31 March 2009

Confederation irksome: CP coverage

From pseudo-separatist actor Greg Malone as told to Canadian Press:

"It's [Confederation’s] a total failure," Malone says.

"I think we need to be prepared to separate as much as Quebec is. I think we need to be that strong ourselves."

On the basis of what Greg evidently knows about Quebec, that would mean Confederation has been an overwhelming success for Newfoundland and Labrador.

And here’s another thing:  if he hadn’t already achieved some notoriety as a comedian would anybody be giving him the time of day, least of all Canadian Press?

For the fact checker:

Like Canada, the Dominion of Newfoundland had functioned much like its own country, with its own currency and passports. But tough economic times in 1934 forced the Newfoundland government to let a British-appointed commission oversee the region until the economy improved.

“Much like” suggests that Newfoundland really wasn’t “its own country”.  Before February 1934, Newfoundland was a Dominion like the others.

The tough economic times didn’t bring about the collapse of self-government in 1934.  Bankruptcy brought on by a decade and more of political mismanagement led to the surrender of self-government.

-srbp-

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

If he really felt that way he'd turn in his Gemini. And his Canada Council grants. Etc.

Edward G. Hollett said...

It's like Susan Knight a couple of years ago getting the Order of Canada and spending a half hour or more on national radio spouting the usual St. John's bullshit talk.

Anonymous said...

"the usual St.John's bullshit talk"

Edward G. Hollett
St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada

Edward G. Hollett said...

@ Anonymous 2106:

Was there supposed to be more than that?

Incidentally, that phrase was originally uttered by John Crosbie.

líam said...

“Much like” suggests that Newfoundland really wasn’t “its own country”. Before February 1934, Newfoundland was a Dominion like the others.

This is debatable.