Premier Danny Williams travelled to Ottawa Tuesday to meet with a number of federal cabinet ministers and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
When reached by The Telegram in the evening, Williams had concluded four of his meetings, but still had one more meeting left with Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.
"We've certainly covered a lot of ground," Williams said.
"We've hit, basically the senior ministers."
The premier described his meeting with Harper as informal with no set agenda.
He brought up the current dispute over crab prices, where the province is with the Lower Churchill project and gave the prime minister an update on the province's economy and recent budget.
"It was a matter of, basically, keeping the prime minister up to date on all the major files that we have with him," Williams said.
He also told Harper who else he was meeting with and what they would talk about.
Williams said he'd discuss the idea of the province buying Ottawa's 8.5 per cent share in the Hibernia offshore project with Flaherty.
"I raised it, of course, with the prime minister, but we didn't get into any detail because, in all fairness to the prime minister, he had assigned it to his (finance) minister," he said.
Williams said he didn't meet with Fisheries Minister Gail Shea, but spoke to both Harper and the province's representative in cabinet - Defence Minister Peter MacKay - about fisheries issues.
The premier also spoke to MacKay about the future of the Goose Bay airbase, shipbuilding and many of the things he spoke to Harper about, including the Lower Churchill.
Williams talked with Keith Ashfield, the minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency about the Atlantic Energy Initiative and the Atlantic Gateway.
"New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have already had some funding from the Atlantic Gateway perspective and I just wanted to make sure that Newfoundland and P.E.I. were not being forgotten in the allocation of those funds," the premier said.
Williams also met with Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl about Ottawa's part in negotiating with the Labrador Innu before the Lower Churchill can be developed.
The premier said he was glad to hear Strahl hopes to meet with the Innu in the near future.
"It was an excellent meeting with Minister Strahl," Williams said. "He's tuned in and he knows the issues."
Williams will be flying back to St. John's this afternoon.
dbartlett@thetelegram.com
Premier goes to Ottawa to meet PM, ministers
Premier Danny Williams is recognized in the House of Commons following question period on Parliament Hill in Ottawa Tuesday. - Photo by The Canadian Press
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Published on
April 28, 2010
- Published on July 1, 2010
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Dave Bartlett
Politics
Premier Danny Williams travelled to Ottawa Tuesday to meet with a number of federal cabinet ministers and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
When reached by The Telegram in the evening, Williams had concluded four of his meetings, but still had one more meeting left with Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.
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Comments
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- Robert
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:05:02
Be careful who you step on on your way up because you never know who you'll need help from on your way down. I guess Dan never got the memo.
-
- Polly
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:03:53
Maurice , you are indeed correct in saying that Williams should have met with the Minister Of Fisheries . If the premier was serious at all , he would have taken his entourage of Minister
of Fisheries and Natural Resources with him . -
- James
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:03:23
It must have been an interesting meeting with Harper.
The Abitibi NAFTA challenge (chapter 11 of the agreement) must have been discussed because if Abitibi wins the dispute, the damages are paid by the signatory to NAFTA the Government of Canada, who in turn seeks repayment from the company or Province that lost the dispute.
Harper may have to take Newfoundland and Labrador to court if this dispute is adjudicated in Abitibi's favor.
I'll bet the first words out of danny Williams mouth were:
Steve, there will never be an Anyone But Conservative (ABC) campaign in Newfoundland ever again. I promise. -
- W
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:59:29
if NL is a have province, then you show me where the jobs are across the island. there's more to the province than the Avalon peninsula you know.
= = =
For that matter, there's more to the province than the island.... -
- Maurice E.
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:57:52
Yes. If Danny went to Ottawa to discuss (among other things) the fishery, why didn't he meet with the Minister responsible for the fishery?
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- member of the 20%
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:54:03
Robert, I think you're missing the point altogether and you might read and think before you sound off! Little Man Dan is the only person who believes that NL is a HAVE province; even his cabinet ministers don't use the term. And, I doubt if even the most gullible of his followers can even swallow it.
-
- THIS PROVINCE'S NAME IS
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:51:26
I have to agree with W McLean, that there is much more to the province of Newfoundland and Labrador than the Avalon Peninsula - OR - even Newfoundland.
Why don't people think before they speak?
Labrador is a much bigger part of Newfoundland and Labrador than is the Island part of Newfoundland.
