Conservative leader Harper asserts Canada's Arctic claims

CONSERVATIVE LEADER HARPER ASSERTS CANADA'S ARCTIC CLAIMS

Received Thursday, 22 December 2005 21:14:00 GMT
OTTAWA, Dec 22 (AFP) - Conservative leader Stephen Harper said Thursday he would assert more strongly Canada's northern territorial claims following reports that a US submarine recently traveled unannounced through Canadian Arctic waters.
In remarks made during an election campaign stop in Winnipeg and posted on his party's website, Harper said he would increase surveillance and deploy more troops, icebreakers and military aircraft over the Canadian Arctic region if elected prime minister.
"The single most important duty of the federal government is to protect and defend our national sovereignty," said Harper, Prime Minister Paul Martin's main challenger in the January 23 election.
"There are new and disturbing reports of American nuclear submarines passing though Canadian waters without obtaining the permission of -- or even notifying -- the Canadian government."
Canada is at odds over parts of the Arctic region with the United States, Russia, Denmark and Norway.
Ottawa and Washington disagree over control of the famed Northwest Passage and the resource-rich Beaufort Sea, which touches both Alaska and Canada's northern territories.
The dispute has grown in importance as scientists believe that global warming could open up the Northwest Passage to year-round cargo shipping by 2050, and could also open up for exploitation resources like oil and natural gas in the Beaufort Sea.

http://www.ttc.org/200512222114.jbmlep323015.htm

...the world's temps are heating up and this genius wants more oil.

Look Ma...top of the world...

We know how that ended...

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20051222/harper_north051222/20051222?s_name=election2006

snip

"The single most important duty of the federal government is to protect and defend our national sovereignty," Harper said.

"There are new and disturbing reports of American nuclear submarines passing through Canadian waters without obtaining the permission of -- or even notifying -- the Canadian government.

"You don't defend national sovereignty with flags, cheap election rhetoric, and advertising campaigns. You need forces on the ground, ships in the sea, and proper surveillance. That will be the Conservative approach."

I got this on a head's up from a Canadian friend. Not a good sign.

Hard to believe, coming from a major * fellator.

But, then again, he's Canadian after all.

"My Lord and Master! How can I further serve you?"
"Well, heh, you could go about winning that election, for starters."
"That I fully intend to do, Master!"
"And I have some advice to you."
"Yes, master?"
"Pick a fight with me. You'll gain votes."
"What a devious idea, Master! I love it. But I don't know if I'll be able to speak badly of Your Rightwingness in public. It'll devastate me."
"Well, Harpo, you gotta suck it up and do it. Unca Dick sez you gotta be confort... confroma... confant... you gotta look like you're angry at me. Now get back to work."
"Sir, yes SIR!"
*click*

WHich said intruders would receive a frosty reception from icbreakers pack with firepower.

It just didn't sound Canadian.

Hated by the whole world. Yessiree, that there is some great diplomatic strategery.

What are they snooping around for?

operate in Arctic waters - I suspect the quickest route for US subs is over the pole via Canadian waters. I am sure that there are other reasons also, but I don't think we are spying on the Canadians as much as all the best and shortest routes to the Arctic go through Canadian waters.

and this display by Harper just confirms for me that ALL Conservative Governments
care about is war or escalating war. It appears to me that all conservatives
completely lack the ability to resolve things diplomatically WITHOUT talking
"military". Don't get me wrong, I don't like the fact that these subs are snooping
around AT ALL..but I'd much rather have a Liberal Government resolving these issues
than a military happy Conservative Government that love's to spread fear instead of solutions.

from his strong response to the crap from the U.S. ambassador to Canada. He, in no way, means it, imo. He would be kissing bush's ass as soon as he could get over the border. It is all bullshit electioneering.

Harper will suck up to Bush the way Mulroney sucked up to Reagan.

..I remember when Bush came to Canada there was a piece in the news about
how odd it was for Bush to meet privately with the opposition (something like
if I'm remembering correctly). Did that ever cause my eyebrows to
raise..but I wasn't surprised..pissed yes, surprised no.

One has only to read Harper's missive from the 90's that has come to light to see what he REALLY believes. I remember, too, when that visit with the opposition happened, it was disgusting but, then again, we ARE talking bush and Harper, lol.

He showed up and was treated like he was the current Canadian PM -- probably a more cosy session than either Chretien or Martin had with him.

the Cons in Canada know one of the only things a vast majority of Canadian voters agree on is an underlying cultural resentment of the US. From NAFTA issues, through fishing rights, through cultural imperialism, through perceived arrogance.

He's just trying to find a common "enemy" to help unify the undecided voters. But of course he's in bed with the US NeoCons.

And as far as increasing Canada's military presence:

There is no problem attracting young people to the Canadian Forces. Over 100,000 Canadians visit Forces Recruiting Centres every year.

It's actually a pretty sweet gig: your choice of trades/disciplines, full pension after 20 years, full medical/dental/medication for life, little chance of being killed, free training in the trade of your choice, etc, etc, etc...

The problem is that there are no resources in the Forces. When you're 18 years old, and you're told that you'll have to wait over a year to be inducted, because of a waiting list, you're going to give up and seek work elsewhere.

Even if Harper were to inject a billion dollars into the Armed Forces, this fundamantal problem would not be solved. Plus, poor spending over the past few years has further debilitated the Forces to the point that no one government will be able to upgrade them to any significant level; too much damage has been done. Also, it's clear that a vast majority of Canadians do not support an aggressive Military; most people want our military to continue to serve domestic infrastructure service and overseas Peacekeeping roles.