Can work with Harper, as long as there’s no payback: Williams
Posted on 15 October 2008 by Jack
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams said Wednesday he is prepared to work co-operatively with Stephen Harper, largely because the re-elected Conservative prime minister needs to hold together a minority government.
“I think we will be better off,” Williams told reporters at Confederation Building, responding to a Conservative shutout in Newfoundland and Labrador’s seven ridings, as the federal Tories lost all three seats they had held.
Williams said the Anything But Conservative campaign he launched well before the election was called is now over, and that he believes he can work with the Harper Conservatives.
Williams, a Progressive Conservative, said he is expecting the federal Tories to refrain from punishing Newfoundland and Labrador in the coming months, particularly over critical issues for the province, including the Lower Churchill hydroelectric megaproject.
“We have seven strong MPs here,” Williams said, referring to the six Liberals and one New Democrat who prevailed in Tuesday’s election.
“Where were we when we had three Conservative MPs?”
Although the province will not have an MP at the cabinet table, Williams said, that does not mean the province will not be represented.
Popularity: 29% [?]
October 15th, 2008 at 11:52 am
But maybe the Conservatives don’t want to work with you, Danny. What an idiot.
October 15th, 2008 at 11:52 am
And why would PMSH give Danny even the time of day?
October 15th, 2008 at 11:57 am
One thing for Williams to spout his rhetoric, but the people of Newfoundland overwhelming supported that rhetoric and turned their backs on the Conservatives. I see no reason why Harper should bother with Newfoundland and Danny Williams.
October 15th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
It is obvious that when Danny Williams tells the people of NFLD how to vote and how to think, they obey. What a sad example of democracy in Canada.
October 15th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
A dictatorship in Canada, who would have thought. NFLDers are robots and now Danny is begging for forgiveness. He should have thought of that before his rant.
Nothing special for NFLD or Quebec.
October 15th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Danny is some big time stuck on stupid if he thinks “it’s over”
He has just eliminated his province from direct government and more importantly Cabinet participation.
And he thinks the new Navy & Coast Guard ships will be built in NFLD. Uh huh.
I have a bridge for sale Danny boy and you are gullible enough to buy it.
October 15th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
What goes around, comes around Danny-Boy. If I were the PM I would be busy any time you come calling. Oh, and have fun with your “strong” Liberal MPs. Let’s see how far they get you when it’s crunch time.
October 15th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
I hope all you fine people of Nfld & Labrador are real comfortable in the bed you made, cause you get to sleep in it now for at least a couple years. And don’t whine to the rest of the country about poverty now that oil prices are falling. A classic “bite the hand that feeds you”.
It is also obvious that reasoned critical thinking is a rare commodity on the rock.
mid island mike
October 15th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Its to be hoped that the re-elected federal government will tell Newfoundland and Quebec where they can go and it shouldnt be with any more money. As I said before, you cant trust Quebec no matter how much money one throws at them.
http://www.languagefairness.ca/
October 15th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
The word “grovelling” comes to mind.
October 15th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
“Its to be hoped that the re-elected federal government will tell Newfoundland and Quebec where they can go and it shouldnt be with any more money.”
Newfoundland, Quebec and Toronto…no more goodies until they clean up their act. Duceppe…I wouldn’t even talk to him again (same for Charest in Quebec).
Instead I would set about poaching MP’s because we only need a dozen to create a majority without another election.
That’s how you break this cabal up. You steal them and then bring them into cabinet. Then you start feeding the particular ridings they represent.
“If you’re a good boy (or girl) wonderful things will happen to the people you represent.”
If you are bad…”nothing happens”.
“What the hell”…it’s politics 101.
October 15th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Toronto has already been excluded by the Tories, even though we just put more in office.
October 15th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Bear: I agree with your post. I have had several call today to see how our vote went and asking for national results. All have said, tell the PM that Quebec or NFLD get nothing, except the riding we won in Quebec. Poor money into thos ridings.
I think of the movie Pretty Woman, where Gere is on a spending spree and the clerk is told, grovel big time, to her not me.
Think I will now join some stop the seal hunt group.
October 15th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Jack: I can’t see any reason to poach any MPs. Harper now has a defacto majority. He will be able to pass legislation just as easily with 143 seats as he would be able to with 155.
