Harper says global economic crisis an opportunity to sell Canada

[lenny]

By The Canadian Press

BRAMPTON, Ont. - The global economic crisis is an opportunity for Canada to cash in when the eventual recovery arrives, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Tuesday in his first major speech on the current recession.


Ottawa will ensure the country comes out of the recession faster than other nations and stronger than ever, Harper said, adding Canada entered the global recession in a position of strength compared to other countries.


"For Canada, this crisis does offer opportunity," Harper said in a speech to the Brampton Board of Trade.


"Ultimately, it is an opportunity to position ourselves so that when the recovery comes, we're among the first to catch the wave."


Canada was the last "advanced country" to fall into recession, he said.


"If there ever was a time to put away that legendary Canadian modesty, it is now," Harper said.


"Notwithstanding all the troubles around us, Canada has real advantages, real assets, and we should not hesitate to remind investors, partners and leaders around the world of the comparative strengths of our country."

etc


http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090310/national/harper_economy

 

[Shakerod]

By The Canadian Press

BRAMPTON, Ont. - The global economic crisis is an opportunity for Canada to cash in when the eventual recovery arrives, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Tuesday in his first major speech on the current recession.


Ottawa will ensure the country comes out of the recession faster than other nations and stronger than ever, Harper said, adding Canada entered the global recession in a position of strength compared to other countries.


"For Canada, this crisis does offer opportunity," Harper said in a speech to the Brampton Board of Trade.


"Ultimately, it is an opportunity to position ourselves so that when the recovery comes, we're among the first to catch the wave."


Canada was the last "advanced country" to fall into recession, he said.


"If there ever was a time to put away that legendary Canadian modesty, it is now," Harper said.


"Notwithstanding all the troubles around us, Canada has real advantages, real assets, and we should not hesitate to remind investors, partners and leaders around the world of the comparative strengths of our country."

etc


http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090310/national/harper_economy

Harper puts a positive spin on something that America takes for granted. The American philosophy is: 'WHAT'S OURS IS OURS, AND WHAT'S YOURS IS OURS'. Once America goes down, they will be coming after OUR resources, I just hope Harper gets a good deal for us, it's a fantasy to think there is such a thing as Canadian soverneignty, that went out the window when we signed the NAFTA agreement.

 

[Lesbian Hunter]

Harper puts a positive spin on something that America takes for granted. The American philosophy is: 'WHAT'S OURS IS OURS, AND WHAT'S YOURS IS OURS'. Once America goes down, they will be coming after OUR resources, I just hope Harper gets a good deal for us, it's a fantasy to think there is such a thing as Canadian soverneignty, that went out the window when we signed the NAFTA agreement.

I like the way this guy thinks.

 

[Krustee]

"Ultimately, it is an opportunity to position ourselves so that when the recovery comes, we're among the first to catch the wave."

"If there ever was a time to put away that legendary Canadian modesty, it is now," Harper said.


"Notwithstanding all the troubles around us, Canada has real advantages, real assets, and we should not hesitate to remind investors, partners and leaders around the world of the comparative strengths of our country."

etc


http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090310/national/harper_economy

I have to whole heartedly agree with what Harper is saying here & I will go on record saying that history will show that in this economic mess we are going through he is and will be remembered as the right man to lead Canada through these hard times.

I have stated before my belief that Canada in relative terms is positioned better than any other country.

This will NOT mean that we will miss the severity of this storm but when recovery time comes Canada will definitely be in a better position than most other countries.

Harper puts a positive spin on something that America takes for granted. The American philosophy is: 'WHAT'S OURS IS OURS, AND WHAT'S YOURS IS OURS'. Once America goes down, they will be coming after OUR resources, I just hope Harper gets a good deal for us, it's a fantasy to think there is such a thing as Canadian soverneignty, that went out the window when we signed the NAFTA agreement.

I think you are being a little over dramatic on the relationship with the US & Canada.

NAFTA was both good & bad for all the players but in this downturn you will see NAFTA protecting Canadian jobs that without it would be lost to American protectionism.

I like the way this guy thinks.

Who - Harper or Shakerod?

I think Harper is reading this correctly & will be the one to seize the opportunities when they come in the future.

