tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post7561795051708408177..comments2023-10-25T07:29:40.789-02:30Comments on UNCLE GNARLEY: SECRET “MANAGEMENT RESERVE” FOR MUSKRAT UNCOVEREDDes Sullivanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02566013585647491614noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-70911600526001134612018-04-19T18:26:59.099-02:302018-04-19T18:26:59.099-02:30To anon 06:43… no, not similar at all… the federa...To anon 06:43… no, not similar at all… the federal government actually MADE money on its investment in Hibernia, rather than flushing it down the toilet… which is effectively what the NL government has done with taxpayers’ money with regards to propping up a floundering paper-mill operation… see http://business.financialpost.com/commodities/energy/if-ottawa-sells-its-hibernia-oil-field-stake-it-must-fetch-top-dollar<br /><br />From the FP article… “The federal government, which got its equity stake for free but spent $430-million to finish the project’s construction, was paid back in full and in addition has received $1.8-billion in dividends since oil started flowing in 1997 — an average of about $100-million a year.”<br /><br />So like I said, not similar at all to the $110M in corporate welfare plus $500K and counting in legal fees, all provided by NL taxpayers of course, the NL government has provided to Kruger so far, with nothing to show for it except an ailing papermill... so no, not similar at all to the fed's investment in Hibernia, an investment of public monies that actually paid off. <br /><br />But of course local politicians such as Ball, Byrne and Joyce don’t give a fiddler’s f***K about how much they fritter away on a losing bet such as Kruger, because it’s NOT THEIR OWN MONEY that they’re pissing away, it’s taxpayers’ money. And those cynical SOBs know that they’ll likely get a tidy political return from the injudicious wretches still inclined to vote for them as a result of this reckless “investment” in Kruger. Compliments of NL taxpayers of course… those reliable suckers are always good for the cash, right Dwight? <br /><br />To anon 07:18… you’re conflating the wanton and excessive exercise of government “power”… with the obligation of the USDOC to take the appropriate action upon receiving a legitimate complaint from a client American company the USDOC is mandated to serve… specifically, that North Pacific’s ability to compete has been unfairly compromised by the NL government’s subsidies to Kruger, in contravention of the terms of an abiding contract between the US & Canada known as the NAFTA.<br /><br />So with regards to the notion of government “power” within the context of this discussion, I would suggest that both you and Heracles31 are comparing apples to oranges. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-74371563057418715112018-04-19T09:52:54.011-02:302018-04-19T09:52:54.011-02:30That would be wonderful. KeithThat would be wonderful. KeithAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-26660878148345264322018-04-19T07:22:18.434-02:302018-04-19T07:22:18.434-02:30We could see the beginning of the end of the Liquo...We could see the beginning of the end of the Liquor Corporation here in NL as well as Chicken processing, milk production and fish processing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-88876930516905023252018-04-19T07:18:39.330-02:302018-04-19T07:18:39.330-02:30At Anom 22:10
As for the US government using it ow...At Anom 22:10<br />As for the US government using it own "power" to support local business, that's not quite accurate... <br /><br />That is entirely accurate. Te US government regularly places America first provisions in contracts that limit foreign suppliers and contracts when dealing with infrastructure contracts (the Wynne government of Ontario is now embroiled in a dispute with the state of NY over just that) and especially defence contracts. It was defence department that enable the 25% and 10% tariffs on imported steel and aluminium.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-12231005901769153452018-04-19T06:59:55.649-02:302018-04-19T06:59:55.649-02:30Today on Thursday the 19th April 2018 the Supreme ...Today on Thursday the 19th April 2018 the Supreme Court will render its decision on the Gerard Comeau case whereby it will be decided if restrictions on movement of beer across provincial boundaries are unconstitutional or not. I am wondering if this decision will also affect the free movement of fish(NL`s restrictions on processing could end today) dairy (could end the dairy farming and processing today), poultry (is Country Ribben going to survive), spirits, (labour-restrictions such as those with Bull Arm that favor Nlers first)) and yes the transmission of electricity. It could prove to be an interesting day.