Stories within stories: Harper,why we must stop the Canada-China FIPA and the deal you still don’t really know about.

Posted on by Laila

“I can retain neither respect nor affection for government which has been moving from wrong to wrong in order to defend its immorality”
~ Mahatma Gandhi

There are two very important things I would ask my readers to do today.

First, head on over to http://thecanadian.org/item/1803-how-you-can-help-prevent-the-ratification-of-canada-china-fipa 

At the link above, you will find detailed and easy to understand instructions on how to register your comments with the sadly flawed, final environmental assessment for the Canada China FIPA that must be stopped. Please do so,because the deal has yet to be signed off on here in Canada. More on this in a moment.

The second thing I would ask you to do, is to send Elizabeth May a note of thanks for keeping her eyes out for this deal in the first place.

Yes, indeed, the press has featured a somewhat outraged Mulcair riding in on a giant waffle at the last moment, demanding an emergency debate and then… oh well, this is what we might do if we are elected… seriously, you really need to try and digest this mans words – if you can actually swallow this bafflegab. http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/government+back+FIPA+after+three+years+says+Leader+Mulcair/7479006/story.html

Oh me! Oh my! Indeed the leader garnered great attention at this “11th hour” demand, such drama, such… politicking. Don’t get me wrong – if I had to choose today between Harpo Harper, the libs who are quite possibly going to be led down the fairy path by the fair skinned machismo laden young Trudeau, or the NDP- I would still vote NDP because the other two are simply not options for a true north strong and FREE. However, take note there’s a big waffle maker in Mulcairs closet somewhere…

Here is the story within the story behind this fiasco, and why I think we should give credit where credit is due to Ms. May, who the press for the large part, tend to ignore :

“On September 26, 2012 (the day after my Island Tides deadline), with no press release or briefing, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, rose in the House to table a few documents.  It was during a part of every day called “Routine Proceedings.”  The media had sped off for scrums after Question Period.  I was waiting my turn to table petitions.  Maybe another twenty MPs were in the Chamber when Deepak Obhrai tabled a deal with Norway and two with China – the agreement for peaceful use of nuclear energy and the “Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments” (the Canada-China Investment Treaty). “

~snip~

“On October 1, 2012, I asked the Speaker for an Emergency Debate on the treaty.  I explained in a letter I had tabled with the Speaker on September 28 (and available on the elizabethmaymp.ca website) all the reasons that it was an emergency.  Sadly, he ruled that it was not a case for an emergency debate.   I asked in Question Period on October 4th, with 16 sitting days left until the treaty takes effect, whether the Prime Minister had chosen to approve this treaty by Order in Council to keep its details from Canadians or to avoid having to force Conservative MPs to vote for something they did not believe in.  House Leader Peter Van Loan said there could be debate if an Opposition Party chose to use one of its Opposition Days to do so.  I cannot get either the Liberals or the NDP to agree to give it an Opposition Day.”

Well, well. Isn’t that something indeed?  Kind of leaves a bad taste in my mouth for the grand performance of Mulcair being portrayed as the savior – which speaks more to political opportunism than good government for Canadians. If Elizabeth May had not been paying strict attention to this deal, it is likely it would have passed without fuss or muss in the typical Conservative stealth strategy and for that, I thank her. We should also give a shout out to MP Don Davies who did a fine job in the Standing Committee for International Trade, trying to get somewhere with the cons, to no avail – you can read that transcript here: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2012/parl/XC75-1-2-411-51-eng.pdf

It was also Ms. May who noticed the second treaty tabled that day at the same time as the FIPA, one with quite alarming implications although not as far-reaching as the Canada-China FIPA. And while we must all concentrate on stopping the FIPA, I think you need to know about this as well.

It is the Protocol to the Agreement Between the Government Of Canada and the Government Of The People’s Republic Of China for Co-operation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy.

Again, Ms. May sums up the contentious nature of this treaty:

“The nuclear deal is a cover for our sales of uranium to China.  Under the terms of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, no country is to sell nuclear materials to a country with nuclear weapons unless it can absolutely guarantee a system of verifications and monitoring to ensure uranium for peaceful uses does not end up in nuclear weapons.  The two page deal released September 26, cannot do that.”

And whose idea was this, Mr. Harper ? Rather alarming, considering the political situation in China is about to change and quite possibly things could get much more liberal… or step things back a decade to a more hardline time.   http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/never-mind-washington-its-beijings-leadership-choice-canadians-should-watch-this-week/article4913677/

Here’s the thing about this “peaceful” nuclear treaty as well as the Canada-China FIPA.

They were never meant to be negotiated any further. They were never meant to be examined,dissected or otherwise discussed by the public at large.

They are exactly written as those who dictate such things behind this prime minister, and those who came before him in recent history, wanted it written. Terry Glavin said it best in a stunning commentary titled ‘ The Canada-China investment protection racket”:

“. . . The final thing you need to know about the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement is its specific function. It’s to elevate Canada’s China-trade business executives from their hitherto mostly supine position as accomplices of Beijing’s gangland regime to a more formalized and official status as willing accessories to the beggaring of the Chinese people and the plundering of their wealth.

