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Canada Rises to the Middle
PM says Afghanistan and climate change make us matter.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has declared Canada a middle power once more, using what may be his government’s two most controversial policies as evidence that the country matters: its military presence in Afghanistan and its position on the issue of climate change.
There has been no shortage of criticism of the government’s “made in Canada” plans for cutting greenhouse gas emissions instead of honouring the country’s international obligations. But Harper prefers the Asia-Pacific Partnership to the Kyoto Protocol whose goals he calls unrealistic.
Four years after The Economist dubbed Canada cool in an issue featuring a moose in sunglasses on the cover, the government may be trying to rebrand the country’s image in a way that lines up better with old-time Tory values. Just as Harper faces increasing calls for a withdrawal date from Afghanistan, John Diefenbaker – a big fan of the “middle power” line – warned against removing Canadian troops prematurely from Europe in the aftermath of World War II.
Maybe if Canada had joined the "coalition of the willing" as Harper – then the leader of the opposition - had wanted in 2003, the country he leads today would be even closer to big-power status. Like Albania. Or Palau. ![[Tyee]](http://thetyee.cachefly.net/ui/img/ico_fishie.png){kind=small}
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15
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murdock
4 years ago
middle ... of what?
the stack of other meaningless nations whom are still participating in the 'talk-shop' of the UN?
"In the various conferences at which the UNITED NATIONS was designed, Canada, Australia and medium-sized countries of Europe and Latin America curbed the intentions of the greater powers to dominate all aspects of the UN. "
From the [url=http://thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0005274]Middle Power article mentioned above.
Since the 'great powers' of the US, USSR and CHINA are no longer giving the UN more than 'lip service'. Indeed the US has essentially written off the UN and has not paid up their accounts to date (for something like 25 years).
If Stevie really want to be a 'middle power' then start taking actions to encourage, cajole, embarrass or otherwise maneuver the US at least into behaving itself on the world stage, and behave less like a gorilla on crack.
dr evil
4 years ago
morning murdoch
You seem especially feisty this morning Mr Murdoch. What was in that coffee?
lynn
4 years ago
Snakes and ladders
In Harper's address to the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City what became clearly evident is that while the journalists there (through the questions they directed at Harper) were largely trumpeting the role of Canada in the world, Harper, you could see was darn right flummoxed by the positive perception of Canada embedded in their questions to him.
He reminds you of the guy who is totally taken aback when his best friend tells him he's in love with the guy's sister.
"Whataya mean you're in love with her? She drives me crazy. I just don't see what you see in her. I mean she's so average - so ordinary - so "middle power"...soooo..... second-rate."
And that reveals a man who lacks real vision and intelligence - a shallow american wannabee who clearly cannot perceive the grandeur of his own country...or the values it represents.
More ironic is that this address was an attempt by Harper to show "the home team", pre-election time:
.... how Canadian he really was. Not very.
.... how he stands on guard for thee. Not likely.
(And let it be noted that any positive perception of Canada, an identity developed over many years and largely forged by what once was a strong social system has only been denigrated by the actions of the Harper government.)
Canada deserves more, much more - at the very least a prime minister that is genuinely in love with this country...willing to protect its sovereignty instead of selling us out...and a prime minister that recognizes the power and progressive force for good Canada could be on the world stage in such critical times.
Harper is in love - but not with this country.
And so are too many others, including the premier of this province.
rac
4 years ago
Hello Al, Goodbye Gateway Rally - Sept. 29th
Welcome Al Gore to Vancouver and Demand Action on Climate Change
Send a strong message to Premier Campbell that Gateway is the wrong way.
Rail and buses not highways.
Bring your signs and banners for a rally outside the Bayshore
Saturday, September 29th, 2007
5:00 - 7:30 pm
Cardero St. at Coal Harbour (East of the Westin Bayshore)
Presenting:
David Fields - Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC)
Adriane Carr - Deputy Leader, Green Party
Suzanne Anton - Councilor, City of Vancouver
David Cadman - Councilor, City of Vancouver
Heather Deal - Councilor, City of Vancouver
Joe Foy - Western Canada Wilderness Committee
Harold Steves - Father of BCís Agricultural Land
Michael Sather - MLA, Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows
Peter Julian - Federal NDP Transportation Critic
Entertainment by Raging Grannies, Ned Jacobs, Port Action Theatre Troup and Timothy Wizdom
Al Gore will be inside the Bayshore giving his Inconvenient Truth presentation. If you can't afford the $500 tickets, please join us for the rally outside, just to the east of the Bayshore. Premier Campbell will be introducing Mr. Gore.
The Gateway Program will increase traffic throughout the region thus increasing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by at least 176,000,000 kg per year!
More information on transportation solutions and problems with Gateway:
http://www.stopgateway.ca/
http://livableregion.ca/
http://www.againstportexpansion.org/
Skywalker
4 years ago
lynn, right again!
I got the same feeling while watching him. You said it infinitely better than I could have.
The brain
4 years ago
These corporate lobbiests gotta go!
Hi, Lynn! Good to hear from you and right you are.
If anyone has been paying attention to Harpers rise in politics, his battles in court with Canadian laws concerning party financing and his battles with trying to overturn gag orders, along with his healthy 5 year stint with the NCC (National Citizens Coalition, a group of U.S. born multinationals) then they've noticed the obvious. Stephen Harper isn't all that bright or polished, even. All he is is just another corporate lobbiest.
