Harper's Secret Agenda?

[jdobbin]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/harper_apec

When Prime Minister Stephen Harper departs for Australia on Tuesday for a summit of pan-Pacific leaders, he'll be carrying with him a secret agenda that is quite literally radioactive.

Harper will face questions from both Australian Prime Minister John Howard and U.S. President George W. Bush over Canada's participation in a sweeping American-led initiative still in its infancy.

The initiative, called the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership, proposes that nuclear energy-using countries and uranium-exporting countries band together in a new nuclear club to promote and safeguard the industry.

Central to the plan is a proposal that all used nuclear fuel be repatriated to the original uranium exporting country for disposal.

That should be big news in Canada, the world's largest uranium producer.

But to date, the Canadian government's response is a closely guarded secret. In fact, there's been virtually no public debate at all.

So does Harper want to make Canada a nuclear dump?

Edited September 3, 2007 by jdobbin

[jennie]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/harper_apec

So does Harper want to make Canada a nuclear dump?

85% of the radioactivity is already left behind in mine tailings anyway.

The problem is uranium mining itself.

LEAVE IT IN THE GROUND !!!

[geoffrey]

Well, should we really have zero obligation for producing it?

[jdobbin]

Well, should we really have zero obligation for producing it?

Should we have 100% responsibility for disposal for waste not produced in Canada?

[geoffrey]

Should we have 100% responsibility for disposal for waste not produced in Canada?

My answer is no, was just playing the devil's advocate until some leftist greenies came along.

[jdobbin]

My answer is no, was just playing the devil's advocate until some leftist greenies came along.

I have no idea why our government would consider this.

Nor do I know why they would go to an international meeting to indicate an interest in this when it has not even been debated in Canada.

[jennie]

My answer is no, was just playing the devil's advocate until some leftist greenies came along.

What possible justification could we have for saying no?

And besides ... as I said before ... we already have 85% of the radioactivity left here anyway ... in our watersheds ... being ingested ... very dangerous.

LEAVE IT IN THE GROUND !!!

[Posit]

What possible justification could we have for saying no?

And besides ... as I said before ... we already have 85% of the radioactivity left here anyway ... in our watersheds ... being ingested ... very dangerous.

LEAVE IT IN THE GROUND !!!

I not sure that Port Granby or Welcome wouldn't agree. Both these places are dumps adjacent to Lake Ontario where uranium tailings were dumped. The government promised 30 years ago to get rid of it but haven't raised a shovel. I think they are just waiting until the most vocal opponents die off...perhaps of radiation poisoning.... Although the government doesn't know that the residents found out years ago that one of the ways to reduce the possibility of radiation sickness was to drink lots of fluids to flush the toxins out of their system. And the best diuretic of all is - you guessed it! - beer!

Edited September 4, 2007 by Posit

[jennie]

I not sure that Port Granby or Welcome wouldn't agree. Both these places are dumps adjacent to Lake Ontario where uranium tailings were dumped. The government promised 30 years ago to get rid of it but haven't raised a shovel. I think they are just waiting until the most vocal opponents die off...perhaps of radiation poisoning.... Although the government doesn't know that the residents found out years ago that one of the ways to reduce the possibility of radiation sickness was to drink lots of fluids to flush the toxins out of their system. And the best diuretic of all is - you guessed it! - beer!

Too funny!!!

So beer IS a matter of survival in Canada!!

omigod ... this isn't funny.

[kimmy]

Should we have 100% responsibility for disposal for waste not produced in Canada?

Of course! After all, shouldn't Alberta be responsible for all the pollution produced when far-off places burn Alberta oil?

- k

[AndrewL]

Nuclear waste is insignificant compared to the waste from burning fossil fuels.

Andrew

[Argus]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/harper_apec

So does Harper want to make Canada a nuclear dump?

You know if your party could actually put together an agenda - one which went beyond "Get back into power so we can stuff our pockets with cash again!" then you guys wouldn't have to keep lying and snivelling about the alleged Harper "secret agenda".

[Fortunata]

Of course! After all, shouldn't Alberta be responsible for all the pollution produced when far-off places burn Alberta oil?

Did Alberta make people buy and use their oil?

Should we have 100% responsibility for disposal for waste not produced in Canada?

User pays. After all they are fully aware of the consequences of using the product. Do tobacco companies pay full costs of the "clean-up" for smokers and others affected by cigarette smoke? Do alcohol companies pay to unaddict those who become addicted? Do car manufacturers and petroleum companies pay to clean up all environmental damage their products cause? Do gun companies have to pay compensation to victims of gun violence?

IF this government does have an agreement as the article suggests is it ok with his supporters?

[jennie]

Did Alberta make people buy and use their oil?

User pays. After all they are fully aware of the consequences of using the product. Do tobacco companies pay full costs of the "clean-up" for smokers and others affected by cigarette smoke? Do alcohol companies pay to unaddict those who become addicted? Do car manufacturers and petroleum companies pay to clean up all environmental damage their products cause? Do gun companies have to pay compensation to victims of gun violence?

IF this government does have an agreement as the article suggests is it ok with his supporters?

I think this is the way we have to go, making the producers responsible for their products (and packaging) from beginning to end. If this is the beginning of this movement, I applaud!!

[mikedavid00]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/harper_apec

So does Harper want to make Canada a nuclear dump?

Canada is a 3rd world immigrant dump.

I would choose having Nuclear power any day.

[jennie]

Canada is a 3rd world immigrant dump.

I would choose having Nuclear power any day.

So you are an admitted racist?

[jdobbin]

You know if your party could actually put together an agenda - one which went beyond "Get back into power so we can stuff our pockets with cash again!" then you guys wouldn't have to keep lying and snivelling about the alleged Harper "secret agenda".

Perhaps if Harper was actually forthcoming on the issue, people wouldn't suspect he had an agenda.

[jennie]

Perhaps if Harper was actually forthcoming on the issue, people wouldn't suspect he had an agenda.

Hear! Hear!!

And all the other politicians too!

[Fortunata]

Perhaps if Harper was actually forthcoming on the issue, people wouldn't suspect he had an agenda.

Yep, secretive is really his first name. Along with controlling. Another example is at the press conference after the Montebello conference - once again he showed his complete lack of class attacking opposition leaders because of their speculations about the agenda. If the talks hadn't been so secretive there would not have to be any speculation. Oh, but jelly beans must be kept secret beforehand? It must be another one of those national security issues.

[kimmy]

Did Alberta make people buy and use their oil?

That was what I was getting at, Captain Obvious.

Countries who do not wish to dispose of nuclear waste should find some other means of generating electricity.

-k

[Fortunata]

That was what I was getting at, Captain Obvious.

I know, I must have been tired. I hate to waste good opportunities.

Countries who do not wish to dispose of nuclear waste should find some other means of generating electricity.

-k

We could sell only on the understanding that the buyer is the disposer, responsibly. If not, let Australia do the exporting and burying under their deserts.