French minister slams Canada's Kyoto retreat

[gerryhatrick]

....when France speaks, just ignore them.

Not a smart way to treat an ally.

Indeed gerry. As two often opposed individuals, could we see the benefit of negotiations with France?

If our greenhouse gases are really that big deal, we make an arrangement that for every dollar we spend on emission reduction, they spend on supporting the real mission in Southern Afghanistan?

I believe that to be a fair compromise, and a move towards a better sense of international co-operation.

What you propose is connecting two unrelated issues in a bargaining manner as part of our international relations. Put up more troops to Afghanistan, or we won't work on GHG reduction. That's a depressing stance.

[geoffrey]

What you propose is connecting two unrelated issues in a bargaining manner as part of our international relations. Put up more troops to Afghanistan, or we won't work on GHG reduction. That's a depressing stance.

Why? The outcomes help the policy goals of both our governments. Mutual co-operation on different fronts and both countries would live up to their treaty obligations (to whatever extent possible, it's hard to cut GHG emissions to 1990 levels with the negligence of the Liberals).

[gerryhatrick]

What you propose is connecting two unrelated issues in a bargaining manner as part of our international relations. Put up more troops to Afghanistan, or we won't work on GHG reduction. That's a depressing stance.

Why? The outcomes help the policy goals of both our governments.

Quite simply because the Global Warming issue deserves better treatment than that.

You're not a dummy Geoffrey, I know you know what the reality of Global Warming is.

[geoffrey]

My honest belief is that it's an issue, it's a nice thing to deal with, but it's not a priority in my opinion. I've already expressed my strong support of environmental inititives in other areas like carcinogen reduction and protection of soils and waters, so it's not like I'm a corporate anything for big-business type. I just don't agree with the apocolyptic warnings.

Climate can only be measured over thousands of years, to notice trend in the last two hundred is unimaginable. I understand that CO2 is a greenhouse gas and more of it makes the Earth warmer... or colder... but the effect I think is alot less than suggested by the chicken littles.

I think alot of the science community is caught up in the excitment over pressuring governments on this hot button issue right now and alot of the predictions are over exaggerated.

I doubt if anyone will die of GHG emissions in the near future. I can tell you that thousands if not millions die yearly of cancer from carcinogen exposure or from heart disease related to trans-fats in our food.

If we have the funds to deal with both, that'd be nice. But I don't think GHG should be the big issue that it is when there is many more issues we need to address first.

[Canadian Blue]

Upon looking at the members previous posts.

Don't you dare talk about "lefties" because you've obviously never met one! All you know about "lefties" is what you've read in the National Post and heard on Global TV.

That's right. Lefties just love free speach. Righties on the other hand don't. They love dictatorship methods like muzzling people, lying, and stealing elections. And, oh ya, funnelling our tax dollars to their conservative friends and "selling" (read donating) public assets to their friends as well.

No, I have very little tolerance for lazy, greedy losers who spend their days on the internet ranting about "everyone else spending their tax dollars". If you prefer living in a dump with sewage running down the streets and illiterate armed hooligans running around to paying taxes, move to Uganda or Ethiopia and SHUT UP!

Ok, another dumbass. Numerous studies have shown that children who go to daycare do better in school and in social interactions later in life. Keeping your kids locked up at home is not to their benefit! You probably think it is but that's because you are brainwashed and it never occured to you to do you homework and read up on it. Your claims are just as stupid as saying that children are better off being home-schooled.

QUOTE(SamStranger @ Mar 8 2006, 02:48 PM)

I personally would rather see a check in the mail then have my kids in day care. I, like many Canadians, do not send my children to a day care centre. I think its complete arrogance to shove a child care program down my throat that does not benifit me.

Direct cash on the other hand benifits EVERY SINGLE CANADIAN FAMILY with Kids under the age of 6. Not just select few.

What do you guys think?

