While Harper's attack ads suggest that Michael Ignatieff is too fond of the United States because he taught at Harvard for five years, it's interesting to look back at Harper's five years in power, and just how tied HE is to the United States.I tried to make a short video to give some idea, but I had to leave many things out.
Like the aggressive trade deal 'Buy American':
Last week the Council of Canadians, along with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, leaked a copy of the Canada-U.S. Agreement on government procurement (the "Buy American" deal) to the media. It was the first time the wide-sweeping deal, which will permanently constrain provincial spending options in many areas, had been put forward for public scrutiny. This deal binds the provinces to World Trade Organization (WTO) rules on public spending – something they had been unwilling to do until now, for very good reasons.Other references for the video are:
1. Big fish feed in Canadian pond: Investment is welcome but impact on economy should be studied before declaring open season, By David Crane, Toronto Star, March 11, 2010
2. The National Citizens' Coalition loves you - ha! ha! ha! 35 years of fighting for fat cats while posing as ordinary citizens, NUPGE
3. Talking trade with John Turner: Canada’s eldest former Prime Minister sits down with Journal Features editors Kerri MacDonald and Michael Woods to discuss the economy, the Liberal Party and the future of Canadian democracy, The Queens Journal, October 28, 2008
4. Stephen Harper speech to the Colin Brown Memorial Dinner, National Citizens Coalition, 1994
5. U.S. investigations on Canadian soil done within the law, CBC News, October 5, 2006
6. The Jelly Bean Summit, Council of Canadians, Autumn 2007
7. Canada to join controversial nuclear partnership, Toronto Star, November 29, 2007
8. Canada, U.S. agree to use each other’s troops in civil emergencies: Canada and the U.S. have signed an agreement that paves the way for the militaries from either nation to send troops across each other’s borders during an emergency, but some are questioning why the Harper government has kept silent on the deal, By Ottawa Citizen, February 22, 2008
9. Joint RCMP-Homeland Security “Shiprider” pilot project to be made permanent, by Stuart Trew, Council of Canadians, March 20, 2008
10. Over a Barrel: Exiting from NAFTA's proportionality clause, By Gordon Laxer, John Dillon, July 16, 2008
11. From Correct to Inspired: A Blueprint for Canada-US Engagement, Canada-US Project, January 19, 2009
12. Stiffed with the bill: A private banquet at civil society's expense, By Elizabeth Littlejohn, Rabble News, September 22, 2010
13. Future of North America: Vancouver 2010, Coronation of the North American “Community”, by Andrew G. Marshall, Global Research, March 15, 2008
14. Has John Turner's Premonition Come True? Are we Now an American Colony?
It's an old trick, if you're doing something you know is wrong, accuse your opponent of doing the same thing, so people will be watching him instead of you. Harper's an expert on that. Michael Ignatieff is no more American than my kid brother, whose work in the US meant advancement in his chosen career. When he had gained knowledge and international credibility, he came home to Canada to put that knowledge to work and, in doing so, provide jobs for Canadians.
ReplyDeleteExactly. Besides Canadians were really only concerned about that when George Bush was around. It's the sovereignty that Stephen Harper has been trading away that concerns me.
ReplyDeleteWell, I've said for years the only other country we have to worry about is the one we share 6000 kilometres of undefended border with. It was only a matter of time before we ended up with a PM ready to give Canada away.
ReplyDeleteThe good thing is, I don't think Barack Obama wants to invade us. Harper is one president too late. Now we have to get rid of him before the Americans elect another Republican. Those silly 16 jets won't do us a bit of good if the US decides to send troops into Canada.
Everybody has pooh-poohed me for saying that, and now, when we have a Bush-loving Prime Minister, most of the country is buying his lies.