Quebec Owned Newfoundland

"Owned" in the sense of being utterly defeated by one's enemies. Quebec owned Newfoundland, and now all of Labrador is up for grabs. That was recently thrown out there in a rather arrogant and disrespectful way by former Hydro-Quebec big shot F. Pierre Gingras. A short version of his commentary in La Presse: "Give us "back" Labrador and we'll throw 1000 MW of power to you." The proverbial "crumbs to the vanquished". Words that were meant to send a message to Newfoundland's elite. Or, in simpler terms: "you are done like dinner".

This is no great surprise to me. Rather, it's simply a sad confirmation of the warning I've given over and over to the Newfoundland back room types that have paraded to my door in Hickman's Harbour "for coffee". Yes, believe it or not, the same people that have ridiculed me for half a decade really want to know what I think - just not publicly. I suppose to do otherwise would be having to admit they don't know what the hell they're doing, and need help from the guy they decided to publicly humiliate here. Oh well, the wheel turns. A big thank-you to my wife who barely holds her contempt for them while they sip their Tim Hortons in the living room.

I've always been a Newfoundland patriot. I moved here to be that person. To rediscover my Newfoundland roots, and to offer what I could to the place. I suppose that's what most people do when they move somewhere. For me it was personal though. My Grandmother was a Newfoundlander, and I loved and respected her dearly. However, my Grandfather was a Quebecer, who I never knew as he died before my birth. My father was a by product of both - an Irish home where English was all that was spoken, immersed in a culture of French vs. English politics. I grew up with an understanding of the Newfoundland fighting spirit and the French strategic thinking. Obviously, like any child born in a "mixed marriage", I chose a side that was closest to my heart, and moved to Newfoundland.

That being said, the very first thing I became aware of was the complete lack of strategic thinking in Newfoundland. Essentially all fight and no thinking was the over arching theme I found here. I saw the pied pipers leading the people here down the garden path and right into devastation. Not just financial devastation, but also territorial devastation. The complete abyss. that is the real reason I ran for the PC leadership back in 2011. The uppity come from away who thought he knew better than the Newfoundlanders already in place. It's the same reason I ran for the Liberal leadership a short time later - albeit with more invites to run there than within the PC crew. The bottom line is I was desperately trying to stop what is now taking place today - essentially throwing myself under the bus for the place. That sounds soppy, but the truth is the truth. There will be those that say "Oh Cabana's getting on with his Messiah complex", but I say to them: Who was right and who was wrong. Giving everything means you care enough to.

Now, with the recent decision in Quebec Superior Court (which was predicted and totally predictable), Quebec has its hands at our throats. Williams and Dunderdale always spewed that they had to "break the stranglehold" of Quebec over the development of Labrador, but the reality is they simply handed Quebec our throats. With our Water Management Agreement now utterly useless, and the project still being built, Quebec can hardly believe that Newfoundland's elite has been frankly that stupid. They are rubbing their hands in glee, and mocking Newfoundland now: "Here, we'll throw you that 1000 MW of power you always wanted, now get out of our Labrador". Literally, they are laughing at us, but who wouldn't. Our political elite gave it to them.

Williams recently appeared in the media screaming about Hydro-Quebec visiting the Muskrat Falls site, and warning of a cave in to Quebec. It reminded me of PC leader Paul Davis's warnings during the election that the Liberals would lay off civil servants and cut programs, when in reality he knew full well he left them few options but to. Williams defiant comments that we are " not roadkill" and should not be "on our knees" to Quebec strike the highest note of irony considering it was his "strategic" moves that placed us in that exact position. All totally foreseeable, except for those who refused to see - which was almost everyone in the province.

So now the piper must be paid, and the big question is how. How to recuse a white elephant that may cost $15 billion, and can only produce about 150 MW without that Water Management Agreement that we just lost out on in Court - although the b'ys here still don't have the courage to admit that to the people of the Province. Stan Marshall simply lied in a teleconference about it, and when chased by reporters with specific questions the line for the teleconference suddenly went dead. Dwight Ball hasn't spoken on it once to the media. The greatest court loss in the province's history and no comment. Instead, Williams is right on this one thing, our brain trust are on their knees over at Hydro-Quebec's office in Montreal, and the Prime Minister's office in Ottawa. They're trying to pull the old "come on b'ys, we're loveable, give us a break here, there must be something we can do to make all this go away". The answer came from Gingras: "give us Labrador". We hold all the cards. We own the Prime Minister.

Now all the people of Newfoundland hear is deathly silence. Nalcor says boldly: "we will appeal that decision", and in somewhat more hushed tones "but we will abide by the decision in the mean time". Like they had a choice. The elite in Quebec have set Newfoundland up, and they aren't about to play boy scout and let Newfoundland out of the trap. Harper's gift of a federal loan guarantee was always, and obviously, a poisoned chalice. The man hated Newfoundland. That just wasn't that difficult to see. They handed this province a rope and we hung ourselves - or perhaps more accurately our "elite" hung us for the riches they would receive. The truth is there are now no longer any good options. There are only bad, and really bad options. Surrender Labrador of bankrupt all of Newfoundland and Labrador - then Quebec will come in and pick it up for a cent on the dollar. Surrender the Upper Churchill and Quebec will control Labrador in every way but name. Etc.

There is of course the independence movement in Labrador that is being fanned covertly by Quebec. Most people don't realize that Quebec has its own "intelligence service". It is in every location where Quebec has strategic financial interests - including places like China where Hydro-Quebec is deeply involved. Its service targets the decision makers and influencers in these strategic markets to further its overall goals. One of those very important goals is Labrador. In case you didn't realize it, after the French language, the territorial goals of a "greater" Quebec rank a close second. In other words, Quebec will stop at nothing to take Labrador. To think otherwise is to seriously underestimate the enemy. There is already a great deal of evidence on the ground that Quebec's "intelligence service" is fully engaged, under the radar, promoting Labrador separatism. By the way, check out the recent court decision in Quebec for a hint of where Quebec is at with Labrador. The deciding judge refers to the "Government of Newfoundland" through out his decision. There is no "and Labrador" attached to the title...