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-79550282147479058422018-04-19T06:49:52.921-02:302018-04-19T06:49:52.921-02:30We can do what Iceland did. Sign an agreement wit...We can do what Iceland did. Sign an agreement with Alcoa to produce Aluminium and recuperate the costs in income taxes from its workers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-6795767211440448322018-04-19T06:46:55.171-02:302018-04-19T06:46:55.171-02:30The NDP in BC are very hypocritical when it comes ...The NDP in BC are very hypocritical when it comes to environmental issues. They don't want the big bad oil companies to build pipelines but they conveniently find it ok for the province to build a hydro dam that floods some of the best farmland in Canada. Friendly to the environment in name only.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-13672721990621265692018-04-19T06:43:43.432-02:302018-04-19T06:43:43.432-02:30It is similar to the $1.8 Billion (that's righ...It is similar to the $1.8 Billion (that's right-Billion) "investment" from the federal government into Hibernia when Gulf pulled out. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-88400006165827723372018-04-18T22:10:21.724-02:302018-04-18T22:10:21.724-02:30Salut M./Mme. Heracles31,
The $110 million "...Salut M./Mme. Heracles31,<br /><br />The $110 million "loan" to Kruger (of which government now does not expect to be repaid) likely negates the amount Kruger may have paid in corporate taxes over most if not more than it's operational time span. Indeed, if saving tax-paying jobs is the issue, why not just bypass Kruger and the depressed global newsprint markets altogether, and dollop out the $110 million in corporate welfare directly to the employees, and save all the legal fees for drawing up the loan terms? Besides, all companies, including Kruger, must pay taxes... it's just the cost of doing business. But that cost is absorbed in a myriad of corporate tax write offs and credits and what not. And then Kruger also owns the Deer Lake generating station to boot, an attractive asset. <br /><br />As for the US government using it own "power" to support local business, that's not quite accurate... the USDOC in fact specifically cited the $110 million "loan" in the countervailing action. But the action was not initiated by the USDOC out of the blue as a result of Kruger's "loan", it was initiated in respect of the USDOC's obligations and mandates in support of US industry under the NAFTA, in response to a complaint filed by an American company, North Pacific Paper Company, regarding unfair subsidies to Canadian producers, subsequently asking the U.S. to add duties of 25-50 per cent.<br /><br />So the situation may possibly be somewhat more complicated, as you allude. <br /><br />But not by much. <br /><br />http://ntv.ca/u-s-referenced-110-million-provincial-loan-in-kruger-tariff-decision/<br /><br />http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/newsprint-duties-us-kruger-1.4479112<br /><br />http://www.thetelegram.com/opinion/letter-to-the-editor/letter-government-has-no-business-in-business-137414/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-36916017440650456682018-04-18T21:19:50.714-02:302018-04-18T21:19:50.714-02:30Hi Anon 20:04,
The situation is more complicated ...Hi Anon 20:04,<br /><br />The situation is more complicated than that...<br /><br />About private company versus governement. It is important to understand that such a private company is paying a lot of taxes to governement. Also, this company has many employes who are also tax payers. As such, to save these jobs is of importance for a governement. Even more for jobs that are not related to a traditional domain like oil, fish, etc. So Yes, the governement probably has a strong enough interest to justify taking some actions.<br /><br />About re-inforcing the case in the US, again, it is more complicated than that. If the US action is not justified from the first place, the US themselves are using governement's power to favor and support their local business, against the North America free trading agreements. As such, to involve governement in the response is justified.<br /><br />Here, the reality is amplified by the small size of Newfoundland. In Quebec too we have this kind of problems with the US, mostly about wood. Luckily for us, we are bigger and stronger, so it is easier for us to fight back. Considering the size of both parties here, Newfoundland versus US, is a direct fight back at the US the appropriate reaction ? That I can not say.