You lazy leech (or is that your stay-at-home wife) already get plenty of government assistance. It's called the National Child Benefit and pays as much as $6,000 per child per year. A daycare program is assistance for people who want to work and pay taxes. The Conservative $1200 is WELFARE for lazy parents who don't want to work and want to live off other WORKING people's taxes!

You conservative hypocrites go nuts when someone says that every Canadian should have food to put on the table even when one is unemployed, but when it comes to welfare for perfectly healthy capable adults who use their children as an excuse for not working it's a wonderful idea, eh? You make me want to puke!

I can't believe how nearsighted, greedy and plain stupid you neo-cons are.

So have some respect for the children and for others in general you greedy selfish con!

Ok are you just dumb or simply brainwashed?

In the short time I have read your posts, you have come off as irrational, incoherent, rambling, intolerant, bigoted, and childish. So you aren't really helping your cause. Perhaps you should look to jdobbin who is on the left and provides an actual argument.

By the way try using some euphemism's to describe people for a change. If you possibly grow out of this childish jibberish and name calling. I think if I acted the way you have on here I would have been sent to the principals office in grade 2.

[Cameron]

I wonder if any of those burning cars are hurting France's Kyoto agreements.

Sick humor.

Twas supposed to be...

Vote Socialist.

[Mimas]

By the way try using some euphemism's to describe people for a change. If you possibly grow out of this childish jibberish and name calling. I think if I acted the way you have on here I would have been sent to the principals office in grade 2.

Ya, all this I've learnt from neocons. Being rude is the only way to talk to neocons because they don't understand anything else. That and being a hypocrite. First we hate Kyoto, then the Libs have failed Kyoto. We hate the "democratic deficit", but Harper is great for not letting MPs talk. We hate welfare for single moms but if they happen to be our lazy wives then they deserve tens of thousands for sitting on the couch watching TV while the kids are at school. France sucks for not providing enough support in Afghanistan, but it's perfectly fine that our US friends did absolutely nothing in Afghanistan for 5 years. And it keeps going and going........ There isn't a single thing neocons say where they don't contradict themselves or the facts - total hypocrites.

[geoffrey]

How am I a neocon?

I'm hardly a conservative, I only side with the party because of their former taxation stances and political reform... I don't support Iraq and never did (I was finishing high school at the time of the invasion and wrote an essay condemning GWB for his actions). I'm not a cut taxes and spend on military type. I guess I supported their former Western Canadian outlook.

Yet you do nothing but attack.

So it's not about attacking those evil neocons. It's about not having anything to say constructively so resorting to name calling.

--

Oh and a factual tip. The US does more in Afghanistan than anyone else.

[Mimas]

Or maybe Ontario has failed it's industry with poor economic policy? Your productivity (and likely Alberta's too) is just awful compared to the leading economies.

>> That's bull, dude. You are making things up as you go. Look at the numbers and you'll realize that we are pretty darn productive. <<

You don't even need our oil, you can buy it off an Norweign tanker for around the same price.

>> You are right, we don't need you or your oil. Goodbye!!! <<

But you expect us to cut you a deal. Well how about this. You cut all Albertans a deal on their next car, ok?

>> You've got to be kidding! We expect what? We don't need you and we don't need you to cut us a deal. We just want you to shut up and stop whining. Seriously, Quebec is starting to look good compared to you.<<

We don't mind paying 4x per capita what your Toronto people pay. Don't ask for more though ok.

>> Ha! We should thank you for spending a few bucks on your neighbours? As far as I can remember we were bastards for spending billions of our money on your cattle industry when your American friends f**ked it because we didn't pay you enough for your losses. Sorry, the bastards won't thank you for anything.

Ya, you owe the Maritimes tonnes of money for taking their young people away after Maritimers pay to raise and educate them. You owe BC tonnes of money for dumping your old and weak over there as if BC is some sort of dumping ground for people who need social services. You owe Sask and Man tonnes of money for making it impossible for them to keep their health workers. And you sure as hell can't pay anyone enough to listen to your constant bullshit "Oh, we'll separate if the 91% of you don't do as the 9% of us say". Go ahead, I can't wait! <<

You have an irrational hate of all things Albertan, and that's ok. You won't move here and take away any of the wealth to be earned by rational thinkers that see the potential in the only above average growing economy in the country.