For me, I suppose, it was a fight worth having, but you can't help those who won't help themselves. I recall being labelled a "dangerous zealot" by a certain radio host here over my fight to stop what's happening now. When you're labelled that way by those you consider dear, and fellow patriots, it's hard to take anything more from the conversation. I sacrificed financially, and my family sacrificed much more, in the fight to stop this. Now all that is left to do is watch the surrender of our province - which is a hard pill to swallow.

Canada's New Camelot

Justin Trudeau is the new Prime Minister of Canada - "designate" until official on November 4, 2015. He came to power on an upset, come from way behind wind for one reason - he promised to run deficits to make Canada more the Canada it once was. NDP leader Mulcair refused to permit a deficit in his campaign. By mid-September the NDP base, and soft support became quite agitated by his stand, and by September 29th the NDP's nose dive began. Mulcair was in essence out NDP'd by Trudeau, and people decided to vote for the "new NDP".

Trudeau's acceptance speech used colourful phrases like "hope", "positive change", and "sunny ways" which eerily echoed the dying days of much loved NDP leader Jack Layton. Strange days indeed. Be that as it may, Trudeau is being framed in a John F Kennedy - like light. Young, brash good looking, beautiful wife, beautiful children, even Catholic, and most of all "all things can be better in Canada". The question remains: "Can Trudeau be the JFK of Canada that the press is already framing him as?", although he is certainly laying that ground work himself. The young man who defeated the Nixon-like Prime Minister Harper.

He certainly has the personal capacity to be so. Wealthy, good looking, charming, and surrounded by a young and beautiful family. No question all those parts are there. He even has the spirit of his father over his shoulder. Pierre Trudeau remains a legendary personality in politics here - even in death (perhaps more so in death). The young man who grew up at 24 Sussex while his father Pierre made headlines at home and abroad as Canada's "happening PM", now returns to those hallowed halls where his own children will spend at least 4 if not 8-10 years growing up as he reigns over the country. The ghostly hand of Shakespeare could hardly pen a more expectant scene.

But, there remain major pitfalls for the young leader that he will have to wisely avoid in order to not meet that all to common tragic Shakespearean fate. The first is himself. It seems clear that statesmanship, or leader-like maturity, may be lacking. Flippant remarks that he will "tell Putin face-to-face " that he ought to but out of Ukraine. It's just an example of massively over playing your hand, and making yourself look foolish in the process. That type of bravado must be absolutely avoided at all costs in the future. Being a Prime Minister is serious business, not boxing in a ring.

Secondly, the people around him. Trudeau has made very public signs that he will delegate "deciding" to his ministers. Coincidentally, no doubt, the same leadership style his father championed - which is by the way our system of ministerial responsibility is meant to be conducted. He has for instance a number of military veterans in his caucus that can be Minister of Veterans Affairs. The retired General is the most high profile, and assigning him to the post would show his seriousness of addressing the veterans issues he promised to during the campaign. A serious stumble with veterans can be deathly - ask Mr. Harper.

Another potential problem for Mr. Trudeau is avoiding the hard line, ideologists in his party. One such person, who has had a high profile ride is Chrystia Freeland. A right wing, or "blue Liberal", Freeland goes way over board in her criticism of Russia - particularly in regard to Ukraine. Her vitriol borders on extremism. It is the kind of behavior that appeals to the Conservative base, but alienates and annoys average Canadians. Mr. Harper had a number of those in his caucus, and he paid for it dearly.

Finally, Trudeau has to get the cash from somewhere to pay for the promises he made during the campaign. No doubt he may look to the past and appoint Saskatchewan's Ralph Goodale to Finance Minister. That would make sense. A "Flaherty-like" character, Goodale would provide stability and comfort for the average Canadian. BUT, if the thought of increasing the GST back to 7% crosses the minds of Trudeau's brain trust - beware. At a time of recession, diminishing markets, etc, Canadians will be reluctant to take such a hike - especially in the "alienated" West. That could give rise to "another Trudeau is screwing us" and all that entails.

While Justin Trudeau aims to be the next JFK, knowingly or not, Camelot is a very hard thing to achieve and keep. JFK never had social media and 24/7 news to deal with. It was a different era in human history. Attempting to paint a modern Western country with that brush is possible, but fraught with complications. In any case, all the best to Mr. Trudeau and the Liberal Party as they attempt to return Canada back to the future, where most Canadians would like to be.  

On Heroes

This week marked the end of a long life of suffering, oppression, and final victory for Nelson Mandela. He passed away as a hero of the world. He is now with another of my greatest heroes - Martin Luther King. It is amazing, even ironic, that in a world that has seen nothing but the subjugation and oppression of black people, that two of the world's biggest heroes of modern time were black men. It's ironic because none of the "great" white men have made anywhere near an impression on the world, yet white societies have controlled the history books for a millennium. But, despite the absolute greatness of these two men, this article focuses on other heroes.

Master Cpl. Sylvain Lelievre, 3rd battalion of the Royal 22nd Regiment; Master Cpl. William Elliott, CFB Shilo, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry; Warrant Officer Michael McNeil of 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment; and another yet named. These four men all committed suicide this week. They suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD). These men are all heroes, tragic heroes, for suffering through the anger of PTSD, being ignored by the military, and sadly in the end taking their own lives.