<br /><br />Overall, I can not tell you if this action from Newfoundland's governement is appropriate or not. What I can tell you is that it may very well be, despite the reaction you expressed in your post.<br /><br />Nice to talk with you,Heracles31https://www.blogger.com/profile/04598467925778515764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-62380389715101216532018-04-18T20:17:41.536-02:302018-04-18T20:17:41.536-02:30In addition to ferries, tugs, barges, rafts and al...In addition to ferries, tugs, barges, rafts and all other manner of floating conveyance, a tunnel may also be needed so as to help accommodate the massive hordes of economic refugees fleeing this tortured rock when the Muskrat bills start arriving in the mail and the bondsmen finally call in the loans.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-2532034257696555402018-04-18T20:04:58.203-02:302018-04-18T20:04:58.203-02:30I'm calling this article to the attention of U...I'm calling this article to the attention of UG readers for their consideration and discussion....<br /><br />http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/legal-bill-fighting-newsprint-tariff-1.4623461<br /><br />Two questions...<br /><br />These tariffs are levied against Kruger, nor against the province. So why are NL taxpayers footing the legal bill to challenge these tariffs... for a private company that has already received million$ in corporate welfare subsidies from NL taxpayers? Subsidies that the U.S. Dept of Commerce considers unfair under NAFTA, to the degree that it has taken action with the imposition of countervailing duties.<br /><br />Second question... with NL taxpayers picking up the tab for legal costs to fight tariffs imposed on a private company, wouldn't that merely reinforce the U.S. Dept of Commerce view that Kruger continues to be unfairly subsidized by government in some manner, therefore the imposition of countervailing duties is a right and proper action? <br /><br />Notwithstanding that NL taxpayers on continuing to subsidize an aging paper-mill operation that's no longer economically viable without the infusion of taxpayer-funded life support... but the optics here with regards to how the province is going about trying to mitigate these tariffs just looks all wrong, too. <br /><br />Comments welcome...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-31347518104937574662018-04-18T16:24:33.991-02:302018-04-18T16:24:33.991-02:30Ex Mil:
When considering the players involved (Rio...Ex Mil:<br />When considering the players involved (Rio, ArcelorMittal, Tata etc), Cliffs were the poor sister partner then and had neither the ability nor the legal standing to idle the facilities. Concerns of rail access were minor in the Lab West area and a commitment was secured within a couple of hours of the Wabush Site idling to continue moving material. As far as I know, there wasn't even 1hrs delay on moving ore out among the operators.<br /><br />I will agree that the media and government did play the issue up-mainly for public support (pensions, lost jobs etc), but industrially there were no concerns.<br /><br />Maybe the Quebec government is no better ours when it comes to playing the 'sad face card'?<br /><br />PENG2Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-54215994705389967942018-04-18T16:04:43.886-02:302018-04-18T16:04:43.886-02:30"There were minor concerns of CNR being able ..."There were minor concerns of CNR being able to disrupt rail and port activities..."<br /><br />I would agree with above sentence by changing the word "minor" to "considerable"...<br /><br />All the info we got (from the medias, Qc gvt, the port (Feds), or the five original partners that built the multi-user deep water Warf) was not indicating this was a minor concern. <br /><br />Anyways, Quebec spent $68M to acquire Cliff's (CNR) assets in Pointe-noire (thus "liberating" the rail access to the new wharf...), plus a further $15M to finalize links infrastructure that run on that same property.