>> Are you kidding? First, all your economy is is OIL. Oil won't last forever and it's not a real economy. It's like money found on the sidewalk. Second, your rational thinking = bitching about everyone else all the time. Third, we don't slash people's tires cause their car has an Alberta licence plate. You do bullshit like that, so your irrational hate hypothesis ain't working out. In fact, hating the rest of the country is something Albertans are taught before they've even learnt how to walk. Finally, seeing that you are a separatist, do something to get the hell out, man, it would be too much work for us to kick you out. Do us a favour and do it yourselves.

[Who's Doing What?]

France?????

Haven't they surrendered yet?

[geoffrey]

Or maybe Ontario has failed it's industry with poor economic policy? Your productivity (and likely Alberta's too) is just awful compared to the leading economies.

>> That's bull, dude. You are making things up as you go. Look at the numbers and you'll realize that we are pretty darn productive. <<

Actually your not. Look at the real numbers: http://www.oecd.org/topicstatsportal/0,264...1_1_1_1,00.html

Canada is one of the worst countries in the developed world for productivity, and we are getting worse.

You don't even need our oil, you can buy it off an Norweign tanker for around the same price.

>> You are right, we don't need you or your oil. Goodbye!!! <<

Fantastic.

But you expect us to cut you a deal. Well how about this. You cut all Albertans a deal on their next car, ok?

>> You've got to be kidding! We expect what? We don't need you and we don't need you to cut us a deal. We just want you to shut up and stop whining. Seriously, Quebec is starting to look good compared to you.<<

You just said our oil was crushing your economy. That's obviously asking for a deal of some sort. Another NEP? As long as it comes with a car discount, I'd be ok with that.

We don't mind paying 4x per capita what your Toronto people pay. Don't ask for more though ok.

>> Ha! We should thank you for spending a few bucks on your neighbours? As far as I can remember we were bastards for spending billions of our money on your cattle industry when your American friends f**ked it because we didn't pay you enough for your losses. Sorry, the bastards won't thank you for anything.

Ok. Oh well. I'm sure we'll do just fine without the courtesy.

Ya, you owe the Maritimes tonnes of money for taking their young people away after Maritimers pay to raise and educate them. You owe BC tonnes of money for dumping your old and weak over there as if BC is some sort of dumping ground for people who need social services. You owe Sask and Man tonnes of money for making it impossible for them to keep their health workers. And you sure as hell can't pay anyone enough to listen to your constant bullshit "Oh, we'll separate if the 91% of you don't do as the 9% of us say". Go ahead, I can't wait! <

You just don't get it. Do you know how much Alberta money flows back to families in the Maritimes from oilsands jobs? Tons. Do you know how much seniors spend in BC? Tons, they are the richest people there. Alberta is only good to make money in, people spend it elsewhere in other economies.

We make it impossible for Saskatchewan to pay their health workers? Ok, let's cut all nurses salaries and see you whine about that too. It's not our fault other provinces don't pay people their worth.

You have an irrational hate of all things Albertan, and that's ok. You won't move here and take away any of the wealth to be earned by rational thinkers that see the potential in the only above average growing economy in the country.

>> Are you kidding? First, all your economy is is OIL. Oil won't last forever and it's not a real economy. It's like money found on the sidewalk. Second, your rational thinking = bitching about everyone else all the time. Third, we don't slash people's tires cause their car has an Alberta licence plate. You do bullshit like that, so your irrational hate hypothesis ain't working out. In fact, hating the rest of the country is something Albertans are taught before they've even learnt how to walk. Finally, seeing that you are a separatist, do something to get the hell out, man, it would be too much work for us to kick you out. Do us a favour and do it yourselves.

Oil will last longer than any of us are alive, if you dispute that, I'm sorry for your ignorance of reality. We slash Ontario cars? Are crossings burn on the lawns in Calgary too? Oh my goodness.

