The dispute between Liberal Prime Minister Paul (“we lead the world”) Martin and the maritime/Atlantic provinces of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador appears to have been settled finally—after Martin got caught lying and not living up to his election eve promise, resulting in taking Canadian unity to yet another Liberal-induced brink. Conservative premier Danny Williams called him on it and forced his hand, and with the help of another Conservative premier, John Hamm, they won the day.
Lesson learned: Liberals can be forced to be honest if you stand on guard, never surrender, and behave like an actual Canadian. Thanks, Premier Williams and Hamm (Conservatives).
Mr. Williams, whose province is $11-billion in debt, said he was “very pleased that the federal government’s commitment has been delivered in full.”
Details were sketchy last night, but federal officials said the provinces will be able to keep 100 per cent of the revenue from their offshore oil and gas operations without it being clawed back from their equalization payments for eight years.
There is a provision to extend this agreement for another eight years for either province if it still requires equalization payments as a have-not province when the first eight-year period is over.
The sweetener in the deal appears to be upfront payments for the two provinces. Newfoundland, therefore, will receive an immediate advance payment of $2-billion as Mr. Williams tries to balance his books for the coming provincial budget in March.
“I’m very, very proud to be a Canadian,” said Mr. Williams, who last month caused an uproar when he removed the Canadian flags from provincial government building in protest over an earlier federal offer.
PTBC was founded by Mr. Johannesen in 2000.
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