Is Canada the next Superpower

[WestCoastRunner]

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.

[GostHacked]

NOPE

China.

[bush_cheney2004]

... 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 ?

[WestCoastRunner]

NOPE

China.

Maybe so, we'll see.....

[GostHacked]

Maybe so, we'll see.....

It already happened. Decades of outsourcing facilitated this endeavor.

[WestCoastRunner]

It already happened. Decades of outsourcing facilitated this endeavor.

This OP was focused on the future, not today.

[TimG]

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.

[kimmy]

What does "superpower" even mean anymore? Is overwhelming military power still a key component?

-k

[bush_cheney2004]

No...economics is the basis for any such power.

[On Guard for Thee]

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...

[overthere]

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.

[TimG]

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.

[On Guard for Thee]

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.

[TimG]

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.

[On Guard for Thee]

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.

[On Guard for Thee]

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.

[Bonam]

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.

[Derek 2.0]

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.....

[Derek 2.0]

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.

[Shady]

We'd need a much larger population. But we could certainly be comparible to a country like Germany.

[Freddy]

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

[Spiderfish]

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.

[Freddy]

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.

[Freddy]

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

[WWWTT]

NOPE

China.

Yep.

Also a crappy thread based on propaganda newspaper article.

WWWTT