I'm not a sepertist, I'm someone looking for a fair deal for all the provinces.

[gc1765]

Oh and a factual tip. The US does more in Afghanistan than anyone else.

If these numbers are accurate:

Afghanistan (AP) -- Contributions to NATO's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, based on figures provided by its headquarters in Kabul. NATO said the numbers are based on broad contributions and do not necessarily reflect the exact numbers on the ground at any one time: United States, 12,000 Britain, 5,200 Germany, 2,750 Netherlands, 2,100 Canada, 1,800 Italy, 1,800 France, 1,000 Romania, 750 Spain, 625 Turkey, 475 Norway, 350 Denmark, 325 Belgium, 300 Hungary, 200 Portugal, 180 Greece, 180...

Link

...then we have more troops per capita than the U.S....and they were the ones that were attacked. Maybe if they had never invaded Iraq they could commit more troops....

[geoffrey]

Likely gc, very likely. Afghanistan should have been the priority, not Iraq. That doesn't exempt Europe's failure to support the mission with both more resources, and more political backing.

France, Germany... just fairweather friends at best.

[gc1765]

Likely gc, very likely. Afghanistan should have been the priority, not Iraq. That doesn't exempt Europe's failure to support the mission with both more resources, and more political backing.

France, Germany... just fairweather friends at best.

Fair enough. Some European countries are doing more than their share, the netherlands for example. France, and Germany is another story. Still, per capita, they are not that much less than the U.S....and again the U.S. was the one that was attacked.

[Mimas]

How am I a neocon?

I'm hardly a conservative, I only side with the party because of their former taxation stances and political reform... I don't support Iraq and never did (I was finishing high school at the time of the invasion and wrote an essay condemning GWB for his actions). I'm not a cut taxes and spend on military type. I guess I supported their former Western Canadian outlook.

>> Ya, wait until they start dumping billions of what you will consider your hard earned tax dollars in Quebec in order to get themselves reelected. I can't wait to hear Alberta whailing and screaming about the evil Quebecers.<<

Yet you do nothing but attack.

>> Sure, I'm hoping to give you the idea that after all the shit you've thrown our way, you'll realize that you are no longer welcome in Canada and you may just make do on your threats and actually leave.<<

So it's not about attacking those evil neocons. It's about not having anything to say constructively so resorting to name calling.

>> Hello, I'm one of those lazy, scumbag commies, whom you are feeding with your hard earned tax dollars. So what do you expect?

--

Oh and a factual tip. The US does more in Afghanistan than anyone else.

>> A factual tip. The US has more military resources than all other NATO countries combined, but its commitment in Afghanistan does not reflect that. The US has and 15 times more troops in Iraq than in Afghanistan. Only a year ago the US was to pull all of its troops out of Afghanistan and send them to Iraq. The rest of NATO was supposed to pick up the slack. That shows a real US commitment to dealing with the Taliban. Given that the US was attacked by Bin Laden, I don't see why France or Canada have to deal with him when the US doesn't consider it important enough to send even a tiny percentage of it's troops there. If you want to complain about someone who doesn't contribute enough to that mission, you should be picking on the US not France.<<

[Canadian Blue]

Ya, all this I've learnt from neocons. Being rude is the only way to talk to neocons because they don't understand anything else. That and being a hypocrite. First we hate Kyoto, then the Libs have failed Kyoto. We hate the "democratic deficit", but Harper is great for not letting MPs talk. We hate welfare for single moms but if they happen to be our lazy wives then they deserve tens of thousands for sitting on the couch watching TV while the kids are at school. France sucks for not providing enough support in Afghanistan, but it's perfectly fine that our US friends did absolutely nothing in Afghanistan for 5 years. And it keeps going and going........ There isn't a single thing neocons say where they don't contradict themselves or the facts - total hypocrites.

What are you talking about. Being rude gets you nowhere. First things first, nobody said anything about hating Kyoto, as for the democratic deficit, no one say anything about hating it. Engage in democratic debate maybe.

