Lost Opportunities – Why Won’t Canada Nationalize Its Natural Resources?
By Mark Taliano
The fact that Canada is on the cusp of ratifying a corporate empowerment treaty with China — the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Act (FIPPA), adds urgency to a discussion that will likely never take place on Parliament Hill.
The photo rain in the American media with a caption – ‘Resource-rich Canada looks to China for growth’. The questions we should be asking is growth for whom? And how many more Canadian jobs and resources will Harper give away next?
The nexus of concentrated media ownership, plus our neo-conservative government, means that the accepted political/economic agenda in Canada is necessarily insular, and often self-defeating. To make matters worse, the government’s increasing control over the CBC means that the public and political narrative is becoming even more restricted. Anything that threatens the dysfunctional marriage between subsidized “monopoly” capitalism, and government, is increasingly off the table.
Consequently, the government is wilfully blind to two “elephants in the room.” The first is man-made global warming, and the second is resource mismanagement. Both issues are intricately linked, and if the resource management/economic model were improved, we would have a better chance of addressing the overarching issue of catastrophic man-made global warming. A half step towards a better option would be to follow former Premier Peter Lougheed’s advice. Basically, his ignored advice was to act like a resource owner, develop one project at a time, develop a substantial Sovereignty/Heritage fund, charge higher royalties, and take care of externalities.
Unfortunately, the “externalities” part of the equation is even more pressing now than it was during Lougheed’s time as premier of Alberta, so the next step, which is increasingly off the agenda, would be to start nationalizing our resources.
Nationalizing at least some of our resources would make sense both economically, and environmentally. If we were to nationalize some Tar Sands projects, we could retain our judicial and legislative sovereignty over the resources (instead of relinquishing it to China Inc.), and we could develop the resources by adding value here (such as refining) instead of shipping it crude overseas. Developing the resource in this country would enable us to better respect the environment, and create thousands of good jobs as well.
Control of our resources would allow us to better regulate pollution and other externalities, to the benefit of both Canada and the rest of the world. Most important, control of our own resources would allow us to redirect profits towards a necessary transition to alternate, environmentally compatible sources of energy.
Unfortunately, none of this will happen, and it won’t even be discussed on Parliament Hill, because it is not consistent with the country’s neoconservative agenda.
Our anti-democratic corporatocracy does not see the merit in the judicious sharing of resources for the benefit of indigenous peoples or local institutions. Nor does it see the merit in maintaining sovereignty over our resources.
The narrow neo-conservative ideology is in thrall of corporate globalization, and state-subsidized hyper-privatization, regardless of the costs to the economy, the country, and the planet.
Worthwhile ideas such as these will not even be considered.
Mark Taliano is a resident of Niagara, Ontario and a regular contributor of news and commentary to Niagara At Large
(Niagara At Large invites you to join in the conversation by sharing your views on the content of this post below. For reasons of transparency and promoting civil dialogue, NAL only posts comments from individuals who share their first and last name with their views.)
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Lost opportunities! Nationalize Resources! What a vacuous socialist idea!
Nationalizing anything is to succumb to the notion that government can run things better than the citizens.
How did that work for the eastern block of Europe, North Korea, Cuba, and the like? Nationalization almost brought down England and is still working on Scandinavia. Countries that labored for so many years under government controlled nationalization soon recovered wherever these social ideas were reversed.
Better yet, how well has this nationalizing worked right here in Ontario? The short list contains the few things our Ontario Government has been successful at. The long list of socialist failures reads like a nightmare!
Mr. Taliano, you say the government is willfully blind to two ‘elephants in the room’. Please understand that one medium sized volcano spews out more poison and pollution than the history of mankind and that resource management does not equate to the centralized lethargic control of a socialized government
When you refer to ‘subsidized “monopoly” capitalism’ did you forget that the taxpayer subsidizes the CBC to the tune of $1 Billion to purchase and broadcast foreign hardcore pornography or the many subsidize failures of our governments?
Nationalizing at least some of our resources would only increase the cost both economically, and environmentally.
Perhaps the current conservative aspirations are not perfect but they are certainly not as imperfect as the untenable aspiration of socialism.
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“Nationalizing anything is to succumb to the notion that government can run things better than the citizens.”…where in “citizens” have equal rights and equal ownership in the country’s resources, such as in a democratic country, then there is only corruption in government, led by resource extraction corporations, to be done away with, decisively and without leniency – incarcerate these traitors with the ‘little despot’.
