Canadance - Gas Trade With Us

[Craig Read]

What many libs and tearful socialists don't quite get, is that economics does not trump politics [as Marxian theory stipulates]. In fact it is the opposite. The Aussies are now being given preferential treatment in Natural Gas contracts with the US. The reason is obvious. I wonder if King Paul II of Canadance will rectify our massive political and foreign policy problems that will affect our trade and economic relationship with the US. Then again we can always 'diversify' our trade with France.

DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

MELBOURNE -- Australia could become a key supplier of liquefied natural gas to a booming U.S. market, as demand for the clean energy source increases over the next two decades, U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said Friday.

The secretary, who was in Australia for energy talks with government and mining company executives, said natural-gas resources in North America wouldn't be enough to meet demand for the next 20 years.

At stake for energy majors -- including Australia's Woodside Petroleum Ltd. and major international companies BHP Billiton Ltd., Royal Dutch/Shell and ChevronTexacoCorp. -- is the chance to snare 30-year supply contracts, potentially valued at as much as A$50 billion (US$38.2 billion).

"Australia is a very prime partner in this future effort to address our natural gas needs," Mr. Abraham said. "Australia could be a major source of gas for the United States."

According to U.S. Department of Energy figures, natural-gas consumption in the U.S. is projected to rise to 31.4 trillion cubic feet by 2025 from 22.5 trillion cubic feet in 2002. With demand expected to outstrip domestic gas production, imports are forecast to surge to 7.2 trillion cubic feet by 2025 from 3.5 trillion cubic feet in 2002. Most U.S. liquefied natural-gas imports are supplied by Trinidad and Tobago and Algeria.

Mr. Abraham said the U.S. West Coast may become a prime market for Australia, but he didn't indicate any timetable.

Currently according to http://www.gov.nf.ca/Budget2000/economy/im...by%20Canada.JPG

Canada exports about 3 Trillion cubic feet to the US. A level that has not changed much in 10 years. [note the US consumption estimates of 31 Trillion CF would include the 3 Trillion of Cdn production as domestic not imported, ie. Canada's share and % of the US market will fall].

Canada could easily with some better economic and political policies make a killing from an expanding US demand for NG.

But don't count on reforms from King Paul II. Too many votes would be lost.

[Pellaken]

after years of selling gas to the new england states, Nova Scotia is finally allowed to use its own natural gas.

yeay for nafta

[Cameron]

after years of selling gas to the new england states, Nova Scotia is finally allowed to use its own natural gas.

yeay for nafta

Where did you get that assumption?

One reason we are getting the gas now is the company that was origianly going to distribute it backed out of the contract it signed with the province, they decided that it wasn't that profitable and they wanted to make changes that were unsafe.

Heritage Gas has the contract now and distribution is starting.

[Craig Read]

Yes NAFTA is a failure. Canadance's economy has only doubled since 1988 and CUFTA.

Good argument lefties.

As for politics and economics Canadance should quickly re read some history. Trade and Alliance patterns are important and allies reward each other with preferences. Politics is not inferior to economics, in fact just the opposite is true.

In Bush's speech Canadance was not mentioned. I doubt that anyone in Wash. has time for a bunch of moaners and whiners from Canadance, mouthing their rhetoric and UNO support.

The reconstruction of military, alliance and foreign policy initiatives that adhere to worthwhile and moral patterns is mandatory for Canadance.

Unless of course you believe that France is great.

[Cameron]

But don't count on reforms from King Paul II.  Too many votes would be lost.

I don't mean to sound naive, but I would rather make decision on policies that would make Canada a wealthier country and worry about the votes later. Wouldn't putting money back into this country hypothetically increase you popularity and get you a second mandate? Or is the majority of this country dumb?

I still won 15 or 20 seats more than Mr. Trudeau did at the height of his popularity. So I've had my share of popularity. The unpopularity comes when you have to do important things. And I guess you have to decide whether you'll be popular, or whether you want to make to affect important structural change.

-Brian Mulroney

That is what I believe in...you gotta make decision that make a difference, if that makes you unpopular, oh well.

[udawg]

Sure, but does Mr. Martin see it that way? Career politician... votes mean more to him than actually accomplishing things. Even better if the two coincide.

Unless he wants to diverge from Chretien's policy... in which case he'll do things for the good of Canada, not for votes.

[Craig Read]

King Paul II follows polls. His handlers and spin experts will never let him implement any far reaching reforms - why should they ? They are pigs at the trough and have nothing to gain through reforms except the spectre of losing votes. Without checks and balances Canada's federal system is easily hijacked and deranged. The party in power will never institute far reaching reforms in such a country.

Canadance needs much economic reform and lower taxes to compete and to refocus social services from universality to competitive need. Consumer oriented reforms are the only means to achieve this. As well alliance structures, trade patterns and an adult foreign policy not to mention immigration and border reforms are necessary.

[Stein]

I don't have much respect for anyone who would put wealth ahead of this country. Why anyone would go on their knees to prostitute themselves to the atheistic socialsts south of the border is disgusting.