What is a neo-con?

What is the philosophy behind neo conservatism?

We hate welfare for single moms but if they happen to be our lazy wives then they deserve tens of thousands for sitting on the couch watching TV while the kids are at school.

My mom was homemaker, and worked on the farm. She wasn't really all that lazy since she raised three kids who went on to get good jobs. I believe single mom's get that benefit as well slick.

France sucks for not providing enough support in Afghanistan, but it's perfectly fine that our US friends did absolutely nothing in Afghanistan for 5 years.

America has the highest troop levels in Afghanistan right now. I have talked to plenty of soldiers who have worked beside members of the US Military. Once again back up your statements.

Are you kidding? First, all your economy is is OIL. Oil won't last forever and it's not a real economy. It's like money found on the sidewalk. Second, your rational thinking = bitching about everyone else all the time. Third, we don't slash people's tires cause their car has an Alberta licence plate. You do bullshit like that, so your irrational hate hypothesis ain't working out. In fact, hating the rest of the country is something Albertans are taught before they've even learnt how to walk. Finally, seeing that you are a separatist, do something to get the hell out, man, it would be too much work for us to kick you out. Do us a favour and do it yourselves.

Wow, strangely enough me and another friend of mine from Alberta wear the Canadian flag on our shoulder. We don't hate our own country, and were never taught to hate our own country. As well what about those Albertan's based at CFB Edmonton who have given their lives in Afghanistan. But feel free to spit in their faces while your at it. I have never seen a person's tires getting slashed because they don't have Albertan plates on their vehicle. As well I have met plenty of fellow Albertan's who unlike myself will be going over to Afghanistan and in harms way. While your going on with this BS about how much you hate Alberta, remember those Albertan's who are currently serving in Afghanistan and have given more to this country then you probably will in your whole lifetime. As well why does it always seem like Albertan's show more support for the troops then any other part of the country. [no offense intended to other parts of the country]

Replace Albertan with jew, and it would sound like something a nazi would say.

Our economy is more then just oil.

The economy of Alberta is the strongest of all provinces in Canada rivaled only by Ontario, supported by agriculture and technology, but primarily by the burgeoning petroleum industry. The per capita GDP (nominal) is by far the highest of all provinces in Canada, at $66,279.

The Calgary-Edmonton Corridor is the most urbanized region in the province and one of the densest in Canada. Measured from north to south, the region covers a distance of roughly 400 kilometres. In 2001, the population of the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor was nearly 2.2 million (72% of Alberta's population). It is also one of the fastest growing regions in the country. A 2003 study by TD Bank Financial Group found the corridor is the only Canadian urban centre to amass a U.S level of wealth while maintaining a Canadian-style quality of life, offering universal health care benefits. The study found GDP per capita in the corridor is 10 percent above average U.S. metropolitan areas and 40 percent above other Canadian cities.

According to the Fraser Institute Alberta also has very high levels of economic freedom. It is by far the most free economy in Canada, and is rated as the 4th most free economy of U.S. States and Canadian Provinces.

Yeah, Alberta's economy isn't all that impressive.

[Canadian Blue]

A factual tip. The US has more military resources than all other NATO countries combined, but its commitment in Afghanistan does not reflect that. The US has and 15 times more troops in Iraq than in Afghanistan. Only a year ago the US was to pull all of its troops out of Afghanistan and send them to Iraq. The rest of NATO was supposed to pick up the slack. That shows a real US commitment to dealing with the Taliban. Given that the US was attacked by Bin Laden, I don't see why France or Canada have to deal with him when the US doesn't consider it important enough to send even a tiny percentage of it's troops there. If you want to complain about someone who doesn't contribute enough to that mission, you should be picking on the US not France.<<

Because Afghanistan isn't as pressing as Iraq at the moment. As for your factual tip, the US is still very much involved in that area of the world, and will not be pulling out anytime soon.

Sure, I'm hoping to give you the idea that after all the shit you've thrown our way, you'll realize that you are no longer welcome in Canada and you may just make do on your threats and actually leave.

