Fisherman's Road

The following is my opening statement from a debate today (Feb. 26th) on NL nationalism or nationhood, as organized by Memorial University’s Political Science Student Society, and Political Science Department.   I’m going to read you an excerpt from a letter to the editor that was published in the April 25th, 1928 edition of the Corner Brook Western Star . Once I’m done, I want you to guess who wrote the letter. “Why should Newfoundland enter the Confederation with Canada? What possible good would it do us? Politically it would submerge us underneath a weight of strongly organized, well-knit Provincial groupings that know what they want and how to get it.  In a parliament at Ottawa which is bossed, controlled and dominated by the Western block, the Ontario bloc, and the Quebec Bloc, what earthly chance would Newfoundland have of being heard or of being given any attention?  Under these conditions Newfoundland would be like the flea on Noah’s ark, “Said th...

The following letter was published in the April 25th, 1928 edition of Corner Brook’s Western Star. Confederation and— Dear Sir, In a recent issue you commented upon the current Confederation discussions, and asked: “Why shouldn’t Newfoundland confederate with Canada?” or words to that effect. This Confederation talk is on par with the talk about reverting to Crown Colony status, and about Royal Commission rule. All three of these schemes have a common denominator—they arise from the same causes. On the one hand you have people who sincerely believe that Newfoundland is not capable of governing herself well. These people have their eyes on the present economic, social and political conditions. They say: “The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Look at the state of affairs around us! Have we not proved our inability to govern ourselves?” They are sincere, if mistaken. On the other hand you have a group of people who adopt their attitude for petty, prejudicia...

Former NDP MP explains why he joined the provincial PCs  The following article — the fourth in a special series — was published in last week's Newfoundland Herald (Feb. 14th-Feb. 20th).  Ryan Cleary served as NDP Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl between May 2011 and October 2015. Fourth in a special series. T he Blackberry vibrated in my jacket pocket.  “Linda Smith,” my campaign manager, read the name on call display. I had asked her to contact me when she knew — “for sure.” It was my third federal campaign, and I never could stick around on an election night to watch the results trickle in.  I had to take a walk in the Newfoundland air.     “You’re losing,” Linda said.  Pause. “How many polls are in? Is there still a chance? “You’re losing. Every. Single. Poll.” Absorb.  I wasn’t shocked, or stunned, or overly disappointed. Standing there in Bannerman Park in downtown St. ...

Former MP Ryan Cleary reflects on party discipline  and toeing the party line The following article — the third in a special series —  was  published in last week's  Newfoundland Herald (Feb. 7-Feb. 13th).  Ryan Cleary served as NDP Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl between May 2011 and October 2015. Third in a special series. I ’m not sure what rattled me more — the ridiculous charges levelled against me, or being stripped of my speaking privileges in the House of Commons. Regardless, I ended up storming out of a “disciplinary meeting” held in early November, 2013 while Tom Mulcair’s then chief of staff, Raoul Gebert, was still in mid-sentence. “I’m not sitting here listening to this,” I told him over my shoulder as I stormed out of the Opposition Leader’s Office, or OLO as it’s referred to on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. “You’re way out of line.” The meeting began with Gebert expressing the party’s deep displeasur...