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Ratifying FIPPA is a surrender of judicial and legislative sovereignty of our resources to Communist China. Apparently, some would prefer Chinese-style governance to social democracy. Likewise, some would prefer our current fascist-like corporatocracy to social democracy. If neocon economics was worth anything, Alberta wouldn’t have a deficit, and Harper wouldn’t be fascist -like. It’s very ironic that those who use the term socialist in a derogatory fashion embrace corporatism and Chinese neo-colonialism of our resources. What is vacuous here is our current inept federal misgovernance (I believe they just “lost” over 3 billion dollars). I likely will not continue with this “discussion” because it is headed nowhere.
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Mr. Taliano, it is quite right and very proper to attack inept or corrupt policies of any government and there is an army of citizens that will support this.
It is improper to denigrate any government based on that government’s policies that just happens to run counter to your point of view.
Worse yet is to refer to only one Canadian Government as a ‘fascist-like corporatocracy’ or Harper being fascist-like.
Please explain your ridiculous statements that ‘some would prefer Chinese-style governance to social democracy’ and the equally ludicrous statement of ‘likewise, some would prefer our current fascist-like corporatocracy to social democracy.’ It would or could be enlightening to hear your version of ‘Social democracy’. Obviously your version of ‘Social Democracy’ is to put-down, denigrate and name calling of anyone who has a differing opinion or counterpoint to you.
Instead of pointing to Alberta why don’t you ask; if Social Liberal economics is worth anything Ontario wouldn’t be in a very serious deficit as a have-not province basket case.
You might have valid points to make regarding any government’s policies but you give yourself away by only slamming one particular government and ignoring governments like the Liberal government here in your own province.
I use the word ‘Socialist’ in derogatory terms NOT because I embrace ‘corporatism’ but because I have witnessed the downside ‘Socialism’.
Mr. Taliano, you say you will likely not continue with this “discussion” because it is headed nowhere. The truth is that someone is challenging your point of view and the ‘discussion’ is not going your way.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism
Mr. Haskell; if you are unfamiliar with the tenets and history of fascism, this might prove a decent primer for you. Going by the basic tenets presented here, and as taught in classes throughout the developed world, many steps being taken by the Harper government are indeed fascistic in timbre. Nationalism, imperialism, rejuvenation of patriotism through militarism, antagonism toward unions, attempts to control the market, a blurring of the lines between corporate interests and the government, subversion of democracy in favour of ideology, and dismissing the values of freedom of speech and freedom of the press in favour of propaganda and the need to control “the message” — these are all behaviours typically associated with fascism, and the current government displays them quite amply. Indeed, Mr. Harper had a visitor just the other week whom the media did not speak much about: the Chinese minister in charge of that nation’s propaganda.
Which is why it is not so outlandish for it to be stated that some would prefer the Chinese style of governance. If FIPA goes through — a treaty developed in secret and pushed through Parliament without proper debate to inform the public on the matter — it will subvert Canadian law and sovereignty in favour of allowing Chinese corporations to profit. Chinese corporations who are owned by the state, no less. We will, in effect, be giving the Chinese government the ability to levy financially crippling penalties on any level of Canadian government — municipal, provincial, or national — that attempts to develop policies that impact their profits in any way; regardless of whether or not such policies are being developed for the good of our citizenry. This is an abominable surrender of freedom, and a slap in the face to every soldier who ever put their life on the line for our nation. To surrender ourselves to an antagonistic state (they were recently caught red-handed in espionage activities looking for information on our defenses and our energy grid system) so shamefully is beyond comprehension.
In addition, your attempt at denigrating European socialism in regards to the energy sector is flawed. You dredge up the strawmen of the Eastern bloc, North Korea, Cuba… but none of those are representative of the situation. Not even close. In terms of advantages offered by technology, geography, education, and natural resources, the closest example would be Norway — and Norway’s success in this regard has been nothing short of stunning. Not only has it enriched their nation and afforded them one of the highest qualities of life in the developed world, but shrewd handling of the finances generated from those resources have allowed them to re-invest in development of technology that is helping to assure their continued prosperity in decades to come. How convenient that you skipped Norway in your list.
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Well said Mark.
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I’m with Taliano and McKellar on this one. No surprise there.
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When did the citizens ever “run things?” Governing bodies “run things” in both corporate capitalist and socialist structures. A “citizen” only has that kind of power in a truly democratic society. We do not have a truly democratic society and privatization has ensured that such an ideal is increasingly less likely to be achieved.
