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Newfoundland: Canadian Confederation
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With the collapse of responsible government in 1934, followed by War II, Newfoundland entered a new phase in its history, and in its relationship with Canada. By 1945, the Canadians were coming to the conclusion that incorporating Newfoundland into confederation made sense. The British government thought the same. And the referendums held in 1948 showed that a majority of Newfoundlanders now agreed as well. But the vote had been preceded by a long, tense and divisive debate, and was followed by a difficult period of transition. Finally, on 31 March 1949, Newfoundlanders became Canadian citizens.
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Because of the nearness of the Grand Banks, one of the world's richest fishing grounds, Newfoundland's economy has historically been dominated by the fishing industry. Since the end of the 19th century... the forestry industry and, later, the mining industry have grown in importance. Today minerals are by far the most valuable commodity produced in the province. Although the economy of Newfoundland expanded substantially during the 1980s, it still had the lowest income per capita of any Canadian province as the 1990s began.
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As neighbours, Newfoundland and Canada had to negotiate and settle a wide range of issues of mutual concern over the years. Fisheries, trade, relations with the USA, the Labrador boundary and defence were among the most important. Sometimes, between 1869 and the second World War, confederation was raised as a possibility, but only once, in 1895, were there serious negotiations. These failed because neither Newfoundland nor Canada were much interested at that time.
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Two "traditions" persist with a visit to Newfoundland-kissing the cod and the "screech-in." (Both were actually enacted by Ben Mulroney in the Canadian Idol television show while he visited Newfoundland, demonstrating how widespread these activities are thought to be). These "traditions" are little more than tourist activities originally invented by locals for a laugh. The tourists found them enjoyable, and now they are becoming extremely common. Commercial tours will often include these activities, concluding them with a certificate proclaiming the participant an honorary Newfoundlander.
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The fishing industry accounts for about 3 percent of the annual gross domestic product in Newfoundland. Cod is the traditional staple of the fishing economy. Shrimp, lobster, crab, turbot, flounder, and sole are ... taken, but none of these catches is even one-fourth as large as the cod catch. The proportion of the employed population that engages in fishing is substantially higher than the Canadian average.
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"Unmanned aircraft will be launched from Newfoundland this month as the Canadian Forces and other groups hold trials for vehicles meant to eventually increase maritime security. The launches from Goose Bay, Nfld., are part of trials for the Atlantic Littoral,...
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