Land Use Workshop

[cakadu]

What a boring world this would be if we all thought alike. It is those "out there" thinkers that have provided some of the most revealing and innovative breakthroughs at various times throughout history.

Bottom line is that we cannot make any more land, so we need to be very thoughtful and forward-thinking to use what we do have wisely and sustainably.

[cowman]

Deb: NAFTA was the best thing that ever happened to Alberta...and for that matter to Canada. Just take a look at the increase in trade and the real wealth created by NAFTA? That is money that we wouldn't have had otherwise to spend?
Actually we always had free trade in cattle and beef with the USA? NAFTA really did not affect that trade one way or the other?
Our present crisis does not have anything to do with NAFTA. Our spineless eastern Liberal government has not used the tools available, under NAFTA, to get this trade dispute settled? Our eastern government also created the problem in the first place by leaving our grain farmers out in the cold in the grain wars...thus leading to the massive increase in the beef and pork sector?
When they killed the CROW and never challenged the US and EU on their massive grain subsidies, they set the Canadian livestock producer up to fail?
We need a government who will deal with the Americans like a business partner, not like a flunky? The NDP would take us down a road that would further alienate us from our major partner? How can that be a good thing?
There is one hell of a lot more to trade than a bunch of old cows? We need to move into a much tighter alliance with the USA...not further away! I would suggest in the case of Alberta, we need to first of all seperate from Canada, then negotiate to join the USA?
I'm sure you agree?LOL

[Deb]

The United States is using NAFTA to ensure their own energy security, for one thing. Canada is required by NAFTA to continue exporting oil and gas to the U.S., even if Canada experiences a shortage (which just about happened this year as far as heating oil goes). That means when the oil and gas start seriously running out, we can cut 50% of the oil and gas off to the U.S. but we have to reduce our consumption by 50% as well.

So even though we may experience cold winters, the southern States that get our oil and gas can still get their share and fritter it away in their cities, on flashing billboard lights and other silly things. The might just take it all anyway and let "the nothern bastards freeze in the dark."

The same will apply to water some day.

Short-term, NAFTA works for some sectors but long-term it is a disaster for Albertans and all Canadians. The United States is in the process of eating us up and will spit us out when our resources are gone.