Just after the new Conservative government was sworn in, the blogosphere erupted in a chorus (comprised of members from all political camps) singing “meet the new boss, same as the old boss”.
I do believe the time has come for certain individuals to put away the hymnbook.
But first, let’s review the “old boss’s” policy towards the 1,000 or so Chinese spies reported as operating in Canada. From Hansard;
Mr. Stockwell Day (Okanagan–Coquihalla, CPC): Mr. Speaker, a few months ago, when we raised the possibility of Chinese espionage in Canada, the government did not seem concerned in the least. Now a second Chinese defector is claiming that there is an operational network on Canadian soil.
Has the government called on Chinese officials here in Canada to get a full explanation, yes or no?
Hon. Pierre Pettigrew (Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, we are always in touch with Chinese officials in the capital. We discuss a number of issues relating to the respect for human rights and the right of Canadian citizens to express themselves in the way they want. This is a free country. We will always insist that people are free to do so in this country. This is what we have been expressing to the Chinese officials.
Mr. Stockwell Day (Okanagan–Coquihalla, CPC): There was no answer there, Mr. Speaker.
That policy extended into unexpected places. As many of you know, I contributed to the CBC Roundtable blog over the course of the election campaign. The only post I wrote that would ultimately be rejected (and I fought for it) by the editors was one which touched on this subject. Despite providing direct links to sworn testimony (from RCMP and CSIS officers) before the Public Accounts Committee, published on the Government of Canada website, I was told that my references were inadequate.
So tonight, I nearly choked on a mouthful of red wine watching the following on CTV news. My expectations of this new government have been high, but not even I expected this – especially not so early in a minority mandate;
As the opposition leader, Harper himself pressured Martin to confront the Chinese government, quoting estimates by former Canadian Security Intelligence Service agent Michel Juneau-Katsuya on the number of spies operating in Canada.
Now, the new Conservative government appears ready to act.
“It is something we want to signal that we want to address, and to continue to raise with the Chinese at the appropriate time,” MacKay said.
Intelligence files reportedly suggest that an estimated 1,000 Chinese agents and informants operate in Canada. Many of them are visiting students, scientists and business people, told to steal cutting-edge technology.
An example being touted as copied technology is China’s Redberry — an imitation of the Blackberry portable e-mail device, created by Waterloo, Ont.-based Research in Motion Ltd.
“The Blackberry RIM company is a perfect example of the type of technology and the economic impact that protecting that kind of trademark,” said MacKay.
According to a 2003-2004 CSIS report to Parliament, foreign spies are trying to uncover ”Canada’s scientific and technological developments, critical economic and information infrastructure, military and other classified information, putting at risk Canada’s national security.”
However, CSIS does not specifically mention China in the report.
“It would appear, based on evidence and reporting, that there is a fair bit of activity here,” MacKay said.
Juneau-Katsuya said the former Liberal government knew of the espionage, but were too afraid to act.
“We didn’t want to piss off or annoy the Chinese,” said Juneau-Katsuya, who headed the agency’s Asian desk. “(They’re) too much of an important market.”
This comes on the heels of the Harper government’s decision to allow dissident Lu Decheng into Canada against the wishes of the Chinese government.
So, everyone, shall we all now allow that this new boss is not the same as the old boss?
I yield to the assembled brain-trust here (I’m not sufficiently informed or interested in the topic), but…the proof of the pudding is in the eating, so let’s just wait and see how the government carries this issue forward…quickly and aggressively as would SEEM to be the point of some of the respondents (in dismissing the value of the Chinese market or the impact they could have on our economy) or slowly and cautiously (which was the only point I was trying to make). I suspect that my suggested approach will be the course taken, which would tend to support the general concept I was promoting.
By the by, ET, I wasn’t trying to suggest the softwood lumber issue was black-and-white…it was just a quick and dirty example.
Signing off on this issue now…good night all.
I was listening to one of those call in programs on CPAC, and one caller mentioned that MOST of that “Aid” to China actually went to a few select shipyard to “reduce worker poverty”…
Anyone guess what Canadian Company has its ships built there?
Use your imagination.
canard / rob r.
touched a nerve did I?