Let us start by acknowledging that fact! -
- Nasty
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:47:59
Newfoundland is a HAVE Province. A Province that Has Mistakes made on a go forward basis more often then not. Wonder if Danno needed to sign away our rights to cover his NAFTA losses. Not to mention I bet he was lookin for a loan to pay for the clean up and other uncounted millions in legal fees that keep adding up. Danno seems to be spending it faster then they can pump it up from the sea floor.
-
- John Smith
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:46:27
Don't worry 20%, the Liberals will eventually get back in, and we will go back to being the welfare state you and your co-horts seem to enjoy. We will once again enjoy the stellar leadership of people like Roger Grimes, and Brian Tobin, and the Illustrious Ms. Jones. Yep, can't wait till the good ol Liberals get back in so we can go back to begging Ottawa for what we already own.
-
- member of the 20%
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:44:17
Robert, are you a complete moron? Can you read? Lighten up before you have the big one! Little Man Dan is the only person believing that NL is a HAVE province. He can't even convince his ministers in caucus; none of them repeat that statement. Even his cult followers can't swallow it. You've totally missed the point sir and if you're going off on a rant, at the very least, understand what you're sounding off about. Step away from the Tory bluebook and write something creative and original!
-
- S
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:42:54
Sounds like another Change-The-Channel Tour that he makes from time to time when issues at home get too hot.
-
- Robert
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:41:06
member of the 20% from NL:
if NL is a have province, then you show me where the jobs are across the island. there's more to the province than the Avalon peninsula you know. i know, your probably going to tell me you dont live on the avalon peninsula and then ignore this, but you will get responces when you put yours out there. if you dont want people to address you, dont come on the site and start talking your pure and utter b*llsh!t. Get your head out of your #ss and understand that the economy has to be stabilized. I dont blame Labrador for feeling hostility towards NL, what have they ever been given... really? The Air Ambulance would be much better in Labrador, just look at the record that St.Anthony has with it and responding to calls and no i dont live in Labrador, i live on the island so keep that in mind before you shoot your mouth off at me by saying oh well he lives up there then, if he's saying that! . Danny Williams is looking to benefit Newfoundland as much as he can, its about giving to every area of the province and helping everyone have the ability to take steps forward. From LowerChurchill and the revenue and jobs that will bring in to the Indian Bands and the cultural history and benefits that will bring us in NL to the oil industry that our province is currently developing. consider the 1 Billion dollars that our provincial government has announced for Infrastructure Development. Highways and bridges are being built and repair, buildings in municipality's are being repaired or even replaced. All of this the government was able to do after the successful deal for Hibernia South. But NL is NOT a have province, there's still an exodus by the people of our province when it comes to gaining employment and until the work is here for trades workers and even anyone wishing to work to stay here because of jobs being here we are NOT a have province, but simply a province that has seen improvements to various areas and sectors through ONE contract being signed, nothing more than that. Not having jobs here in the province is still not going to change soon so get that through your head. If your poor and cant pay the rent and cant hold your head above water and i come along and say Hey, here's 5 grand! are you going to really Have anything then? NO. that money is going to be used by you to pay your bills and tied you over until you find work in a place that has none so in FACT, in TRUTH, in REALITY your are merely SURVIVING. -
- member of the 20%
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:40:19
Dan said, hi Stevie ; Steve said, go home Dan and tell your cult that you're doing just fine; NL is a have province . Dan smiled, puffed up his chest, and did.
Oh, next time you're considering a day jaunt, how 'bout just sending out a few emails; you'll get the same result... don't call us; we'll call you . -
- Robert
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:54:50
Be careful who you step on on your way up because you never know who you'll need help from on your way down. I guess Dan never got the memo.
-
- Polly
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:52:47
Maurice , you are indeed correct in saying that Williams should have met with the Minister Of Fisheries . If the premier was serious at all , he would have taken his entourage of Minister
of Fisheries and Natural Resources with him . -
- James
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:51:59
It must have been an interesting meeting with Harper.
The Abitibi NAFTA challenge (chapter 11 of the agreement) must have been discussed because if Abitibi wins the dispute, the damages are paid by the signatory to NAFTA the Government of Canada, who in turn seeks repayment from the company or Province that lost the dispute.
Harper may have to take Newfoundland and Labrador to court if this dispute is adjudicated in Abitibi's favor.
I'll bet the first words out of danny Williams mouth were:
Steve, there will never be an Anyone But Conservative (ABC) campaign in Newfoundland ever again. I promise. -
- W
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:46:59
if NL is a have province, then you show me where the jobs are across the island. there's more to the province than the Avalon peninsula you know.
