Harper scores victory over ''buy american program''

[PIK]

http://news.ca.msn.com/top-stories/cbc-article.aspx?cp-documentid=23395616 Edited February 15, 2010 by Charles Anthony
re-copied article deleted

[Shady]

I'm really glad to hear this. This type of protectionism was something I was very afraid would happen after Americans elected so many leftwing politicians over the last couple of years.

[PIK]

I'm really glad to hear this. This type of protectionism was something I was very afraid would happen after Americans elected so many leftwing politicians over the last couple of years.

But we all know the liberals would have done it faster. LOL

[wyly]

But we all know the liberals would have done it faster. LOL

nice spin...analysts on CBC said it meaningless most of the american stimulus programs have already been allocated...and with the american habit of continually breaking trade treaty that it wishes, it's worthless...

The agreement applies only to U.S. funding delivered under the current stimulus program, not future legislation that might include "Buy American"-type provisions.

The U.S. money is allocated for roads, public housing and other infrastructure projects, the drawback being that most of the money has already been spent.

luck for us we had the conservatives to close the barn door after the horses escaped...

Edited February 5, 2010 by wyly

[madmax]

Enjoy this victory.

Certainly the government wanted this outcome.

However, I know a shitty deal when I see one. Once again as you can read above we had to sell ourselves out again. This is part of the same downhill spiral decision making which creates an assinine waste of stimulus spending monies.

Great press and political points.

Too bad that the reality is that we will not benefit from this good news announcement.

Flush those Federal tax dollars down the short term toilet.

[eyeball]

On the subject of scoring other victories for Canada, Ottawa will receive $30 million bucks this year for shutting down BC salmon fishermen so US fishermen can catch the fish instead.

[DrGreenthumb]

On the subject of scoring other victories for Canada, Ottawa will receive $30 million bucks this year for shutting down BC salmon fishermen so US fishermen can catch the fish instead.

Pathetic. Anybody see the eyesore that is the American built Canadian Olympic Pavillion? Ten million of our tax payer dollars, and it looks like a bloody macchine shed.

[nicky10013]

Enjoy this victory.

Certainly the government wanted this outcome.

However, I know a shitty deal when I see one. Once again as you can read above we had to sell ourselves out again. This is part of the same downhill spiral decision making which creates an assinine waste of stimulus spending monies.

Great press and political points.

Too bad that the reality is that we will not benefit from this good news announcement.

Flush those Federal tax dollars down the short term toilet.

Bingo. The minute I saw this I immediately thought of the softwood lumber "victory" and wondered how far we bent over and took it this time.

[bush_cheney2004]

On the subject of scoring other victories for Canada, Ottawa will receive $30 million bucks this year for shutting down BC salmon fishermen so US fishermen can catch the fish instead.

The fish would rather be caught by Americans anyway....they manage fisheries better!

[bush_cheney2004]

Bingo. The minute I saw this I immediately thought of the softwood lumber "victory" and wondered how far we bent over and took it this time.

No worries...American money is the universal lubricant.

[ZenOps]

Means absolutely nothing, Harper has utterly failed.

Are they even allowed to have such an economic policy when government is not together? Unless I'm not mistaken - Harper is not our king, he does not have divine providence over such decisions.

All that matters is that the US media will be playing "Buy US" 24/7, which will completely override any national agreements just in sheer free market consumer dollars.

"Honda" Nope "Buy US".

Edited February 5, 2010 by ZenOps

[capricorn]

No worries...American money is the universal lubricant.

If this deal gives Canada the edge over other countries, I say bring on whatever lubricant is available. We'll put it to good use.

[Smallc]

No worries...American money is the universal lubricant.

Yes, because America is the only country that Canada has been persuing expansion of trade with .

[nicky10013]

Yes, because America is the only country that Canada has been persuing expansion of trade with .

Yup. Gotta love the EU. I'd much rather use the Euro as lubricant than the US dollar, that's for sure. Funny, OPEC and China seem to agre as well.

[blueblood]

Yup. Gotta love the EU. I'd much rather use the Euro as lubricant than the US dollar, that's for sure. Funny, OPEC and China seem to agre as well.

Gotta love your ignorance, when the market is shaky everyone parks their funds with the greenback, why don't they park their funds with the euro?

[Shady]

luck for us we had the conservatives to close the barn door after the horses escaped...

Unfortunately, trade disputes have a certain process to them and tend to take time. There isn't really a mechanism in place to expedite the process. Has nothing to do with the evil Conservatives.

