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Stephen Harper To Nova Scotia - So Sue Me! |
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Written by D.L. McCracken
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Monday, 11 June 2007 |
 Just one day after Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald finally came to his senses and realized that Ottawa is intent on breaking the Atlantic Accord Agreement signed in 2005, Prime Minister Stephen Harper told reporters in a news conference today in Ottawa that if Nova Scotia is serious about the allegations, they should take legal action adding with a dismissive chuckle, "I don't think you can make that allegation and walk away. Is the federal government breaking the law? We are not breaking the law".
Harper also said that the three provinces - Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Saskatchewan - have been critical of the federal budget changes to the Accords "from the very beginning". He maintained that a "compromise" was brought forth which he believes "fulfills an election promise and respects contracts" adding that Nova Scotia under the new deal will receive $95 million more than they expected. "Seems to me that's a pretty good deal", said Harper but he went on to say that it's "being portrayed otherwise".
On Sunday Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald, after reading a letter to a local newspaper by federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, admitted that it had become suddenly very clear to him that Flaherty was "determined to undermine" MacDonald's efforts to negotiate back to the exact wording of the original Accord.
MacDonald accused the finance minister of turning his back on Nova Scotians adding the fight to retain the Accord will now become "a whole lot louder".
Newfoundland/Labrador Premier Danny Williams has been actively campaigning against the federal Conservatives budget that was tabled last March which in effect tears up the previously signed and sealed Atlantic Accord deal with his province and with Nova Scotia. Conservative MP Bill Casey pulled from party ranks and voted against the budget last week in Parliament saying that the budget did not honour the Accords. Casey was turfed from the caucus almost immediately. People in Nova Scotia and far beyond are calling Casey a man of honour and integrity, something, they say that cannot be said about other Conservative MPs in the province who voted the party line.
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