There is also the case of Master Cpl. Kristian Wolowidnyk. He attempted suicide a few weeks ago, because the military was shuffling him out of the Canadian Forces for the great sin of having PTSD and associated depression. As the former Veteran's Ombudsman, Col. Strogran, himself suffering from PTSD, said this week on national television: " The government would rather have soldiers killed than come home wounded". Bottom-line, it's cheaper for them. A dead soldier equals a one time payment of less than $300,000. A wounded or disabled soldier is a "constant drain" on the system. Many with zero military experience, especially in the media, would consider this a radical statement, but those of us that have been in know it to be a fact.

Now, suddenly, with the death of four soldiers in one week the politicians are tripping all over themselves in concern. Do not believe it for a moment. That includes the military politicians. This week the Chief of Defence Staff issued an impassioned plea for vets to reach out for help if their PTSD is causing a crisis. Here is his advice: 

"If you have thoughts of suicide, help is immediately available by calling 911. Expert help is also available at your base and wing clinics, via the member assistance program (1-800-268-7708) or at your local emergency room.."

So call 911 is an option. Not original, and certainly not acquainted with vet's issues or PTSD, but they can send you an ambulance or the police. Local emergency room is an option also, if the vet wants to wait in an overcrowded room of sick people to talk for 2 minutes, if they are lucky, to a doctor. Seems to me the "emergency" type situation involved with a suicidal soldier requires specific "emergency" type response - let's say from the military. Oh, there is that 1-800 number. Can't recommend that option for a distressed soldier though. I've tried the number myself.

Here is what you will get on the other end: a person who does not work for the military; is not a medical person; is a bureaucrat from Health Canada; and will not provide you with any counselling. No, that person will take your name and number, will find a social worker or other professional in your area that has a contract with National Defence, and won't guarantee you will hear from that medical professional for at least a few days. When that medical professional contacts you, they will make an appointment for you when they can. Normally that is at least days. Oh yes, they won't diagnose you either. They will talk to you, but that's it. So if you need a sympathetic ear, and aren't concerned with what is happening to you, and aren't in a hurry, by all means contact the 1-800 number.

The Government of Canada's response to its vets is a shame akin to the internment of Japanese Canadians during World War II. How to get rid of an inconvenience en mass? Simply place them in a bureaucratic maze, or circus may be better, claim to be doing the honourable thing with plenty of resources at the ready, and then leave them to tread water until they snap or simply go away to make make out as they will. The entire veterans system in Canada is based on denying vets real assistance - like funding and proper, unobstructed treatment. 

Are the suicides of our four boys this week shocking? Yes they are. They are terrible. Their blood lays in the hands of a government and military that talk the talk, but do not walk the walk. As an Officer I used to eat last, and the men ate first. That's the way it is. You have what's left, and your men are taken care of before you are. Our government and military brass do the opposite. They take what they want, and the soldier is left with what is left, and that's usually nothing. If you are a civilian, and are reading this, do your part and contact your media, or MP, or write to the Minister of National Defence or the Prime Minister, and tell them how disgusted you really are. If you aren't disgusted, then ask yourself why not. If you are a member of our government reading this, know that you are betraying our heroes. If you are a soldier reading this, stay strong and remember the people in your life love you and need you, and that you are a hero.

Muskrat Falls is Constitutionally challenged

It is just over a week to go before the Charter challenge resumes over the Muskrat Falls project in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. For the next several weeks I will be focusing soley on this challenge, so blogging will have to go on hold. However, a few thoughts on what has gone on with the federal and provincial governments in relation to this challenge should be passed along.

Back in December, 2012, during the initial hearing, I was somewhat amazed the provincial government had not submitted one piece of evidence, or argument, to back it's position that the 2007 amendments to the Electrical Power Control Act [EPCA] (brought in by then fearless leader Williams) and the subsequent water management agreement were constitutional. Not one word of the provincial government's argument addressed these two agreements. Think about that for a minute. Here a piece of their key Muskrat Falls legislation is being challenged and not one word. Not one piece of evidence was submitted to back their position. Not one.

We went into the Supreme Court in December expecting to fight a four day battle over this legislation. Although it isn't the whole case, it is 75% of it. There we are in the Supreme Court and the Justice tosses out that portion of the case, because in her estimation the service of the papers to the federal Attorney General was not complete enough. Service is required when a constitutional question is being raised and a law could be struck down. However, it was established from earlier court hearings that a declaratory decision regarding the constitutional status would not be permitted at this time, because that would be a final result and an injunction could not deliver final relief. Here is one question that weighed on me: If a constitutional decision can not be decided during an injunction hearing then why did the federal Attorney General need to be served at all? In any case, it was not allowed.

With a minimum of ten days notice required to serve the feds it appeared my case was dead in the water - pardon the pun. However, a subsequent challenge to the Judge's impartiality ate up the remainder of the court days and a postponement allowed me to serve the Attorney General - who subsequently decided not to intervene. During a conference call with the Judge and the government/Nalcor/Innu lawyers in May, 2013, it was decided by the Judge to allow the ECPA and water management agreement back in as the feds had been served with everything and declined to intervene. The provincial government's lawyer immediately requested time to submit documents regarding these peices of legislation and the Judge gave them until May 21, 2013 to do so.

That is where my question comes in. It is a troubling one, and one that has been weighing on my mind. Why did the provincial government not enter any argument or documents supporting their position on the EPCA and water management agreement when we went to court the first time - back in December - yet immediately rose to do so when the Judge reversed her decision?

To me it raises the question: Did the provincial government have inside information that the Judge was going to throw that part of my argument out? Sound far fetched? How do you explain the government's inclusion of argument suddenly then when it became clear that the legislation would be included? It seems to me the provincial government must have been liaising with the federal government, and come to the conclusion the feds had not been served properly, so there was no need to file an argument or evidence as it would be thrown out.

