WestCoastRunner Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 An interesting article posted in the Financial Post: "Why Canada Might Have the Goods to Become a Superpower" It's a good read and I'll highlight some of the comments: - Canada has three huge, fundamental strengths that will almost certainly be telling in the long run. These are natural resources, good government and an almost unbelievably tolerant and open culture. - Its percentage of arable land, at 4.6 per cent, is relatively small, but this probably will increase as climate change proceeds and the glaciers retreat. Basically, there is room for a lot more people in Canada. Its percentage of arable land, at 4.6 per cent, is relatively small, but this probably will increase as climate change proceeds and the glaciers retreat. Basically, there is room for a lot more people in Canada. - Canada’s strong institutions have allowed it to implement less controversial economic policies, such as a low corporate tax rate (15 per cent, compared with the U.S.’s 35 per cent). Basically, Canada can usually get things done a lot better than the U.S. - The country’s Federal Skilled Worker Program assigns prospective immigrants “points” based on language skills, education, work experience, age, existing job offers and a catch-all category called “adaptability.” This is a program for permanent immigration, unlike the U.S.’s H-1B program for temporary guest workers. - The country’s Federal Skilled Worker Program assigns prospective immigrants “points” based on language skills, education, work experience, age, existing job offers and a catch-all category called “adaptability.” This is a program for permanent immigration, unlike the U.S.’s H-1B program for temporary guest workers. His closing remarks: "So keep an eye on the big country to the north — it could be headed for very important, very good things. And in the meantime, the U.S. should think about reforming its creaky institutions to keep up." I would say all worthy comments for Canadians to be proud of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GostHacked Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 NOPE China. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bush_cheney2004 Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 ... Basically, Canada can usually get things done a lot better than the U.S. Sure...using lots of foreign capital ! How are those pipeline projects going ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestCoastRunner Posted June 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 NOPE China. Maybe so, we'll see..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GostHacked Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Maybe so, we'll see..... It already happened. Decades of outsourcing facilitated this endeavor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestCoastRunner Posted June 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 It already happened. Decades of outsourcing facilitated this endeavor. This OP was focused on the future, not today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimG Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 This OP was focused on the future, not today.The premise of the title is absurd. Canada simply does not have the population to be anything more than a middle power. That does not mean Canada's potential as a middle power is not good. It just can't be bigger than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmy Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 What does "superpower" even mean anymore? Is overwhelming military power still a key component? -k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bush_cheney2004 Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 No...economics is the basis for any such power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
On Guard for Thee Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 The premise of the title is absurd. Canada simply does not have the population to be anything more than a middle power. That does not mean Canada's potential as a middle power is not good. It just can't be bigger than that. Oh yeah..wait until LA and NYC folks open a water tap ad nothing comes out. Lets talk... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overthere Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 What does "superpower" even mean anymore? Is overwhelming military power still a key component? -k Yes, of course military power and the willingness to exercise it are major component of being a superpower. Always. Directly, by proxy or both. Basically, Canada can usually get things done a lot better than the U.S. That is a false and delusional statement. In large part, we have lost the will and ability to build infrastructure projects that are clearly of benefit to our country, with recetn examples pipelines or LNG plants. In time, these projects would help pay for the social contract we are so distressingly smug about. But only if they get built. It is quite pathetic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimG Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Oh yeah..wait until LA and NYC folks open a water tap ad nothing comes out. Lets talk...Both of these cities are on oceans filled with water that can be used if it is processed with desalination plants. The only reason to not use desalination is when it is cheaper to get fresh water which is the case today. This limits the future value of fresh water resources. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
On Guard for Thee Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Both of these cities are on oceans filled with water that can be used if it is processed with desalination plants. The only reason to not use desalination is when it is cheaper to get fresh water which is the case today. This limits the future value of fresh water resources. Huge costs as well as environmental impacts. Maybe they should curtail watering lawns and golf courses, or, start peeling off those greenbacks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimG Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Huge costs as well as environmental impacts.People without water don't care about environmental impacts. Costs are high but low enough to ensure the various 'water is the new oil' fantasies remain fantasies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
On Guard for Thee Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 People without water don't care about environmental impacts. Costs are high but low enough to ensure the various 'water is the new oil' fantasies remain fantasies. They may not care (doubt that) but they still have to pay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
On Guard for Thee Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Global warming is working in our favor as it moves the growing season further north. The boreal land is quite productive once you add a bit more warmth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonam Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Canada's population is too low to be a "superpower". Even if Canada packed twice the economic and military muscle per capita of any other country, that still wouldn't put it in the top 5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek 2.0 Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 No...economics is the basis for any such power. Economics and a strong military go hand in hand..........The British Empire didn't rule the waves by subbing out the French/Spanish/Dutch navies..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek 2.0 Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 This OP was focused on the future, not today. Right, but the focus of the OP is doing a great disservice by forgetting the past........the closet Canada ever came was a brief period after the Second World War (~1947-1961)........barring a major shift on how Canadians viewed the World, I highly doubt it.....at best, we're the Costco for World Superpowers, past, present and into the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shady Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 We'd need a much larger population. But we could certainly be comparible to a country like Germany. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddy Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 (edited) I think if this article was about Australia, Maybe then we could say they might be right. As China takes over, Australia will rise, and we will fall as long as the United States keep falling. Edited June 18, 2015 by Freddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiderfish Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Global warming is working in our favor as it moves the growing season further north. The boreal land is quite productive once you add a bit more warmth. The loggers in Alberta fighting the mountain pine beetle may disagree with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddy Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Global warming is working in our favor as it moves the growing season further north. The boreal land is quite productive once you add a bit more warmth. no wonder Harper has been muzzling all those climate scientists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddy Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 (edited) In the end , it all comes down to production. canada produces hardly anything. We import all production. We can't even be bothered with producing our own population. We import that too. I don't know if we can even say we are functional as a society. Canada is a DNA grave yard. Our current population DNA will be practically extinct in 100 years from today. I can't agree that we are a super-anything other then a super downwards spiral into extinction. I don't see that as a sign of a healthy society. Maybe we were a super power when everyone was having a average of 7 kids. Importing 7 kids to compensate is fooling everyone but me. Edited June 18, 2015 by Freddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWTT Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 NOPE China. Yep. Also a crappy thread based on propaganda newspaper article. WWWTT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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