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Mr. E. W. Northcott, I am quite familiar with the tenets and history of fascism. There’s the USSR, the DDR, the NSGWP and many, many more that operated under a variety socialist banners. That is why I questioned Mr. Taliano’s definition of ‘Social Demoracy’.
Sir, you say that ‘the Harper government is indeed fascistic in timbre. Nationalism, imperialism, rejuvenation of patriotism through militarism, antagonism toward unions, attempts to control the market, a blurring of the lines between corporate interests and the government, subversion of democracy in favour of ideology, and dismissing the values of freedom of speech and freedom of the press in favour of propaganda and the need to control “the message” — these are all behaviours typically associated with fascism, and the current government displays them quite amply’.
What a load of bovine waste! Your propaganda points are also behavior typically associated with governments claiming to be ‘Socialist’.
That is why I’m advocating term limits, a recall mechanism and more oversight of the Ontario Ombudsman. Something that is actually useful to the citizen as in the British Columbian Provincial Government.
And you predicate your opinion on what exactly? Is it because of a visit by the Chinese minister in charge of that nation’s propaganda?
You say ‘it is not so outlandish for it to be stated that some would prefer the Chinese style of governance’. It is very outlandish to make such a statement if you cannot point to any such person. It is a damned lie if it is pointed at me.
If your concern is the wording of any contract with any foreign country, then that is where you should to put your efforts.
Instead of demanding better government we will continue to banter misinformation until, unfortunately, we get the government we deserve
Sir, I did not CONVENIENTLY skip ninth place Norway so I’ll send you a link to 67 counties: http://www.numbeo.com/quality-of-life/rankings_by_country.jsp
Perhaps I could point out to you that you conveniently left out the worst government in the history of Ontario – the Liberal Government under Premier Dalton McGuinty!
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That you dismiss the basic tenets of fascism as a “bovine waste” suggests you should look at the subject again. Fascism borrows some elements from what simplistic philosophy labels “right wing” and some from “left wing” — it steals extremes from both, and so fails in all the ways that both philosophies fail in. Fascism and socialism have much in common; there are, however, things in that list which are decidedly anti-socialist. The chief difference is as Mr. Chamberland points out: fascists are more corporate friendly. One might even go so far as to say (though it’s extremely simplistic) that fascism is simply socialism, but inverted with an eye toward the dominance of industry as the ruling body. It is a failure in democracy.
As I’ve seen it, nobody has accused you of preferring Chinese style governance. Why you perceive that as a personal attack is beyond me. It is, however, exactly where the current government’s policies are bringing us. Saying that addressing that specifically is all well and good, but that subject has yet to be dealt with responsibly as the Prime Minister has studiously avoided allowing it to be properly debated in parliament. As such, he continues to undermine the democratic process — as is common with this government. The number of instances of attempting to undermine or subvert the mechanisms of democracy is absolutely shameful. In terms of corruption, they have put every previous government to shame — including the Chretien government.
I did not leave out the Ontario Liberal government. They’re awful. They are, however, a direct result of the grotesque incompetence of the Harris Conservatives, who ruined near everything they touched with staggering incompetence and cronyism. We haven’t had a solid government since Bill Davis… who himself had to speak out against the madness that was being enacted by the Harris Conservatives (who also practiced the Republican neo-conservative style of government).
You did indeed conveniently leave out Norway. You also used the first “quality of life” ranking you could find using Google search, obviously without regard for it’s merit. They describe the way in which they calculate quality of life rankings… and it’s awful. Imprecise, lacking fact… terrible over all. And even with that in mind, Norway still ranks 8th (not 9th). For example, they claim that “freedom” is one of the big considerations for their ranking, but they still rank the United Arab Emirates highly. You might wish to look at a list that used more data compilation in it’s estimations. The Economist provided a solid one some years back.
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Northcott and Taliano have it correct and Haskel has bought corporatism. Haskel needs to read a bit more or acquire a better education. What Norther European countries, including Sweden and Germany have is a mixed economy based on a social democracy. What Haskel proposes is called corporotacracy which is another word meaning fascism (collusion between government and capitalists to the detriment of the population). The Harper government is not only driven by errant ideology but just plain stupidity.
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Yes, it worked out so well for England prior to Thatcher
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Mr. Northcott, I’m very sorry if you misinterpret my term ‘bovine waste’ as dismissive of the basic tenets of Fascism. My term ‘bovine waste’ was not aimed at fascism but at your overload of BS in your second paragraph.
