Never Believe Anything Until It Is Officially Denied
Industry minister denies rumours she’s eying French ambassador role
Published:
OTTAWA -- Canada’s industry minister is denying rumours she is considering leaving politics to become Canada’s ambassador to France.
Speaking from Tokyo, Melanie Joly told reporters Wednesday that she is not interested in the position.
“Absolutely not,” Joly said when asked about her interest in the role. “I’m focused on my job right now, which is to be the minister of industry and to fight for every single job in this country at a time of trade tensions.”
On Monday the Toronto Sun cited sources saying Joly was looking to be appointed Canada’s ambassador to France. The position is currently held by former Liberal cabinet minister Stephane Dion. He was appointed to the role by former prime minister Justin Trudeau in 2022.
“I think also what is really important is I have a very strong sense of duty towards my country, and I’m very much aware that we have to be able to engage with the private sector and also with governments,” Joly said. “Two of my expertise, which is business and at the same time geopolitics, are actually very useful for Canada right now.”
Questions about Joly’s future come less than a week after former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland was appointed to take on a new position next summer administering the Rhodes Trust. Freeland has not announced any plans to resign as an MP, though she has said she would not run in the next election. She resigned from her role as transport and internal trade minister in September to serve as Canada’s new special representative for the reconstruction of Ukraine.
In September, Trudeau’s former justice minister and Prime Minister Mark Carney’s former principal secretary David Lametti was named Canada’s UN Ambassador. He started the position on Nov. 17.
Sources say two other former Trudeau-era cabinet ministers also eying new careers in the diplomatic service.
Sources say Bill Blair, who served as defence minister until earlier this year, is set to replace Ralph Goodale as high commissioner to the United Kingdom. No appointment has been announced yet.
Former energy minister Jonathan Wilkinson has also reportedly been offered a post in Brussels as ambassador to the European Union, but nothing has been announced.
Both Blair and Wilkinson continue to serve as Liberal Members of Parliament.
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Dec 11, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Subject: Re: whatdouthink
To: Erik Andersen <twolabradors@shaw.ca>
FORM 18-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
ANNUAL REPORT
Date of end of last fiscal year: March 31, 2002
SECURITIES REGISTERED*
| Time of Issue |
Amounts as to which registration Is effective |
Name of exchange on which registered |
||
|
N/A
|
N/A | N/A | ||
Name and address of person authorized to receive notices
HIS EXCELLENCY MICHAEL KERGIN
Copies to:
|
BILL MITCHELL
Director Financial Markets Division Department of Finance, Canada 20th Floor, East Tower L’Esplanade Laurier 140 O’Connor Street Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G5 |
DAVID MURCHISON Consul Consulate General of Canada 1251 Avenue of the Americas New York, N.Y. 10020 |
ROBERT W. MULLEN, JR. Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza New York, N.Y. 10005 |
DISTRIBUTION OF REAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AT BASIC PRICES(1)
From: Erik Andersen <twolabradors@shaw.ca>
Date: Fri, Dec 12, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Subject: Fwd: whatdouthink
To: Graham Juneau, StatCan <graham.juneau@statcan.gc.ca>
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Dec 11, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Subject: Re: whatdouthink
To: Erik Andersen <twolabradors@shaw.ca>
Date: Mon, Jun 2, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Subject: Automatic reply: Methinks Carney thinks that Joly and her Deputies know how to herd cats N'esy Pas?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
From: Ministerial Correspondence Unit - Justice Canada <mcu@justice.gc.ca>
Date: Mon, Jun 2, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Subject: Automatic Reply
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Thank you for writing to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
Due to the volume of correspondence addressed to the Minister, please note that there may be a delay in processing your email. Rest assured that your message will be carefully reviewed.
We do not respond to correspondence that contains offensive language.
-------------------
Merci d'avoir écrit au ministre de la Justice et procureur général du Canada.
En raison du volume de correspondance adressée au ministre, veuillez
prendre note qu'il pourrait y avoir un retard dans le traitement de
votre courriel. Nous tenons à vous assurer que votre message sera lu
avec soin.
Nous ne répondons pas à la correspondance contenant un langage offensant.
Date: Mon, Jun 2, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Subject: Réponse automatique - Automatic reply: Methinks Carney thinks that Joly and her Deputies know how to herd cats N'esy Pas?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
I am out of the office and will return on Monday, June 2, 2025.
Should you require immediate assistance please contact Annette Hartlen at Annette.Hartlen@justice.gc.ca
Otherwise, I will reply to your email upon my return.
Date: Mon, Jun 2, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Subject: Methinks Carney thinks that Joly and her Deputies know how to herd cats N'esy Pas?
