PORT DE GRAVE, N.L. - Stephen Harper ended a tour Saturday through Newfoundland aimed at restoring support for the federal Conservatives, but even in this small fishing community where he recognized the survivors of a harrowing sea disaster, there were signs the prime minister still faces strong opposition.
Harper, who has been embroiled in a dispute with Premier Danny Williams over the equalization formula, paid tribute inside a church to six crab fishermen and the rescuers who plucked them from the icy waters of the North Atlantic after their vessel caught fire in May.
But as he did, outside stood a shivering George Bishop with a sign made of Gyproc, promising "a lump of coal" for Harper and his Conservatives.
"I'm reminding Steve that he made a promise and he hasn't kept it," said the 60-year-old retiree, referring to the prime minister in the same diminutive Williams has used since April.
"I know he's been reminded a number of times, but one more time probably won't hurt."
Harper spent two days in the province in a thinly veiled charm offensive, trying to regain the support of voters like Bishop, who said he regrets casting his ballot for the Conservatives in the last federal election.
"I said there's no use to complaining to the wife. She didn't create the problem," he said.
"I said I better get over there and complain to him."
Williams has called on Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to vote ABC - Anything But Conservative - in the next federal election because of changes to the equalization formula the premier says will cost the province roughly $10 billion.
During the last federal election campaign, Harper promised that a Conservative government would keep all oil and gas revenues out of equalization calculations.
Williams says Harper has broken that promise.
But Harper denies the charge, pointing out that the province can stick with its Atlantic accord, which protects Newfoundland's offshore resource revenues from equalization clawbacks until at least 2012.
Williams says the accord was never at issue.
After the two Tory leaders met Friday, Williams signalled he was willing to end his feud over equalization, but only if Harper followed through on $10 billion in compensation over 15 years.
Harper declined to speak with the media following the meeting, and in a speech later in the evening only once acknowledged that a rift existed at all.
Loyola Hearn, who represents the province in the federal cabinet, said he was encouraged to see the pair meeting, but questioned whether Newfoundland faces a $10 billion shortfall.
"The premier throws around the numbers, but I have never seen any meat around the bones," the fisheries minister said.
At an awards ceremony for the six fishermen and their rescuers, Harper spoke of the dangers that constantly face those who work at sea.
"People who come from away tend to romanticize life in the fishing communities out here. They don't appreciate how hard the work is or how dangerous it can be," he said.
"The North Atlantic has served up a generous bounty that has sustained the economy of this region for centuries, but she doesn't yield her riches easily, and when things go wrong out there, sailors can face life-threatening peril."
Michael Petten, one of the men aboard the Nautical Legacy, clung to the vessel for as long as he could before diving into the frigid ocean, wearing only a T-shirt and shorts.
In the 2 C water, people without survival suits can typically expect to live between 30 to 90 minutes. With his fellow crew members huddling around him, Petten survived for two hours.
Despite the near tragedy, the 18-year-old said he doesn't think twice before going out to fish - but hearing their mayday call from that day still frightens him.
"It sends chills right through me spine," Petten said.
