I've just, again, been sent a job posting for a government communications job. And after some debate over the risk of possibly affecting prospects, decided I'd share a point on this, to help maybe explain the common move from journalism to comms in Canadian media. (1/12) For starters, any journalist in NL securing a full-time position in journalism is in an increasingly rare position. Traditional outlets are shrinking, startups are rare (think one hand) and often financially unstable. Freelancers are challenged to make ends meet. (2/12)

"There will be clear mention of it (NL oil and gas industry) as early as tomorrow." - @SeamusORegan on @CBCNL radio, just now The Atlantic Loop is sending Lower Churchill power through Que to NB. Itd be really great if someone actually told the public what's involved/stage of agreements. Premiers, ministers talking behind the scenes. Are we about to get a giveaway of power thanks to MFalls overruns?

Yesterday. Also worth noting this could have been formal, in depth public discussion already here if ATIPPA review start hadn't been pushed. #nlpoli latimes.com/politics/story… newyorker.com/news/news-desk…

There is a significant difference between the provision of advice and decision making powers. I think we should always be clear on who has the power to actually make a particular decision/is expected to make the decision for those empowered, regardless of what the issue is. Setting that aside, if politicians only say announcement is coming it can be-- Not always, but can be-- because officials need to contact reps of people most affected to settle initial details and assure they're not left stranded as decision's enacted/get start on next steps.

Warning- thread here. From someone who is not an expert, but trying to start a bit of different discussion on funding at Memorial University. Only because I'm a bit lost on some of the more recent letters/posts-- and absolutely no disrespect meant. So my main thing right now is trying to understand HOW people believe the university should be funded/supported further, in the context of already recognized financial concerns. No one likes cuts or caps etc etc but I think where the money comes from is the issue.

Every member of House should have to sign some kind of acknowledgement they've read this before the next sitting (Theyre back March 2). #nlpoli

https://twitter.com/DavidMaherNL/status/1225921635087257602

Labrador customers, isolated island customers should be aware this report casts doubt on any promised protections from Muskrat associated rate hikes and asks for evaluation of the long-established govt policy on their rates

It appears the province isn't posting the CO reports referred to here (feel free to mute what follows): theindependent.ca/2020/01/11/a-g… What's posted online says the files are too large to post, and can be requested through the ATIPPA office. But let's be honest, most people aren't going to make that request. At least if they're online, there's a chance they get read, seen. I'd like the province to find a way...

Not sure best way to get @Mount_Pearl crews today, but -first off- you do very good work. Unfortunately, two days in a row now I've been out shoveling only to find big piece of curb. The first time I pulled my back a bit, but fool me once- I spotted it this time. My fadder's picking me up since I can't move it to get my car out. But if Santa's not kicked back with a well deserved glass yet, it's be a great holiday gift to get it removed, since I can't move it myself. (A neighbour took away the last piece for me, just fyi.) I'm on Ash Pl.

At the folks' last night and we were watching @globalnews and story about new tech at BC hospital, but featuring a child, Charlie Andrews, who has had over 43 surgeries. I cried watching (see story about 15:45). I can't shake it. globalnews.ca/video/6329360/… Per the story: Charlie has a disease (recurrent respiratory papillomatosis) bringing recurring tumors to her vocal cords. No cure. As tumors return, she loses her voice and her breathing is inhibited until her surgeon intervenes. She's now having surgery every six weeks or so.

🙏✈️🙏✈️ 👍✈️👍✈️😃➡️🏠👋

Getting underway now with the first day of hearings for oral, final submissions at the Lawrence O'Brien Arts Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. First up is Peter Ralph on behalf of GovNL. He says he'll basically read near verbatim the written submission. The GovNL submission is available here: muskratfallsinquiry.ca/files/Governme…

Back to final written submissions for the Muskrat Falls Inquiry... "Regardless of how the cost estimate and project schedule are labelled, Mr. Martin did not create them, nor did he impose them on the PMT (Project Management Team)."

Final written submissions for the Muskrat Falls Inquiry have been posted. Now just need to get them read before oral submissions start tomorrow... muskratfallsinquiry.ca/submissions/ "...decisions taken in the sanctioning, execution and
oversight of the project before December 14, 2015 sometimes forced the Ball Government, like
Odysseus sailing between Scylla and Charybdis, to have to choose the lesser of two evils..." =It's gonna be a long night.

Getting underway at the public meeting for Muskrat Falls Inquiry in HVGB. There are 10 speakers, all with 10 minutes to speak.

I’d ask him if between the fundraising and Regatta appearance he’s had any serious meeting time with Premier Dwight Ball #TruQ #nlpoli

https://twitter.com/DavidMaherNL/status/1158840260215869442

I’d ask him if he’ll commit to the province seeing the equivalent of $200m a year for rate mitigation help and how that would be possible in the context of Quebec and every other province for that matter. #nlpoli

Think this is first time in the fully renovated Battery. I’m pretty sure this was... dining room? Ballroom of ol’ hotel? Meanwhile a reminder this public session will be webcast and archived on @MuskratFallsInq website if you’re interested, but have no time tonight. Getting underway around 7.

It is the final day for Phase 3 of the Muskrat Falls Inquiry. A reminder of the two public meetings ahead, the first in St. John's on July 30, 7-9, at MUN's Signal Hill campus: muskratfallsinquiry.ca/files/20190704… Today the inquiry if hearing from Mel Cappe, UofT, who has been to Muskrat Falls- he visited in 2018, in his role as a mentor with the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation. trudeaufoundation.ca/sites/default/…

At the Muskrat Falls Inquiry where professor Kelly Blidook is on the stand. But before the start, Commissioner Richard LeBlanc making a few comments. Says made suggestion to inquiry counsel about mid-April to approach university, contracted study of public service, records management; expectation report submitted by June 28. LeBlanc says he was well aware of time constraints, potential limitations.

From the evidence today: "Governmentality, which is, the way governors present themselves to those they govern, sets the tone for the interaction between governing and governed individuals." Today, the inquiry is hearing from Prof. Ole Jonny Klakegg, here from the department of civil and environmental engineering at Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The topic is governance, and models for governing major projects with significant public investment.

We've started the last week of hearings for the final phase of the Muskrat Falls Inquiry. A reminder of two, public sessions coming up, the first in St. John's on the evening of July 30. The second is in Aug in HVGB, before the closings.
More info here: muskratfallsinquiry.ca/files/20190704… Today, the inquiry's hearing from inquiry associate counsel Gobhina Nagarajah, who is offering an update on Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (since 2014 review).

Back for phase 3. Getting down to it now... t.co/L7vpHs0DRX Today’s witnesses are appearing last supper style- four on either side of Commissioner LeBlanc. We’re talking about the $$$$$$