[eyeball]

The fish would rather be caught by Americans anyway....they manage fisheries better!

I don't think the fish care but I think there is a lot to be said for the way your fisheries have been managed.

[bush_cheney2004]

I don't think the fish care but I think there is a lot to be said for the way your fisheries have been managed.

Canada cried foul when the Americans got busy with fisheries management and exclusion zones....closing their lucrative USA export market for already depleted stocks. And that is why the American "bastards" will always win this kind of pissing contest....from softwood lumber to hard-shell lobsters....access to the big fat US market.

Edited February 6, 2010 by bush_cheney2004

[Keepitsimple]

It was maddening to see today's Star trying to look for all the negatives in the deal....when all the provinces are excited about it - especially MsGuinty in Ontario. A perfect example of the relentless anti-Conservative reporting of The Star. It's OK to be biased....but The Star continually takes it to childish levels.

But Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty praised the accord.

"I really like the sound of this agreement. It's something that all the premiers have been onside with – we've been urging Prime Minister Harper to work through Washington to see if we can open the doors to procurement opportunities for Canadian businesses," McGuinty said Friday.

"Even if this does run out shortly with respect to the stimulus funding put forward by the Obama administration, what it does do is open the door permanently beyond that for other infrastructure (spending)," he said.

The McGuinty government has said there is $70 billion in annual procurement in 37 American states under World Trade Organization rules.

Link: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/761540--we-have-secured-access-to-u-s-market-pm-says

[eyeball]

Canada cried foul when the Americans got busy with fisheries management and exclusion zones....closing their lucrative USA export market for already depleted stocks. And that is why the American "bastards" will always win this kind of pissing contest....from softwood lumber to hard-shell lobsters....access to the big fat US market.

EEC's did commercial fishermen and the fish they caught on both sides of the fence a disservice. A lot of US fishermen lost access to fishing grounds when Canada got into the game of EEC's too. I still recall the days when we all fished together and everyone got along fine and helped each other out when required. There are even to this day a few trans-boundary fishing families on the coast. I think if we were still fishing together we'd have had a better results at joint stewardship of a shared common resource.

I simply meant that US fisheries are generally better managed. I think because they're managed at the state level as opposed the federal level in Canada.

I don't think any of us really win when our governments piss away at each other the way they do. It's pretty much all for show anyway.

[bush_cheney2004]

... I think if we were still fishing together we'd have had a better results at joint stewardship of a shared common resource.

Of course you do...it would be in your economic interest to think just that....magnified even more in the tinier Pacific zone.

I simply meant that US fisheries are generally better managed. I think because they're managed at the state level as opposed the federal level in Canada.

Correct....that is one of the reasons for better fisheries management than for Canada, including treaty rights for the resource.

I don't think any of us really win when our governments piss away at each other the way they do. It's pretty much all for show anyway.

No, showmanship aside, there is real benefit from reducing annual catches and PERMANENTLY reducing the economic reliance

on one sector. The romanticism of Cannery Row is best left to John Steinbeck, not floating freezer trawlers.

[William Ashley]

Consolation prize, hardly a victory. What good is potential funding after it has been spent.

Harper would have to be a moron to sign provisions to allow the US to have access to programs that the US wouldn't allow Canada to. It is a spit in the face, much like softwood lumber.

SHAME ON THE USA for betraying Canada. SHAME ON THEM, putting themselves before Canada, when we have had our people die for their senseless wars. SHAME ON THEM!!

SELFISH BASTARDS!!

[eyeball]

Are you implying this victory of Harper's actually stings a little BC? You've got to be kidding.

Edited February 6, 2010 by eyeball

[bush_cheney2004]

Are you implying this victory of Harper's actually stings a little BC? You've got to be kidding.

Error....this does not compute. PM Harper is being pragmatic.....don't piss off the Evil Giant who buys lots of fish.

[bush_cheney2004]

Consolation prize, hardly a victory. What good is potential funding after it has been spent.

It's a victory for somebody....maybe Obama? Don't Canadians just love Obama? LOL!

Harper would have to be a moron to sign provisions to allow the US to have access to programs that the US wouldn't allow Canada to. It is a spit in the face, much like softwood lumber.

A rube and his softwood lumber are soon parted.

SHAME ON THE USA for betraying Canada. SHAME ON THEM, putting themselves before Canada, when we have had our people die for their senseless wars. SHAME ON THEM!!

The shamed American bastards will cry all the way to their bailed out banks.

SELFISH BASTARDS!!

...you hate them....just like Carolyn, right?