Its so sad to read and hear about the ongoing strained relationships with Canada. The past 5 going on 6 years now, the news just seems to be getting worse and worse. Pretty obvious there likely won't be any major changes until we have a regime change in D.C. Its hard to understand how the current administration just doesn't seem to get it, and/or try to correct the problems/misunderstandings. They don't seem to give a rats behind. Oh, why don't we send Condi to Ottawa again Shrub! :mad:
strained relations

[ December 15, 2005, 06:47 AM: Message edited by: hockeyTom ]

Hopefully we will get better relations before that. And even the conservatives up here know that if you cozy up to Bush too much, then it will bite you in the ass the next election.
In this election, no matter who wins, it will be a minority, so don't expect it to turn to hugs and kisses.

About 2 years ago, Harper, (the head of the conservatives) was pressuring the Liberal gov't to negotiate an "acceptable" tarriff on softwood lumber. Well, the lib's refused, and the US dept of commerce just lowered the tarriff from 27% to 0.8%. And if we'ed followed Harpers lead, then it would have been in the 15 - 20% range permanently.

The outstanding issue for most Canadians is the withholding of the duty collected so far, which according to US laws, is to be distrobuted to US lumber companies to make up for lost profits.

The reason why the Canadian companies make more profit is not low stumpage fees, but the fact that they are more efficient, mechanized, and up to date. Even Canadian operations of US companies, such as Weyerhauser, as a %, make more on their Cdn operations because of the efficiencies that have been implemented. The US companies tend to be much more inefficient, with no impetus to modernize.

But Martin is right. The US Ambassador should not be telling Cdn's to shut up. It's an issue that is important to many Canadians, and our PM has a duty to talk about it.

As for the strained relations, the NDP have demanded (and the Bloc have agreed) that the Gov't put export tarriffs on Oil and Gas exports to recoup the 5 billion, and no matter what gov't comes into power, they will demand it again, so it will be a matter of staying in power, or landing on your ass in the street a lot quicker than you thought.

So hold your hats, the next 12 months should get even bumpier.

The Bloc and the NDP have been the only 2 parties that have held their ground on this and repeatedly DEMANDED that the Prime minister hold his ground in this unjust situation where the US are NOT respecting what the courts say and what they signed.

Martin just agreed (FINALLY) just before the elections were declared (coincidence i'm sure).

Harper and the Conservatives are just like the Republicans and are in awe of the US (to the detriment of Canadians).

My hope would be to have Jack Layton be elected.. but Canadians will not do it because they are constantly feuding and giving the lesser of the 2 evils (Conservatives and Liberals) power.. fearing the other will win.

I love the US, just like i love Canada.. but this situation is hurting both.