hundreds demonstate against Canadian goldmine

[waldo]

...then Bush had a date with Paul Martin....PMPM begged pretty please for Canada to get some contracts in Iraq!

interesting... my take/recall has Canada, as the first country outside the, cough, cough, "coalition of the willing", providing significant post-war reconstruction financial aid to the Eye-rack... that aid described as the move that allowed Canadian companies the right to bid on contracts. Did PM Martin dangle our resources/water during your stated, "begging"?

[eyeball]

"Among the worst offenders abroad," and the silence I expected is deafening.

Silence? That's just your finger tips you're hearing. I mean, you can't even hear the support that you've managed to garner for your silly premise.

[bush_cheney2004]

...."Among the worst offenders abroad," and the silence I expected is deafening.

Some Canadian groups have tried to raise awareness and action for the global Canadian offenders, but to little or no avail. Ripping natural resources from the planet is what many Canadians self identify with as a "resource rich" nation, so it is little surprise that the same attitude is taken abroad by the mining companies like Ivanhoe. It's not like the "natives" inside Canada fair any better when it comes to mining.

These guys would dig up their own mothers for minerals!

Edited January 29, 2012 by bush_cheney2004

[bush_cheney2004]

...Did PM Martin dangle our resources/water during your stated, "begging"?

Yes...once all that nasty "invading" was over. Bush had mercy for France, Germany, and Canada to bid on Iraq re-construction contracts. Never let Canadian "principles" stand in the way of making money.

[waldo]

Silence? That's just your finger tips you're hearing. I mean, you can't even hear the support that you've managed to garner for your silly premise.

that silly premise, as best as I can determine after having my crack research/analysis team review AW's scrambling, rambling and disjointed posts:

either

- if you object to foreign protests within foreign lands, against Canadian corporate interests in those foreign lands, you consequently HAVE NO standing to protest, or accept protests, within Canada against Canadian corporate interests in Canada

or

- if you accept foreign protests within foreign lands, against Canadian corporate interests in those foreign lands, you consequently HAVE standing to protest, or accept protests, within Canada against Canadian corporate interests in Canada

and somewhere in all that there's, apparently, an angle to rationalize blowback against American foreign policy

[Guest American Woman]

Some Canadian groups have tried to raise awareness and action for the global Canadian offenders, but to little or no avail. Ripping natural resources from the planet is what many Canadians self identify with as a "resource rich" nation, so it is little surprise that the same attitude is taken abroad by the mining companies like Ivanhoe. It's not like the "natives" inside Canada fair any better when it comes to mining.

Oh, I agree. But that doesn't change the facts - especially in regards to how those affected abroad are concerned. And of course there are those here who recognize it for what it is, but then they aren't generally part of the "blame the U.S." crowd - I wondered if there is a double standard regarding actions abroad, and for some there definitely is.

I am curious, though, about people's thoughts regarding how much of a factor those protesting foreign companies/countries' actions and/or possible "blowback" should affect our nation's decisions. Should we only care about those protesting our actions when there is fear of a violent blowback? Or when we disagree with the action? Is it ok as long as it's the country's private sector, and not the government directly? I thought it could make for an interesting discussion, and I find the few responses that were relevant interesting, but for the most part the responses/lack of responses aren't heading that way ..... and I can't say that I'm surprised.

[bush_cheney2004]

and somewhere in all that there's, apparently, an angle to rationalize blowback against American foreign policy

Yes, the Canadian mining cabal would behave so much better if the Americans would only change their foreign policy. "Damn Americans...I hate those bastards" for making Canadians do such things.

[Guest American Woman]

and somewhere in all that there's, apparently, an angle to rationalize blowback against American foreign policy

Only in the minds of the ignorant - which explains your response(s).

[waldo]

...and I can't say that I'm surprised.

what? Surprised that there isn't wholesale appeasement to you extending upon your ultra-sensitivities to the, as you say, "blame the US crowd"? Are you experiencing a degree of blowback to your silly premise?

[bush_cheney2004]

..... but then they aren't generally part of the "blame the U.S." crowd - I wondered if there is a double standard regarding actions abroad, and for some there definitely is.

I think there is....and it's not just for mining. Recall that one member here repeatedly highlighted East Timor and Indonesia, but that also failed to click with many members. As long as the United States is seen as the bigger "offender", it is easy to rationalize such things away. It is part of the Canadian consciousness / identity to do that.

I am curious, though, about people's thoughts regarding how much of a factor those protesting foreign companies/countries' actions and/or possible "blowback" should affect our nation's decisions. Should we only care about those protesting our actions when there is fear of a violent blowback?...

This is where the Americans and Canadians part company....as the "perception" of not being loved by the world has the potential for a greater impact in Canada IMHO. Look at what happens each year during sealing season!

[eyeball]

...despite your repeated attempts to deflect Canadian accountability...

Except I'm with you BC and agree that we have it coming too for the same reason you do.

Still waiting for that Haitian car bomb in Ottawa.

Now that's a deflection.

It'll probably come from across the border at Ogdensburg or something.

[bush_cheney2004]

...Now that's a deflection.

It'll probably come from across the border at Ogdensburg or something.

No, that was sarcasm.

[eyeball]

I am curious, though, about people's thoughts regarding how much of a factor those protesting foreign companies/countries' actions and/or possible "blowback" should affect our nation's decisions. Should we only care about those protesting our actions when there is fear of a violent blowback?

We should be investigating any and every company for it's potential to provoke violent blowback before we even set them loose on the planet. They may be people but they're not human. I think of them as being more like a substance but then look at who's been beating the drum the loudest for asbestos exports all these years.

You worry too much AW, our big corporations and big governments are scumbags too and no better or worse than your's.