Bottom line is the Libs are broke, broke, broke, and the Bloc and NDP may not be in the best financial positions either. Conservatives however could fight another election tomorrow.
Best thing that could have happened is the strong minority, and despite what the pundits spin it as, I beleive that is what Harper was shooting for all along.
Remember a majority would allow the opposition parties to show up and mouth off, because they know that should they vote against legislation there is no risk of toppling the government.
With a minority Conservative government Libs now have a choice to make - death by a thousand humiliations in a repeat performance of last Parliament, or death by having to fight another election should they vote against the Conservatives.
Harper has pigeonholed the Libs and they know it and so do their sychophantic freinds in the media - that why they are, en masse, trying to spin Harpers minority as a failure when it is actually the coup de grace.
October 15th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
“Toronto has already been excluded by the Tories, even though we just put more in office.”
Actually, Toronto voters didn’t. Those “Toronto MP’s” came from the 905 region on the outskirts of Toronto. They don’t count because they are country folk.
Looking at the 416 area “Toronto proper” has not yet learned the lesson “but they will”.
October 15th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
WARD: “Jack: I can’t see any reason to poach any MPs. Harper now has a defacto majority. He will be able to pass legislation just as easily with 143 seats as he would be able to with 155.”
I suppose I get your point but I’m trying to stir things up here.
I’m after the Bloc and trying to “knock them for six”. I think Harper can do that and IF I were he that is exactly where I would go.
Duceppe painted a target on his forehead yesterday and he may come to regret it. If I were Harper I would make his nightmare come true because here’s “fact”.
Thanks to Duceppe and Charest we all now realize that Quebec is up for sale and we can buy it.
So let’s do that “or” if I’m wrong — let’s give them the boot.
Another thought — Harper can call his own separation vote in Quebec and destroy Duceppe as he creates a “clear question” and puts it to Quebecers. Right about now I think it a great idea and the file would be top of my “in basket”.
The title?
“Shit or get off the pot” and I would campaign for it.
“You hate Canada…why are you hanging around?”
I’m getting very tired of Quebec and it’s far past time to call them. I don’t care whether they choose to stay or leave and that goes for Toronto also.
October 15th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Its too bad that the Bloc heads couldnt be charged with Treason. What other country in the free world would pay separatists to sit at their senior table.
October 15th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
“Use to be” that Blocheads would have been subject to this law. Unfortunately for Canada somebody changed the section because they have no balls.
That would be Chretien.
October 15th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Danny Williams’ blustering rhetoric did cross the lines into treason, imo. Power for power’s sake alone fanned it. In Quebec as well. Those three missing advance poll boxes in Quebec could have been implicated in Quebec weird results last night. Yes, it’s time to call Quebec AND Nfld. on their loyalty to Canada. Toronto as well. Neither provinces have been shortchanged in terms of $$$. But I agree, they’re NOT TO BE CODDLED EVER AGAIN.
October 15th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
That picture of Danny is one where he does not look angry, more like he is saying, What have I done.
We must flood our conservative MPs e-mails stating, no special treatment for Que or NFLD, except where we have an elected MP.
How many women did liberals elect and how many were sacrificial lambs. Guess Karen has lost her seat on the Broaaaaaaaaaaaaadcast.
Budget should make more cuts to arts and culture, cbc, SOWs, and court challenge program.
Who should be in Cabinet. More members from Alberta, appoint qualified MPs, and forget regional balance or gender.
Bev Oada out and replaced. Diane A., in a high profile spot.
Peter Kent in something to do with communication. If a city didn’t elect us why should they be pandered to.
For years Quebec, Montreal, Vancouver and TO have refused to appreciate what they have gotten so ignore them. No more money for the Olympics. Let Vancouver voters pay for them.
And somebody tell ctv and cbc that it is PMSH with a larger majority, he did not lose, Dion did.
Just heard via a rumor that Dion is asking to do the vote over again till he gets it right. LOL
Good bye Garth and Jason.
October 15th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
If our PM wants to save some money because of the down turn in the economy, just cut the funding to NFLD, Quebec and Toronto!
October 15th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Jack:
416 is full of the artsy, wordly, intellectual folks that serve as the universal boogeyman and cause of all problems for CPC campaigns throughout the hinterland. It’s about equivalent to Duceppe expecting votes in Edmonton. Despite that, the numbers show that the CPC had several near victories in the 416, with my riding being one of them.