Since I�ve been outted as a drive by piece of crap by canard and rob r., let me elaborate. My terrible slight on two of the shining lights of Canadian conservatism is based on one thing. By the time they were ousted from office the accumulated sleaze, malfeasance and outright criminal behavior under their watch had destroyed their political parties. Do I need to remind the inhabitants of this blog that the splitting of the federal conservative movement guaranteed over a decade of Liberal (mis) rule? Or in Saskatchewan the dreaded NDP has ruled because the Tories haven�t been elected since�oh, wait, yes, the Tory party was deliberately dissolved after Devine�s boys were paroled. My bad.
So not only do conservatives need leaders who are elect-able, but also capable of governing competently and ethically. The perception that far too many of the conservative foot soldiers are nut cases, Stockwell Day and Rob Anders come to mind readily, or corrupt (see comments about Devine and Mulroney) has in the past ensured Liberal victories. Harper, to his credit, kept the nutter battalions muzzled and on a short leash during the election, which indicates that he indeed does have some political sense. Harper has proven he can get himself elected, but I will wait to see if the man can govern, because I hope he can. One party states don�t work very well and if we revert to the Liberal version of Japan�s Liberal Democrats, Canada�s conservatives have only themselves to blame. Time to prove that new boss is not the old boss.
Mark Collins and enough:
My opinion is that Hillier is doing a fine job given the resources he has been allocated.
As far as aircraft go; my choice would be to go for the long haul strategic lift aircraft; with the Hercules C130Js to build out the short hop transports.
The strategic lift capability I would prioritize as the need to move around the globe in a timely fashion makes the most sense.
From a command and control point of view; the C130J Hercules would make a nice adjunct to flesh out tactical missions in theatre.
Strategic lift allows one to place a whole lot of troops and materiel in one place, ready to disperse according to some predefined objective.
Forcing tactical craft like the Hercules to do long haul runs doesn’t make sense to me with refueling and what not.
One can debate all you want what to put into those strategic and tactical lift aircraft; but a priori one is going nowhere without lift capability. General Hillier knows this very well, as did Rommel who was always mighty pissed off when his supply lines were temporarily cut.
If one is going to fight to win you need a timely suitable lift capability to get there.
Everything else is rather academic when you are flying 43 year old crates which are likely going to suffer metal fatigue at some point soon. The Sea King disasater replacement schedule would be a case in point. Since 1993 dithering while these decrepit aircraft fall out of the sky requiring 8 hours maintenance to fly one hour.
When your Hercules is nigh on 40 odd years I am sure the maintenance time is getting up there as well. Perhaps it would be better to use your personnel actually flying and getting to where your mission statement and objectives say you should be, than dickering around in the hangar doing endless maintenence.
Having ones’ Chief of Defense Staff hands tied because he hasn’t got lift capability has to be a major source of irritation; not to mention appalling planning on the part of the LIEberals.
If we are going to be a nation, then we should at least give the military the basic tools to even “show up” in theatre in a timely fashion.
Constantly hitching a ride from one’s allies doesn’t cut it in the long run. (Pun intended?)
james halifax
i’ve been mentioning that on different blogs , writing the cbc , ctv , my mp , a few radio talk shows ,a lot of people face to face , the liberal party (i didn’t expect an answer ) but i’d sure like to see the paper trail on that . i don’t get it. why the hell are we sending money there ? i can only think what you are . i don’t see any other reason . it makes me very angry . i’d like to see some action on this . i could be wrong but i really don’t think i am or you are . its the no response thing that really gets me . its like nobody wants to deal with it .
angus writes, “So not only do conservatives need leaders who are elect-able, but also capable of governing competently and ethically. The perception that far too many of the conservative foot soldiers are nut cases, Stockwell Day and Rob Anders come to mind readily . . . ”
Well, angus, what happens if the “perception”‘s false. Has that crossed your (it seems fairly limited ) mind?
Re Stock Day, a fine, intelligent man–contrary to what you probably think, Christians aren’t brain dead: He’s proven his ELECTABILITY astonishingly well. Including his days as an Alberta MLA and as an MP, where he did a very fine job, by all accounts, as Foreign Affairs Critic, he’s been in office for a very long time. What do you think of 20 YEARS without losing an election!! I think I’d call that ELECTABLE.
In Ralph Klein’s government, it’s a FACT, angus, that Stock Day was a more than competent Treasurer. What do you say about that?
“Ethical”? When he suffered a humiliating defeat for the leadership of the Alliance Party, did he complain and diss his opponent, Stephen Harper? No. He rolled up his sleeves and worked with him in the new enterprise. Stock Day’s become one of the most reliable, effective members in a Conservative caucus brimming with such politicians. What a change from the worm-infested Liberal crew.
angus, a little bit of advice: it’s a good idea to have a few facts to think about before posting your opinions.
