Newfoundland's flag flap 'disrespectful,' PM says
Last Updated Fri, 24 Dec 2004 14:33:59 EST
OTTAWA - The prime minister has slammed Newfoundland and Labrador's premier for ordering all Canadian flags removed from provincial government buildings, condemning the move as "disrespectful."
Premier Danny Williams ordered the flags taken down on Thursday, in retaliation for an offer from the federal government on offshore royalties that he called a "slap in the face."
Prime Minister Paul Martin said Newfoundland's removal of Canadian flags insults all Canadians. (File photo)
FROM DEC. 23, 2004: Maple Leaf flags removed in offshore feud
Later in the day, Prime Minister Paul Martin said the move insulted all Canadians.
"The premier's actions are disrespectful of our most treasured national symbol," Martin said in a statement. "The flag should not be used as a tool in partisan politics."
Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia have been pushing to retain 100 per cent of offshore energy revenues. Currently, Ottawa claws back 70 cents of every dollar through reduced equalization payments.
After talks with federal Finance Minister Ralph Goodale on Wednesday failed to produce a deal, Williams said the flags would be kept out of sight until Ottawa offers his province a fair settlement.
FROM DEC. 22, 2004: Offshore royalty offer a 'slap in the face': Newfoundland premier
Williams, who had set a Christmas deadline for a new deal, insisted he has no intention of continuing to bargain with the federal government.
N.S. premier distances himself from Williams
Nova Scotia's Premier John Hamm took a more moderate tone, distancing himself from Williams's tactics and saying he will resume negotiations in January.
"I have different issues right now than he has. And I have to pursue my issues and I will in the most effective way that I can."
The Canadian flag comes down at the Newfoundland and Labrador legislature on Thursday.
Goodale had offered a 16-year deal that he says gave the provinces 100 per cent of offshore energy revenues – adding up to as much as $3 billion over several years.
But Williams said Ottawa's actual proposal gave the province less than the full revenues.
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* Coverage from CBC Newfoundland
He also objected to a condition that required Newfoundland to eliminate its $700-million deficit in order to receive increased benefits from offshore revenues beyond eight years.
It isn't the first time flags have been used in a fight with Ottawa over oil. In 1982, Newfoundland flew them at half-mast to protest negotiations with the federal government over oil.
Written by CBC News Online staff
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/natio...ams041224.html
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I say good for the Newfoundland premier for standing up to Ottawa. Good for him.
As for the Prime Minister speaking for me and all Canadians that we are embarrassed by the actions taken,..well for one I'm not.
Newfoundland is getting screwed again. Why doesn't our knowledgable Prime Minister come out and say that Canadians are embarrassed by Quebecs constant bickering about seperation everytime the gravy train slows down?
Or how Quebec doesn't pay tax on billions of hydro sold to the U.S?
Or how when then Premier Bouchard of Quebec came to Ottawa to collect a couple of hundred million for the Millenium scholarship fund and proceeded to take every Canadian flag out of a room in the Parliament buildings to be replaced with the Quebec provincial flag? And then said he doesn't want Canada to be seen as a funder to Quebec,..in other words lets take the money and say fuck you. And then 3 months later when all the rest of the premiers were in Ottawa to collect their share,..there was Quebec again double dipping.
And not to mention how our wonderfully knowledgable Prime Minister said that two tiered healthcare would break up Canada according to Stephen Harper,...then he allows ONLY Quebec to have two tiered healthcare.
Any reason that the Newfoundland premier shouldn't be pissed seen as it is a 'have not' province just like Quebec and doesn't get anywhere the same level of nurturing, coddling and burping that is so relevant to the future of 'la belle province?'
Discuss.