ATV News, Jan-Mar 2000

GOVERNOR GENERAL TERM NEAR OVER



Robert Stanfield's term as interm Governor General is near over. Stanfield, who was acclaimed as Governor General when the process of uniting the three provinces began, agreed to sit until a date that was 2 months after the election of the first government. We asked him for comment

"do you want to remain as Governor General?"

"well, that's not up to me, that's up to Prime Minister Leslie"

"If he asks, would you remain?"

"Well, if he asks, I mean, I cant really say no I suppose, so yes, if he were to ask I would remain"

"Have you enjoyed your term?"

"Yes, its been surprisingly fun, actually, helping in the founding of a new country."

"How hopeful are you for the future of New Acadia"

"Very, I think we have built a great nation here."

The issue of a Governor General is expected to be one of the first issues the new Cabinet will deal with once assembled.

New Acadia Teachers Demanding Raise

Summerside

New Acadia Teachers Union released it's demands for a new contract today. They have been without one since the formation of New Acadia. The teachers are seeking a pay raise of 14% over 3 years, a cash bonus of $3000 each in recognition of the sacrifice they felt they made in helping New Acadia get off the ground. They wish to meet with the government at their earliest convienence to discuss their demands. Said Union President Carol Upton "A Strike is not in the cards at this time. We wish to discuss our concerns with the education minister but that option remains on the table if necessary".

New Acadians opposed to joining the US

A Corporate Associates poll commissioned for ATV News shows that the people of New Acadia do not wish to join the United States.

QUESTION: Do you wish to see New Acadia join the United States??

Yes: 40%
No: 52%
Unsure 8%

Regional Breakdown

PEI: Yes- 48%, No 43% Unsure 9%
Anglo NB: Yes 52: No: 43 Unsure 5%
Acadian NB: Yes: 32% No: 64% Unsure 4%
Cape Breton Yes: 43% No 51% Unsure 6%
Halifax: Yes 30% No: 68% Unsure 2%
Mainland NS: 49% No: 46% Unsure 5%


Analysts say the results are not static that they could change depending on the economic fortunes of New Acadia. They say that if things do not go well New Acadia may wish to reconsider its relationship with its southern neighbours, which may be one of the reasons why the unsure number is so high.

edit by teddy-
Joining the US is favoured by the Reform Party, and opposed by the CoR, which wishes to see union with the remainder of canada.

SEA KING CRASHES ON DECK OF NAVY SHIP

Halifax

A Sea King helicopter today crashed on to the deck of HMNAS Fredricton today. The cause of the crashed appeared to be a total failure of its electrical system. The helicopter lost all power & plummeted onto the Fredricton. No one was killed but 2 members of the Sea King crew were injured. This is yet another chapter in the long running saga of the Sea Kings.

The much maligned choppers are approaching their 4oth year in service. They had a replacement in placed, the EH-101, but that contract was cancelled by for Canadian PM Jean Chretien when he took office in 1993.

This is yet another black eye for the NA Military as it tries to get off the ground. No comment from the gov't at this time.