Farm Protest On Hold
Jason McIntyre
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Farmer spokesman John Vanderspank confirms with CFRA that the food distribution blockade is on the shelf for now.
Talks between the protesters and representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture end on a positive note.
Vanderspank says the government officials hinted at a significant proposal to address the farmers’ demands that could very well be in the upcoming budget. However, no firm details are available as of yet.
The 3 local food distribution centres’ operations are returning to normal. +
cfra.com
In the US the military is also a social program. How many young men and women come from poor backgraounds? How many learn discipline, get structure to their lives and learn useful trades? They earn themselves free university education, are gainfully employed and do something positive for their country.
The money spent on the military is not just flushed down the toilet like many of our social programs. Concrete, positive results come from much of this spent money.
China needs us more than we do. Our market is the US. For all their manufacturing to be done, they need raw materials. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. We do hold the better hand.
I am waiting to see what the Cons do with Cuba. We have been one of Cubas friends for many years now. I hardly think that PM Harper will be all giddy with the excitement of supporting such a great man as Castro.
Canada certainly seems like things are changing.
enough
Glad to see Stock on the track of this domestic red chinese scourge. perhaps after we turf these plagiarizing racketeering scum from our shores ( and hopefully our markets), we can start looking at the Red Chi-com capitalist syndicate’s international money and investment laundering cartel, our old pals Moe Strong and Poppa doc Desmarais will pop up with all the powercor irons they have had in Chi-com profiteering schemes.
I KNOW Stock is well informed and aware of the Desmarais-powercor-Librano-Strong internationalist insider profiteering net work and its deep Chinese government connections….I hope he can gut this liberal insider Quebec racketeering cabal. They have operated unhampered for so long they are bound to have left a slime trail….possibly to some Red Chinese technical espionage or Red army money and investment laundering in this country.
While they’re at it maybe Stock should pull Moe’s Canadian passport and let him take full advantage of his honorary Chinese citizenship. He has been spending a lot of time there now that his slime trail of money laundering for North Korea and Saddam are starting to give him problems in the US…maybe he should become a permanent resident of his beloved Maoist racketeering utopia….I’ll send ya a gas mack to deal with the Bejing smog your Kyoto plan ingnores.
You and Hanna have some dim-sum for me 😉
The good news is China is barely holding itself together now… and they need Canada and it’s resources just as badly as the States needs our resource… seems to me that, as a Western Canadian looking forward to the opening of new ports and expansion of existing ones in BC, Canada stands to benefit quite abit by playing China and the US off against each other in the quest for Resource.
I think we are positioned better than we possibly could have hoped for, and I think we shall see a thriving trade with Asia that perhaps won’t ever outstripe our trade with the US, but could get close.
We have all the pieces, we just need to play the chess game well. I think Harper & Co. are the team for the job for the next little while, and I look forward to seeing their moves.
Canadian tech firms who own technical process secrets are offered economic ready-made buildings and virtual slave labour rates by China. China says let*s partener.., partener.
Blinded by greed and profits, firms prefer not to think much about security.
Are the buildings pre-wired for intelligence gathering? Are the workers inclined to provide secret process info that will lead to copy-cat knock offs?
Dollar stores offer 10 dollar usb cables for a dollar, full size electronic calculators for a dollar, 4 – c size alkaline batteries for one dollar.
Some local retailers will go in and buy off all the stock of certain items to easily re-sell in their own store at more than double the dollar price.
I like a bargain just as much as the next guy, but this kind of product dumping is causing job loss for those who make a quality product for a fair price.
A US auto-parts manufacturer with 29 large factories is closing 21 of those plants and re-locating them outside the USA.
Looks like dark clouds on the horizon, but I have been wrong before and could be again.
TG
Afstan video: bunch of W5 stuff here:
http://soapbox22.blogspot.com/2006/04/devotion-to-mission.html
Mark
Ottawa
I think the Redberry vs Blackberry could very well be an important legal case. If China is attempting to become a world superpower but they fail to respect international courts in regards to patents, then it could hinder their reputation on the world stage. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Ima Hassle:…(Apr 15th…09:25am post)…right on…your first three paragraphs say it all!! I hope there are others who are similarly aware of this reality.