I find it interesting conjecture that you think what Ontario has been going through is not the fault of the McGuinty Government predicated on your theory that the horrors of the McGuinty Government is a direct result of the grotesque incompetence of the Harris Conservatives.
So, let’s recap:
You say that Harper is a fascist? He won a majority in Parliament, which indicates that most voters disagree with you.
You think that being corporate friendly is a bad thing but where would we be if we were devoid of companies – the same companies and corporations as in Norway!
You think Google is terrible overall, but it was not a Google link that I sent you! http://www.numbeo.com/quality-of life/rankings_by_country.jsp
You are correct that Norway comes in at number eight – three points behind Canada!
I’m not surprised that you forgot to mention my positive position that I’m advocating term limits, a recall mechanism and more oversight of the Ontario Ombudsman.
I remind you, Sir, that you said ‘it is not so outlandish for it to be stated that some would prefer the Chinese style of governance’. My response was that ‘it is very outlandish to make such a statement if you cannot point to any such person. It is a damned lie IF it is pointed at me. I said IF sir!
I suggested that ‘if your concern is the wording of any contract with any foreign country, then that is where you should to put your efforts’ not in negative propaganda
Mr. Northcott, do you not have anything positive to proffer!
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Mr. Haskell, you have yet to offer much in the way of facts, though your posts are heavy on dismissiveness. Simply shaking your head and emphatically saying “nuh-unh!” doesn’t actually change the facts. What you refer to as “bovine waste” is more accurately categorized as fact: something which neo-conservatives have little love of.
You attempt a kind of slight of hand in regards to addressing these things, petty little distraction games to keep the issues from being addressed. It appears the original poster was correct: you have nothing of substance to offer. It’s disappointing, as your posts are at least well-written. So as a farewell, here’s a final list of corrections for you to work with:
1) The McGuinty government is indeed awful. They were however not the originator of much of our misery — they simply didn’t do anything of worth to improve the position, and in fact may have worsened it. History tends to bear these things out more clearly. The Harris government was the origin point of much of the current mess, by making a mess of the education system and being fiscally incompetent: a financial audit of Ontario’s books revealed that Jim Flaherty as finance minister cooked the books to the tune of $5 billion. When you layer incompetence on top of incompetence, you get an epic mess — which is what we have. Unfortunately, I don’t see anything better waiting in the wings. The provincial Liberals are still a mess, and the Conservatives are even worse. We need another Davis.
2) You present an election as a counter-point to fascist tendencies. This is a strawman. Fascism is a form of behaviour in a government, not an electoral result. It’s worth noting that Mr. Harper’s support has strongly declined since he was able to enact his mandate more directly — quite the accomplishment with a stable economy and in an era of political apathy.
The Harper government displays every sign of fascistic philosophy. You were unable to provide a single counter point to show where they have done otherwise, save to point out the obvious: they were elected. Some of the most notable fascists in history were elected. It’s what they do after being elected that makes them fascists.
3) Being corporate friendly is not a bad thing, nor did I say it was so. Being corporate sycophants is another thing entirely. Corporations do not create wealth, contrary to neo-conservative dogma. All numerical indications point to a strong middle class as the prime wealth creator in a healthy economy — and a strong middle class is not necessarily created by strong corporations. In fact, there is strong evidence to the contrary with the tendency for foreign outsourcing. Corporations that are not limited by responsible regulation become a societal burden and a financial drain. Corporate welfare is abominable.
4) I did not say Google was terrible. I said you found the first item on a Google search and jumped at it without regard to the quality of the information there — which, incidentally, is badly compiled. Numbeo gets a fair bit of press in cities that they praise, but statistically their work is sub-par. Look to more reputable sources that quantify their results with more transparency and more accurate data. The Economist Intelligence Unit produces one of the (if not *the*) most thorough examination of the subject by compiling the largest amount of information to produce their results. Norway hits #3. Canada, #9.
Check the sources of your information and their quality. It’s very important.
5) I’m fine with no term limits. I would want to know what mechanics you intend with a recall mechanism or oversight for the Ohmbudsman before I would take a stance on either. The devil is in the details with these things, and they can go good or ill.
6) The issues with FIPA are a direct result of the secrecy and lack of transparency practiced by the neo-conservatives currently heading the Conservative party. To take issue with one is to take issue with the other. Had this agreement been drawn up in the full light of public scrutiny, with an opportunity for it to be fully and properly debated in parliament — as any such international agreement *should* be — then there would be no issue. The dismal state of FIPA is a direct reflection on the Conservative government.