October 15th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
“the numbers show that the CPC had several near victories in the 416, with my riding being one of them.”
Not good enough.
My view — if they want to get on the gravy train they have to elect someone. As we have come to know — Canada does not need Toronto and for that matter we don’t need Quebec either.
They can live with Duceppe and his dreams because that’s all they are. My view is that we shut off the tap until they understand who’s boss.
October 15th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
NFLD has suffered a continued brain drain since coming into Confederation. The best and brightest have left for greener pastures, first Ontario then the West. All Canadians have benefited from their contributions across the rest of Canada.
Meanwhile, the toll on NFLD has been immense however, and the result is there for all to see. The best and brightest now left on the Rock is DW and his minions!
Lord Thunderin’! indeed
October 15th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
My view — if they want to get on the gravy train they have to elect someone. As we have come to know — Canada does not need Toronto and for that matter we don’t need Quebec either.
1) Economically, that’s not true
2) If “Canada” feels that way then what guarantees Toronto any gain in voting CPC? It seems to me that Stephen Harper needs to make amends with either Toronto or Quebec if he wants a majority. Demonizing these areas seems to get one a minority at best.
October 15th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Danny Williams should have got some counsel prior to getting into a spitting match with Ottawa. He should have talked to Glen Clark, ex-premier of BC, NDP, who tried to kick the Canadian Navy out of Nanoose Bay. How well did that work and how much largesse did Victoria see from Ottawa while Clark was in power. Zip, nada & zilch.
Gordon Campbell Provincial Liberal took over and there soon was a very co-operative spirit between BC & Ottawa and it has helped quite a bit.
I hope for your sake Danny boy that you have lots of rainy day fund money cause you aint gonna see sunshine (money) for a long time.
mid island mike
October 15th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
“It seems to me that Stephen Harper needs to make amends with either Toronto or Quebec if he wants a majority. Demonizing these areas seems to get one a minority at best.
He doesn’t need a majority…the opposition is broke. Far beyond that (as Duceppe and Toronto have just made clear) Canada does not require either area to rule.
That may sound harsh but that’s just the way things are.
I would much prefer that Toronto and Quebec were on board but they have made their bed.
Now they must sleep in it.
October 15th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Again, I’d like to see you vote for someone who considers you the devil incarnate. Everyone seems to forget that at the heart of the CPC is a regional western party that has rallied its troops against everything urban and Toronto. Unless you think Torontonians and Quebeckers are phenomenally stupid, you will understand why they’re not going to get on a train that prides itself on having already thrown them off.
October 15th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
“Throw them off the train” it was probably made in Quebec with government grants to Bombardier. nudge, nudge; wink, wink; say no more, say no more.
October 15th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
“nudge, nudge; wink, wink”…
Heh…
October 15th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Umm.. I’m not sure what the GTA wants from the Conservatives that the Liberals didn’t give them. Again, Toronto wants to be ’special’, as does Quebec. No one is happy being a part of a team.. they want to be the ‘most special’ child of confederation. Sounds like dyfunctional kindergarten to me. I don’t like nor ever get into Toronto bashing, but I have to agree with Jack on this.
As for Quebec, I think they need to smarten up or push off. I don’t put Toronto in the same boat as Quebec. Toronto isn’t voting for a pack of teasonists trying to destroy my county. That the good people of TO have a different ‘opinion’ is ok by me, it just puzzles me as to what would make them happy. Quebecers need to decide if they are for a nationalist party or if they wish to go. Once I campaigned hard for Quebec to stay… now I just don’t care anymore. I just want the bs to be over with.
October 15th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
oooopss.. and as for Danny.. well, I hope he’s happy with his situation and while I am sure SH is a bigger person that I am and will try and work co-operatively, I’d be inclined to give him the cold shoulder. Guess that’s why I’m not PM! LOL
October 15th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
What does Stephen Harper have to make amends for with either Quebec or Toronto. What has he done to hurt them. Did he give Quebec all the money in loonies so that they hurt their backs carrying it away. If Quebec is so aggrieved about the way Canada has treated them, then we have no more hope of satisfying them than we have of appeasing Islam.
mid island mike
October 15th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
I was fixing my roof a couple of weeks ago . 2 of my cousins live next door . Neither of them offered to help .1 of them wanted to borrow some money a while before that . I turned him down and I guess I hurt his feelings . When I finished I went and got a 24 of beer and a pizza . Guess who was knocking on my door .? Kind of reminds me of something . And yeah , I told them to S**** * off.
