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There's a school of thought that feels, even when the U.S. does bad things in the world, we should look the other way and keep our eyes cast demurely downward. If Washington chooses to invade Iraq, to launch a lawless “war on terror,” to start an arms race in space or to obstruct worldwide efforts on climate change, Canada should stand by her man. If we want to disagree with this big, over-muscled guy, we should whisper softly in his ear, not embarrass him in public.

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If governments even remotely lived up to the moral principles that they preached not only would we be publicly and forcefully criticizing the conduct of the US, we would be organizing and carrying out sanctions despite any repercussions that may come from them.

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Canadians, all of us, should defend Canada with all the noise that Americans defend the US. Canadian politicians should stand up for Canada, even if it means iritating our southern neighbours. Also, mouthing the words isn't enough; they need to actually do it, which may mean strong actions such as cancelling NAFTA or stopping the export of raw logs.

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If governments in impoverished Latin America can stand up to the U.S. Why can't we?

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Also, mouthing the words isn't enough; they need to actually do it, which may mean strong actions such as cancelling NAFTA or stopping the export of raw logs.

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Restricting the export of softwood lumber, or any natural resource, would result in the loss of more employment in the lumber industry, which is stagnate in northern Ontario and Quebec. The cancellation of NAFTA would make life for those unemployed persons more difficult, as prices for American products would be more expensive due to increased tarrifs.

The federal government is doing well by exploring foreign markets for our crude oil, which sends the message that the government is willing to sell to others countries besides the United States.

[ 23 December 2005: Message edited by: TacitBlue ]

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Originally posted by TacitBlue:
Restricting the export of softwood lumber, or any natural resource, would result in the loss of more employment in the lumber industry, which is stagnate in northern Ontario and Quebec.

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And so if the U.S. really is promoting globalism and free markets, then we might come to the conclusion that Canada should be free to sell its natural resources to the highest bidder. American's themselves have said that Canada demands too low a stumpage fees from foreign logging giants.

In fact, the McGuinty Liberal government in Ontario has done nothing to alleviate rising electric power costs in Ontario which has already cost logging and pulp & paper jobs in Northern Ontario. Power distribution companies are charging 8 cents per kilowatt hour and costs 2 cents per kWh to produce.

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The cancellation of NAFTA would make life for those unemployed persons more difficult, as prices for American products would be more expensive due to increased tarrifs.

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The cancellation of NAFTA would make life for those unemployed persons more difficult, as prices for American products would be more expensive due to increased tarrifs.

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You must be referring to the Chinese-made products being distributed here by American companies. Well guess what? We'll get an immediate employment boost by importing and distributing those products directly to ourselves- and they'll cost us the same, but generate both corporate and personal income taxes here rather than south of the border.

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TacitBlue

Restricting the export of softwood lumber, or any natural resource, would result in the loss of more employment in the lumber industry,

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Actually, restricting the export of raw logs might result in more employment in the lumber industry if we have markets for the wood milled from the previously exported logs.

Also, taking your argument further, we have to ask ourselves if we want to be blackmailed into giving up control over our resources and ultimately our sovereignity. In the long run we may be better off if instead of concentrating on trade we concentrate our efforts on achieving self sufficiency.