The Second Battle of NAFTA

If the energy chapter didn't matter -- why did all the American Presidents involved in negotiating the deals insist that it be there? As you point out; there's a world market for the stuff -- Canada or Mexico can sell it anywhere.

Once again -- a lot of electricity is being sold at less than market value. The U.S. was buying it, when the cost of oil or gas was a fifth what it is now -- so the cost of alternative means of generation has gone up.

I'm not the one suggesting tearing up NAFTA -- seems to me that U.S. Democrats, Canadian socialists, and you are pushing for that.

I'm not in favour of blackmail. The reality is that the NAFTA deal benefits all parties. If the U.S., wants to "renegotiate" parts of it -- then the whole shebang is on the table.

At best, a slim majority of Canadians support NAFTA; or are at least reasonably indifferent about it. Apparently, that's the same in the U.S. If the U.S. insists on sweeting the deal -- e.g. by protecting overpaid union workers in inefficient auto plants in Ohio -- then there's no way any Canadian government could leave the Energy Chapter intact.

We have a Conservative minority government holding onto power by dint of the PM's superior political skills. This government supports the U.S., it believes in free enterprise, and it supports free trade. If it left the Energy Chapter in NAFTA, while allowing protectionism for Ohio autoworkers -- we wouldn't have another Conservative government for several generations. The alternatives range from a mirror image of the Democrats -- to the far left. I wouldn't want to see them in power again -- and neither would you.

Our associate USFIV has presented logical and reasoned arguments regarding the stupidity of (Osama and Hillary)’s statements regarding NAFTA. All you’ve done is stick your fingers in your ears and shout LALALALALALALALALALA.

The sign of a genuinely GOOD negotiation is when NOBODY is fully happy with the final agreement.

A good debate requires more than one side to present facts, or it is nothing more intellectually stimulating and significant than a 6 year old saying “Is NOT!” when being taught something.

Oh, and when is California going to finally pay for the power sent from BC Hydro to there during their crisis? We could have kept the water behind the dams for our own use.

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