 

[LightBearer]

I think Harper is reading this correctly & will be the one to seize the opportunities when they come in the future.

The future will come in the form of a north american union. NAFTA was the first step.

 

[Lesbian Hunter]

Who - Harper or Shakerod?

I think Harper is reading this correctly & will be the one to seize the opportunities when they come in the future.

Certainly not Harper. I have never voted Conservative federally and never will.

 

[kodiak_bear3]

Canadian economy

The picture of the Canadian economy is well described in the Canadian economic accounts from Statistics Canada. In the last quarter:

• Final domestic demand declines -2.7%,
• Exports continue to fall -4.7%,
• Imports decline sharply -6.4%,
• Personal spending declines -0.8%,
• Investment in residential structures retreats -6.4%,
• Business investment in plant and equipment down -7.5%
• Inventories build up again,
• Export prices drop as import prices climb.

Our annual GDP is $1,600B, our export towards the USA is $370B (about one quarter of our GDP). If the US economy shrinks a little, the impact into our economy is huge.
The reality for Mr. Harper and all Canadians is that, no matter how we manage this crisis, it is pretty much out of our control.

Watch out for the next release of the unemployment figures on March 13th with the Labour Force Survey

 

[Krustee]

If the US economy shrinks a little, the impact into our economy is huge.
The reality for Mr. Harper and all Canadians is that, no matter how we manage this crisis, it is pretty much out of our control.

Watch out for the next release of the unemployment figures on March 13th with the Labour Force Survey

WOW!

Somebody who "get's it".

Good post kb3!

 

[Shakerod]

I have to whole heartedly agree with what Harper is saying here & I will go on record saying that history will show that in this economic mess we are going through he is and will be remembered as the right man to lead Canada through these hard times.

I have stated before my belief that Canada in relative terms is positioned better than any other country.

This will NOT mean that we will miss the severity of this storm but when recovery time comes Canada will definitely be in a better position than most other countries.


I think you are being a little over dramatic on the relationship with the US & Canada.

NAFTA was both good & bad for all the players but in this downturn you will see NAFTA protecting Canadian jobs that without it would be lost to American protectionism.



Who - Harper or Shakerod?

I think Harper is reading this correctly & will be the one to seize the opportunities when they come in the future.

I have to admit that Stephen Harper's PR department have done a magnificent job at changing his image from the time he became Conservative party leader. He comes across as a very down to earth, families oriented, singing coom-by-ya around the campfire, calm type of fellow. But I think it's all Smoke and Mirrors. Unless we split the border between Canada and the U.S. and drift into the Artic, we are at the complete mercy of the United States. When they sneeze, we catch their germs. So it all sounds good to say that we are positioned this way, or that way, but I am not quite as optimistic as you are, because it's inevitable that when push comes to shove the shear size of their country allows them act in their OWN best interest, Canada DOES NOT have that luxury.

 

[Shakerod]

There might not be a de facto change in name of our country, or Mexico. We will just adopt a common currency, common laws, and institutions. My feeling is that there is a good portion of the Canadian population that would be happy to see that happen.

 

[kodiak_bear3]

common currency

There might not be a de facto change in name of our country, or Mexico. We will just adopt a common currency, common laws, and institutions. My feeling is that there is a good portion of the Canadian population that would be happy to see that happen.

What the EU did with the Euro was one of the smartest things ever.
I would welcome a common currency with the US although it's not going to happen soon, as both countries should have similar debt/GDP ratio (we have 30% US have 80% and growing), deficit/GDP ratio (we have 2% this year, the US don't even know) and similar GDP growth ratio.
Mexico... is a different story.

This doesn't necessarily means that we have to adopt the same rules and institutions. None of the EU countries that merged their currencies has lost its independence. Neither shall we.

 

[SFMIKE]

Why would the US label any products in French? More likely German, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Chinese. There is a great need for labels in Spanish, especially since Mexican is now the largest population in California. But, there is no longer any majority race/nationality there.

It still amazes me that in and around Vancouver, with so many Chinese people, that all labels are in English and French. The only Chinese labels are in the Asian places. How far is Quebec from Vancouver?

Yea, I get that bi-lingual stuff, but, come on, how practical is that?