(Thanks Dean for the NAFO definition)
To our MPs in Ottawa
The lifeblood of Newfoundland and Labrador has always been the sea. There can be no doubt that the future of Newfoundland and Labrador, especially our rural communities, will be profoundly affected by the health of our marine ecosystem. NL is a rural province. Given these factors, which are beyond debate, The Community Linkages Committee comprising of residents across Newfoundland and Labrador appeal to the government of Canada to support every initiative in which NL has an active say in the fishery of the North Atlantic 200 mile limit.
The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) has failed to protect or rebuild the fish stocks off Canada?s east coast. On November 16, 2009 in London, England, a special meeting of NAFO was held whereby the organization decided against closing the Flemish Cap shrimp fishery in NAFO area 3M, despite warnings from the NAFO Scientific Council that the stock has collapsed and that the fishery should be closed. Even though the Canadian delegation held firm in advancing their position and took the lead in proposing the closure, the unfortunate reality is that Canada has no voice now within NAFO and we do not see that position improving with the new amendments. NAFO has yet again demonstrated its inability to provide effective stewardship of fish stocks, or apply principles to honour our participation ins such blatant disregard. Something our province has been trying to demonstrate to the Canadian Government for over a decade.
Further to this, the proposed NAFO amendments Article VI Section 8, 9 and 10 do nothing to improve the custodial management of the fisheries promised by this current administration and in fact endanger the sovereignty of the 200 mile limit. Future Fisheries ministers and bureaucrats may unilaterally make decisions which compromise the integrity of the 200 mile limit allowing foreign nations control within our EEZ. This opinion is supported by a great number of former fisheries ministers and industry professionals.
Given these facts Community Linkages on behalf of our members and supporters across Newfoundland and Labrador strongly opposes the proposed amendments to the NAFO convention and will continue to defend the voice of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who oppose these changes. We implore the seven of you as our federal representations to do the same.
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Everything you need to know you'll find here
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Youth Retention and Attraction in NL
Just before Christmas 2006 Community Linkages launched its first public appeal for the youth of our province. In June 2008 the provincial government announced it's intention to campaign the province for ideas on how to retain and attract youth in our province. Early supporters of Community Linkages where instrumental in forming the provinces new Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy.
The program by all indications seems to have been very thorough and comprehesive and we are beginning to see some reports of the results of the program.
Today the provincial government officially launched its Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy.
As a rural Newfoundland and Labrador supporter are you optimistic as to the success of this program? Does the strategy have potential for finally stemming the tides of youth outmigration in this province?
http://www.lmiworks.nl.ca/yras/
http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2009/exec/1105n03.htm
The program by all indications seems to have been very thorough and comprehesive and we are beginning to see some reports of the results of the program.
Today the provincial government officially launched its Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy.
As a rural Newfoundland and Labrador supporter are you optimistic as to the success of this program? Does the strategy have potential for finally stemming the tides of youth outmigration in this province?
http://www.lmiworks.nl.ca/yras/
http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2009/exec/1105n03.htm
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Newfoundland Labnomore
A guy that lives down the street drives a nice new BMW. I have a 2001 Chev; it's no BMW. I'm thinking about selling it, giving the cash to the Beamer guy and have him drive me to work. Sure I'll be without a car, and I'll be inconvenienced, and sure I may be stuck from time to time, and hopefully there will be no emergencies... but when I do get a ride I'll be in a Beamer! I haven’t really thought it out, but it could be good.
For the communities of Lewisporte and Flower's Cove who are seeing an erosion of their health care with the promise of better services in Grand Falls, Gander , or St. Anthony this sort of robbing Peter to pay Paul may sound a little familiar. As a matter of fact for anyone who lived through the years leading up to and following, confederation this may bring flashbacks of another time. Words like “Resettlement” and “Decentralization” making them sit upright in a cold sweat from a late summer slumber. Wasn't that the same logic they spoke of then? We'll move you to a nice place where your kids will go to a bigger school and you'll be on a main road. Sure you won't be near the water but who wants that anyway?
Sad thing is that the communities of Flower's Cove and Lewisporte are themselves hubs for other communities. So not only are we seeing a lose of services from smaller communities we are now seeing larger rural hubs lose the attention of the powers that be.
Why stop there? My neighbour has better books, Internet, they even eat more expensive food, nice packaged food from the mainland. Perhaps we should send our children there. Perhaps to some kind of residential school. Let's bypass Newfoundland and Labrador altogether and give our kids the true benefit of a quality upbringing in Halifax or Toronto.
It's only lab and X-Ray services. Sure who uses that anyway? Only people who are injured or sick. Just stay healthy and everything will be fine, but just in case better stay away from Lewisporte and Flower's Cove. Just to be safe let's all move to St. John 's.
Just remember years from now when people talk of the death of rural Newfoundland and Labrador that it didn't die of old age, but passed away in agony when a faceless bureaucrat yanked the plug. Is rural Newfoundland and Labrador dead? Not yet but I think someone is helping the Grime Reaper sharpen his scythe.
