Policies - FAQ
1. Is NLFirst a Provincial party?
Yes. The Newfoundland and Labrador First Party now has a registered Provincial party wing. After much consideration, it was determined that we must work on both the Federal as well as the Provincial fronts on order to make the difference that we as Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans all deserve. Currently we are focused on and are in the process of registering the party Federally.
2. Is NLFirst a separatist party?
No. We plan to be a political alternative, one that will speak straight and stand united in representing the best interests of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians first. Being different from a mainstream political party is our distinction. Our present federal political system allows one province, e.g. Quebec, to speak in bloc. It’s effective. We can be, too. Partly what’s wrong now is the dilution of what representation we have along the old party lines. We need to stir a difference and also speak up for political representation reforms, e.g. Triple-E Senate, that will make government in this country more balanced and representative. Reforms in the Canadian parliamentary system are virtually non-existent, compared to what has happened in some parts of the world.
3.
Does NLFirst support the Williams administration in its stand
by holding out for Ottawa to deliver on its pre-election promise
for 100% of our royalty revenues for our province?
Yes. On the issue of the Atlantic Accord we are 100% behind the 100%. As a matter of fact, we see our initiatives as supportive of the current provincial government. Mr. Williams is leading us well at the local level and does not carry quite the same baggage as some previous premiers who worked for the federal government at one time and then represented the province on another.
4. Will you run candidates in the next federal election and, if so, where?
Yes. With the proper support, we hope to run candidates in the seven Newfoundland and Labrador ridings and possibly in other areas in Canada with high population densities of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. For example, we already have party members in Alberta and Ontario.
5. What is NLFirst’s greatest immediate challenge in front of it?
Without doubt, our first challenge is to grow our party through effective organization, publication and fund raising. In parallel with that, we will build on our concepts and beliefs and fine tune our policies. There are many great native daughters and sons out there that we must attract to make that happen.
6. What about Labrador?
We have had discussions to date with people that are politically involved in Labrador and those invitations and explorations are on-going. Rural Newfoundland and Labrador issues were the seeds from which the party started.
7. At what point would you consider the initiative a failure?
At no point will we ever consider our initiative a failure. It is better to have tried and failed than not to have tried at all. Our conscience is at peace. We need to find out if Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are really in a “comfortable pew” where they may grumble from time to time or are really not satisfied with the long entrenched status quo and want to get up and do something positive about it. We belief our concept will survive and come to fruition.
8. How large is your organization now?
We currently have well over 250 card carrying members and we have a far greater number of people whom we have spoken to that are waiting in the wings for this announcement to jump aboard. We are nearing Federal registration and have also already registered as a Provincial political party.
9. Where is all the rest of your party doctrine?
Remember, this is a party of the people, by the people, for the people. It’s not too late for people to come aboard and help us in its formulation. We are now working to hold a founding convention where all positions and policies will be put in place through the democratic process of election.