SEARCH AND RESCUE IS CRITICAL. NOW, WHAT ABOUT PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY?

Every few months the airwaves are filled with the chilling message of one or more persons in difficulty or lost at sea.  Inevitably and with a sense of foreboding, the public is informed of the dispatch of ‘first responders’, the members of the Search and Rescue (SAR). 

This article is not about the Burton Winters tragedy, though the mere mention, of his name, evokes a tiring sadness over the loss of one so young. Nor is it about the loss of the Ryan’s Commander or even the role, responsibility and response time demanded, by a sympathetic public, of SAR.

This article is about the role of each individual who goes out on the sea.  It is about personal responsibility. 

NDP VOTE IN BY-ELECTION DESERVES CLOSE SCRUTINY

The Cartwright L’Anse Au Clair By-Election was supposed to have been a yawn. Given the Tory record in the District, you could hardly blame Dunderdale for calling it as soon as she secured a sacrificial lamb to run for the P.C Party and arranged to be out of Town, when the ballots were counted. 

The by-election might have been a simple affair.  It almost was.  That the Liberals won, (53.5% of the vote), was a forgone conclusion.  But, these pesky NDPers won almost 33% of the vote.  While one should not take anything away from the Liberal’s victory, it would be a serious oversight if one failed to acknowledge the importance of the NDP support, at this time.

GIVE PEOPLE LIKE JIM PRENTICE AN EARFUL

Golly gee.  Wasn’t it so nice of former Federal Tory Cabinet Minister, Jim Prentice, to pay the folks down in “Newfie” a call?  What would we have done without a visit from ‘ol Jim?

NOIA delegates showed up, in droves, to hear the words of the good ‘ol boy, from Calgary, now CIBC’s energy expert.  Reporters wrote down his every word; the newspaper and other media gave him precious space.  Jim must be thinking: what they say is really true: ‘they’re a bit dull but these Newfies sure are nice folks’!  Even the reporters were nice.  Yes, everyone was nice…they just loved what ah had to say…my bank buddies will be so pleased, ah shucks, ah sure hope we get to sell some of those Muskrat Falls Bonds. Why, I’ll get a bigger bank bonus if ah can turn that little trick.’

Yes, Jim, in Newfoundland and Labrador, we’re all rooting for you!

Oh my, Oh my! 

NEW DEPUTY MINISTER OF FINANCE NEEDS TO BE ONE TOUGH COOKIE

This past March I wrote a piece entitled, "HIGH PRIESTS HAVE BOUNDARIES, TOO".  I reluctantly noted that two of the Province’s most senior public servants may have crossed a critical professional boundary line.    One has decided to move on.

The announcement of Donna Brewer as the Provincial Deputy Minister of Finance offers the possibility of strong new leadership, in a critical role.  The decision to bring her back to Finance, having previously held important positions there is important, for a number of reasons. 

IS FELIX COLLINS A 'POST TURTLE'?

While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75 year old farmer, whose
hand was caught in the squeeze gate while working cattle,
the doctor struck up a conversation with him.
Eventually the topic got around to Politicians and their role as our
leaders.

E.I. and the Tyranny of Self-Righteousness

Newfoundland and Labrador, in April 2013, boasted an unadjusted 13.7% unemployment rate. 13.7% of NL’s workforce represents 32,700 people. By any measure, it is far too many in an economy, which the Premier boasts, is ‘white hot’. 

Employers’ claim, that they can’t find adequate labour, is supported with the existence of 1600 vacancies, again an April figure. One indicator of problems, in the job market, is the ratio of unemployed persons to the number of job vacancies, at least, officially.  In Nova Scotia it is 12.3, in New Brunswick 15.5, the Canadian average is 6.5; in NL the ratio is 20.9!  

That’s a big ratio of available labour to job openings.  It should get noticed.

DO WE NEED MORE ROCKING CHAIRS? (PART II)

I wasn’t aware of the rift between Jos Arnell and Josiah Brake until Uncle Gnarley and I left Jos’ house, last Sunday; clearly the world doesn't stop when I'm out in my kayak, as the first part of this tale confirms:  DO WE NEED MORE ROCKING CHAIRS? (PART I).  I have already told the story of Jos having accosted me on the slipway, in Petty Harbour, as I concluded my ablutions before taking to the water.  I got a great kick out of Jos' mumbo jumbo outburst  and I was even more amused when she announced her intention, to Uncle Gnarley and me, to run for the Liberal Leadership.  

I had missed a great deal, that day, while on the water. Thankfully, Uncle Gnarley filled me in.  The way he explained it, was like this:

CRA POLL: THE LIBERALS' BIG DAY

Monday's CRA Poll, on the popularity of the Dunderdale Government and the three political Parties, is actually a very significant Poll.  No one really profits from reading a Party’s standings, this far from an election; even the titillation is brief.  The real value is when a Poll identifies a fundamental shift in the direction of the public’s political preferences. 

The CRA Poll contains some potentially big stories on that front.

DO WE NEED MORE ROCKING CHAIRS? (Part I)

Most people, who spend time in a rocking chair, find it an incomparable source of relaxation.  Not Josiah Brake.  When he says he is going to ‘rock’, he means, not that he is going to shake, but that he is going to ‘think’.  

Josiah isn’t like most thinking people.  Others assess issues and resolve problems while they drive to town, split a bit of fire wood or sit in the doctor’s office.  Not Josiah Brake. He needs to deliberate without distraction; employing a single mindedness only time, quietude and a gentle rocking motion, comfortably affords.

DAMN-NATION: ROLLING THE DICE IN NL, TOO

Graham Lane is not a known name in Newfoundland and Labrador.  Perhaps, he could be. 

He is well known in Manitoba.  Like David Vardy, he has served in a multitude of roles in that and several other Provinces, including roles as Chairman of the Public Utilities Board of Manitoba and  Vice-President of the University of Winnipeg.  A retired Chartered Accountant, his career has spanned fifty years and his CV suggests he has enjoyed more public sector policy challenges than one individual and one career ought to face.  

He recently delivered a Paper to “Frontier Centre for Public Policy”, a private think tank.   His Paper was entitled "Damn-Nation, Rolling the Dice on Manitoba's Future".

NALCOR’S AGM: ONE QUESTION FOR ED MARTIN ON “THE NORTH SPUR INSTABILITY PROBLEM”

Since Nalcor’s last Annual General Meeting, the $7.7 billion Muskrat Falls Project was sanctioned and the construction site is busy with contractors.  There are no surprises to report, just yet, right?

Actually, that’s not correct.

WHY EVEN ELECTIONS WON’T SAVE THE SENATE

Most Canadians, who have given any thought to that most anachronistic of legislative institutions, the Senate, believe that it offends their democratic sensibilities, that it is remote, elitist, unnecessary and generally useless. The truth is, the Senate has done little to assuage this view.

Is there another condition underpinning the red chamber’s perceived illegitimacy? Perhaps.

The problem, as I see it, is that Canadian society is devoid of a meaningful ‘culture’ of the Senate.  It possesses a place neither in our hearts nor in our minds.    

Most people have an intellectual and an intuitive understanding of the role of the Senate’s sister chamber, the House of Commons. Similarly, they have a mature appreciation of the role and responsibilities of individual Members of Parliament (MPs).