That begs the question: Is it right and ethical for the federal government to conspire with a provincial government to thwart a constitutional challenge by a citizen? I use the word thwart because at no time, despite numerous written and oral appeals to do so, did the federal Attorney General comment service was not adequate - or any comment at all. By doing so he caused that part of the argument to be thrown out in the earlier hearing. In fact, it was not until I wrote a personal letter to the Prime Minister, copying in the Attorney General and members of the press, that a response finally came back from the feds saying they would not intervene. I had to formally accuse them of undermining fundamentals of Canadian law, the right to present one's case, before a response came back - it took only two days.

So, it is quite apparent on the face of it that my own federal government, the defenders of the Charter of Rights and all aspects of the Constitution of Canada, were in fact assisting my provincial government in undermining a charter challenge. A charter challenge over the Muskrat Falls project. A project that the federal government signed a loan guarantee for. For people who like to believe there is no greater sanctity than the rights of a Canadian citizen this is troubling. For me this is troubling. Win, lose or draw this is troubling. It speaks to the rot in some ways that we have witnessed in Ottawa lately, but yet this is far more dangerous. Our rights are the one thing that rich and poor share alike. It is what defines us at home and abroad. It defines our values and core beliefs. Yet, apparently, it can be traded in over a hunk of concrete on a river. The charter challenge of Muskrat Falls resumes on June 4,5,6 and longer if necessary.   

Lies, Bribes, Harper and Dunderdale - the Evidence

On April 28, 2013, I wrote an article on whether or not the Innu people were bribed to vote for the New Dawn Agreement, which passage was necessary to allow the Muskrat Falls project to proceed. http://rocksolidpolitics.blogspot.ca/2013/04/were-innu-bribed-for-muskrat-falls-vote.html  Since that time the information contained in that post was forwarded to the Prime Minister's Office, the Attorney General of Canada, the head of the RCMP, the Quebec Corruption Commission, the World Bank Corruption Commission, the Swiss federal Police, and both leaders of the federal opposition parties. Yet nothing. It appears very likely that the Innu people were given a financial reward for voting in favour of the New Dawn Agreement, which violates federal laws on corruption and the federal elections act. The local RCMP in Goose Bay were informed of these payments a year ago. Those forwarding the information want a full blown RCMP investigation and forensic audit of both bands, the Innu Nation, and the Innu trusts. Yet nothing has happened.

I have decided to publish the actual minutes of both meetings where the $5000 payment was authorized, and where the children's trust fund was accessed to forward those payments as soon as possible with repayment of the fund coming later from a bank loan.



THE JULY 6, 2011 MINUTES

You probably noticed it was the Innu Nation, the group responsible for conducting the New Dawn Agreement referendum, that mere days after the agreement was approved by referendum wrote a letter to the trust for the $12.5 million payout at $5000 per man, woman, and child. You will also note the Bank of Montreal insisted on being renewed til 2017 as corporate trustee of the children's trust. The motion for the loan was made by Paul Rich, brother-in-law of disgraced former Innu Nation leader and MP Peter Penashue. It's most interesting to note that all the details of the loan had been arranged in advance of the conference call, and would imply the payout had been planned days in advance.


THE JULY 19, 2011 MINUTES

You will notice the urgency of getting that $5000 per person payout to the Innu people. So much urgency that less than 3 weeks after the New Dawn vote the Innu trustees voted to dip into the children's trust fund to get those funds out. It is unclear if such a withdrawal, even on a temporary basis, is even legal and in keeping with the terms of the trust.

You now see the evidence. You see who was involved. You know the time lines. Just a reminder, the New Dawn Agreement vote was held June 30, 2011. This must at a minimum be fully investigated by the RCMP, Elections Canada, Aboriginal Affairs, and a forensic audit conducted by the federal government. Future generations of Innu, and the rest of us in this province, are at least do that minimum of respect.

Tipping Point - the End Game

It's been just over two years since Williams left office and Dunderdale was sworn in. It was the culmination of many political deals to pave the way for the Lower Churchill project. There was the deal with the Innu of Labrador. There was the deal with Harper. There was the deal with Nova Scotia Premier Dexter. There was the deal with Emera. There was the deal within the PC Party caucus. There was the deal with the corporate community of the province (less than ten families). There was even a deal with the Liberals. So many political and business deals were made over one project that one truly must tip the hat to the old chess master Williams - in that regard.

However, as the saying goes: "The plan doesn't survive first contact with the enemy". It's an old military saying, but it works. Like a well rehearsed play the show unfolded. Williams crafted the necessary legislation to force Hydro Quebec to share the Upper Churchill. He created Nalcor as the vehicle to achieve the project. The one thing he could not do was finance it alone. Since 2006 he pleaded with Harper for a loan guarantee. Harper put him off. Harper is aligned with Enbridge which has a strategic alliance with Hydro Quebec. Why would Harper help Williams and thereby Nalcor? Williams carried on. He eventually reached a deal with the Innu - the New Dawn Agreement. Peter Penashue, then at the Innu Nation, represented the Innu. Still, it took almost three years to take New Dawn from the drawing board to the place where it could be executed, and free the government to proceed with the Lower Churchill.