Thats it, folks! A corporate lobbiest. Like David Emerson, our "honorable" trade minister. And the ex hack general that once was our Defense minister Gordon Connors... as well as our current Defense minister Peter Mackay (just like his dad)... and Gordon Campbell and a good third if not more, of his MLA's including especially so, his cabinet.
And if anyone has noticed what corporate lobbiests do, they do the will and bidding of corporations!!!!!
The last thing corporate lobbiests do is represent the public!!!!! Its true!!!! Corporate lobbiests don't serve the public trust, they just serve their corporations for money. Greed. And that is their love. So could all of you readers please do this country and province a great big favour and finally vote for something other than corporate lobbiests before our environments turn into a total wasteland?
Please? If you love this nation, large and small, could you please vote for something other than money grubbing corporate lobbiests? Time to connect the dots, folks. Its getting hard to watch. 71 dead soldiers now and counting. A fast becoming wasteland... for our wonderful corporate lobbiests. Time for change in voting, don't you think?
Lorne Mccuaig
Revelstoke, BC
IAMC
4 years ago
I'm in love, almost
I don't know if I love our Prime Minister yet.
I will vote Conservative with the hope of a majority Conservative Govt.
What I expect is.
1. A guaranteed annual income, replacing EI, welfare, most of Revenue Canada, CPP, OAP, hundreds of thousands of civil service and Public Sector Unions, sent to work at Tim Horton's, where their skills can be properly utilized.
2. An act in Parliament, that Quebec has already used to trample English language rights in Quebec, that uses the Not Withstanding Clause, that would suspend all Supreme Court rulings regarding Indians right to tie us up in settling land claims and treaties. Appointing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, similar to that of South Africa used to end our apartheid, and settle this issue forever.
3. Privatisation of all infrastructure, like they do in Europe. Whereas private companies own the bridges and highways, and are held responsible for building them, maintaining them, and profiting, without the use of Public Sector Unions.
4. The dismantling of the CRTC, giving us freedom of choice.
5. Elimination of income tax and replacing it with a value added tax on purchases of 23%.
6. An act of Parliament that cancels our commitment to the Kyoto Protocol.
7. Dismantle the CBC.
8. Dismantle all marketing boards.
9. Introduce user fees for mefical treatment.
10. Introduce Proportional Representation.
11. Increase immigration big time.
12. Scrap multiculturalism, and encourage the melting pot.
13. Get out of the UN.
14. Use a voucher system, to encourage citizens to use the private school system, in order to offer choice, improve results, and curtail the influence of Teachers Unions.
15. Get out of the gambling business.
16. Get out of the liquor business.
17. Get rid of bicycle lanes.
18. Offer free bus passes.
19. Offer free secondary education to those that qualify by results.
20. Get rid of the Senate.
21. Lower taxes to business.
I could go on, but to Lynn, I say, you are complaining about Harper?
Harper is a liberal Canadian, who will only perpetuate you warm fuzzy Canadian sense of entitlement.
So I find your statement regarding our PM misguided.
After all, you could be stuck with a true Libertarian like me.
DPL
4 years ago
It's sort of embarrasing to
It's sort of embarrasing to read the fluff that steve comes up with. He so dealy wants to be another Lying Brian and croon along with te guy who runs the White House.
I read this evening on a CBC article that the new Canadian government has changed the rules on what garbage can and cannot be left in the north.Just dump it over the side boys and maybe no one will notice. Green Canada. Not with that guy clinging to power
G West
4 years ago
Harper is a liberal Canadian
Harper is a liberal Canadian
...now that's something to conjure with Ron - and, as a potential PM you're about the only thing that would make Harper look good.
You really need to get out more - all those doughnuts and bad coffee at Timmy's seem to be having some deleterious effect on the little grey cells my friend
lynn
4 years ago
Looking for love in all the wrong places
Warm fuzzy sense of entitlement?
That's the sacred ground (or should I say "prime real estate") of those "money grubbing corporate lobbyists" The brain is aptly referring to above, isn't it?
realisticman
4 years ago
For the sake of our little planet!
Let's send a message to these politicians that when the next election campaign gets underway, they must not use smelly polluting aeroplanes to fly around telling us how great they're going to be. They must use bicycles, or walk!
G West
4 years ago
puhleeze!
I saw Gordon Campbell in spandex on a bike last weekend... if he wears that costume in public very often he'll be as big a laughing stock as Stockboy day in a wet suit on a Sea-Doo.
Bring it on!
realisticman
4 years ago
Slumming, eh
The Botanical Garden or maybe Wreck for a show.
G West
4 years ago
R'man, I'm surprised
You're saying the gordo was 'slumming' when he put on the spandex and went for a ride with Lance the juicer?
I'm shocked and appalled.
JOE BONNEVIE
4 years ago
CANADIANS ARE DYING IN AFGHANISTAN FOR G.O.D.
CANADIANS ARE DYING IN AFGHANISTAN FOR GOD. IN OTHER WORDS GOVERNMENT, OIL AND DRUGS. CANADIANS SHOULD DO THEIR RESEARCH TO AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH MY STATEMENT. PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY IS WHAT WE ALL HAVE BECOME ACTIVE. FOR THE TRUTH, JUSTICE. REMEMBER THESE POLITICAL DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE, COSTS THE LIVES OF MANY BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN IN OUR ARMED FORCES. G= government, O= oil, D= drugs, God has nothing to do with what we are doing to each other in wars. When PM Harper, says God Bless Canada, I think Government, Oil and Drugs. PM HARPER ACTS LIKE PRESIDENT BUSH, GOD HELP US ALL. (JOE BONNEVIE MONCTON NB)