It is true. Annoy a Labradorian more than to tell a Labradorian they do not belong to Newfoundland; I do not believe that can be done. He said to me: "You make sure that your Reform colleagues know that Labrador is a part of Newfoundland and we are going to stay a part of Newfoundland. When you come here make certain that is clear".
It was fertile ground for Reform well before the byelection. It was fertile ground because those individuals determined that we are no longer going to dump wheelbarrows full of money on the ground to try to buy their votes. Reformers will tell it exactly as it is.
ACOA, FEDNOR and western economic diversification have been mechanisms for big political parties to buy votes. The way to get votes in Labrador is to tell the truth, to specifically say to individuals in Labrador that they do not need handouts. They need an environment in which they can thrive. They need a debt that is no longer sucking the lifeblood out of the future of their children. They need to have places where they can go to university and not be left without training.
Labradorians respond to that truth. Labradorians respond to common sense. Labradorians respond to a specific issue that says when they send a Reformer from Labrador to the Parliament of Canada they will not be sending a trained seal. They will not be sending someone who bows to the party wishes. They will be sending someone who gives party input.
I say plainly to my colleagues across the way: When the old way of doing politics is over, when the old way of campaigning is over, Labradorians may look again at the Liberals for their member of Parliament.
I make a prediction here today that Labradorians are going to show the way of the future in Canada when they vote in the byelection.