williat

Hello Everyone, I am currently finishing up my university degree and I've been asked to submit a final paper on the seal hunt, as I am a Canadian completing a degree in Europe. Now first let me say that I don't want this to turn into a bunch of people attacking each other, I want opinions and if you don't have a decent one don't add it. Now, the EU plans to put in place a ban on seal products starting in August 2010. I've been heavily researching the topic, however, few academic articles have been written on the topic, primarily I have been forced to rely on news articles which all appear to be outlining the main points of the issue but fail to take a stand on the subject. I don't claim to be an expert on Canadian politics, nor any form of lawyer, therefore please do not assume I have looked into something that seems obvious to you. I have spoken with a number of European students to see how they feel on the subject, most were unaware of the seal hunt even existing, and seemed to show little care other then the typical "Oh but they are cute animals". Basically I have received information from Europeans, however I would like the Canadian perspective as well. Do you agree with the ban? Now before answering please consider other issues, population growth or loss, fish stocks, EU trade obligations. Is it legal? Please consider the precedent case that was brought to the WTO concering a prohibition placed on some shrimp that was harvested without "turtle excluder devices", also consider that this case involved the US providing aid to some nations. http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/envir_e/edis08_e.htm Finally, what should the Canadian government do? (i.e. ban EU wine perhaps, which Nunavut has already tried) Thanks, Williat

Is this not just overcomplicating the issue?

This statement you have made about recessions and depressions is by no means right, I do agree some of the general points you are making, however, it appears you have forgotten a great deal before making such a sweeping statement. I think we can agree that it may be PART (large or small is open to debate) of the issue, although not the issue entirely. It is true that more money has been loaned out then we currently have to repay it, however this is a clever calculation, what really causes economic recessions and depressions is the management of said loans/government policies, what we also see as a main underlying issue is speculation not investment. Recessions and depressions are the markets way of correcting our poor decisions. It is obvious that the money supply is growing, IT MUST if not the Cdn dollar would be in short supply, therefore ramping up the price of our currency, decreasing the amount of exports thus making Canada less attractive for investment, I say keeping printing money within reason.

These types of discussions always really make these types of forums interesting, what you essentially get is people on the left, the right and very few in the middle. Let me first clear up by saying YES I have smoked pot, and YES I will probably continue to do so. I think however though that this argument really has to be taken from each perspective. Marc Emery essentially dared the DEA and US government to come after him, making it very clear he planned to "Overgrow" them. I'm not 100% sure why everyone is saying that an injustice has occured, Mr. Emery knew what he was doing, yes I conceid he did not break any Canadian laws, but how is the Government of Canada suppose to stand up for you when you clearly state that you plan to break the laws of another sovereign nation. Mr. Emery basically sought to hide behind Canadian law and he's now going to be bitten in the a** over it. Although some of us support his efforts, some in Canada do not, so we shouldn't group the entire population of Canada under one viewpoint. I've actually had the opportunity to meet Mr. Emery, very nice man I do support his cause, I think the war on drugs has completely failed. I also truely believe that marijuana should just be legalized, I've lived in Amsterdam for an extended period of time, I've seen how legalization really has had absolutely no effect on the Dutch negatively, in fact they receive tax dollars from the sale. Look lets get serious for a minute, a good many of on this forum have smoked pot or currently smoke pot, throughout the world cigarretts are sold and we know for a fact they do nothing but kill you, at least with marijuana you get high. But again to reiterate Mr. Emery took on the US not Canada, do I agree with extraditing him? NO, he should be forced to face some form of charge in Canada, serve 1/3 of his sentence and learn that although freedom of speech is something we believe in, it doesn't always work out in your favor.

To begin with the original discussion, I personally agree with many that senior care will be at the forefront within the next few years of the political debate in Canada, through simple mathematics it is clear that our population will be getting much older, as someone has already posted reaching roughly 21%. I can foresee this becoming the focal point of many political campaigns, although we do need to improve senior care it cannot come at the expense of overall healthcare, we need to renovate our healthcare system, and more doctors never hurt anyone. To address the assisted suicide debate, I have lived in the Netherlands for some time now (returning to Canada soon!!), and I have been fairly interested in learning about both sides of the coin, here in the Netherlands it isn't so much a decision between life or death, it relates to an individuals right to choose. They aren't proclaiming that if you wish to kill yourself come to the hospital and we'll do it for you, clearly certain pre-requisites apply however it is your god given right to choose, no one should be able to say "No you can't end your life of pain and suffering because I say so". Although that's just my two cents on the matter, take it as you will.