To: <melanie.joly@ised-isde.gc.ca>
Cc: premier.ministre <premier.ministre@cex.gouv.qc.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
I HAVE ONEOn Thu, Dec 11, 2025 at 2:29 PM Erik Andersen <twolabradors@shaw.ca> wrote:Hello Graham. A friend shared this pie chart from 2002. I think the relative size of each category is of interest to the few who have been following my discussions about the GDP. I suspect you understand my interest in the GDP numbers, but for the record, I think a broad understanding of these statistics, by the public, would result in better economic navigation, in the public interest, not now provided by current politicians. Statistics Canada is doing a great job of giving the population great economic navigation tools to use, if they only had a little help getting up the learning curve..Is there now a current version of this pie chart ? I imagine you now recognize that I am beginning to use "DEPENDENT" in place of "SERVICES" and "INDEPENDENT" in place of "GOODS".Best Christmas wishes. ErikFrom: "D
To: "Erik Andersen" <twolabradors@shaw.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 10:20:22 PM
Subject: Re: whatdouthinkFORM 18-K
For Foreign Governments and Political Subdivisions ThereofSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549ANNUAL REPORT
ofCANADA(Name of Registrant)Date of end of last fiscal year: March 31, 2002
SECURITIES REGISTERED*
(As of the close of the fiscal year)
Time of Issue Amounts as to
which registration
Is effectiveName of
exchange on
which registeredN/A N/A Name and address of person authorized to receive notices
and communications from the Securities and Exchange Commission:HIS EXCELLENCY MICHAEL KERGIN
Canadian Ambassador to the United States of AmericaCanadian Embassy501 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20001Copies to:
Director
Financial Markets Division
Department of Finance, Canada
20th Floor, East Tower
L’Esplanade Laurier
140 O’Connor Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G5DAVID MURCHISON
Consul
Consulate General of Canada
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, N.Y. 10020ROBERT W. MULLEN, JR.
Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza
New York, N.Y. 10005DISTRIBUTION OF REAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AT BASIC PRICES(1)
Percentage Distribution in 2001(2)
On Wed, Dec 10, 2025 at 6:40 PM Erik Andersen <twolabradors@shaw.ca> wrote:FYIFrom: "Erik Andersen" <twolabradors@shaw.ca>
To:
Sent: Tuesday, December 9, 2025 7:33:08 PM
Subject: Re: whatdouthinkMaybe it is time to understand what people will be faced with. The BoC deliberately took their interest rate to near zero as a way of solving the lending banks problem in 2008. It is important to realize that banks are fractional reserve businesses so if the open market bid prices on assets go down, because of fraud , the banks then become unqualified to be part of the international banking system, bankruptcy. In 2008 the Canadian gov, set up an account at the CMHC where banks could exchange their under par value loans for full value cash . The low bank rate was held low for 6-7 years. That turned private investors into speculators and asset prices to balloon. When that happens asset affordability collapses, real estate.In economics the determination of the prices of all assets is determined by the net earning of any asset, ships, airplanes, trucks , office towers and real estate.. When there are inadequate or no earnings, the asset becomes a "stranded" asset/investment.So it is easy to now see that real estate is more and more likely to become a stranded asset as they become un-affordable .for a growing proportion of the population. A desperate need for more income by governments compounds the problem and is behind property tax loan deferment and other programs like reverse mortgaging..I have no idea what is in store for Canadians but I can't imagine it will be pleasant.Hope this helps. Regards ErikFrom: "
To: "Erik Andersen" <twolabradors@shaw.ca>
Sent: Tuesday, December 9, 2025 6:36:41 PM
Subject: whatdouthinkBefore I send this to others and scare them, do you think this man's assessment of Canada is sufficiently accurate to share?
From: Erik Andersen <twolabradors@shaw.ca>
Date: Tue, Dec 9, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Subject: Re: Canada West Forum - Inaugural Planning Sessions
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Cc: Norman Farrell <canadawestforum@gmail.com>, nrf <nrf@shaw.ca>
To: "Norman Farrell" <canadawestforum@gmail.com>
Cc: "Erik Andersen" <twolabradors@shaw.ca>, "nrf" <nrf@shaw.ca>
Sent: Tuesday, December 9, 2025 5:30:27 AM
Subject: Re: Canada West Forum - Inaugural Planning Sessions
F-35 Lightning – guest post by former RCAF fighter pilot Erik Andersen
Mr. Andersen wrote this letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
December 6, 2025
The Right Honourable M. Carney, Prime Minister
House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6
Ref. F 35 aircraft
Dear Prime Minister;
Having been an RCAF pilot on the F-86 and an air transport economist, I have nothing good to say about the F-35.
An important measure of the use of financial capital is the usefulness of the aircraft one selects to buy. Military measures of capital in use is the effectiveness of the aircraft as a weapon and its 24/7 availability for deployment.