Protection is precisely what FIPPA’s Canadian beneficiaries will be very much wanting one day when all their trade agreements, their exquisitely-phrased contracts and their joint-venture undertakings are ablaze in bonfires from Guangdong to Xinjiang. Protection is what they will want, and they will deserve no such thing.”

Terry gets into a little more, including Mulcair, in his later blog post aptly titled ‘ The Sopranos with Chinese Characteristics.’ 

All that’s missing in this deal is Harper in a thug hat and a pimped out low rider car with full tint windows.

Head over to this link and find out…

How You Can Help Stop Ratification of Canada-China FIPA

( for a full list of what happened in China back in February, please check out Wai Young’s website, MP for Vancouver South –her list of items signed or agreed upon, is twice as long as Harper’s list … and included items I have not heard before such as negotiations to share proceeds of crime with the Chinese government)

19 thoughts on “Stories within stories: Harper,why we must stop the Canada-China FIPA and the deal you still don’t really know about.”

  1. I worry about what else we don’t know about.What other agreements or promises did Harper make that only the people directly involved know about? I have already done the comment on the ea,and thank you for this new info.Harper has to go.

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  2. Power to truth.Thank you.Saw this and thought you might like it after yesterday,Never forget what people say to you when they’re angry–that’s when the truth comes out.Nice to know we can count on you when its not a truth a lot of people want to confront.Stay real!

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    1. No thanks needed, and Ms.May along with Gus Van Harten are really the catalysts behind the attention brought to this deal – it’s only right to bring attention to her quick response and diligence to following closely for it to appear. Considering the opposition has far more resources,her speed is to be commended.

      The fight is just beginning. Apparently Harper is going to revise the foreign ownership rules and approve the CNOOC Nexen deal and the Petronas deal. This just in:

      http://business.financialpost.com/2012/11/06/harper-to-approve-cnooc-petronas-deals-after-revising-rules-moodys/
      Stephen Harper will approve the two foreign state-owned enterprises’ bids to buy Canadian energy companies after revising the rules, according to Moody’s Investors Services.

      “Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s pro-business and pro-energy stance makes both the CNOOC and Petronas deals likely to pass under revised foreign ownership guidelines,” the rating’s agency said in a report.

      Canada rejected a $5.2-billion bid by Malaysia’s Petronas Bhd. for Progress Energy Resources in October, but the companies are looking to resubmit the proposal. The government also extended its review of Beijing-based CNOO’s $15.1-billion bid for Calgary-based Nexen.

      Finance Minister Jim Flaherty told reporters today it will be “some time yet before decisions are made” by the Canadian government.

      Despite the regulatory setbacks and delays, Moody’s expects foreign companies to get a greater foothold in Canada, as the country needs foreign capital to fund oil sands and potential liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities over the next several years.

      “The Canadian government is reviewing its foreign takeover rules in light of the above two (and additional anticipated) acquisitions, and is expected to provide two-tiered guidelines—one for foreign state-controlled entities, and one for foreign non-state controlled entities.”

      Revising and clarifying the rule are just one aspect of unlocking the Canadian energy prize.

      Canadian LNG projects are also facing delays as developers are unable to secure favourale prices, especially after rival Cheniere Energy on the Gulf Coast agreed to sell LNG to Korea Gas at prices linked to Henry Hub natural gas spot prices, rather than oil prices.

      “This has proven to be a roadblock to the Kitimat, B.C. project, a joint venture between Apache, EOG Resources and Encana,” notes Moody’s. “Apache has acknowledged difficulty in obtaining sales contracts from Asian LNG purchasers that have oil-linked prices. Even if such off-take agreements are obtained, it will be at least three to four years before any of the larger B.C. facilities would enter service.”

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  4. Thaks for th is post Laila – it was much needed and the MSM are about as much use as tits on a bull 🙂 Seems they only write real articles (?) when they are paid to do so !

    Yes Elizabeth May is a bit of a dark horse – most don’t know she has been awarded the OC and is also an accomplished lawyer. She is very astute in what she does and I think, a credit to the people who voted her in. It is a pity there aren’t more honest, professionl MP’s in the country. It seems that the current conservative batch of MP’s have about as much going for them as do the BC Liberal MLA’s.

    Oooh! I think that there will be many surprises down the road in the not too distant future. Stephen Harper is front runner for the most despised Canadian Prime Minister ever, and the people are getting more than a might tired of all this secrecy, lies and deflection.

    Please keep up the good work – a lot of people have to rely on the likes of bloggers for real, impartial and important news.

    Thanks

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    1. Thanks for the kind words, I just think we need to give credit where credit is due and this time May bested them all. I can see why Harper didn’t want her to debate… she likely would have wiped the floor with all of them if this is an indicator.

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  5. Very good post Laila.

    I did e-mail Elizabeth May, to thank her.

    Remembering Campbell too, lied and cheated to win elections. For all the terrible evil he did to BC, we had a wretched time getting rid of him. He works for Harper, as does Christy Clark. Christy hired Harper’s other winner Boessenkool, to work for her.

