish quotas" that Newfoundland and Labrador passed over to Ottawa in 1949 for maintenance and protection got caught up in the Free Trade Movement, an international treaty so complex or so says our Fishery Minister in a piece of correspondence, that nobody in government knows how to extract the fish quotas from the jaws of that complex Treaty. I am sure John that you are aware that since Canada’s entry into that dreaded devil of a Treaty, the fishers of Newfoundland and Labrador have become almost extinct and the outport communities have shrivelled up and almost blown away to Alberta and other parts of Canada, all the while their ‘fi