[LINK] "Ignatieff okays ‘one-time' Newfoundland protest"

[rfmcdonald]

Martin O'Hanlon and Joan Bryden's article in The Globe and Mail makes for interesting reading.

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff is giving his Newfoundland MPs a “one-time” pass to break ranks and vote against the federal budget to protest the Harper government.

The Liberals are supporting the budget in a key parliamentary vote tonight so that the country isn't plunged into political instability in the midst of an economic crisis.

But Ignatieff said he's making an exception for his six MPs from Newfoundland and Labrador because the budget makes “radical” cuts in federal transfer payments to the province.

“This is not just about Newfoundland and Labrador, this is about the way Stephen Harper runs this federation,” Mr. Ignatieff said. “This tendency for unilateral, surprise action is damaging to the national unity of our country.

“Tonight, they will have a one-time vote against the budget in order to send a clear signal to Newfoundland and Labrador and the rest of the country that this is no way to run a federation.”

Ignatieff's announcement came after four Newfoundland MPs said they would vote against the budget, maintaining that it singles out their province and robs it of some $1.6 billion in federal funding.

Many accuse Mr. Harper of using the budget to settle a political score with Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams, who launched an “Anybody But Conservative” campaign during the federal election.

Mr. Ignatieff said he met Mr. Harper on Tuesday and asked him to “pause” the measure, but the Prime Minister refused.

Besides suggesting that Ignatieff doesn't have firm enough control over the Liberal Party caucus to command the expected unanimity, it also speaks to the strength of the nationalism that Newfoundland premier Danny Williams has managed to foster. Will a referendum on Newfoundland independence be that far off in the future, I ask (mostly in jest)?