[threadbear]

This seems to be a circuitous route to a generalized harmonization of the global economy, with particular emphasis on the natural resource sector. Are New Zealand and Australia also being considered?

[Nickel]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('RdSnt', 'T')his is where they are getting the North American Union idea;
http://www.spp-psp.gc.ca/menu-en.aspx,
which is alive and well, if off the radar, and supported by both the Liberals and Conservatives.

[Nickel]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Dreamtwister', 'P')ersonally, I'm waiting for the day Britian and Austrailia are invited to join the NAU.

[Denny]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Dreamtwister', 'H')ere's how it will work out:

1) Canada enters this agreement with the EU. For Canada, it's a good way to tell the people that they are now doing business with "someone who pays their bills". This will play well in Ontario. For the EU, it's a good way to access American markets without actually dealing with America.

2) America annexes Canada. We all know it's coming - it's the only way America will ever be able even hope to address it's international obligations.

Personally, I'm waiting for the day Britian and Austrailia are invited to join the NAU. Who knows, maybe they can form one big country. Of course, they will need a clever name for it...something like "Oceania"...

[Dreamtwister]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Denny', 'O')r, twisted dreamer, are you saying that Canada would just be taken by force? Wouldn't that be a public relations nightmare for the U.S.A.! It would resemble the tactiocs of the Soviet Union of old, or as as it came to be known by a poopular president, the "Evil Empire".

[threadbear]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Dreamtwister', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Denny', 'O')r, twisted dreamer, are you saying that Canada would just be taken by force? Wouldn't that be a public relations nightmare for the U.S.A.! It would resemble the tactiocs of the Soviet Union of old, or as as it came to be known by a poopular president, the "Evil Empire".

[Nickel]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Dreamtwister', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Denny', 'O')r, twisted dreamer, are you saying that Canada would just be taken by force? Wouldn't that be a public relations nightmare for the U.S.A.! It would resemble the tactiocs of the Soviet Union of old, or as as it came to be known by a poopular president, the "Evil Empire".

[jbrovont]

Ah yes - Canada is being seduced by the sweet smelling crack pipe of globalization.

Allow me to direct your attention to the south for a moment. See how well that worked for us?

[threadbear]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('jbrovont', 'A')h yes - Canada is being seduced by the sweet smelling crack pipe of globalization.

Allow me to direct your attention to the south for a moment. See how well that worked for us?

[Nickel]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('jbrovont', 'A')h yes - Canada is being seduced by the sweet smelling crack pipe of globalization.

Allow me to direct your attention to the south for a moment. See how well that worked for us?

[Dreamtwister]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Nickel', 'B')ut most important, it opens the door, at long last, to lessening Canada's dependence on US spending.

[Nickel]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Dreamtwister', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Nickel', 'B')ut most important, it opens the door, at long last, to lessening Canada's dependence on US spending.

[deMolay]

Globalization is bankrupting all local economies. If it keeps up people will struggle to feed themselves. Globalization is the goal of the huge corporations. The complete homogenization of mankind. Jump for the carrot faster or we will move our jobs to another cheaper jurisdiction. I can't see it working with Peak Oil anymore. I hope it's time is past. If anything Canada should look at getting out of NATO completely.

[Nickel]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('deMolay', 'I')f anything Canada should look at getting out of NATO completely.

[Tyler_JC]

Why is everyone ganging up on Nickel and disrupting the conversation with conspiracy stuff?

This thread is about a Canada/EU trade agreement.

I personally think it's a smart move for both Canada and the EU. Free trade between equal partners is a good thing.

This will give Europe better access to Canadian resources and allow Canada to reduce its dependency on the US market.

Seems like a win/win.

[Dreamtwister]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tyler_JC', 'W')hy is everyone ganging up on Nickel and disrupting the conversation with conspiracy stuff?

[Nickel]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Dreamtwister', 'T')he disagreement here, is in our estimation of America's willingness and capability to interfere with it. I believe they can and will interfere, Nickel does not.

[Maddog78]

Sovereign nation OK, but the US has taken steps to punish Canadian cos. that do business with Cuba.


$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')he U.S. Treasury Department acted on its earlier threats to blacklist Alberta-based nickel mining, refining and marketing ventures that are jointly owned by Sherritt and Cuba's General Nickel Co. S.A. The trade action makes it illegal for that venture to do business with American firms; Sherritt's other divisions are free to do business in the United States. Sherritt received advance word that those sanctions were coming as part of an ongoing U.S. effort to drive Castro from office - and to placate the powerful lobby of expatriate Cubans living in the United States.

[gampy]

I think it will have a beneficial effect in that it will help diversify Canadian exports. The US is still our largest trading partner, but if things go south in the south (pardon the pun) it will help ameliorate the effect on Canada.

One aspect that interests me is this:

Energy exports. Does Europe hope to get some of that sludge they call tar sands?

Many European service industries (financial, software, etc.) would like a piece of Canada's government contracts. Apparently, the provinces are not too keen on this. For good reason. All that Canadian taxpayer money going to the pockets of Euro companies.

Plus we can't call cheddar cheese Cheddar anymore, it seems.

I imagine there would be many downsides to thje agreement that are not obvious yet. NAFTA has more than a few sore spots.

But overall, I would like to see more harmonization and co-operation with the EU, than the US. Their environmental, and labour standards are better, and their societies are a little more akin to Canada's. A better mix of capitalism, and socialism.
A healthier mix, imho.

I am thinking that the big 5 banks are just salivating at the thought of more open EURO markets. The US is a dead horse so to speak, when discussing financial services industries.

[Nickel]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Maddog78', 'S')overeign nation OK, but the US has taken steps to punish Canadian cos. that do business with Cuba.