October 15th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
I would hope that Harper not seek revenge on anyone who did not vote for him. The way to build a nation is working through our differences not exacerbating them. For too long we have suffered under Chretien-esque vengefulness to the detriment of Canada. Harper be a bigger man than Danny boy and work for the good of all Canadians.
October 15th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Danny needs to buy himself a female dog and name her “Payback”, cause payback is a b…..
mid island mike
October 15th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Unless you think Torontonians and Quebeckers are phenomenally stupid, you will understand why they’re not going to get on a train that prides itself on having already thrown them off.
That’s because they’ve had their way for how the country is run for too long. They would be stupid to think that the ROC would continue to play “their” game much langer. The money base is shifting, a good chunk of the more entrepreneurial population have moved out here, only thing left to move is the political power. The caterwauling in the areas you posters refer to are used to the status quo. I think that that changed Tuesday night. They are finding out that it isn’t all about them any more. Life is a little more of a two-way street now.
October 15th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Now… wouldn’t it be a coup if PMSH went to Danny Millions and said “I’m willing to be the bigger man…” and taught Danny a lesson or twenty about being a statesman?
October 15th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
JT:
So you admit this is a revenge regime and that Torontonians / Quebeckers were right to reject Harper?
October 16th, 2008 at 3:51 am
Maybe PMSH could bypass ‘Danny’s boys’ (his Puffin/Dipper M.P.s) and appoint Loyola and Mr. Manning to manage NFLDs dealings with Ottawa. Same goes for the Yukon and NT, where the government does not have an elected M.P. from a jurisdiction.
October 16th, 2008 at 3:56 am
Mac - I agree with your assement of the charactor of our Prime Minister, he is not like Puffin PM’s PET, Jean and Paul who openly punished Alberta, Sask and B.C. for their voting preferences (NEP), our Prime Minister is a statesman and he will work very well with Mr. Williams for the good of the people of Newfoundland.
October 16th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Jack, if you laid out the billions of dollars that went into Quebec and where and for what it was used and whether or not the money was actually use for that purpose all in black large letters in your blog the noise of shock will be very clear. Also I find the newsreporters should have done this a long time ago.
I know that Charest took the billions of $$$$$$$ given to him by the Conservatives for Quebec’s infustructure etc- but instead of putting that money to use-Charest decided to give it to his people in a form of tax-cut. Yet he and Duceppe bitch for more money.
Alberta alone from the “dirty” proclaimed by Duceppe gave Quebec $8billion.
the Quebecers will not and cannot believe that money was poured into Quebec since confederation. the less the people know of this amount poured into Quebec; the better it is for CHAREST.
Again Jack, time to spell out the whereabouts of those billions
went into in BIG BLACK LETTERS.
Danny ‘Whine’ William took his own province down, now he will have to repair the damage himself. Danny himself is a DICTATOR- even his people are frighten of him. He got is wish not to have a representative in parliament. LIVE BY IT NOW, DANNY WHINE.
The MSM are so pathetic, useless; you Jack, Sandy, NB TORY LADY ETC are the new newscenter.
October 16th, 2008 at 8:44 am
correction- …… the “dirty” OIL SANDS proclaimed by Duceppe gave Quebec $8billion…….
October 16th, 2008 at 9:09 am
The electorate of NFDL and Labrador are lemmings over a cliff. Notice the rodent metaphor. Can you imagine any other premier daring to tell his province how to vote - he would be puffin-pooped so fast the sea gulls would have to get out of the way. What an immature, nose-led bunch. The fine citizens of NFDL and Labrador are now aligned with downtown Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. So how much respect do you thing you’ll get from the latte drinking downtown elites. The young people of NFDL and Labrador have voted with their feet and are working and raising families in Western Canada. They know that the demigod mentallity is a result of insecurity and the “woe is me attitude” is defeatism. Goodluck with that voting choice and now that the price of oil is fluctuating so wildly, who’s going to pay your transfers - Conservative blue Alberta? Fabien Manning would have been and interesting and exciting MP on the national landscape - perhaps Danny William was jealous, god often are when they are eclipsed.