In those three years Williams set the stage by amending the Electrical Power Control Act, which would force Hydro Quebec to submit to the province on the operations and sales of the Upper Churchill. He also became increasingly desperate for a loan guarantee - culminating in the "ABC Campaign". In the interim he also sold his two offshore companies to SNC Lavalin for an undisclosed sum. SNC Lavalin was then given the Lower Churchill contract. By late 2010 Williams had all his ducks in a row. The agreement with Harper that in exchange for the loan guarantee he would leave politics. And so he did after carefully orchestrating a backroom deal with his cabinet to put Dunderdale in charge. She became the Premier run and controlled by her own Cabinet - rather than the other way around. He even contrived a falling out with Dunderdale, to reinforce his deal, claiming to be deprived of cell numbers for cabinet ministers that had not changed since he was premier. All very contrived, and all pulling on the ores in the same direction.

Then something happened. Actually several things happened. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, the United States created a natural gas revolution. They built gas fired electrical plants in places like New York where Williams and company had dreamed of selling power. Hydro power was suddenly becoming obsolete. Also, the resistance started. In Newfoundland and Labrador the resistance was started by a handfull of political bloggers. They were/are Peter Whittle, Ed Hollet, Wally Maclean and myself. Dunderdale became so frustrated with the bloggers that she singled them out in her year end interview as "nay-sayers". The war within went viral. The bloggers were determined. They drove the discussion, the opposition, and some would say a political revolution resulted. Citizens, and bloggers, began consistently calling the daily radio shows with concerns about Muskrat Falls. Williams went public denouncing them and all who attacked his project for "no good reason". Dunderdale followed. So did the cabinet. It was a war of hearts and minds.

Yet, the project plodded along. Even before Muskrat falls was officially sanctioned in the House of Assembly, Nalcor was busy excavating the site - once the Innu had signed the three New Dawn Agreements. Harper came fourth with the promised loan guarantee, although it was in the form of a memorandum of understanding and had many stipulations. Williams promoted mining in Labrador, and his own little city on the Island - all of which would need the new power.  Even giants of industry like Brian Mulroney appeared on the scene. He publicly espoused the need for "environmentally friendly policies". He also joined the board of directors of Dean MacDonald's company - a close ally of Williams.

Then things started to go bad. The backroom deal to have Dean MacDonald take over the provincial Liberal Party, and then replace the battered Dunderdale in power, collapsed and he pulled out. The deal to include Penashue in the federal Cabinet fell apart as he was exposed, and forced to resign. Meanwhile Yvonne Jones kept to her deal and immediately pounced on the federal Liberal nomination to replace Penashue, leaving previous Nunatukavut MP Todd Russell justifiably furious.
Things started getting very interesting though when an email was sent to Hydro Quebec.

As you may or may not know, I have filed a lawsuit against the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Innu Nation, and Nalcor over the constitutionality of the New Dawn vote and the water management agreement/power control act amendments. On January 18, 2013 I sent an email to Hydro Quebec informing them of the nature of my lawsuit, and requesting they advise if they wish to intervene. Coincidentally, two hours later, the same person I was speaking with held a press conference. The story went essentially like this:

 "Quebec’s Crown-owned utility, which declined comment Thursday on the consultant’s report, changed its tune the following day.
'Normally we don’t comment on such third-party reports,' Ariane Connor, a Hydro-Quebec spokeswoman, said in an interview.
“But having had a chance to look it over quickly over the last 24 hours, we’re very surprised by the analysis and the conclusions of the report.'
Connor said the utility may want to be part of the regulatory hearing to “present our view” because it wasn’t consulted about the study."

What does that mean? It means Hydro Quebec's ambush was tripped. Hydro Quebec has always known that Williams' Electrical Power Control Act amendments forcing Hydro Quebec to share the Upper Churchill were unconstitutional. The law regarding this issue was decided in the 1984 Reversion Act review by the Supreme Court of Canada. However, like any good soldier, they were lying there waiting for Williams and company to deliver us to them. After all, without a valid water management agreement both of the Lower Churchill dams would only produce 20% firm power - as per Nalcor's evidence given at the Public Utility Board hearing. With Muskrat Falls built, and unable to operate, Newfoundland and Labrador would be at the mercy of Quebec. We would be unable to defend ourselves having completely maxed our borrowing on the construction of the dam, and the terms of the loan guarantee would require the surrender of these assets if the province were to default. All nice and cozy for Harper, Hydro Quebec and company. What they needed for this plan to succeed was silence.

That was the tipping point. After years of saying almost nothing, Hydro Quebec suddenly had a big interest in dumping their glut of power in Nova Scotia. They are scheduled to speak at the hearings in Nova Scotia now. Brian Mulroney's good friend Pierre Karl Péladeau just stepped down as President and CEO of Quebecor to become non-executive chairman of Hydro Quebec - not pulling a salary if that rings any bells. Jim Prentice, former Conservative cabinet minister, and vocal proponent of the Muskrat Falls deal, had this to say just days ago:

“It essentially means Canadian hydroelectricity, although we see it as renewable — the ultimate renewable energy — it doesn’t qualify as renewable energy in those states, because the renewable portfolio standard doesn’t recognize it. So basically you have a state-level interference with the market, and my point is if the North American market is going to work efficiently, we need the same standards on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border, and these renewable portfolio standards get in the way of our ability to sell Canadian hydro.”
This comes as the United States moves closer towards energy independence, he said.
“If you look at the numbers in terms of energy production in the United States and imports and exports (between) Canada and the U.S., it’s increasingly clear that the U.S. is moving towards energy independence.”
Combining the resources of Mexico, Canada and the U.S., Prentice predicts those nations will be energy independent by 2020. He said it becomes all the more important to keep the marketplace open and free from what he labels “sub-national impediments,” such as those state laws.

Asked about the implications for such standards with respect to Muskrat Falls, Prentice said they do not help.
“Well, it’s not helpful, and we need to make sure that across the United States, Canadian hydroelectricity is recognized as a renewable energy that is good for consumers.”