[bush_cheney2004]

...You worry too much AW, our big corporations and big governments are scumbags too and no better or worse than your's.

OK...if that's the case, why don't we see more focus on that reality instead of whatever the Americans are doing or plan to do? Why does Ottawa need to play this game with naive Canadian voters?

[cybercoma]

As you said, the Canadian government is implicated in the Canadian mining corporations abroad. There was even an action to "Stop the Canadian Government from Supporting the Rosia Montana Gold Mine." If any here truly believe the protesters don't see this as involving the Canadian government in any way, if they don't believe the government has played any part in it, they are either willfully blind, naive, or ignorant. Not to mention hypocritical.

So now you're talking about other mining ventures that have been protested. Was the OP not about the Romanian one?

I think the most egregious example of our government "turning a blind eye" to the destruction being wrought by "Canadian" mining corporations is in South America.

[cybercoma]

that silly premise, as best as I can determine after having my crack research/analysis team review AW's scrambling, rambling and disjointed posts:

either

- if you object to foreign protests within foreign lands, against Canadian corporate interests in those foreign lands, you consequently HAVE NO standing to protest, or accept protests, within Canada against Canadian corporate interests in Canada

or

- if you accept foreign protests within foreign lands, against Canadian corporate interests in those foreign lands, you consequently HAVE standing to protest, or accept protests, within Canada against Canadian corporate interests in Canada

and somewhere in all that there's, apparently, an angle to rationalize blowback against American foreign policy

I wonder what her take is on foreign protests in Canada against Canadian foreign mining?

http://www.mediacoop.ca/story/conference-targets-canadian-mining-firms-operating-abroad/7559

[Topaz]

I always like to know whom I'm talking about and so the following was found. The company is based on Toronto, founded in 1995 by a Romanian-Australian entrepreneur Frank Timis. In the early 1990's, he had two conviction in Australia for possession of her ion with the intent to supply. I guess is says a lot about this character. I wonder how he was allowed into Canada? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Resources

[bush_cheney2004]

In the early 1990's, he had two conviction in Australia for possession of her ion with the intent to supply. I guess is says a lot about this character. I wonder how he was allowed into Canada?

I think it is a well known fact that Canada loves heroin users and dealers, especially in Vancouver!

[jacee]

Absolutely it is, but it's even worse when we export such behaviour. If this were a what if I were PM thread I'd pass laws that hold our mining companies in other countries to the same standards we hold them to in Canada, after I'd ramped up our's of course.

Here's a good summary article of some of the issues, from 2009 but still relevant.

http://www.thestar.com/iphone/news/canada/article/729147

Canadian mining companies are facing allegations of abuse and assault on local citizens in dozens of developing nations.

[bush_cheney2004]

I love this part....

The word "Canada" is so reviled in some places that travelling Canadians mask their citizenship by wearing American flags on their caps and backpacks.

I guess the neurosis works both ways!

[Shady]

Absolutely it is, but it's even worse when we export such behaviour. If this were a what if I were PM thread I'd pass laws that hold our mining companies in other countries to the same standards we hold them to in Canada

Looks like they are. Credit to Jacee for the link.

This is the most recent part of Jacee's link, but for some reason didn't think it was relevant to post. Gee, I wonder why.

Canada's Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act Shows Its Teeth

On June 24, 2011, Niko Resources Ltd., a Calgary-based oil and gas exploration and production company, entered a guilty plea under Canada's Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act ("CFPOA") with respect to charges of bribing a public official in Bangladesh. Niko, which operates in a number of countries around the world, had been notified by Canadian authorities in January 2009 that it was being investigated over allegations

The Niko prosecution is a signal that Canada is serious about ramping up enforcement of the CFPOA

Jacee's link

[Guest American Woman]

Here's a good summary article of some of the issues, from 2009 but still relevant.

http://www.thestar.com/iphone/news/canada/article/729147

Canadian mining companies are facing allegations of abuse and assault on local citizens in dozens of developing nations.

From your source:

The word "Canada" is so reviled in some places that travelling Canadians mask their citizenship by wearing American flags on their caps and backpacks.

Ironic, eh?

Here's an article from 2011: Conference targets Canadian mining firms operating abroad

Indigenous representatives from Latin America were in Vancouver the week of May 16 speaking out on Canadian mining companies and the negative impacts operations are having on local communities.

Human rights violations, environmental degradation, bribery, intimidation and disregard for local villages and indigenous populations are alleged to have occurred at the hands of publicly shared operations with home bases in Vancouver.

[Guest American Woman]

I love this part....

The word "Canada" is so reviled in some places that travelling Canadians mask their citizenship by wearing American flags on their caps and backpacks.

I guess the neurosis works both ways!

You beat me to it! I just made note of that. It's as I said earlier, I've recently read that Canada/Canadians may be becoming the "new" U.S./Americans in that they are the ones now hated in parts of the world. That pretty much confirms it.

Edited January 30, 2012 by American Woman

[bush_cheney2004]

You beat me to it! I just made note of that. It's as I said earlier, I've recently read that Canada/Canadians may be becoming the "new" U.S./Americans in that they are the ones now hated in parts of the world. That pretty much confirms it.

Well, I don't know if the Star claim is true or not, but obviously the writer knew which chain to jerk in the collective Canadian psyche. The whole backpack flag thing is mostly a myth anyway.

[waldo]

You beat me to it! I just made note of that. It's as I said earlier, I've recently read that Canada/Canadians may be becoming the "new" U.S./Americans in that they are the ones now hated in parts of the world. That pretty much confirms it.

a three-peat in you and your compatriot touting back-pack flags! Are your extreme sensitivities pacified... somewhat?