Sarah Smellie

While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from Sarah Smellie.

N.L. budget has $372-million deficit, includes $200-million tariff contingency fund

N.L. budget has $372-million deficit, includes $200-million tariff contingency fund

ST. JOHN'S -- The Newfoundland and Labrador government is delaying its plan to balance the books for another year, with a new budget forecasting a $372-million deficit as the province navigates uncertainty from decisions made south of the border.

Newfoundland and Labrador's pandemic election headed to trial four years later

Newfoundland and Labrador's pandemic election headed to trial four years later

ST. JOHN'S -- A man who says his right to vote was denied in Newfoundland and Labrador's 2021 election will finally have his day in court.

Newfoundland and Labrador's 2021 pandemic election will finally be tried in court

Newfoundland and Labrador's 2021 pandemic election will finally be tried in court

ST. JOHN'S -- A man who says his right to vote was denied in Newfoundland and Labrador's 2021 election will finally have his day in court.

Canadian governments rely on Starlink for critical services. Some are reconsidering

Canadian governments rely on Starlink for critical services. Some are reconsidering

ST. JOHN'S -- More than half of Canada's provincial and territorial governments buy critical internet and emergency communications services from Starlink -- a satellite constellation owned by billionaire Elon Musk.

Opening interprovincial beer sales would be 'huge blow' to Newfoundland jobs: unions

Opening interprovincial beer sales would be 'huge blow' to Newfoundland jobs: unions

ST. JOHN'S -- As Canada vows to knock down internal trade barriers, unions representing workers at two large breweries in Newfoundland say easy beer sales between provinces would put local jobs at risk.

Newfoundland history has lessons for 'imperialist' Trump regime: Furey

Newfoundland history has lessons for 'imperialist' Trump regime: Furey

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- The outgoing premier of Newfoundland and Labrador says he's drawing on the province's history as he urges Canadians not to underestimate U.S. President Donald Trump's "imperialist" ambitions.

'An attack on our country:' Atlantic Canadian premiers take aim at Trump's tariffs

'An attack on our country:' Atlantic Canadian premiers take aim at Trump's tariffs

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- Atlantic Canadian premiers woke up Tuesday in a trade war with the United States.

'Complete and utter shock' after abrupt resignations of two Atlantic premiers

'Complete and utter shock' after abrupt resignations of two Atlantic premiers

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- The surprising resignation of two well-liked Atlantic premiers has left some political experts shaking their heads in disbelief -- and marvelling at the mounting demands on anyone running a province.

N.L. launched a basic income program for older adults. So far, just 110 have enrolled

N.L. launched a basic income program for older adults. So far, just 110 have enrolled

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- Only 110 people have enrolled so far in Newfoundland and Labrador's basic income program for some older adults, a figure advocates say underscores the complexity of traditional social assistance programs that often leave users afraid of losing benefits.

'Not in my backyard' pushback blocking much-needed affordable housing, experts say

'Not in my backyard' pushback blocking much-needed affordable housing, experts say

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- Concerns over a lack of parking that led councillors in St. John's, N.L., to axe a proposal for affordable housing last week are part of a larger trend that is halting much-needed development across the country, experts say.

Parking woes that axed N.L. housing part of 'not in my backyard' trend, experts say

Parking woes that axed N.L. housing part of 'not in my backyard' trend, experts say

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- Concerns over a lack of parking that led councillors in St. John's, N.L., to axe a proposal for affordable housing last week are part of a larger trend that is halting much-needed development across the country, experts say.

Quebec energy deal worth billions gets green light in Newfoundland and Labrador

Quebec energy deal worth billions gets green light in Newfoundland and Labrador

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- A dramatic vote on Thursday night ended with the Newfoundland and Labrador government deciding to move forward with a draft energy deal with Quebec heralded as a game-changer for the indebted Atlantic province.

Quebec energy deal touted as new chapter for Newfoundland and Labrador heads for vote

Quebec energy deal touted as new chapter for Newfoundland and Labrador heads for vote

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- A draft energy deal with Quebec heralded as a game-changer for indebted Newfoundland and Labrador is heading for a vote tonight in St. John's, N.L.

