Myles Higgins

NAFO Approves Higher North Atlantic Cod Quota for Spanish Fleet

Here we go again. International relations and politics once more trump good conservation and science as the North West Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) approves an increased quota for the Spanish fleet just days after fisheries scientists announce that there has been a small increase in cod stocks after nearly 20 years of a moratorium on the species.

Web Talk - Newfoundland and Labrador

As someone who knows a MS patient very well, I believe it's time for the public to make it crystal clear to Health Canada and to provincial leaders that the time has come to distance itself from the recommendations of the MS-Society of Canada and move forward with clinical trials of the so called "Zamboni" technique for treatment of this dibilitating disease.

Documentary Takes Stock of NL’s Satisfaction with Canada

This past weekend award-winning journalist and documentary film maker Guylaine Maroist, traveled to the fair province of Newfoundland and Labrador from her home in Montreal. Her purpose: To help define the TRUE Canadian experience, a tall order by anyone’s estimate.

Fear and Phobia - The Loblaw Imperitive

Today I’d like to tackle the subject of fear. Not the sort of fear most of us feel when confronted with a life threatening situation. That fear is just our body’s natural survival instinct doing its best to hone our senses and keep us on our toes. The fear I speak of today is a phobia, Aquaphobia or, to be more precise in this case, (I’ve had to define a term to fit the situation) Salt-Aquaphobia.

The Israel and Palestine of the North

An opinion piece by L. Ian Macdonald in the June 13th edtion of the Montreal Gazette caught my eye today, as I'm sure it did every other Newfoundlander or Labradorian who read the headline, "Let it go Newfoundland".

PR by Minister Not a Solution to Overfishing

The Government of Canada has proven, once again, just how ineffectual and useless the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) truly is.

Newfoundland and Labrador Commits $1million for Haiti Relief

Premier Danny Williams, of Newfoundland and Labrador, today expressed heartfelt sadness upon receiving news of the devastating earthquake that plagued the country of Haiti on Tuesday.

Winning an Un-Winnable Battle

How do you win an un-winnable battle? It’s a question that's been on my mind since learning that the Harper government, in spite of Parliament's rejection of amendments to NAFO regulations that could see foreign vessels patrolling Canadian waters, has decided to go ahead and adopt those amendments anyway.

Say Good-Bye to the Historic Atlantic Fishery

It may sound like a doomsday mentality but sometimes the truth IS what it IS.

Should Newfoundland & Labrador Buy NB Power?

Should NALCOR – Newfoundland and Labrador’s Energy Corporation – make an offer to purchase New Brunswick Power?

Where Have all the Fishes Gone?

“…In 1992, Ottawa imposed a moratorium on the Northern cod fishery. It resulted in the largest layoff in Canadian history: 30,000 jobs. The latest science says that stock has barely recovered.” – Jeffry Simpson, Globe and Mail, November 13, 2009.

All of Canada Impacted by Quebec-New Brunswick Power Deal

Consider that if this purchase is allowed to proceed, overnight 5 of Canada’s 10 provinces will become completely dependent on a single corporation for their ability to import or export electrical energy both inside and outside of the Canadian border. The remaining Canadian Provinces, Ontario and East, will be forced to pay power prices set by that same corporation for any power they might wish to purchase from the Canadian East.

Time is Running Out - A Sad Saga of Fisheries Mis-Management

While the Federal Fisheries Minister, DFO, NAFO and even the provincial government of Newfoundland and Labrador continue to battle with one another, ignore problems that can and should be rectified and pay lip service to a fishery on the verge of total disaster, time is running out.

Seal industry Supporters Offer Funding to PETA

In what can only be described as an astonishing twist on the seal hunt debate, a pro-industry group calling itself Seal Industry Supporters of Canada (SISC) has publicly offered to make a “very significant ” donation to the anti-sealing group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), but the offer comes with a catch.

July 1st - Memorial Day Remembered

Once again Canada day is upon us and once again I've opted to publish an article that I return to each year at this time.

The Demise of Newfoundland & Labrador - Manufactured Right Here

What do hand soap and bathroom tissue have in common? Both can be found in the bathroom. They are both considered basic necessities and, as far as I can tell, every scrap of either one used in Newfoundland and Labrador is imported from someplace else.

Walking a Mile in Someone Else’s Shoes

After months listening to Ontario politicians and the national media crying a river about how Ontario has had to stoop to collecting equalization payments, I believe I’ve finally figured out what all the fuss is about.

EU Bans Seals, Ottawa Sits on Fence

In the wake of a vote in the European Parliament the government of Canada has once again proven itself a champion at political doublespeak and dereliction of its duty to Canadian citizens. This morning the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor of a ban on seal products, a move that has branded Canada internationally as being inhumane to the animals, will see many fishermen suffer financial hardship and may ultimately lead to the further decline or all out extinction of already threatened fish stocks in the region.

Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it

Note: In the following “Newfoundland and Labrador” is sometimes referenced as simply “Newfoundland” or “the island”. This is due to the fact that some sections of text are derived from historical documents and/or publications that predate Confederation and, unfortunately, ignore Labrador’s importance.

Message to EU - Stop the Slaughter of Baby Animals Now

Day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year millions upon millions of innocent lambs like the one pictured here are mercilessly slaughtered around the European Union and elsewhere in the world.