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Danny Williams magnanimous after massive expropriation
by Scott Gilbreath ~ December 17th, 2008
We haven’t heard much from Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams lately, but he’s in the news today. It’s good to hear that he’s still his usual arrogant self. Check out today’s CBC headlines:
- AbitibiBowater may take legal action over N.L. expropriation of assets
- ‘We wish you well’: Williams to AbitibiBowater
The provincial government passed legislation authorising theft expropriation of all assets owned by natural-resource multinational AbitibiBowater in the province, with the exception of a mill in the town of Grand Falls-Windsor in central Newfoundland. Williams says this was prompted and justified by the company’s decision to shut the mill.
Naturally, the union representing company workers is exultant. The company—not so much. AbitibiBowater says it is reviewing all legal options and suggested that the legislation may break US-Canada trade rules.
Williams is nonplussed by company protestations; indeed, he sounds serenely confident. (He looks it, too; see photo at right.)
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams says that if AbitibiBowater wants to start a legal fight, it is welcome to try, but he insists his government has the legislative power to expropriate the company’s assets in the province.
“We have full authority to do what we’ve done. We have full legislative authority,” Williams said.
[…]
“That corporation has the right to do whatever it has to do to keep their company profitable … but from my perspective as premier, and on behalf of people of Newfoundland and Labrador, we’re willing to tell them to go on and do their business in other parts of the country and other parts of the world,” Williams said. “You came in with none of those resources, you leave with none of those resources, we wish you well.”
No price has been set for the expropriated assets. Never let it be said that Danny Williams lets minor details get in the way of grand, headline-grabbing gestures.
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December 18th, 2008 at 09:51 PM
Another loud mouthed jerk from Nova Scotia (or whereever) who just doesn’t understand that the days of large multinationals who want to come in here to our province, rape the land, reap the benefits, put ZERO investment into the business (in this case the mill at Grand Falls-Windson) and then pull up stakes and move on…AND KEEP THE RIGHTS TO ALL OF THE RESOURCES!!! Not to mention that just a few short years ago they closed the only other mill in the province (Stephenville) without hesitation. NO INVESTMENT, NO RESOURCES! You don’t see that happening in Quebec where plenty of mills are located as well as head office…or Nova Scotia for that matter. No sirree! Now, if you can’t be balanced in your argument (I see you use the word ‘theft’ within your lop-sided views, then expect same in return: Unless you know the facts, or are willing to do your homework before you open your mouth, or can take a balanced approach toward Newfoundland/Labrador (which you can’t do because 1) you’re from Nova Scotia (still sour over the atlantic ocean boundry dispute), and 2) you read too much Globe and Mail, then I say, until you are more objective and reasonable then “Shut your face you bible thumpin’ prick and mind your own business!”
December 19th, 2008 at 04:31 AM
Danny is being very silly. Mills, timber, and water rights are so intimately tied together that the mill will sit there idle forever. No-one will buy the mill and re-open it without assured timber and power rights.
December 20th, 2008 at 06:08 PM
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December 20th, 2008 at 06:13 PM
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