Premier of Newfoundland Danny Williams stepping down

[time_has_come]

Source: Reuters

CALGARY/OTTAWA (Reuters) - Danny Williams, premier of the oil-producing Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, said on Thursday he was leaving politics after seven years, having clinched a much sought-after hydroelectric deal.

An emotional Williams, who had heart surgery in February, said he would resign on December 3. Deputy Premier Kathy Dunderdale will take over until the ruling Progressive Conservative party can elect a new leader.

"If you want a happy ending, you need to know when to end your story ... It is time for new leadership and new ideas within the PC party of Newfoundland and Labrador," Williams told a news conference in the capital, St John's.

The famously scrappy leader listed accomplishments he said helped the country's Easternmost province move from "have-not" status to "have," including winning more energy-royalty revenues from Ottawa, gaining more of a take from offshore oil projects and, last week, signing an agreement to develop the Lower Churchill Falls hydro project.

Read more: http://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCATRE6AO2FP20101125

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How long before "Captain" Paul Watson claims credit for this?

I bet he's furiously typing up a press release right now...

[mahina]

1. When did they start drilling in Newfoundland?

I was there in 79 and there was none of that, that I knew of anyway. It was beautiful.

Did you know there is a province of France up there? St. George's. They have French money and stamps and all of that. Cute town but I preferred the Newfies :)

Fishing was starting to collapse at the time but nobody saw what was coming. I can't believe that Newfoundland is yuppieville now. Amazing.

[GliderGuider]

2. Offshore drilling in the Hibernia field began in the early 1990's

Production began in 1997. Hibernia produces about 50,000 bbl/day.

[virgogal]

3. Look how wonderful the Newfies were on 9-11. They were astonishing.

[activa8tr]

6. Yes, I agree. They were so amazing hosts to so many Americans

stranded on flights from Europe to the USA.... Europeans on those flights, too.

[Dirigo]

5. Pierre et Miquelon Islands

Are you sure it is St. Georges island or is it the last fragment of New France composed of the French territorial islands near Green Island the French set up their fishing operations and still own today off shore of Labrador-Newfoundland?

[activa8tr]

7. Ah yes, I almost forgot about meeting people from there when I was in

Nova Scotia,for the first time.

They were tourists speaking French, of course, but spoke English, too, as most people in Nova Scotia do.

Yet they identify as being from a part of France!


"The Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon (French: Collectivité territoriale de Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, French pronunciation: ) is a group of small French islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, the main islands being Saint Pierre and Miquelon, south of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The islands are as close as 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from Green Island, part of Newfoundland.
The archipelago has the status of overseas collectivity within France. It is the only remnant of the former colonial empire of New France that remains under French control."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Pierre_and_Miquelon

[whosinpower]

4. If Danny Williams ran for Prime Minister

The conservatives would win a majority. They'd have to oust Harper....eat their words....and deeds....but Canada desperately needs leadership.

I don't think it is in the cards....but I would dearly love to see Harper out. And I don't say this flippantly...but as an avowed left NDP/liberal person who has a fair amount of animosity towards Conservatives/reform/progressive conservative....if Williams was leader....I would seriously consider voting Conservative.

[activa8tr]

8. How "conservative" are Canadian Conservatives, really, just curious

Do they have a problem with gay marriage, with a national single payer health care system, with staying out of unjustified wars?

Canadian Conservatives would be labelled leftist socialists by America's Tea Party, I fear. But I'm not that well schooled in Canadian politics.

[HEyHEY]

10. They're gretting worse

As the Cons try to Reganize politics here. Luckily most Canadians are too liberal for that shit. The Cons here know that they'd better shut the hell up about Abortion and stuff like that or it's a massive hit at the polls. It's good though, as their extreme is under the illusion more people are starting to agree with them, all those Canadians that are traditional liberals will go back to such parties.

[hyphenate]

12. We also have to commend the Canadians for being

a million times better informed than many Americans. The vote getters get votes for their actual views on topics, unlike many vote-getters here, who get votes because they're judged to be better looking than the opposition, would be better to have a beer with, or just are "regular people." The US USED to be like that, before the religious right and the assholes over at GOP Central went to Central Casting to dig up candidates.


(PS: Obviously, this isn't a blanket statement, but I'm tired of typing.)

[HEyHEY]

9. Why? It'd just be a new face on the same bunch of fucktards

[hyphenate]

11. Half my relatives are Newfies

and they have been damned proud of Williams. And they're definitely progressive. Too bad someone like that won't stick around a while longer.