= = =
For that matter, there's more to the province than the island.... -
- Maurice E.
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:45:38
Yes. If Danny went to Ottawa to discuss (among other things) the fishery, why didn't he meet with the Minister responsible for the fishery?
-
- member of the 20%
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:39:23
Robert, I think you're missing the point altogether and you might read and think before you sound off! Little Man Dan is the only person who believes that NL is a HAVE province; even his cabinet ministers don't use the term. And, I doubt if even the most gullible of his followers can even swallow it.
-
- THIS PROVINCE'S NAME IS
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:35:00
I have to agree with W McLean, that there is much more to the province of Newfoundland and Labrador than the Avalon Peninsula - OR - even Newfoundland.
Why don't people think before they speak?
Labrador is a much bigger part of Newfoundland and Labrador than is the Island part of Newfoundland.
Let us start by acknowledging that fact! -
- Nasty
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:29:01
Newfoundland is a HAVE Province. A Province that Has Mistakes made on a go forward basis more often then not. Wonder if Danno needed to sign away our rights to cover his NAFTA losses. Not to mention I bet he was lookin for a loan to pay for the clean up and other uncounted millions in legal fees that keep adding up. Danno seems to be spending it faster then they can pump it up from the sea floor.
-
- John Smith
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:26:31
Don't worry 20%, the Liberals will eventually get back in, and we will go back to being the welfare state you and your co-horts seem to enjoy. We will once again enjoy the stellar leadership of people like Roger Grimes, and Brian Tobin, and the Illustrious Ms. Jones. Yep, can't wait till the good ol Liberals get back in so we can go back to begging Ottawa for what we already own.
-
- member of the 20%
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:23:05
Robert, are you a complete moron? Can you read? Lighten up before you have the big one! Little Man Dan is the only person believing that NL is a HAVE province. He can't even convince his ministers in caucus; none of them repeat that statement. Even his cult followers can't swallow it. You've totally missed the point sir and if you're going off on a rant, at the very least, understand what you're sounding off about. Step away from the Tory bluebook and write something creative and original!
-
- S
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:20:28
Sounds like another Change-The-Channel Tour that he makes from time to time when issues at home get too hot.
-
- Robert
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:17:27
member of the 20% from NL:
if NL is a have province, then you show me where the jobs are across the island. there's more to the province than the Avalon peninsula you know. i know, your probably going to tell me you dont live on the avalon peninsula and then ignore this, but you will get responces when you put yours out there. if you dont want people to address you, dont come on the site and start talking your pure and utter b*llsh!t. Get your head out of your #ss and understand that the economy has to be stabilized. I dont blame Labrador for feeling hostility towards NL, what have they ever been given... really? The Air Ambulance would be much better in Labrador, just look at the record that St.Anthony has with it and responding to calls and no i dont live in Labrador, i live on the island so keep that in mind before you shoot your mouth off at me by saying oh well he lives up there then, if he's saying that! . Danny Williams is looking to benefit Newfoundland as much as he can, its about giving to every area of the province and helping everyone have the ability to take steps forward. From LowerChurchill and the revenue and jobs that will bring in to the Indian Bands and the cultural history and benefits that will bring us in NL to the oil industry that our province is currently developing. consider the 1 Billion dollars that our provincial government has announced for Infrastructure Development. Highways and bridges are being built and repair, buildings in municipality's are being repaired or even replaced. All of this the government was able to do after the successful deal for Hibernia South. But NL is NOT a have province, there's still an exodus by the people of our province when it comes to gaining employment and until the work is here for trades workers and even anyone wishing to work to stay here because of jobs being here we are NOT a have province, but simply a province that has seen improvements to various areas and sectors through ONE contract being signed, nothing more than that. Not having jobs here in the province is still not going to change soon so get that through your head. If your poor and cant pay the rent and cant hold your head above water and i come along and say Hey, here's 5 grand! are you going to really Have anything then? NO. that money is going to be used by you to pay your bills and tied you over until you find work in a place that has none so in FACT, in TRUTH, in REALITY your are merely SURVIVING. -
- member of the 20%
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:16:13
Dan said, hi Stevie ; Steve said, go home Dan and tell your cult that you're doing just fine; NL is a have province . Dan smiled, puffed up his chest, and did.
Oh, next time you're considering a day jaunt, how 'bout just sending out a few emails; you'll get the same result... don't call us; we'll call you .
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