Editorials

by Steven Chase

The Canadian military is keeping a watch on aboriginal groups through an intelligence unit that is meant to protect the Forces and the Department of National Defence from espionage, terrorists and saboteurs.

The Canadian Forces’ National Counter-Intelligence Unit assembled at least eight reports on the activities of native organizations between January, 2010, and July, 2011, according to records released under access to information law.

When told of the documents, one aboriginal leader said the thought of the military keeping tabs on natives was “chilling.”

The Department of National Defence denies it obtained the intelligence itself, and says the information, which cites confidential sources with apparent inside knowledge of native groups, came from other government agencies.

Referred to as Counter-Intelligence Information Reports, the documents alert the military to events such as native plans for a protest blockade of Highway 401, and the possibility of a backlash among aboriginal groups over Ontario’s introduction of the harmonized sales tax.

read full article http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=27067

In the last number of years, there has been a dramatic shift in Canadian security and foreign policy with regards to continental, hemispheric and global issues. While Canada is working with the U.S. on a North American security perimeter deal, there are also efforts to strengthen defense relations with Britain and other allies. Canada has also elevated its status in NATO and is playing a more prominent role in military operations overseas.
 

read full article @ http://beyourownleader.blogspot.com/2011/10/canada-pursues-more-aggressive-security.html

What, if anything, does this protend?

By Amir Alwani

I’m sick of people thinking politics is some sort of hobby, like we can just choose to decide it doesn’t have to do with our life, death, happiness and freedom. Looking at the mechanics that underlie our world is not something I do out of boredom. To me, it seems self-evident that we’re on this earth to learn. Learning and gaining experience seems to be what being human is all about. I don’t like reading words on a page/screen. I’d much rather create music or learn to paint, bu,t unfortunately, sometimes missing a week’s worth of news is like missing a month. Missing a month is often missing a year.

Few Canadians are aware of the true scope of the horrific G-20 event in Toronto last year. This event got very little coverage during the recent elections despite many calling it “Torontonamo”. There were agent provocateurs (cops dressed up as anarchists), $5 million spent on a fence, $1.2 billion spent on paying two- or three-thousand cops overtime so they could arrest and brutalize 1000 innocent people, many of whom were not even taking part in the protest. I even hesitate to say $1.2 billion. Who knows how much of our tax money was actually spent for security. If memory serves me well, it was originally stated it would only be around $170 million, then $300 something million, then $600 million-ish, then $900 million-ish, then finally $1.2 billion. For all we know, it could have been $10 billion.

read full article http://www.activistpost.com/2011/10/crumbling-canadian-sovereignty.html

Brigette DePape, the courageous page who stood with a "Stop Harper" sign in the Senate Chamber reading of the budget, has a message for Canadians.  It is half right and half dangerously wrong!

CTVNews.ca Staff

Defence Minister Peter MacKay called on MPs Monday to do "the right thing" and support a motion to extend Canada's military role in Libya by up to three months.

Canada joined the effort in March when NATO launched a mission to protect civilians from attack by troops loyal to former dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

"Canada was there from the very beginning, as you know. Canada has never shirked its responsibility and certainly should not do so now," MacKay said.

The U.S.-Canada Security Perimeter and the Political Consolidation of North America

By Dana Gabriel Global Research

The U.S. and Canada are very close to unveiling a North American perimeter security deal that would promote greater integration between both countries. This includes expanding collaboration in areas of law enforcement and intelligence sharing which could dramatically affect sovereignty and privacy rights. While there is a need for more public scrutiny, incrementalism has been used to advance North American integration. In many ways this has kept the agenda under the radar. Much like NAFTA and the Security and Prosperity Partnership, a U.S.-Canada perimeter security agreement would represent another step in the consolidation of North America.

By Mike Blanchfield

The intractable Middle East conflict threatens to overshadow Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s trip to the United Nations next week.

Harper is travelling to the large General Assembly gathering ostensibly for meetings on Libya and child and maternal health.

On Friday, the Prime Minister was drawn into the brewing showdown over the Palestinian bid for statehood recognition at the UN.

“We view this unilateral action on behalf of the Palestinian Authority to be not helpful,” Harper said during a stop in Saskatoon.

“No unilateral actions like this are helpful in terms of establishing a long-run peace in the Middle East. Canada views the action as very regrettable and we will be opposing it at the United Nations.”

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, who will be accompanying Harper to New York, has already expressed Canada’s opposition to the Palestinian plan. Canada supports a two-state solution to the conflict but only after a negotiated settlement between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

read full article http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1055404

By Laura Payton, CBC News

The Canadian Forces will be part of NATO's mission over Libya as long as it continues, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Thursday in Paris.

Harper was in France to meet with other world leaders and the leaders of Libya's National Transitional Council to discuss what comes next in the country, and what they will need to rebuild and move to democratic elections in about 18 months.

Canada joined the NATO mission in March and has extended it once already to Sept. 27. Conservative MPs have until this week said it was too early to decide what help would be necessary after the extended mandate ran out.

