Myles Higgins

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Economic Roller Coaster

What a difference a month can make.

What Does Vale Inco’s Annoucement Mean for NL?

It’s been a long time in the planning but the announcement by Vale Inco means ground will be broken in 2009 on a new hydromet nickel processing facility at Longer Harbour, Newfoundland. The plant will process Voisey’s Bay nickel.

The New “Newfie” Joke

Newfoundland and Labrador premier, Danny Williams, was quoted in a recent news article as saying, “The days of the newfie jokes are over”, in reference to his province no longer being a recipient of equalization payments. Not so fast Mr. Williams, it seems you spoke too soon.

Remembering Our War Heroes

With Remembrance Day upon us I'd like to take some time away from the political arena and instead take this opportunity to remember an important part of the military history of Newfoundland and Labrador. Each year at this time we are all asked to take a few moments from our daily schedules to remember those who have fought and died in the name of their various Countries in war after bloody war.

Newfoundland & Labrador First Party Selects New Leader

The Newfoundland and Labrador First Party(NL-First) recently announced the selection of a new party leader following a respectable federal election debut that saw the upstart party capture 1.7% of the popular vote.

Duceppe Debate Rhetoric Crosses Line

During Wednesday’s French language debate much was said by each of the candidates and while I have my own opinion about who actually won or lost the event, that’s not the most pressing issue on my mind today.

NL-First Party Receives Official Standing with Elections Canada

The Newfoundland Labrador First Party has received official confirmation on registration with Elections Canada after meeting all required guidelines and fielding candidates in the current Federal election.

Where Will You Mark Your X on October 14th?

In January of 2006, just prior to the last federal election, I wrote an article outlining the responses of each party leader to a letter written by Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams asking each what their position was on several key issues of importance to the province.

Harper Campaign Portrays Softer Image

Leading up to the federal election the Harper Conservatives were, not surprisingly, the first off the mark with a national advertising campaign. Their media onslaught did not highlight their record or their plans for the future, as most election advertising tends to do, but instead make an all out attempt to soften the Harper image.

A Sad Commentary on Canadian Politics

This time next week the campaigns of federal parties will be moving into high gear, thanks to an upcoming announcement than an election will be called for mid October. Never mind that the Conservative government in Ottawa has already been running election style ads for weeks attacking their opponents, that's just "reaching out to the electorate", isn't it?

July 1 - Memorial Day in Newfoundland and Labrador

With Memorial Day once again upon us, it seems appropriate today to reflect on the exploits of the so called “Fighting Newfoundlander” and remember those who fought or died in conflicts half way around the world.

When many think of the Newfoundland and Labrador's military history, they immediately think of The Royal Newfoundland Regiment.

Dion to “Shift Green” Among Provinces

A recent respondent to one of my articles spoke of their concerns with Stephane Dion's new carbon tax or “Green Shift”. In their words:

“…supposedly it's revenue neutral…The logic is that by "deciding" to use less fuel you can keep more of your tax money and spend it on the things that matter to you.”

“People in places like cold Labrador… who suffer through long cold winters can't "decide" to not heat their homes. It may have some benefit in BC…where winter temperatures are much higher but not here and not up north.”


Final Agreement on 2 New NL Oil Projects Near

At the annual meeting of the Newfoundland and Labrador Oil Industries Association (NOIA) on Tuesday Premier Danny Williams told those in attendance that he's hopeful a deal for development of the Hibernia South oil field will be reached by the end of the year and he that expects to see a final contract on the larger Hebron oil development within a matter of weeks.

Ottawa Spending Scandal - A Case of Institutionalized Corruption

Thanks to widespread press coverage of the government spending scandal in Newfoundland and Labrador, with former provincial politicians and cabinet ministers winding their way through the courts for allegedly misusing constituency allowances, the report this week in the Toronto Star highlighting federal spending practices has a distinct ring of familiarity to it.

Cultural Genocide: A Canadian Tradition

This week Stephen Harper apologized, on behalf of the government of Canada, to the 80,000 (surviving) Aboriginals forced to attend residential schools.

Nearshore Habitats: Sanctuary for Juvenile Cod

A news release from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) this week talks about the need to understand the habitat required to promote and protect the survivability of juvenile cod. The release contains a wealth of information about survival rates and the location of the best “nurseries”. To the Scientists who recently uncovered this valuable information, I offer my heart felt thanks. It’s the sort of data needed if cod are to stand any chance of recovering. As for the officials at DFO, I offer anything but my thanks.

Choose Your Headline

Reports Suggest Stockwell Day Hiding Illegal Firearms at his Ottawa Residence.

 Jim Flaherty Stole Funds from Toronto Banking Consortium in the 1990’s

 Stephen Harper Caught in Intimate Affair with Under Age Neighbor.



Govt. of Canada to Have Say on Lower Churchill

Recently there’s been a lot of talk about Newfoundland and Labrador’s plans for the Lower Churchill hydro project. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are eagerly awaiting what they see as a way to finally benefit from Churchill Falls power after decades of being fleeced on the Upper Churchill development by Quebec.

Danny Williams Defines His Legacy

Although it isn’t capturing as much press as his lowering of the Canadian flag, the 2005 Atlantic Accord dispute, his campaign to unseat Stephen Harper or even his standoff with big oil over the Hebron offshore oil development, Premier Danny Williams is about to make a move that will forever seal Newfoundland and Labrador’s fate and irrevocably define his legacy in the hearts and minds of its people.

Stephen Harper’s Totalitarian Regime

The long delayed resignation of Canada’s Foreign Minister, Maxime Bernier clearly shows the pathetically small talent pool Prime Minister Stephen Harper has to choose from inside his party. It also shows that the PM would rather fight to protect the job of a mediocre, or totally incompetent, Minister rather than relinquish the sort of totalitarian control he exerts over the government of Canada.