Newfoundland: Campaign Of Intimidation

Is Newfoundland politics out of control? Or is it actually under control of the provincial Premier Danny Williams and his PC party? Here is a CTV report by Robert Fife, followed by an interview with a former Newfoundland Fisheries Minister Jim Morgan.

Both talk about "heavy fear" amongst people from Danny Williams and his team; that people are being told not to support the federal Conservative candidates, not to contribute any money and not to show up to the events organized by the federal Conservatives. Among other things, a would be candidate was threatened by Danny's people that they'd ruin his father's business if he accepted the Conservative nomination in Saint John's West.

Is this Canada or is this Cuba? - asks Hunter, the author of Climbing Out Of The Dark blog. That's a good question. If what's reported by CTV is true - it's not the Elections Canada, it's the RCMP that must take a good look at what's going on in Newfoundland.

And I have another question - what exactly is Danny Williams trying to achieve? According to the CTV - he still has a grudge against federal Conservatives for not letting him have both the new equalization formula and uncapped equalization payments. If so then what's his alternative? Dion's liberals with their Carbon tax? Not a good choice for a province that has just started getting back on their feet thanks to the oil industry. Plus - if the Conservatives still win, Newfoundland will be shut out of the governing party - just like PEI was last time. Is that what they want? What else then?

There is a new party - Newfound and Labrador First Party. But they only have 1 candidate so far and it's not likely that Danny Williams & Co will endorse them as an alternative for both Liberals and Conservatives. But even if they ran candidates in all 7 ridings, winning them all - that won't even be enough for an official party status. And, unless one of the major parties comes just a few seats short of a majority government, those 7 MPs will make no difference in a 308-seat House.

Correct me if I'm wrong but to me it looks like Danny Williams & Co are purposely trying to worsen the situation for Newfoundland; that they are trying to revive the separatist attitude in the province, so they could have a sovereignty referendum on their own. If Newfoundland's oil industry gets a kick in the crotch with the new carbon tax, a slogan such as "once we have oil we don't need Canada" will become an easy sell, ensuring a solid Yes on the referendum and then granting Putin-like powers for Danny Williams and his people in a newly independent Newfoundland.