<br /><br />https://www.ledevoir.com/politique/quebec/461773/quebec-injecte-68-millions-pour-racheter-des-actifs-de-la-miniere-cliffs<br /><br />http://lenord-cotier.com/pointe-noire-des-appuis-pour-que-cliffs-donne-acces-a-ses-rails/ (Here, even Nfld wanted the Canadian Transportation Agency to force CNR to allow access to the new deep-water wharf) <br /><br />http://www.canadiansailings.ca/port-of-sept-les-and-quebecs-purchase-of-land-and-storage-facilities-opens-up-new-shipping-opportunities-for-north-shore-iron-miners/<br />=> "Formerly owned by CNR, Block Z had been a bone of contention between the Port and the mining company for the past several years, with Cliffs refusing to recognize its obligations as a common carrier and to allow competitors to use its rail line, blocking access to the Pointe-Noire shipping facilities." <=<br /><br />The good news is that this new deep water wharf is open for business, and would welcome any new additional cost sharing partners. (Tata Steel Minerals Canada + Champion Iron Limited were the latest additions; last October I believe)<br /><br />Ex MilAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-23132229046058813212018-04-18T14:44:44.803-02:302018-04-18T14:44:44.803-02:30Ex Mil @ 13:44:
There was more to it than that-and...Ex Mil @ 13:44:<br />There was more to it than that-and none is new info, mostly dating 2-3yrs at least and as I said photo op only.<br /><br />There were minor concerns of CNR being able to disrupt rail and port activities in Feb 2015 but considering CNR was a minor user and Rio/QCM had already signed on with the Schefferville players there was nothing to worry about.<br /><br />PENG2Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-20398603718698754072018-04-18T14:29:48.089-02:302018-04-18T14:29:48.089-02:30No surrender in BC on Site C;
https://thetyee.ca/...No surrender in BC on Site C;<br /><br />https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2018/04/18/Stop-Site-C-Still-Time/Robert G Holmeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05356463540446993862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-73335253432907530522018-04-18T13:52:44.350-02:302018-04-18T13:52:44.350-02:30This could be a game changer;
http://www.cbc.ca/n...This could be a game changer;<br /><br />http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/df-barnes-bifab-scotland-aquisition-1.4623121<br /><br />Strategic Action; Build a wind farm at site, take peak load off the grid, then Clarenville and the Bonavista. Guess who wins? Anybody know what the peak load for Bull Arm was? Bonavista Peninsula? Avalon? Galway?Robert G Holmeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05356463540446993862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-11419583363202820702018-04-18T13:44:22.761-02:302018-04-18T13:44:22.761-02:30To PENG2:
There was an intense saga surrounding t...To PENG2:<br /><br />There was an intense saga surrounding the rail access to the upgraded multi-users Sept-Iles deep water port. The Quebec Gvt was very much involved in resolving an "hostage taking" situation created by (RIP) Cliff Resources. <br /><br />It got resolved by the "the signing in late 2016 of a long-term commercial agreement between the Port and its new partner and client, the Quebec government-backed Société ferroviaire et portuaire de Pointe-Noire (SFPPN). The latter is a limited partnership that was created to own and operate assets purchased from Cliff’s Natural Resources operating under protection from its creditors. These assets include rail lines, access to port facilities, rail yards, a pellet plant, administrative offices and about 1200 hectares of land. The Port itself was successful with the acquisition of 400 hectares of land to unlock the future growth of the sector.<br /><br />For years, Cliff’s refusal to negotiate service on its rail network giving access to the port stymied development in the sector and led to years of acrimonious relations and highly-publicized lawsuits. Quebec economy minister: “Thanks to this (SFPPN) acquisition, companies engaged in the mining of iron ore on the North Shore can benefit from the access they will now have to the new multi-user dock in the port of Sept-Îles.”<br /><br />Based on the same approach that inspired the 2012 agreement for the construction of the multi-user wharf, the agreement between the Port and SFPPN called for a sharing of the SFPPN’s loading equipment, storage and handling facilities at Pointe-Noire, and the construction of a 300-metre-long galleried conveyor belt that would finally link the multi-user wharf with the laydown area for users’ stockpiles. The Quebec government also promised to provide $15 million in financing to ensure those final links were built and operational.<br /><br />(above was extracted from: http://www.canadiansailings.ca/a-new-dawn-for-port-of-sept-les/ )<br /><br />Ex Mil<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-59447648209476218682018-04-18T13:38:31.638-02:302018-04-18T13:38:31.638-02:30On the Liberal Policy agenda in Hfx;