Newfoundland residents seek answers, assurance as Quebec energy deal heads for debate

Newfoundland residents seek answers, assurance as Quebec energy deal heads for debate

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- About 50 people gathered in a St. John's, N.L., gymnasium on a recent rainy night to seek answers about a massive energy deal with Hydro-Quebec trumpeted by the Newfoundland and Labrador government as a new chapter in the province's history.

After fanfare of Churchill Falls deal, Newfoundland urged to learn its dam lessons

After fanfare of Churchill Falls deal, Newfoundland urged to learn its dam lessons

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- Some in Newfoundland and Labrador are urging the province to take a sober second look at the massive energy partnership with Quebec announced last week.

'Breaking of gridlock' between Quebec, N.L. is the envy of former premiers

'Breaking of gridlock' between Quebec, N.L. is the envy of former premiers

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- Former Newfoundland and Labrador premiers say a draft energy agreement signed Thursday with Quebec marks a historic break in a long-standing political standoff.

'Who profits on hunger?' Inuit send pleading emails to minister about food costs

'Who profits on hunger?' Inuit send pleading emails to minister about food costs

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- People in Nunavut and northern Labrador have been writing to Canadian government officials this year to say grocers were charging exorbitant prices despite receiving a federal subsidy.

Why so many elections in 2024? Chalk it up to the 'beauty of math,' says professor

Why so many elections in 2024? Chalk it up to the 'beauty of math,' says professor

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- Tuesday's vote in the United States may be dominating social media feeds, but it is just one of more than 70 national elections that will have taken place this year by the end of December.

Newfoundland and Labrador cautioned about growing debt as province touts success

Newfoundland and Labrador cautioned about growing debt as province touts success

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- Newfoundland and Labrador's auditor general has issued a warning about the province's financial position as the government announced it would finish the 2024-25 fiscal year with a higher-than-expected deficit.

Labrador residents say "inhumane" food prices force families to go hungry

Labrador residents say "inhumane" food prices force families to go hungry

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- A mother in a community where the cost of living is one of the highest in the country says grocery prices are "inhumane" and retailers are putting profits ahead of people's basic human right to food.

Small English soccer team has huge year, thanks in part to Newfoundland and Labrador

Small English soccer team has huge year, thanks in part to Newfoundland and Labrador

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- A soccer game in England on Tuesday night drove a spike in online traffic across the Atlantic to a website launched by the Newfoundland and Labrador government.

N.L. university chair disciplined for sending pro-Palestinian email to alumnus's dad

N.L. university chair disciplined for sending pro-Palestinian email to alumnus's dad

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- Officials at Memorial University have recommended privacy training for the chair of the school's board of regents after he forwarded an alumnus's pro-Palestinian campaign email to her father last month.

Federal government ends northern cod moratorium in Newfoundland after 32 years

Federal government ends northern cod moratorium in Newfoundland after 32 years

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- The federal government has ended the Newfoundland and Labrador northern cod moratorium, which gutted the province's economy and transformed scores of coastal communities after it was imposed more than 30 years ago.

Federal government ends cod moratorium in Newfoundland after more than 30 years

Federal government ends cod moratorium in Newfoundland after more than 30 years

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- The federal government has ended the Newfoundland and Labrador cod moratorium, which gutted the province's economy and transformed its small communities more than 30 years ago.

Newfoundland woman was 'living in fear' in a for-profit shelter. She was killed there

Newfoundland woman was 'living in fear' in a for-profit shelter. She was killed there

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- Rayna Dove kept careful notes about her attempts to move out of the shelter in downtown St. John's, N.L., where her mother says she was "living in fear."

Higgs's attack on sex-education talk part of his political strategy, academics say

Higgs's attack on sex-education talk part of his political strategy, academics say

Two education professors at the University of New Brunswick say the premier's recent push against a sexual health presentation in high schools is at least partly motivated by political aims.