I never noticed this attitude in Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec, or New Brunswick, from my time spent there. I don't know maybe your just a wingnut. Really why would you want Canada to split apart. See I actually agree with alot of the NDP's policy, but when you see a person spewing this garbage you don't want to be associated with them.

The only thing we have given you is billions in transfer payments. What shit have we thrown your way that makes your life so difficult.

Hello, I'm one of those lazy, scumbag commies, whom you are feeding with your hard earned tax dollars. So what do you expect?

Stop calling yourself names. Honestly, try engaging in rational debate once in a while instead of coming off as a crazy catwoman.

Ya, wait until they start dumping billions of what you will consider your hard earned tax dollars in Quebec in order to get themselves reelected. I can't wait to hear Alberta whailing and screaming about the evil Quebecers.

Hasn't happened yet, once it does then start complaining. As for evil Quebecers, we have never called them evil. Honestly, I don't even know how to respond to you, its like a kid that complains whenever they don't get their way.

PS: Learn how to properly use the qoute button.

[geoffrey]

>> Ya, wait until they start dumping billions of what you will consider your hard earned tax dollars in Quebec in order to get themselves reelected. I can't wait to hear Alberta whailing and screaming about the evil Quebecers.<<

I already have complained about it. No province should get preferential hand outs.

>> Sure, I'm hoping to give you the idea that after all the shit you've thrown our way, you'll realize that you are no longer welcome in Canada and you may just make do on your threats and actually leave.<<

I'm not threatening to leave. You have the typical attitude of someone that hasn't left downtown Toronto in a few years... you think the rest of the world is out to get you so you curl up into your cocoon of ignorance. That's fine. Just dandy. But I am as much a Canadian as you, no matter what you believe.

>> Hello, I'm one of those lazy, scumbag commies, whom you are feeding with your hard earned tax dollars. So what do you expect?

Well that explains your lack of a grasp on the economic realities of Canada.

--

>> A factual tip. The US has more military resources than all other NATO countries combined, but its commitment in Afghanistan does not reflect that. The US has and 15 times more troops in Iraq than in Afghanistan. Only a year ago the US was to pull all of its troops out of Afghanistan and send them to Iraq. The rest of NATO was supposed to pick up the slack. That shows a real US commitment to dealing with the Taliban. Given that the US was attacked by Bin Laden, I don't see why France or Canada have to deal with him when the US doesn't consider it important enough to send even a tiny percentage of it's troops there. If you want to complain about someone who doesn't contribute enough to that mission, you should be picking on the US not France.<<

I do. I think the US contributes alot. But they need to provide more.

The economy of Alberta is the strongest of all provinces in Canada rivaled only by Ontario, supported by agriculture and technology, but primarily by the burgeoning petroleum industry. The per capita GDP (nominal) is by far the highest of all provinces in Canada, at $66,279.

The Calgary-Edmonton Corridor is the most urbanized region in the province and one of the densest in Canada. Measured from north to south, the region covers a distance of roughly 400 kilometres. In 2001, the population of the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor was nearly 2.2 million (72% of Alberta's population). It is also one of the fastest growing regions in the country. A 2003 study by TD Bank Financial Group found the corridor is the only Canadian urban centre to amass a U.S level of wealth while maintaining a Canadian-style quality of life, offering universal health care benefits. The study found GDP per capita in the corridor is 10 percent above average U.S. metropolitan areas and 40 percent above other Canadian cities.

According to the Fraser Institute Alberta also has very high levels of economic freedom. It is by far the most free economy in Canada, and is rated as the 4th most free economy of U.S. States and Canadian Provinces.

Yeah, Alberta's economy isn't all that impressive.

No matter what you tell them, they'll always think Toronto is for some reason richer. Where else in North America do they have a GDP per cap of $66k/year? I think Barbados may, and internationally Norway and Luxembourgh do I believe, maybe Ireland.

Alberta, at least the Calgary-Edmonton corridor, has GDP per cap that's competitive with the modern world. The rest of Canada, is unfortunately rather far behind... 40% behind!

