Self-reliance, fed-bashing emphasized in N.L. throne speech

Despite a recent collapse in oil prices, the Newfoundland and Labrador government pounded familiar themes of self-reliance and economic security in Wednesday's speech from the throne.

The speech, read by Lt.-Gov. John Crosbie, said that although the financial crisis wears on, the province "is better positioned than most" to emerge from a financial storm.

It also included a pledge to create a new government department to better handle child protection and other issues.

The speech also lashed out against the federal Conservative government, accusing it of vindictive measures in its most recent budget, which Premier Danny Williams has said includes measures that will cost the province about $1 billion in anticipated offshore oil-related revenues.

Nonetheless, the speech said the government expects to retain the so-called "have" status the province earned last year, an indication that it no longer qualifies for payments through the federal equalization system.

Crosbie noted domestic problems, including the closure of the AbitibiBowater newsprint mill in Grand Falls-Windsor, but emphasized broad themes of self-reliance — themes Williams has expounded since the Progressive Conservatives took office in 2003.

"We are determined to stand strong as leaders in this Confederation," Crosbie told the legislature.

"Let be the naysayers be warned. We will not be stopped short of success."

The speech was brought down a day before the provincial budget, which is expected to show how the government — which has been posting record-setting surpluses — will cope with the slide in oil prices.

The speech said government will continue to invest in social programs and what it called a "massive" infrastructure program. That program was announced earlier this winter, to provide economic sparks across the province.

Meanwhile, the government also announced it will create a new department responsible for child, youth and family services. The services are currently incorporated into the Department of Health and Community Services.

As well, it said it will develop a strategy for early childhood education, "to give our children the kind of advantage that is enjoyed by kids in the world's most progressive jurisdictions."

Federal Tories obvious target in speech

The speech took special aim at Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who was not personally named in the speech but was an obvious target.

"Buried in the 2009 federal budget is a deep cut in funding to one province and one alone: ours," Crosbie read.

"Only a year after changing the equalization program to give it stability, they have changed it again to punish Newfoundland and Labrador."

The speech also echoed Williams's claims that the province is being punished because of his "Anything But Conservative" campaign in the last federal election, which saw voters rejecting Conservative candidates in the province's seven ridings.

"At a time when the people of our province are celebrating our status as net fiscal contributors to the federation, it is truly appalling that the current government of this federation has chosen to betray us and oppress us with policies devised to drive us back into decline just because we have exercised our democratic rights, to vote as we wish."

Opposition Liberal Leader Yvonne Jones reacted to the speech by saying  there are many economic challenges facing the province because of the worldwide recession.

"We have significant challenges in both our health and education sectors," she said. "There are groups of people in this province who are falling through the cracks of our social system and experiencing hardship, poverty and homelessness.

"Your government has benefited significantly over the past several years due to windfall oil revenues. However, the more our revenues have grown, the more our challenges have stayed the same."

Jones said the province shouldn't close the door to co-operation with Ottawa.