Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Newfoundland's flag flap 'disrespectful,' PM says

OFKU0 · 01-10-2005, 11:56 AM

So the flag is flying again in Newfoundland. I wonder if Paul Martin will address the issues now that the flag is up as he promised. Again I understand that some were disappointed with the premiers actions, but he got the attention he was looking for.

For those so outraged though, and respectfully speaking, I wish that the ire raised over this flag being taken down carried the same weight as Paul Martin taking down the Canadian flags on his fleet of ships for a Bahamian flag I believe, in order to skip paying taxes in Canada and further to hire cheap Romanian labour. Just a thought.

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Canadian flag again flying over Newfoundland
CTV.ca News Staff

The Canadian flag is again flying over provincial buildings in Newfoundland and Labrador, on orders from Premier Danny Williams.

Williams ordered all Canadian flags to be removed from government buildings on Dec. 23, after negotiations broke down between the province and Ottawa over offshore oil and natural gas revenue.

He said that Prime Minister Paul Martin had promised during the election campaign in June to allow his province to keep all oil revenues, but then reneged on that promise. In response, Williams pulled down the flags.

The premier says the move sent a clear statement to Ottawa that his province is serious about getting a new deal.

"Our statement with the lowering of the flag was directed to the federal government; however, the statement has been made and now we will be raising the flag as proud Canadians," Williams said in a statement Monday.

"History has proven that the only way to get the attention of the federal government in Newfoundland and Labrador is to get the attention of Canadians. This is exactly what we achieved when we removed the flags."

"Not everyone may have agreed with our decision, but we were able to focus the attention of the country on our issue."

Williams told CTV's Craig Oliver on Question Period Sunday that he has yet to hear from Martin a week after writing to request a new meeting on the oil revenue issue.

"He hasn't even given me, as a premier of a province, the courtesy of a response, and people wonder why we're annoyed?" Williams said.

Martin said last week he was "certainly prepared to take a call from Premier Williams," but suggested he wouldn't negotiate further until the national flag was raised again.

"I do not believe the Canadian flag should be used as a lever in any federal-provincial negotiations," he said at the time.

The flag flap issue turned into one of provincial pride, and divided not only the province but the country.

"When the action was taken, I understood that some Canadians would get annoyed," Williams explained to Oliver.

"But believe me, there are a lot of Canadians from coast to coast in this country, non-Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, who have expressed their significant support for us on that issue," he said.

Williams insisted the move was not one of disrespect; rather, it was to make a point.

"We had to get the Canadians' attention about the deep history of Newfoundland and Labrador, how we've been wronged and slighted by the federal government," he said.

Williams dismissed critics who called Newfoundland and Labrador a have-not province that relies on the goodwill of its wealthier neighbours.

"We're not a have-not province; we're a keep-not province. We have it, we're just not allowed to keep it," he said.

http://g.msn.com/0US!s6.73430_734763/2.b7371/3??cm=CTVNews

01-10-2005, 11:56 AM	#16 (permalink)
OFKU0 Junk	So the flag is flying again in Newfoundland. I wonder if Paul Martin will address the issues now that the flag is up as he promised. Again I understand that some were disappointed with the premiers actions, but he got the attention he was looking for. For those so outraged though, and respectfully speaking, I wish that the ire raised over this flag being taken down carried the same weight as Paul Martin taking down the Canadian flags on his fleet of ships for a Bahamian flag I believe, in order to skip paying taxes in Canada and further to hire cheap Romanian labour. Just a thought. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Canadian flag again flying over Newfoundland CTV.ca News Staff The Canadian flag is again flying over provincial buildings in Newfoundland and Labrador, on orders from Premier Danny Williams. Williams ordered all Canadian flags to be removed from government buildings on Dec. 23, after negotiations broke down between the province and Ottawa over offshore oil and natural gas revenue. He said that Prime Minister Paul Martin had promised during the election campaign in June to allow his province to keep all oil revenues, but then reneged on that promise. In response, Williams pulled down the flags. The premier says the move sent a clear statement to Ottawa that his province is serious about getting a new deal. "Our statement with the lowering of the flag was directed to the federal government; however, the statement has been made and now we will be raising the flag as proud Canadians," Williams said in a statement Monday. "History has proven that the only way to get the attention of the federal government in Newfoundland and Labrador is to get the attention of Canadians. This is exactly what we achieved when we removed the flags." "Not everyone may have agreed with our decision, but we were able to focus the attention of the country on our issue." Williams told CTV's Craig Oliver on Question Period Sunday that he has yet to hear from Martin a week after writing to request a new meeting on the oil revenue issue. "He hasn't even given me, as a premier of a province, the courtesy of a response, and people wonder why we're annoyed?" Williams said. Martin said last week he was "certainly prepared to take a call from Premier Williams," but suggested he wouldn't negotiate further until the national flag was raised again. "I do not believe the Canadian flag should be used as a lever in any federal-provincial negotiations," he said at the time. The flag flap issue turned into one of provincial pride, and divided not only the province but the country. "When the action was taken, I understood that some Canadians would get annoyed," Williams explained to Oliver. "But believe me, there are a lot of Canadians from coast to coast in this country, non-Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, who have expressed their significant support for us on that issue," he said. Williams insisted the move was not one of disrespect; rather, it was to make a point. "We had to get the Canadians' attention about the deep history of Newfoundland and Labrador, how we've been wronged and slighted by the federal government," he said. Williams dismissed critics who called Newfoundland and Labrador a have-not province that relies on the goodwill of its wealthier neighbours. "We're not a have-not province; we're a keep-not province. We have it, we're just not allowed to keep it," he said. http://g.msn.com/0US!s6.73430_734763/2.b7371/3??cm=CTVNews __________________ " In Canada, you can tell the most blatant lie in a calm voice, and people will believe you over someone who's a little passionate about the truth." David Warren, Western Standard.