But like Minimas thinks, without ever being here, Toronto is richer! They are more productive!

[Mimas]

Or maybe Ontario has failed it's industry with poor economic policy? Your productivity (and likely Alberta's too) is just awful compared to the leading economies.

>> That's bull, dude. You are making things up as you go. Look at the numbers and you'll realize that we are pretty darn productive. <<

Actually your not. Look at the real numbers: http://www.oecd.org/topicstatsportal/0,264...1_1_1_1,00.html

Canada is one of the worst countries in the developed world for productivity, and we are getting worse.

You ought to look at those numbers again because they show that Canada is above the OECD average in productivity. "Above average" doesn't mean "one of the worst". And if you see any drop in productivity relative to others it's only because the Canadian $ has risen sharply against the US $ in the last few years and all the calculations are in US dollars.

[geoffrey]

Check the second document. We are barely above OECD average and below the G7 average when everyone is dealing in equal currency. We're only 80% as productive as the Americans. Why?

Sorry, but second rate isn't good enough for me. I expect nothing but the top. Alberta alone would fit in nicely in second place behind Norway (Luxembourgh doesn't really count, it's a very special case, like the Barbados)... unfortunately we don't have the shipping access and cheaper ways to get the oil to market. But you make do with what you have and hopefully we'll continue to improve.

[Mimas]

Check the second document. We are barely above OECD average and below the G7 average when everyone is dealing in equal currency. We're only 80% as productive as the Americans. Why?

>> Because Canadians don't invest in technology nearly as much as the Americans and because the Americans have infinite amounts of cheap illigal alien labour that shows up in the books as $$ but not as hours worked.<<

Sorry, but second rate isn't good enough for me. I expect nothing but the top.

>> That's your own personal choice. If you want to interpret above average as one of the worst, it's your choice. But to say it and write it all over the place is misleading and well, a lie.<<

Alberta alone would fit in nicely in second place behind Norway (Luxembourgh doesn't really count, it's a very special case, like the Barbados)... unfortunately we don't have the shipping access and cheaper ways to get the oil to market. But you make do with what you have and hopefully we'll continue to improve.

>> Yep, thanks to Harper's plan to allow cheap foreign workers into the country, soon enough you may have tens of thousands of Latinos working in the oil patch for a buck an hour. Your productivity will skyrocket.<<

[Canadian Blue]

Is the qoute button really that hard to figure out???

[jbg]

Are the obscenities really necessary?

At his level of posting, sure.

[sunsettommy]

Is there much Canadian objection to building more Nuclear generation? It always seemed a great idea to me.

I agree.

The objections are irrational.

I live right next to a Nuclear reactor that can produce enough power for the city of Seattle.

It has been in operation since the 1980's with no serious problem.

If the politics and the stupid environmentalists get out of the way.The waste problem would go away since the science for it already exist.

Better than building a whole bunch of Coal plants that will produce monster pile of radioactive ash.That will sit in big piles in the outdoors.

[watching&waiting]

The nuclear alternative is not just a simple thing of building and getting it running. The costs of building neclear power plants are very high and the costs associated with running them properly are also very high. The risk for a bad environmental impact increases with every one of these that is operating, and that may be why they have a lot of opposition to them. I am more then willing to support nuclear but I also make sure I am aware of the risks involved.

I would like though to see what could be done with geo-thermal hydro generation. We all have beneath our feet the eraths crust and there are some place where that crust is much thinner then others. If we could drill or dig down far enough to where the temperature will then allow the conversion of water to steam and then to power the generator, and back to steam again, that would be very safe and very cheap. This is how Iceland generates power because they are on the north end of the Atlantic fault line. Technology should be done to seek out ways and methods of being able to tap the earths own power in its mantle, and we would then have cheap safe and almost limitless hydro-power. I would not know what the costs would be to maintain a very deep hole, but I would assume it would be safer and less costly. Since people are looking for ways to make safe clean power this to me would be the much better route then nuclear.