Subsea tunne...On the Liberal Policy agenda in Hfx;<br /><br />Subsea tunnel to Newfoundland<br /><br />The Liberal Party of Canada in Newfoundland and Labrador is calling on the Liberals to encourage the government to consider all funding models for building a Newfoundland-Labrador fixed link. The resolution suggests that long-distance subsea tunnel technology has advanced significantly and the creation of a fixed-link would be an economic boon.<br /><br />See what I mean? Change management gone astray.Robert G Holmeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05356463540446993862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-49511714671442570062018-04-18T12:22:17.245-02:302018-04-18T12:22:17.245-02:30Anon 11:34 Don't you get it? Unless there is a...Anon 11:34 Don't you get it? Unless there is a direct change management strategy, very soon, "the next one will have a freeway for another stupidity", that is assured. Inquiry will do little in my opinion, to affect needed change in Governance. The hope is that new leadership, sensitive to rational economic and socio needs of future generations, will emerge, or she's gone bye. Give me your best shot at a change management action for your own grandchildren. What would you put on the agenda for the change management team to consider?Robert G Holmeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05356463540446993862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-39280146279519750492018-04-18T12:08:59.934-02:302018-04-18T12:08:59.934-02:30Ex-Military Engr:
I think the port upgrades were ...Ex-Military Engr:<br /><br />I think the port upgrades were financed by Tata and LIM working near Schefferville for their exports as part of a deal with TSH and IOCC.<br /><br />Not sure there was really anything in that announcement other than the photo op.<br /><br />PENG2Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-90672134378071091152018-04-18T11:35:27.531-02:302018-04-18T11:35:27.531-02:30Speaking of an increase of Qc/Nfld PR activities i...Speaking of an increase of Qc/Nfld PR activities in the medias, they indeed both announced an "une entente de coopération en matière d’infrastructures routières et de mines" a few days ago.<br /><br />Among other things, it aims to improve land access to Labrador ressources, while eventually we get a better use of the recently much upgraded Sept-Iles/Pointe Noire deep water port.<br /><br />http://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2018/04/12/routes-et-mines-quebec-et-terre-neuve-signent-une-entente-de-cooperation<br /><br />At the end of the article, they also mention of an expected SCC decision around June. (But like Heracles, I also heard it could be much sooner)Ex-Military Engrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15209511368820589727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-44682151147936713902018-04-18T11:34:53.769-02:302018-04-18T11:34:53.769-02:30Hi Robert,
"It will just conclude that the l...Hi Robert,<br /><br />"It will just conclude that the leaders were themselves duped into doing what was thought appropriate"<br /><br />I agree that is highly probable... So what ? Don't do anything and ensure the next one will have a free way for his next stupidity?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-30280247251874862802018-04-18T10:58:42.716-02:302018-04-18T10:58:42.716-02:30NLers who are thinking of their grandchildren'...NLers who are thinking of their grandchildren's future prospects for sustainability, and the good life experience, should join with this group; Think of what you can personally contribute to getting off the fossil fuel dependency.<br /><br />https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/162d886369b689f4Robert G Holmeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05356463540446993862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235138415013046381.post-17362342271295925612018-04-18T10:50:42.355-02:302018-04-18T10:50:42.355-02:30Note the irony; The pipeline will get built; Muskr...Note the irony; The pipeline will get built; Muskrat, and the "juiceless" transmission lines will get built. Future generations, you will pay. Ball's petro plan supports both strikes against a low carbon future. The Inquiry is a total waste of time, and resources. It will just conclude that the leaders were themselves duped into doing what was thought appropriate, "based on the best information we had at the time". Debt to infinity supports re-election of the few, benefitting the Banks, feeding an elite small group of Workers and Business interests.Robert G Holmeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05356463540446993862noreply@blogger.com