For the communities of Lewisporte and Flower's Cove who are seeing an erosion of their health care with the promise of better services in Grand Falls, Gander , or St. Anthony this sort of robbing Peter to pay Paul may sound a little familiar. As a matter of fact for anyone who lived through the years leading up to and following, confederation this may bring flashbacks of another time. Words like “Resettlement” and “Decentralization” making them sit upright in a cold sweat from a late summer slumber. Wasn't that the same logic they spoke of then? We'll move you to a nice place where your kids will go to a bigger school and you'll be on a main road. Sure you won't be near the water but who wants that anyway?
Sad thing is that the communities of Flower's Cove and Lewisporte are themselves hubs for other communities. So not only are we seeing a lose of services from smaller communities we are now seeing larger rural hubs lose the attention of the powers that be.
Why stop there? My neighbour has better books, Internet, they even eat more expensive food, nice packaged food from the mainland. Perhaps we should send our children there. Perhaps to some kind of residential school. Let's bypass Newfoundland and Labrador altogether and give our kids the true benefit of a quality upbringing in Halifax or Toronto.
It's only lab and X-Ray services. Sure who uses that anyway? Only people who are injured or sick. Just stay healthy and everything will be fine, but just in case better stay away from Lewisporte and Flower's Cove. Just to be safe let's all move to St. John 's.
Just remember years from now when people talk of the death of rural Newfoundland and Labrador that it didn't die of old age, but passed away in agony when a faceless bureaucrat yanked the plug. Is rural Newfoundland and Labrador dead? Not yet but I think someone is helping the Grime Reaper sharpen his scythe.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Lanier Phillips: Discovery in St. Lawrence
There are Newfoundlanders and Labradorians born and bred, and then there are those who have found meaning here entirely by accident.
Lanier Phillips was one of 46 men who survived the Truxtun disaster. His story is not a simple story of survival but a story of the power of humanity. In a world of segregation and racism Mr. Phillips credits the simple generousity of the people of St. Lawrence, NL, not only with saving his life, but with their compassion - changing it forever. As a black man in the segregated south of the 50's he has said: "To experience instantly love and humanity that I didn't think existed between the races — it just changed everything for me."
This is a story that begs to be told and has had some great interest in the Newfoundland and Labrador film industry. Now the story has caught the attention of the American film industry. It has even caught the attention of Bill Cosby who invited Mr. Phillips on stage and told his story. A full length feature film is finally in the works.
The story is remniscent of a film called "Amazing Grace" that Ray Johnson likes to quote when we meet with Community Linkages. Mr. Phillips story, like Amazing Grace tells of the power of the individual, when love and compassion are the motivating factors for change. The upcoming film will perhaps offer a rare glimpse of the true virtue of rural Newfoundland and Labrador and why we so passionately love this place.
CBC interviews Lanier Phillips:
http://www.cbc.ca/national/blog/video/internationalus/the_ambassador_or_st_lawrence.html
Lanier Phillips was one of 46 men who survived the Truxtun disaster. His story is not a simple story of survival but a story of the power of humanity. In a world of segregation and racism Mr. Phillips credits the simple generousity of the people of St. Lawrence, NL, not only with saving his life, but with their compassion - changing it forever. As a black man in the segregated south of the 50's he has said: "To experience instantly love and humanity that I didn't think existed between the races — it just changed everything for me."
This is a story that begs to be told and has had some great interest in the Newfoundland and Labrador film industry. Now the story has caught the attention of the American film industry. It has even caught the attention of Bill Cosby who invited Mr. Phillips on stage and told his story. A full length feature film is finally in the works.
The story is remniscent of a film called "Amazing Grace" that Ray Johnson likes to quote when we meet with Community Linkages. Mr. Phillips story, like Amazing Grace tells of the power of the individual, when love and compassion are the motivating factors for change. The upcoming film will perhaps offer a rare glimpse of the true virtue of rural Newfoundland and Labrador and why we so passionately love this place.
CBC interviews Lanier Phillips:
http://www.cbc.ca/national/blog/video/internationalus/the_ambassador_or_st_lawrence.html
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
A Grand Spot
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=8257817
Imagine a place where you can see puffins and get up close with a whale. Sounds like a nice spot for a vacation.
Imagine a place where you can see puffins and get up close with a whale. Sounds like a nice spot for a vacation.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Are We History?
Do we as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians learn enough about NL in our K-12 curriculum? Do we as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in Canada know enough about the country we joined in 1949?
The Dominion Institute gives us a big fat "F" on the later question. The department of Education gives an enthusiastic "Yea!" to the first question.
It is interesting to hear of the new "Newfoundland and Labrador Studies 2205." A previous encarnation of NL studies "Newfoundland and Labrador Cultural Heritage" was piloted back in the 80s. Does it take twenty years to form curriculum?!
So what do you think? Has the department of education struck the right balance in our knowledge of Newfoundland and Labrador in general as well as the country that has been our address for the past 60years?
A response to the "F" is for History article of June 15:
"Content related to Newfoundland and Labrador is addressed in several places in the K-12 social studies program.
