Martin appeared relaxed and confident as he laid out his view of Canada's domestic situation and international role, and tried to link his government's initiatives since coming to power in December 2003 under the umbrella of one comprehensive plan.
"NAFTA is not something to be ignored when it suits narrow domestic interests," Martin said, referring to the Bush government decision to ignore a recent NAFTA ruling that there is no basis to impose tariffs on Canadian softwood.
"Free and fair trade depends on a dispute settlement procedure that is respected by all parties." He said U.S. intransigence "mocks that basic principle."
Martin warned that, in light of continuing trade disputes with the U.S., Canada intends to focus more on trading opportunities in the burgeoning Asian market, specifically India and China.
He also spoke of Canada's changing demographics. In the next 10 years, there will be significantly fewer workers supporting an aging population, due to a declining birth rate and the fact baby boomers are nearing retirement age, he said.
He said this calls for immediate government action and outlined programs in the areas of health care, education, immigration, the economy, environment, child care, defence, international relations, aboriginals, and cities and communities that are designed to meet these challenges.
Martin acknowledged Canada has not been pulling its weight in the world in recent years, but said his government has promised to inject $13 billion into the Defence Department and to increase international aid.
http://www.canada.com/montreal/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=acd6895a-9284-477e-93df-30a7f6b40494
Note: http://www.canada.com/m...
Martin Blasts U.S. Stand On Free Trade
Posted on Thursday, September 22 at 10:02 by jensonjContributed By
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He's ignoring some important points:
Canada is for sale. Lately, it has been selling itself (literally) to China. If you think American corporate interests are bad, wait until you experience your new Communist masters.
Also, despite pretensions to the contrary, Canada has no other realistic outlet for it's "trade", besides the USA. However, the USA has other suppliers. In a who-needs-whom the most context, Canada is screwed.
I repeat: Prime Minister Paul Martin is a sad little man, saying too much without making sense. In that respect, he's the perfect Canadian leader.
I heard Brian Maynard from Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers this a.m. telling a group of MPs that the Canadian government needs to invest in infrastructure for the industry and that that somehow will bring the cost of gas down! As Jon Stewart would say "Meet the F**kers"
Ya, let the Canadian people pay for the industry that will charge us for the gas that the Canadian people paid to have extracted and refined again. "Meet the Stupids"
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"And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music." Friedrich Nietzsche
I mean, who in their right mind gives a damn?
Canada, the world's comedy channel.
Thanks, and I really do mean it.
Canadians are so gullible.
You do realize that Canadian industries pushed for NAFTA right? We've seen our GDP and our GNP grow HUGE since NAFTA was put into place. It's made a much more competitive market that enables American and Canadian industries to prosper. Of course there's winners and losers.
In teh USA, primary industry and resource industries are the losers. Canadian resources are cheaper, more reliable, and quite frankly out compete the American counterparts (in terms of natural resources such as petroleum, lumber, and some agricultural goods).
In Canada, high tech industries, and industries that used to benefit from tariffs. These mostly include traditional import industries, and retailers.
However, does this even compare to what free trade has brought this country? Investment is up, logistics industries grow, as a result so do retailers. Our lower dollar gives CANADA a competitive advantage in most areas.
So before you jump to conclusions and blame every evil of Canadian society on "Americanization" or free trade, please be educated enough to look at teh benefits it has done for us. I for one am a Canadian advocate for free trade. And I'll tell you thing, no matter what the political parties may say in Ottawa, I guarantee no one will be stupid enough to rip up NAFTA. It would mean suicide for the economy of Canada.
Surely by now he must understand that if his principals are to stand, they will not survive within a political party that has as its mandate, to have economical sexual relations with a county such as America, whose only wish is to screw the hell out of Canada's resources and then run.
Leaving behind a disease ridden and contaminated once stable society. So David Orchard where ever you are, step up and be counted.
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Good government is not a party government