Home Page

Self-Reliance by Becoming Masters of Our Own House

Uncategorized Comments (0)

This week, at the opening of the Legislature of Newfoundland and Labrador, the throne speech was geared to set the tone for the upcoming session and its likely to be an eventful one.

The speech entitled, “Achieving Self-Reliance by Becoming Masters of Our Own House: Throne Speech 2007”, was heavy on terms like “autonomy”, “economic independence”, “unique culture” and “control over our own destiny”.

In the speech the government laid out the province’s vision and determination to “achieve self-reliance by becoming masters of our own house.” It spoke of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians moving forward to strengthen the province’s financial autonomy and noted that “We will achieve this vision for our province by reducing Newfoundland and Labrador’s burden of debt on our children, diversifying our economic base, pursuing a fair fiscal balance between levels of government and reducing our dependence on equalization payments.”

In his comments on the speech Premier Williams said that, “the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador has never been more ideally positioned to take control over its own destiny and lay out a path for renewal and economic prosperity.”

“Our people have learned that the best way to achieve self-reliance economically is to take charge of our future as a people,” added the Premier. “We have learned that we cannot rely upon those elected to offices outside of this province to deliver what is in our best interest.
He went on to say he plans to, “…harness the desire among Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to cultivate greater financial autonomy vis-à-vis the federal government.”

Premier Williams said that his government will affirm Newfoundland and Labrador’s status as a distinct people, not uniform in lineage but multi-cultural, one nation inclusive of many nations living in harmony together. “As equal partners, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal together, we will write a new future for Newfoundland and Labrador, a future of our own design, where mutual understanding, justice, equality and cooperation are the order of the day.”

Williams also said this is the time to stand firm and confident in defence of the best interests of Newfoundland and Labrador. “After nearly four years of responsible fiscal management and rewarding investments in economic growth opportunities, never before have we been in such a position of strength to take a strong stand on the national stage. We will be unrelenting in holding Ottawa to its obligations and promises to Newfoundland and Labrador, but at the same time we will use the opportunities and tools at our disposal to grow our own economy and set our own course for a future of self-reliance.”

Typically the throne speech and the Premier’s comments are intended for a provincial audience but this one will no doubt be of interest to a much wider audience. While Premier Williams said the intent was not to promote separation from Canada, the message was clearly intended for Ottawa and no doubt came through loud and clear.

By Myles Higgins

@ April 25, 2007