"Canada will be a part of the military mission until it reaches its conclusion," Harper said. "And as you know, while considerable progress has been made, particularly in the past couple of weeks, we're not at that point. And we will stay and make sure the job is finished so that the transition can be as harmonious and complete as possible."

read full article http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/09/01/pol-harper-libya-future.html

By Chuck Andary

Canadians who live in border cities know all too well the savings that can be had by shopping on the American side of the border. With the American and Canadian dollars near parity, however, one would expect that price gaps would be narrower. Sure, we have to consider that there are, generally, higher taxes on Canadian businesses, the French language labelling requirement, and a lower demand that factor into the price that consumers pay, but are these factors enough to justify a 20% price difference on many consumer goods?

Canadian Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty has asked the Senate Finance Committee to look into these price differences and find out why Canadians are paying more. This is a positive step by the government as it aims to provide information on several consumer and governmental concerns.

First, Canadians simply want to know why they are paying more than Americans for the same products, especially given the fact that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) does not allow for tariffs on most goods that originate from the USA. The problem is that many of these goods do not originate in the USA as required by section 4 of NAFTA; thus, they are subject to tariffs. Currently, the price difference and the low likelihood that they will be forced to pay taxes at the border is enough incentive to compel many Canadians to shop in the US.

read full article http://www.canada-usblog.com/2011/09/15/study-on-canada-us-price-differences-yields-many-benefits/

The word "Honourable" is beginning to describe a rank in the criminal hierarchy.  As the Rule Of Law disappears in Canada the institutionally powerful are becoming criminals.

The Canadian Forces combat mission is wrapping up and OP ATTENTION, the
Canadian Contribution Training Mission Afghanistan (CCTM-A) is underway.
As a member of Roto 0, my boots are on the ground at Camp Eggers in
Kabul. 

It is a somewhat surreal experience to be standing here in Afghanistan.
The hot barren mountains of the Hindu Kush which surround the city have
been witness to a dramatic stream of human history. I am now part of
that history. As I ride in a convoy through the streets of Kabul I am
amazed at the differences, and the similarities between here and Canada.

 

By Dana Gabriel

Much has been made about the secretive nature and lack of transparency surrounding efforts by the U.S. and Canada to create a North American security perimeter. With several high-level meetings in the last month, not to mention all the behind the scenes negotiations, it is expected that an action plan will be unveiled at some point in September. From a U.S. perspective, it is security which is driving the agenda, while on the Canadian side, facilitating trade and easing the flow of goods across the border is the focal point. Any deal reached will build off of past initiatives and be used to advance economic, energy and security integration between the two countries.

During a bilateral meeting in early August, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird discussed issues pertaining to the Middle East and the Western Hemisphere. Also high on the agenda was U.S.- Canada relations. This included the declaration, Beyond the Border: Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness issued by U.S. President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper back in February of this year. At a news conference following her meeting with Minister Baird, Secretary Clinton stressed that, “it’s critical that we ensure our border remains a safe, vibrant connector of people, trade, and energy. And today, the minister and I discussed other ways to expand trade and investment; for example, by reducing unnecessary regulations.” It is interesting that Clinton brought up energy as this is also an intrical part of North American integration which is being further advanced through the U.S.-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue, as well as other initiatives.

Another issue that came up during Clinton and Baird’s meeting was the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. If approved, it would carry oil sands crude from the province of Alberta and pass through the U.S. states of Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas to delivery points in Oklahoma and Texas, at the Gulf of Mexico. While addressing a question at a joint news conference about delays on coming to a decision on the pipeline, Secretary Clinton said, “We are leaving no stone unturned in this process and we expect to make a decision on the permit before the end of this year.” Several months back, the Environmental Protection Agency expressed concerns about environmental impacts associated with the project, as well as the level of analysis and information being provided. With the State Department’s recent release of its Final Environmental Impact Statement, the Keystone XL pipeline has moved one step closer to a final decision. The review period will now go, “beyond environmental impact, taking into account economic, energy security, (and) foreign policy.” While there continues to be vocal opposition to the project, it is being touted as important for future U.S. energy security.

In May of this year, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power held a series of hearings which among other things, examined legislation concerning the North American-Made Energy Security Act. The bill called on, “the President to expedite the consideration and approval of the construction and operation of the Keystone XL oil pipeline.” With regards to oil consumption, it acknowledged that, “While a significant portion of imports are derived from allies such as Canada and Mexico, the United States remains vulnerable to substantial supply disruptions created by geopolitical tumult in major producing nations.” It goes on to say. “The development and delivery of oil and gas from Canada to the United States is in the national interest of the United States.” The bill also stated, “Continued development of North American energy resources, including Canadian oil, increases domestic refiners’ access to stable and reliable sources of crude and improves certainty of fuel supply for the Department of Defense.” In other words, more Canadian oil is needed to fuel the U.S. war machine. This all ties in with the perimeter security deal and further removing trade barriers. It is part of U.S. efforts to secure more access and control of Canadian resources.

read full article http://beyourownleader.blogspot.com/2011/08/advancing-us-canada-economic-energy-and.html

Mexican commandos have discreetly traveled to the United States, assembled at designated areas and dispatched helicopter missions back across the border aimed at suspected drug traffickers.

".. whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends - life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness - it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government..." - Thomas Jefferson