Fisherman's Road

The crowd in Petty Harbour can certainly belt out the Ode to Newfoundland, which they did Friday evening to wrap up Volunteer Appreciation Night. Recognized were (from right) Tom Best, who's led local fishermen through tempests and turbulent times (recipient of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal); Ann Payne (recipient of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal), who's tireless efforts have kept the museum afloat; and Harry Chafe, recipient of the town's Volunteer Recreation Recognition Award. The picture they're holding is of Petty Harbour, circa 1900.

I posed the following question today (April 25th) in the House of Commons. Further down is a copy of the accompanying news release. More of the same double speak from Ottawa Conservatives - the worse kind of Conservative. Not only is this disgraced former minister, Peter Penashue, pitting the good people of Bishop's Falls against Labradorians - a nd holding the Sir Robert Bond Bridge hostage - h e even has the audacity to brag about it. Worse, no one in that government has distanced themselves one iota from this despicable, divisive behavior. Is there really no one on that side who will renounce his contemptuous actions ... a n attempt to divide the people of my province? CONSERVATIVES REFUSE TO RENOUNCE PENASHUE’S 'CONTEMPTUOUS' BEHAVIOUR OTTAWA – It’s time for the Conservatives to renounce the behaviour of former cabinet minister Peter Penashue for his comments about holding up projects in Newfoundland, says NDP MP Ryan Cleary (St. John’s South—Mount...

I presented the following Private Member's Bill this morning (April 25th) in the House of Commons. Below is my 45-second introduction, followed by the news release. STATEMENT This bill is designed to protect Labrador watersheds. Changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act mean only a handful of the millions of lakes and rivers in Canada will now be protected. NONE in Labrador – NO rivers or lakes in Labrador - will be protected. Which means projects that could affect navigation, projects that could affect habitat and the passage of fish, can proceed without the permit that once would have been required. Newfoundland and Labrador has more than 60 per cent of North America’s best Atlantic salmon rivers, with some rivers having annual runs of up to 30,000 fish. But that’s nothing compared to the salmon runs of decades ago. Labrador’s commercial salmon fishery has been shut down since the early 1990s because of low returns and now the Conservatives are going...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 22, 2013 CLEARY TAKES ACTION TO PROTECT HERITAGE RIVERS FROM CONSERVATIVE ATTACK OTTAWA – In a move designed to reverse negligent Conservative changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act , New Democrat MP Ryan Cleary (St. John's South-Mount Pearl) introduced a bill in the House of Commons today to restore protection to the Main and Bay du Nord Rivers on the island of Newfoundland. “Thanks to the Conservatives, our heritage rivers and the right of the public to have guaranteed access to them is no longer enshrined in legislation,” Cleary said. “They are facilitating the destruction of not only our environment, but our history and culture.” Since the 1880s, the Navigable Waters Protection Act required that any works that could affect the navigation of Canada’s lakes and rivers undergo a strict environmental assessment. However, changes made to the Act by the Conservatives in their latest omnibus budget bill mean that fewer than two...

“Big character…a lot of character. He’s a really competitive guy and a leader on the team." — Gonzaga hockey coach Bryan Cooper of forward Ben Cleary . 

I gave the following speech Tuesday, April 9, at the Crow's Nest in downtown St. John's during the first AGM of The Narrows Group — formed to protect, preserve and enhance the historic entrance to St. John's harbour. The Narrows Group adopted a constitution and elected an executive, including Ryan Cleary (chair), Mark Hiscock (vice-chair), Joanne Butler (secretary), Ken Sooley (treasurer), and Peter Gill (at large).  Good evening and welcome to the first annual general meeting of The Narrows Group.   It’s taken a lot of hard work to get here, a lot of shoulder to the wheel, a lot of patience, a lot of perseverance, but we’re here — finally.  As the Member of Parliament for the riding of St. John’s South-Mount Pearl, I often tell other MPs — MPs and people across the country — about how my riding is the most beautiful in the country.  Other MPs say ‘We know, we know’ — all MPs say their riding is the most beautiful.  But I mean it — mine reall...

Hundreds of College of the North Atlantic students turned out Wednesday (April 10th) at the main campus in St. John's for a mid-day protest against provincial government funding cuts to the college system. NL has been leading the nation in terms of emphasis on post-secondary education — lowest tuition in Canada , zero per cent interest on provincial student loans.  Privatizing Adult Basic Education is a sign of shifting priorities — yet another reason why the Dunderdale government is in free fall .