The deal is coming apart, and Williams and company are watching as the ground shifts beneath their feet. Hydro Quebec's massive debt grew $10 billion from just 5 years ago to a whopping $ 43.5 billion. That's over three times the gross debt of this province. It has mass surpluses of power it can not sell - - last I heard it was 5000 MW, almost the entire production of the Upper Churchill. Hydro Quebec now realizes it must abandon the idea of laying the trap for Williams and company, and instead move to secure the Nova Scotia market directly for it's own survival. This is what it is in the process of doing. The only remaining question is: At what point does the Newfoundland and Labrador government realize and accept the tipping point has been reached and the jig is up? Here is my suggestion: Be prepared to write off the money already spent and stop the bleeding here; send the Electrical Power Control Act amendments and the water management agreement to the Supreme Court of Canada for review to determine it's constitutionality; accept the political consequences; reimburse expenses. This is the end game. We are in it now.

The Benefit of the Doubt - Penashue

So the inevitable finally happened and Peter Penashue fell on his sword - resigning last week as both Minister and Member of Parliament. His faithful campaign manager, dutifully appointed to a plum post as director on the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (CNLOPB), followed suit and resigned his plum appointment. It appears to be an attempt to pre-empt the release by Elections Canada of its report into electoral fraud involving the Penashue's election as member for Labrador. Of course, we have all heard him blame the fiasco on a well-meaning, but inexperienced campaign manager. However, do the facts really back that claim?

To start with there is the story from Aboriginal Peoples Television Network(ATPN). They broke the story of the many inter-linked business interests of Peter Penashue's family surrounding Muskrat Falls, and senior executives of Pennecon Limited http://aptn.ca/pages/news/2012/11/29/penashue-faces-questions-over-family-business-ties-to-labrador-hydro-project/ . A sort of "common-law" marriage if you will.

Then there is Mr. Reginald Bowers - the "inexperienced but well meaning" campaign manager/business manager of Mr. Penashue's electoral endeavour. Bower may be many things, but inexperienced is not one of them. His CV includes a Bachelor of Commerce degree, a senior accountant for David G Curtis and Co., a comptroller for Woodward Group of Companies, and VP of Finance and Administration for Fahey Group of Companies. Not exactly someone with no ability when it comes to finances if you get my drift. When it comes to connections the Masonic Order is the place to be for many, and Bowers founded the Masonic Lodge #17 in Happy Valley Goose Bay. He was big when it came to the provincial PC's as well. According to his official bio, Bowers has been a director of the Lake Melville area PC Association since the early 1990's. He even pulled off a double term as a director on the Board of the College of the North Atlantic (a plum provincial political appointment), along with Gilbert Bennett of Nalcor Energy.

A quick look at the PC donors to the last provincial campaign in Lake Melville district reveals an almost completely corporate dependent campaign. A number of those donors are people that Bowers would have been involved with in one way or another - including Provincial Airlines. It would seem that the provincial PC machine in Lake Melville decided to get behind Penashue for his bid to go to Ottawa, and everyone fell into line.

Then in October, 2012 the CBC broke the story that Penashue's flights throughout the election had been illegally subsidized by Provincial Airlines. Then, the CBC wrote a story that:

" Six executives of Pennecon made donations to Penashue's 2011 campaign in the riding of Labrador, with the donations arriving just after he had been elected, according to Elections Canada records.

Chairman Ches Penney made a donation of $1,100, the same amount donated by several others at the company. Two donated $550 each. The limit for a personal donation during the 2011 campaign was $1,100."

Remember those late arriving donations.

The Innu Development Limited Corporation, run by Penashue's brother-in-law Paul Rich, chipped in a $25,000.00 interest free loan - which is illegal. In addition, CBC News calculated Penashue had overspent his campaign limit by about 21 per cent. Now Elections Canada has said there were a total of 28 unlawful donations. I use the words unlawful, and illegal, because the donations were in violation of the law - the Elections Act. Now Penashue is blaming Bowers, and Bowers is claiming ignorance. But are these excuses credible? No, they are not.

EXHIBIT ONE:

From the Huffington Post, July 24, 2012:
" Bowers wrote that he checked all expenses with Conservative Party advisers and Elections Canada "and somewhere I got the understanding that all travel within the riding was considered personal expense and not governed by the cap on expenses."

EXHIBIT TWO:

From the CBC, November 29, 2012:
" In a statement, Penashue's office said that his campaign staff had a full understanding of the rules.

"The minister was very clear during his campaign that no corporate donations would be accepted, and that donations to his campaign were to be personal donations made by individuals," the statement said.

Although the story is changing now to one of ignorance of the rules, it is clear from Bower's and Penashue's earlier statements to the press, when the story first broke, that they were both fully aware of the rules, and that corporate donations were not to be accepted. Given that, it is impossible for both to have signed the return not being aware that corporate gifts in kind were illegal and corporate donations were illegal.

It is also apparent that a cover up of those expenses was attempted. In particular, it is now known that a deposit slip from Pennecon was recorded by the campaign in the same amount that its executives were retroactively given receipts for. In other words, it appears the campaign attempted to whitewash the donation by Pennecon by issuing receipts to its executives. It is also worth questioning why Pennecon or its executives did not question receiving receipts for donations they did not make, or made and did not get a receipt for making.

The waters are murky with questions, but one that isn't in doubt is that everybody knew the rules, and some made deliberate attempts to circumvent them. No doubt the effort to get Penashue elected was of paramount concern to some people/corporations, but why? That will come out in the wash as they say, but here is an interesting nugget for you to chew on in the meantime.