    It’s the same with Harper. He has no ethics nor morals, what-so-ever. With the Campbell and Harper type of politicians, they will sink to any depth to spread their evil. I found a lot of amusement in Harper saying. I don’t know why I didn’t know Bruce Carson was a criminal. My thought was the hell you didn’t, that’s probably why you hired him.

    It’s a very tough battle for we people, with a media biased against the citizens, a disgrace to their professions.

    Citizens of Canada and especially BC, have been given very little support, from any of the party’s. Elizabeth May was a wonderful surprise.

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  6. Another great article, Laila. I’ve thanked Elizabeth May and have signed all petitions. Thank you for all of your insight. What would we do without you!

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  7. Laila you have an absolutely wonderful talent and an amazing way with words. You are also too humble, accept the thanks of your readership as your sharp intellect, amazing research skills and competent analysis makes you stand out in the blogosphere as one of the “good guys” on the side on humanity and a solid advocate for the underdog. Very few with such a outstanding skillset use their talent for the education and advancement of “the people” and for that alone you deserve far more credit and certainly more pay!

    Keep up the great work!
    BTW- Interesting analysis by moodys on then new decision making matrices Harper has established for foreign investment. I am not confident with their predictions on Petrobras and CNOOC/Nexxen however, we are on the verge of frenzy of Mergers and Acquisitions, especially if FIPA is successful, and that is when this new decision making capacity will become relevant. I have not looked at the story in detail, have they released the new analysis the Federal government will apply in the future?

    I think allowing a Malaysian SOE into BC;s backyard on LNG is a big mistake. Malaysia is much closer to destination markets and is also on the verge, much like us, of becoming a major exporter. See this simple letter for the Alaskan Highway News that clearly lays out some of the absurdity we are facing in BC on the LNG, and here too FIPA is going to have major implications.

    http://www.alaskahighwaynews.ca/article/20121102/FORTSTJOHN0303/311029967/-1/fortstjohn/lng-liability

    And the CNOOC.Nexxen deal is so fused with politics I would be surprised if its survive as it stands today.
    But under herr Harper, anything goes….. even flying fortified SUVs to India to take his wife to the Taj Mahal at a cost 36,000 dollars an hour!

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    1. You are cracking me up here Kev, but thanks for the props – I appreciate it!
      I think anything is possible with Harpo, seriously it’s a mystery what’s going on up his sleeve at any given moment. I think the article I posted up above highlights the growing pressures from China to ‘git er done’…. we promised them dinner and gave them only appetizers according to one advisor. https://lailayuile.com/2012/11/07/brought-to-you-in-part-by-the-impatient-foreign-investors-at-cnooc-energy-economics-institute/

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      1. Ok I will cease and desist with the unabashed accolades. But its true, you deserve more credit and you are too humble.

        Also in terms of being a traitor for calling it as you see it, nothing could be further from the truth. Dissent is healthy for democracy, of course democracy is something we used to have, now we must for settle for demagoguery. The “riding in on a giant waffle” bit was one of the best lines in political commentary I have read in eons. lol Still chuckling.

        It is profoundly disturbing to witness the 11th hour politicking. The least offensive of which is that of the politicians, I mean we expect it from them.

        Much of the flurry of last minute consternation from those currently lighting their hair on fire while filing ” petitions” and the shallow analysis and debate revolving around FIPA which ignores the serious issues and vital components, is more to do with obfuscating the issues than opposing the treaty.

        Great link, and good follow up story today. Expect much more of the same. Other pressure techniques have been a recent “leaked document” (clearly intentional) that “proved” the tarsands was reeling from lack of investment and an inadequate work force, jeopardizing the whole operation..Dont ya know.

        Therefor we simply have no choice but to hand it over to China and open the flood gate to chinese workers. The Canadian economy depends on it. We could not otherwise make a go of it and the economy would come crashing down sending us all to the soup kitchens …. by the way how is your Mandarin coming along?
        😉

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  8. Hey Laila,I think you pissed off every NDP’er in the country with this post!I heard you’re considered a traitor for calling Mulcair on this.: )

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  9. Ah well, some people would rather not hear my opinions on this and would rather I print nothing but puffy nice press about the NDP, provincially or federally … and fyi, I would only be a traitor if I were an NDP member, which I am not. I still think that looking at what we have provincially and federally, they are the better option over the BC Libs – who seem to keep finding new ways to reveal the depth of their lack of integrity: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/minister-shared-e-mails-about-skeena-mill-allegations-with-insider/article5032413/

    And I do think if a federal election was called today I would vote NDP, although I am grossly under-impressed with Mulcair, and not just over China. Sadly, as someone mentioned to me last night, we lack the viable option for governance in this country and in this province – I am doing my best to hold them all to the same standard and that really offends some people.

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  10. Well Laila I’m usually an NDP supporter and you didn’t piss me off with this. Kudos to Elizabeth May for all her hard work. Nothing wrong with giving credit where it is due 🙂

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  11. I don’t know why harper is selling Canada out with this deal. I do wonder how much money he & his are being paid to do this. There is nothing to be gained by Canada with this agreement, not in the long term. So why is harper doing this? Is he being paid off?

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