Did the Premier actually claim he never trusted the guy?
Williams sees new allies in OttawaHow times change.
CBC News
Premier Danny Williams says a new Conservative government in Ottawa is nothing to fear – and could deliver on long-standing issues involving the federal government.
"I think Atlantic Canadians are going to be very pleasantly surprised and pleased with the performance of Mr. Harper," said Williams.
While Williams embraced Harper's response to a letter he sent to the major party leaders on issues pertinent to Newfoundland and Labrador, he refrained from actively campaigning for the Conservatives in the election.
Instead, Williams planted a sign supporting Conservative candidate Norm Doyle outside his residence, and used cautious language during the campaign.
During the campaign, Williams also applauded a response from NDP leader Jack Layton to the same list of questions, while being cool to the response from Liberal leader Paul Martin.
Williams also denied a rift between himself and the new MP for Avalon, Fabian Manning.
Manning was booted from the provincial Progressive Conservative caucus last May, after Manning spoke out against the provincial government's controversial raw materials sharing plan for the crab industry.
Williams said the dispute was "a caucus issue" and applauded Manning's victory.
"In all fairness to Fabian, I wouldn't take anything from Fabian's victory tonight. It was expected," said Williams, who noted a number of the members of the provincial Tory caucus campaigned for Manning.
In fact, Williams suggested that the Atlantic Accord dispute – in which he launched salvo after salvo against the Martin Liberals in a campaign to wrest more financial benefits from the offshore oil industry – helped Manning take the seat.
"That was John Efford's former district. The Atlantic Accord played a big role in that particular district, as it has played a role in the entire province," Williams said.
Efford, who won the Avalon race in 2004 with almost 60 per cent of the vote, became a lightning rod for anger when he rebuked Williams in the early days of the Atlantic Accord fuss.
"We basically had to drag Ottawa kicking and screaming to come with the Accord deal … I think it played a significant factor."
Efford announced his retirement in November, citing his lengthy battle with diabetes.
Williams, meanwhile, said he looks forward to a productive relationship with Harper.
"It's a delicate job [and] it's a difficult job to manage the relationship between the premiers and the prime minister of the country. However, I think it will be a refreshing change," Williams said.
He said he expects Harper to follow through on pledges involving the fishery, energy issues and the "fiscal imbalance" in Atlantic Canada.
Provincial Politicians Weigh In on Election - Jan 24, 2006
VOCM
Premier Danny Williams says he was a little surprised at last night federal election results. Williams says he thought Stephen Harper's Conservatives would get a larger minority than they did. He's also surprised that Atlantic Canada did not go a little stronger towards the Conservatives. Overall though he is generally pleased with the
result. He says the biggest issue facing the province is the fishery.
Williams says he did give some consideration to calling a by-election in Placentia-St. Mary's today, but he says this wouldn't be fair to party workers having just come off a federal election which saw Fabian Manning win John Efford's old seat. The by-election will be held soon.
Opposition Leader Gerry Reid says Paul Martin has made the right decision to step down as Liberal leader. Following his defeat last night, Martin announced he will leave the post after an orderly transition of power. Reid says Martin realizes that he can't lead the party to another victory. Reid says he believes Brian Tobin would be a good choice and Canadians would accept him.
Provincial NDP leader Jack Harris says given the calibre of local NDP candidates he's very disappointed the Province hasn't sent an NDP member to Ottawa. As for the Conservative minority victory, Harris told VOCM Open Line the federal NDP will have a strong voice in the House of Commons.
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