IT STARTS LIKE THIS:

INNU/SNC-Lavalin Partnership

In February of 2008, SNC-Lavalin Inc. (SLI) entered into an agreement with Innu Development Limited Partnership (IDLP) to establish Innu/SLI Partnership, the purpose of which is to pursue engineering and project management opportunities for projects taking place on Innu lands and other areas of Labrador. Other business ventures jointly pursued include procurement, construction management services, power generation/transmission, industrial process, environmental services and architectural design. The intent of the relationship is to maximize benefits to the Innu People resulting from these projects. The partnership maintains and operates an office and related support infrastructure in Goose Bay.

IT GOES ON LIKE THIS:

Innu SNC Lavalin Inc.

Map data ©2013 Google - Terms of Use

Box 119
Sheshatshiu
NL
A0P 1M0
Contact(s): Brian Corbin
Mobile: 709-897-7601
Email: brian.corbin@snclavalin.com
Albert Williams
Email: albertwilliams@snclavalin.com
General partner:

BAE .Newplan Group Ltd.
1133 Topsoil Road,
Mount Pearl, NL A1N-5G2
Phone: 709-368-0118
Fax: 709-368-5410

Contact: Albert Williams
Email: albertwilliams@snclavalin.com

Innu partner: INNU DEVELOPMENT LTD. PARTNERSHIP
P/O Box 449,
Sheshatshiu, NL A0P 1M0
Phone: 709-497-3670
Fax: 709-497-3677
Core business:

1. Project management
2. Engineering Services

IT INVOLVES THIS:

Exhibit Title Prepared by Dat

CE-15 Rev.1 (Public)

Muskrat Falls Hydroelectric Project, MF 1010 – Review of

Variants SNC Lavalin March 2008

CE-16 Rev.1 (Public)

Muskrat Falls Hydroelectric Project, MF 1050 – Spillway

Design Review SNC Lavalin December 2007

CE-18 (Public)

Muskrat Falls Hydroelectric Project, MF 1250 – Numerical

Modeling of Muskrat Falls Structures SNC Lavalin May 2008

CE-19 (Public)

MF 1300 – Muskrat Falls 2010 Site Investigation, Volume

1 SNC Lavalin June 2011

CE-20 Rev.1 (Public)
MF 1310 – Muskrat Falls Site Access Review SNC Lavalin February 2011

IT CAUSES A CONFLICT OF INTEREST WITH THIS:

http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2008/exec/0926n07agreement.pdf

In other words, while Penashue was busy negotiating the New Dawn Agreement on "behalf of the Innu people of Labrador" his organization already negotiated a side deal with SNC Lavalin who, at the time, were primary contractors in the development of the Lower Churchill, and had a business relationship with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. In fact, Penashue was in so many conflicts of interest it's hard to keep track of them all. Given SNC Lavalin's current international, and national disgrace over corporate corruption, and given the many links between it and the Innu, there are reasons for serious questions to be asked. However, the bottom line is Penashue negotiated and signed an agreement (the New Dawn Agreement) that cleared the way for members of his family, if not himself, to be greatly enriched - especially including the Impacts and Benefits Agreement.

Is Penashue an innocent victim of an incompetant manager? Does an innocent person place themselves in these types of conflicts? Do they try and cover them up when exposed by the media? Are they innocent if they admit they knew the rules and then broke them for their obvious benefit? There is nothing innocent about this story. It's an all too familiar politics. Should there be further investigations into the role of the Innu Nation, and its subsidiaries? Without a doubt. Were the Innu people of Labrador betrayed by the interests of their elite? That question could be answered in a full, and over due RCMP investigation of the operations of the Innu Nation, and most certainly its subsidiaries. For now it's just a question. Does Peter Penashue deserve the benefit of the doubt? Absolutely not. 

 

 

UPDATE

 Here is the complete list of original donors to Penashue's campaign. Thank you to those that provided it.

 

First List Submitted

 

 

 

Modified List (the scratched out are names ruled to be illegal and for which Penashue's campaign reimbursed the feds)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ugly Canadian

You know, we sometimes refer to Americans as "the Ugly American". It refers to the down side of their country. It refers to their actions abroad. It tells the story, that despite their ideals, there is another side. We have that to. It's called "the Ugly Canadian" and it refers to our treatment of Aboriginal peoples.

Make no mistake, it is a black mark on our history, even more disgusting than the US treatment of Black America. I was prompted to write this blog by a few local media types - and some national ones. Their comments centered around Chief Spence and her hunger strike. They denigrated her effort, especially the spirit of her actions, by labelling it as "not quit hunger-strike-like", because she consumed moose broth and water during her action. Not quite satisfied with that cheap shot, the feds released an audit of her community's spending early, and some media types swarmed over it like a pack of vultures. Then, some guy we call a Senator, who claims to be an ex-national Chief, but sounds like a Reform Party member, led a charge to attack the very legitimacy of Chief Spence's hunger strike.

By now this strategy should sound familiar. It is Steven Harper. Period. End story. His modus operandi. Kill the messenger no matter the message. Stifle dissent. Continue the agenda. What has he succeeded in doing? He has lit his own country on fire.

For starters, and to all you uneducated or bigoted people out there, the Aboriginal Nations signed TREATIES with the Crown - read Royal Family. Nation to Nation. That's what treaties are folks. Treaty of Versailles, etc, you get the idea. Treaties are not written with minorities, average white people, corporations, municipal or federal governments, etc. They are written between Nations for peace - either as a result of war or to avoid it. Aboriginal people's allied with the French, they allied with the British, you get the idea. They were Allies. They did not work for them. They were allies. Nation to Nation.

