Ottawa dismisses Newfoundland call to amend Constitution

OTTAWA-- The federal government says there's no point renegotiating Newfoundland and Labrador's union with Canada because it won't "bring back the fish."

On Thursday, the province's governing Liberals introduced a resolution in the legislature demanding the Constitution be amended.

Premier Roger Grimes said Newfoundland should be given joint control over the fishing industry. Currently, the federal government has jurisdiction over the oceans.

"Time is running out," said Grimes, who is furious over Ottawa's recent decision to virtually close the cod fishery.

But when the Canadian Alliance raised the matter during question period on Parliament Hill, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Stephane Dion dismissed Newfoundland's proposal.

"No (constitutional) amendment would bring back the fish or do anything for the communities," Dion said in the House of Commons. "What is important is to work as good partners."

"We have no mandate from the Canadian people" to give provinces equal powers over the oceans, Dion later told reporters. "It's not in our platform, and it's not our policy."

Grimes said he's furious that Ottawa has already rejected the idea, without even waiting for Newfoundland's legislature to debate the resolution next week.

The premier wants to change the Terms of Union – the document that brought Newfoundland and Labrador into Confederation in 1949. The province should be given the constitutional powers to share management of the ocean fishery, according to Thursday's resolution.

Grimes, who is expected to call an election before the end of the year, denied suggestions that he's waging a constitutional battle with Ottawa in order to win votes.

This follows some Canadian-flag-burning and the Newfoundland Premier saying "It's not limited only to the fishery. There's a deep-rooted feeling in Newfoundland and Labrador that we are not respected in Canada, that our views are not given full thought."

Newfound & Labrador joined Canada after a referendum where only 52% of the population said yes. I've spoken to people who were there recently and they say the impression they got was that the Newfies are still wondering whether they made the right decision in 1949.

Why don't they send loonies ($1 coin) to Newfoundland?
They keep breaking their teeth because they think there's chocolate in them...

Did you hear about the submarine accident in Newfoundland?
The screen door aparently let the water in.

First Newfoundlander: Boy, it was too bad to hear about Joe's
car accident, he suffered so much brain damage they had to
ship him off to Halifax.

Second Newfoundlander: Yes bye, that's too bad, how long
do they figure he'll be in hospital?

First Newfoundlander: Hospital? Who said anything about
hospital!

George and Aggie walk into a bar while visiting the mainland.
George slugs back a beer as quick as it comes out of the bottle.
A mainlander watching this decides to make a bet with him.

So he says " Newf!, I bet you a $100.00 that you couldn't drink 24
beers in a row like that"

George says " before I bets wit ya do ye mind if I steps out for a
bit?"

Mainlander says "well, ok"
After an half an hour or 45 minutes the Newfoundlander comes in the
bar again, makes the bet and downs the 25 beers in no time flat.

Mainlander, surprised says "Heres the money Newf, but theres one
thing I got to ask you. How come you had to step out that time?"

George replies" Ye think I'm stupid? I WENT TO THE BAR ACROSS THE
STREET TO SEE IF I COULD DO IT FIRST!

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