This September a new course, Newfoundland and Labrador Studies 2205, is being implemented. This course enables students to examine the culture, heritage and history of the province, as well as creating opportunity to explore topics of local interest.
Other courses that address Newfoundland and Labrador social studies content specifically include:
Grade 3, Newfoundland and Labrador communities
Grade 5, Newfoundland and Labrador early history as well as economic, political and social infrastructures is addressed.
Grade 8 Newfoundland and Labrador History was implemented in 2005, examining Newfoundland and Labrador history from 1800 to present.
Additional there are other courses which include some content related to Newfoundland and Labrador :
Grade 7 Social Studies – examine Canadian History from 1800 to 1920, including some topics which are relevant to Newfoundland and Labrador during this time period, such as the First World War.
Canadian History 1201 – this course includes examination of Newfoundland ’s and Labrador’s contribution to the First and Second World Wars, as well consider confederation with Canada
Canadian Geography 1202 and World Geography 3202 examine (i) the physical geography of the province and (ii) consider the issue of resource management, allowing opportunity for discussion that connects those ideas to the context of our province
As well, the Cultural Connections Strategy (a program designed to expand NL and Lab culture and heritage throughout K-12 schooling) is providing additional supports and resources which relate to the teaching of Newfoundland and Labrador culture and heritage at all grade levels, when appropriate. The Department also is a primary supporter of the provincial annual Heritage Fairs program, which in recent years has involved over 8000 Elementary and Intermediate students annually."
The Dominion Institute gives us a big fat "F" on the later question. The department of Education gives an enthusiastic "Yea!" to the first question.
It is interesting to hear of the new "Newfoundland and Labrador Studies 2205." A previous encarnation of NL studies "Newfoundland and Labrador Cultural Heritage" was piloted back in the 80s. Does it take twenty years to form curriculum?!
So what do you think? Has the department of education struck the right balance in our knowledge of Newfoundland and Labrador in general as well as the country that has been our address for the past 60years?
A response to the "F" is for History article of June 15:
"Content related to Newfoundland and Labrador is addressed in several places in the K-12 social studies program.
This September a new course, Newfoundland and Labrador Studies 2205, is being implemented. This course enables students to examine the culture, heritage and history of the province, as well as creating opportunity to explore topics of local interest.
Other courses that address Newfoundland and Labrador social studies content specifically include:
Grade 3, Newfoundland and Labrador communities
Grade 5, Newfoundland and Labrador early history as well as economic, political and social infrastructures is addressed.
Grade 8 Newfoundland and Labrador History was implemented in 2005, examining Newfoundland and Labrador history from 1800 to present.
Additional there are other courses which include some content related to Newfoundland and Labrador :
Grade 7 Social Studies – examine Canadian History from 1800 to 1920, including some topics which are relevant to Newfoundland and Labrador during this time period, such as the First World War.
Canadian History 1201 – this course includes examination of Newfoundland ’s and Labrador’s contribution to the First and Second World Wars, as well consider confederation with Canada
Canadian Geography 1202 and World Geography 3202 examine (i) the physical geography of the province and (ii) consider the issue of resource management, allowing opportunity for discussion that connects those ideas to the context of our province
As well, the Cultural Connections Strategy (a program designed to expand NL and Lab culture and heritage throughout K-12 schooling) is providing additional supports and resources which relate to the teaching of Newfoundland and Labrador culture and heritage at all grade levels, when appropriate. The Department also is a primary supporter of the provincial annual Heritage Fairs program, which in recent years has involved over 8000 Elementary and Intermediate students annually."
Monday, July 6, 2009
The Asphalt Barrens
There's nothing at the end but ahhh the going is good. Lots of pavement being laid these days in many areas of the province (with the notable exception of Labrador). Is this "infrastructure" spending to revitalize rural Newfoundland and Labrador or just election asphalt?
An interesting article by the Telegram's Russel Wangersky and response by Community Linkages member D. Penton.
(click to read the full articles)
Telegram:
..You can argue until you're blue in the face about whether a government actually can do anything to mitigate the virtual collapse of fisheries markets, but the simple fact is, whether something can or can't be done, very little is being done...
Penton:
Large longliners are all that is left and the ocean highway will soon be gone if Ottawa allows a change within NAFO ... It's not the pavement that we need to worry about, it's the complete collapse of rural Newfoundland and Labrador ... Do we want our children to live a rural Newfoundland and Labradorian life out of The Rooms museum?
An interesting article by the Telegram's Russel Wangersky and response by Community Linkages member D. Penton.
(click to read the full articles)
Telegram:
..You can argue until you're blue in the face about whether a government actually can do anything to mitigate the virtual collapse of fisheries markets, but the simple fact is, whether something can or can't be done, very little is being done...
Penton:
Large longliners are all that is left and the ocean highway will soon be gone if Ottawa allows a change within NAFO ... It's not the pavement that we need to worry about, it's the complete collapse of rural Newfoundland and Labrador ... Do we want our children to live a rural Newfoundland and Labradorian life out of The Rooms museum?
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