Newfoundland: 60 Years in Canadian Confederation

Today is the 60th Anniversary of Newfoundland becoming a Canadian Province.

(Today it is called Newfoundland & Labrador.)

The uniqueness of Newfoundland cannot be overstated. From its beautiful craggy terrain to the intellects who inhabit its capital of St.John's to the craziness of humor, Newfoundland is unique. I am an Honorary Citizen of Newfoundland, having been "screeched in" back in 1982 while attending one of their dog shows.


When Newfoundland first joined Canada, Eastern Provincial Airways used to shuttle the mail back and forth to the mainland. EPA was owned by the Crosbie family - John Crosbie was in the Canadian parliament and Andrew used to lend his Rolls Royce to the Queen when she visited.

It was at one of the Crosbie homes on their compound where the "social" was held where I was subjected to the "screeching in" ceremony. The person who actually performed the ceremony was a Lhasa breeder. He made fun of me and I laughed and laughed and finally he had to stop or I would not be around today! (You will have to go there to find out just what this ceremony is all about.) I will tell you that Newfie Screech is made from the rum accumulated at the bottom of the barrel. There was a lot of rum running during prohibition to and from Newfoundland. (They don't like to forget their history.)

St. John's (on the East Coast of Newfoundland island) is the home of Memorial University where there is a Biology course that attracts people from all over the world. When I was there, I noticed more new vehicles than one would see on Toronto streets. The city is a typical university city with more than its share of intellects.

Although there is wealth in St. John's, Newfoundland has had high unemployment, probably because of its isolation. The main industry was fishing including canning factories. Now, Oil & Gas is the main industry. Of course, there is farming, but the growing season is short.

Newfoundland is the most easterly part of Canada. It was the first place the late ABC News Anchor, Peter Jennings (a Canadian) took us when he broadcast the Millenium celebration of North America. (Labrador is on the mainland.)

If you ever have the opportunity to travel to Newfoundland, jump at it! The people are very special and the landscapes are second to none. The people will greet you with open arms, anxious to show you their homeland. (The Vikings originally discovered Newfoundland over 1,000 years ago.)

I am wondering one thing. Given their sense of humor, I am thinking Premier Joey Smallwood would rather have signed into Canada the next day - April Fool's Day!

[Many thanks to Steven Davis for his timely corrections! I have been away from Canada for over 12 years now!]