Harper and Williams to bury the axe?

Prime Minister Harper will be in Newfoundland and Labrador tomorrow where he and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams look end the biggest spat in Confederation since Eddie Shack looked the wrong way at John Ferguson.

Williams, of course, has been throwing a tantrum/defending his province when it comes to Harper and the federal  government. Williams has given to derisively referring to the Prime Minister as ‘Steve’ but, since he won a landslide re-election and has been cutting deals with oil companies, the PMO figures they’re going to have to deal with him somehow and, so, tomorrow, the two men (but mostly Harper) will begin a rapprochement. Here’s a statement issued this afternoon by the Premier’s office:

Premier Williams said he is pleased to have the opportunity for a face-to-face discussion with the Prime Minister on issues of importance to Newfoundland and Labrador.

“I will take the opportunity to discuss with the Prime Minister the numerous commitments that have been made by the Federal Government to our province,” said Premier Williams. “Primary among these will be the issue of non-renewable resource revenue, 5-Wing Goose Bay, the fishery and also the impact of the strong Canadian dollar on many of our industries. I will also outline for the Prime Minister the aggressive agenda for growth and prosperity our government has been successfully implementing for Newfoundland and Labrador.”

The only thing we have so far from the Prime Minister’s Office is this itinerary:

St.George’s, Newfoundland

1:30 p.m. – Prime Minister Stephen Harper will make an announcement. He will be joined by Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, Chuck Strahl and Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Loyola Hearn.

The Federation of Newfoundland Indians Museum
Main Road
St.George’s, Newfoundland

Holyrood, Newfoundland
7:00 p.m. – Prime Minister Stephen Harper will deliver a speech at a Conservative Party of Canada members event. He will be joined by members of the Conservative caucus.

Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 64
Conception bay highway, Rte 60
Holyrood, Newfoundland.
 

My friends Campbell Clark and Brian Laghi have a good look at the political imperatives behind this meeting in today’s Globe and Mail.