Our Kings and Queens signed treaties with the Aboriginal people with and out of respect. The understanding being that no government in the colony, at the time, could ever breach the rights laid out therein. That the Crown, read King or Queen, had the responsibility to ensure those rights were upheld. Not some politician. The Crown. So it remains to this day. Those rights are for eternity. There is no sunset clause. There is no expiry date. There is no final abdication of responsibility. The Crown agreed to treaties with the Aboriginal people as nations. Each Aboriginal group had their own treaty. They were not treated as one lot of "Indians". They were recognized for what they were, and are, separate peoples. The treaties brought peace to the land. A country was forged in that peace. We like to wave that at the rest of the world: "Look at us! Aren't we civilized. You should be more like us."

Yes, the Ugly Canadian. Bigots, mostly in Western Canada, but also elsewhere, have been muttering for decades about what the Aboriginal people get. Complain because they have land, and the ranchers want to use it. Complaining they have water, and it should be diverted. They have free education, and we want it. You get the idea. It's called envy. One of the mortal sins. Wait. You say: "No it's not envy! We just want equality!" Really? Why are you so concerned that somehow you are less equal than Aboriginals? You say: "Well, I'm not racist, but they get this, that, and the other thing.." So it's not that they have, but what you don't. So it's envy. Thank-you.

Envy has caused wars throughout history. Envy's mother, Greed, reigns supreme on this count. If they have it, and we want it, we are going to take it. History repeating itself over, and over again. You can't build a railway with all these Buffalos running mad, no problem, you get rid of them. You can't run that African diamond mine with the locals making things tough? No problem, kill them. You can't do business with that Leader? No problem, overthrow him. And so it goes. The rules of civility fall. The respect leaves. The laws of the jungle take over, and men enter the heart of darkness. We never learn from it. We don't want to. After all, to learn from it would require from all of us that most uncommon of human ideals - respect.

It seems that when I listen to the Aboriginal people, including the #idlenomore protesters, I hear a call for that one ideal - respect. The white guys on the block go: "What respect! They get free houses and make fun of me cause I have to work!" The room dims, the eyes roll, and Envy enters the room - again. The respect the Aboriginal people are calling for, demanding, is the respect for who they are - not what they have. The respect they call for is the real, and unequivocal recognition, that they are special. That they gave guardianship of their land to the Crown in a sacred trust. That at the heart of that sacred trust laid the responsibility of the Crown to safeguard the lands and water. That this was their sole responsibility before the Crown arrived, and the Crown agreed to carry that torch for them if they would renounce their land to the Crown - and only the Crown.

The fact is the Aboriginal people are very special. Not to be trotted out at the Olympics to say: "Look at us! See how we respect our Indians. You should be more like us!" No. The Aboriginal people have been, since time immemorial, the guardians of the lands and water - not just in Canada, but around the world. We got the place in pretty decent shape. Yet, in little over two hundred years, we have desecrated that alter. The lands, the air, and the water have been poisoned. The sacred trust has been broken. The treaties have been broken. The faith has been broken. Not by the Aboriginals. Us. Now, the Aboriginal people are rising up. They have had enough - i.e.: Idle No More. The demands they make are not that specific at the moment, because how can you encapsulate the damage done into one or two demands - other than perhaps: it's time for you to go home whitey.

We are entering a dangerous time in this country. Our very own Prime Minister has Shepparded us to this place. This isn't Oka and a golf course. This isn't James Bay and a dam. No, it's all those things and more coming together now. For those of you out there that say: "Hey, I'm just doing my job and paying the bills, they should to", guess again. Aboriginal people do not value their existence based on a dollar figure. Their spirit is not wrapped up in a 60 inch flat screen. They do not need media coverage to justify their existence or their issues. Of all the peoples of Canada, they are the only ones specifically exempted in the Constitution. Why? Because they had the TREATIES before the Constitution, and they carry precedence over the Constitution - unless they agree otherwise.

It is time for us, all of us, to acknowledge the true nature of who we are. We are all Canadians. We have equality of human rights. Where we differ is in constitutional status, because the Aboriginals have treaties and we do not. That in itself should tell you something. It is not a "sin of our fathers" as some people put it. It is actually the "wisdom of our fathers". The wisdom to know that the core Aboriginal beliefs of respect for all things, including the earth, are necessary for all to survive. The wisdom to understand that a special constitutional place, bought with their birth right, could restrain us from abusing the water and the land. Stop us from being our own worse enemies. Hold the peace. The Great Peace. Keep the Circle strong. We've heard these saying before and rolled our eyes as at least one Newfoundland and Labrador MHA called them "mumbo-jumbo". The truth is they are eternal words. They are sacred to the Aboriginals.

In a sense they are also sacred in the religions of the world. They are not so sacred in the new world of pure economics. Given history you would think we would understand there is no "pure" system of governing that has ever lasted. Not Communism. Not Fascism. Not Devine Rule. Etc. It is only the truly brainwashed that think "pure economics" is the way. This is where Mr Harper is guilty. He is sacrificing everything we have ever believed about ourselves on the alter of pure economics. He is sacrificing our core beliefs. He is sacrificing the social contract. He is sacrificing the treaties. So much so that one woman, a woman of strength, had to starve herself for over three weeks to get a "symbolic" meeting with him. The Crown. The Honour of the Crown. Nation to Nation. You want to know why the Chiefs demanded the Governor General be at their meeting with Harper? First reason: Harper cannot be trusted with the sacred trust. Second reason: They made the deal with the King/Queen not the Prime Minister, and they want the King/Queen rep there - Nation to Nation.

When you break the rules, when you sacrifice the sacred for the convenient, you lose the trust. This is where we are at. So do not listen to the next person you hear on radio talking about wasting dollars, etc as a reason to deny the sacred trust. Those words are truly as idiotic as they sound. Do not look on your Aboriginal brother with envy and/or greed. Do not denigrate his place because you do not understand it or refuse to accept it. Do not be the Ugly Canadian.