Harper not Conservative – Northern Pipeline
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Harper not Conservative – Northern Pipeline
A new book by former Progressive Conservative prime minister and foreign minister Joe Clark takes dead aim at Stephen Harper. The current prime minister has proven unable to build relationships with other governments. Adopting an “almost adolescent” tone internationally, Harper has preferred making bold statements that lead nowhere, to taking concrete action in support of peace-making, international development and human rights.
Clark sees Harper with his obsessive controlling attitude to politics forcing his partisanship agenda into foreign policy decision-making. Traditional Canadian goals and concerns get lost, and diplomatic advice from foreign policy professionals counts for nothing.
Like everything else about the Harper regime, matters of government, including foreign policy, are secondary to party fundraising. The permanent election campaign being waged by the party office demands all issues be framed to appeal to the party base.
http://rabble.ca/columnists/2013/11/stephen-harper-killing-canadian-conservatism
Pipeline
The federal government has agreed to let Enbridge build its Northern Gateway pipeline, subject to 209 conditions recommended by the National Energy Board and further talks with aboriginal communities.
Enbridge wants to build the pipeline from Bruderheim, Alta., to Kitimat, B.C.
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair called it “folly” and “pure madness” to think anyone can put supertankers in British Columbia’s Douglas Channel.
Both Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said they would reverse the decision to accept the National Energy Board’s pipeline approval. Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, environmental groups and First Nations reacted quickly to news of the federal approval, releasing statements opposing it.
Al Monaco, president and CEO of Enbridge, said in a teleconference with reporters that the economic benefits of the pipeline are straightforward, but the company has some work to do in convincing the public.
“If we can’t prove our safety and environmental protection, the economic benefits won’t matter,” Monaco said. “In other words, the economic benefits alone are not enough to sustain public support.”
B.C. Conservative MPs ‘hiding,’ Mulcair says
Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford, whose office announced the decision to allow the pipeline, wasn’t available for interviews on Tuesday. The announcement was made in a news release with no ministerial press conference.
Enbridge has to show the NEB how it will meet the 209 conditions and has to apply for more permits from the federal and provincial governments, Rickford said in the news release.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/northern-gateway-pipeline-approved-with-209-conditions-1.2678285
First Nation leaders say Ottawa’s decision to give the Northern Gateway pipeline the go-ahead will prompt a new push to halt the project through the courts, in public campaigns, and – if necessary – by protests on the land.
Project proponent Enbridge Inc. says that 60 per cent of First Nations along the pipeline route have signed equity agreements, although none is being identified. The company said it will continue to consult and reach out to aboriginal communities along the pipeline right-of-way.
However, several First Nations say they will continue to fight the project, no matter what the federal cabinet has said.
“Unfortunately Ottawa didn’t get the message that they’re approving a dead project,” Art Sterritt, executive director of the Coastal First Nations, said Tuesday.
“At the end of the day, there are those including myself who are willing to go there and stand and say, ‘You’re not moving those pipelines through our territory.’”
right wing news, right edition, brian lovig