Misplacing $3.1 billion, spending millions of taxpayer’s dollars on self-promotion, cooking the books on military costs by at least $10 billion, spending millions of taxpayer dollars monitoring people (including, sadly/laughably enough, letters to Santa), handing out billions in corporate welfare… and so very much more… these can only be explained through corruption or incompetence. The current sitting government is either corrupt or incompetent. There is no alternate explanation. Corrupt or incompetent. Neither is acceptable.
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Mr. Northcott, you say that I ‘have yet to offer much in the way of facts, though my posts are heavy on dismissiveness. REALLY! Well Mr. Northcott you make a lot of accusations without backing them up.
Please explain how the Harris government created our health care debacle, or the Ornge fiasco, or the $885 Million gas plant misfortune, which was their baby from the start. And what do you think a financial audit of Ontario’s books will reveal about the McGuinty Government?
Generalities are NOT points of fact. Why would you say the conservatives are even worse – Hudak has yet to form a conservative government? Another accusation without evidence maybe?
You say that ‘fascism is a form of behaviour in a government. Possibly, but did you mean any government or only conservative governments? Somewhat vague and politically biased.
You say that ‘Some of the most notable fascists in history were elected’ but then, so were some of the most lethal social governments!
You say that ‘it’s what they do after being elected that makes them fascists’. You must be right Mr. Northcott because McGuinty and company amply prove your point.
Please describe how the middleclass creates wealth.
I did not say Google was terrible. Right Sir. You said ‘They describe the way in which they calculate quality of life rankings… and it’s awful. Imprecise, lacking fact… terrible over all.
The Economist Intelligence Unit produces one of the (if not *the*) most thorough examination of the subject by compiling the largest amount of information to produce their results. Norway hits #3. Canada, #9. GOOD! Please send a link to YOUR source. It certainly is very important
Answer to #5:
A- A similar recall mechanism to that employed in British Columbia.
B- Increased oversight for the Ontario Ombudsman as requested by our Ontario NDP
You say ‘Misplacing $3.1 billion, spending millions of taxpayer’s dollars on self-promotion, cooking the books on military costs by at least $10 billion, spending millions of taxpayer dollars monitoring people (including, sadly/laughably enough, letters to Santa), handing out billions in corporate welfare… and so very much more… these can only be explained through corruption or incompetence. The current sitting government is either corrupt or incompetent. There is no alternate explanation. Corrupt or incompetent. Neither is acceptable’. This may all be quite true but you say it as if only conservatives partake in such despicable conduct.
The original question was ‘Why Won’t Canada Nationalize its Natural Resources?’ Those that consider nationalizing anything should create a two column list. One column for the government run success stories and one for the government run failures.
I have tried to give an honest opinion and positive points while I am being berated and put down by people who are directly funded from the public purse.
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There is no doubt that some governments can be corrupt or make errors, from any political stripe. It is more likely to occur when the electorate feel they have little say and when the governments are secretive and manipulative. As an example, the Harper government has given $1.38 in subsidies to big oil (this amount does not include what provinces have given). 71% of big oil is foreign owned. Norway (a social democracy) with its state owned oil has amassed $648 Billion in saved funds from oil while Alberta has saved $16 Billion. What’s interesting to me is that the Harper government, with it’s ideology of corporate ownership of everything, is making an agreement with a state owned country that will surpass even the US which is a heavy capitalist country. To buy into corporate thinking is to undermine everything in which we believe. It is a belief that all things can be owned by private entities like corporations to the detriment of the population. It is a belief that a non living entity has more rights that living entities. It is abhorrent.
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Well stated Mr. Chamberland.
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Guys, stop feeding the troll or preston haskell will never go back under his corporate/gov’t loving bridge… People who can’t look at all sides of everything with an open mind, who are as dismisive as this one are just mouthpieces bought and paid for.. Ignore them and they lose all power. i can look at the gov’ts point of view. I can understand why they do what they do, but being of sound mind and intelligent reason i cannot understand why anyone would agree with such acts against our country as mister preston does. i would say he is much in the same league as harper and would all to willingly sell us all down the river for a little bit of power or money for himself int he short term for no long term gain.. The typical neo-fascist modus operandi. Say what you want about my post mister preston i won’t be reading your response to this.
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Remember Petrocan… it was ours?
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Not counting Norway, http://opencanada.org/features/what-ever-happened-to-petro-canada/ Do you remember this? http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2009/03/23/suncor-petro-canada-merge.html
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I really like it when individuals come together
and share ideas. Great website, stick with it!
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