It is at this second requirement that the F-35 falls flat on its undercarriage. To help appreciate this condition, I have enclosed a copy of an article, dated January 24, 2025, titled “F-35 Fighter Readiness Challenges Exposed: GAO Report Reveals Troubling Trends”. The letters GAO stand for Government Accountability Office, USA.
This report brings to mind the F-104 Canada got stuck with in the early 1960s, also built by Lockheed. This jet was rejected for front-line use by the USAF at that time because the maintenance required to get and keep it airworthy was outrageous. The USAF gave them to “weekend” reservists.
In response to the “Second Berlin Crisis”, we had an F-104 squadron based nearby, and those pilots were restricted to 10 flying hours a month, when we were booking +30. That was when we used the term “Hanger-Queens” a lot. That piece of Lockheed aviation junk was well known throughout NATO.
I examined commercial aircraft extensively in the 1970s, and one of my first tests was the productivity to be had from each competing design per unit of capital invested, along with the records of maintenance cost per flight-revenue hour.
Sincerely, Erik Andersen
What GAO Found
Maintenance challenges negatively affect F-35 aircraft readiness. The F-35 fleet mission capable rate—the percentage of time the aircraft can perform one of its tasked missions—was about 55 percent in March 2023, far below program goals. This performance was due in part to challenges with depot and organizational maintenance (see fig.). The program was behind schedule in establishing depot maintenance activities to conduct repairs. As a result, component repair times remained slow with over 10,000 waiting to be repaired—above desired levels. At the same time, organizational-level maintenance has been affected by a number of issues, including a lack of technical data and training.
Perhaps you should check my workOn Tue, Dec 9, 2025 at 2:37 AM Norman Farrell <canadawestforum@gmail.com> wrote:Kondratiev cycles are not so easily explained. In our Zoom conversations today, we talked about how the Canada West Forum could make complex topics meaningful and understandable for people who do not study the subjects. I suppose if we conquer that, we can then discuss nuclear physics.Academic economists do not all agree on K-Waves. Perhaps cybernetics have changed things. We are now almost 80 since the end of WW2On Mon, Dec 8, 2025 at 8:59 PM David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com> wrote: Swimming against the current is just another one of those things I do that most folks don't appreciateOn Mon, Dec 8, 2025 at 2:12 PM Erik Andersen <twolabradors@shaw.ca> wrote:Good morning Norman;The list of topics is both interesting and challenging.My suggestion at this time is to take corrective guidance from first considering the concept of cycles, as portrayed by the "K" theory of cycles. A much less formal characterization was recently mentioned to me, grandma's 4 generations cycle.My reason for mentioning cycles is that humans have a record of making the same mistakes over and over again. If the group wants to accept the notion that cycles are inevitable, that then sets up the scope of any discussions from then on. If the group want to find ways of breaking the cycle with evidence and the concept of fairness, then the discussion going forward would be entirely different.Even though the second option would be like swimming against the current, it is my choice. Regards Erik
Saab offering 10,000 jobs, Joly says, as Canada's F-35 review drags on
Industry minister says Canadians expect more from $27B Lockheed Martin contract
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly pitted two giant defence companies against one another on Tuesday for the future of Canada's fighter fleet, saying the $27-billion contract to buy 88 U.S.-made F-35 jets doesn’t deliver enough jobs for workers in this country and that the public expects a better deal.
In perhaps her most pointed comments to date, Joly acknowledged publicly that the federal government was talking with Swedish defence contractor Saab, which has promised to bring thousands of aerospace manufacturing jobs to the country in the assembly of its Gripen E fighter jet.
"We think that we can use military procurement to get more,” Joly told reporters. “That is why we're looking, indeed, at the Gripen."
“We'll see how that is concrete," Joly said. "And at the same time, we're looking at what Lockheed Martin can do."
Joly says American F-35 deal ‘not enough’ as Swedish fighter jet proposal offers thousands of jobsThe remarks unfolded against a backdrop of a full-court press by Sweden with a visit to Ottawa this week that included the Nordic country’s royal family, business executives and senior political officials, including the defence minister.
In 2023, Canada signed a deal with Lockheed Martin, the world largest defence contractor, to buy F-35 stealth fighters to replace the air force’s aging CF-18 jets. The agreement, which will see the first tranche of 16 fighters delivered between 2026 and 2030, was the result of an open competition in which Saab’s Gripen E placed second.
Last winter, following the eruption of a trade war by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Mark Carney ordered a review of the F-35 purchase — an analysis that is ongoing, despite promises to have it completed in September.
Canada must bid for F-35 work
Traditional defence procurement deals see the winning bidder invest dollar-for-dollar in the Canadian economy — either directly on the fighter program in subcontracts and manufacturing, or by investments elsewhere in the country.
However, the Lockheed Martin program is different. Canada has for decades paid to be part of a pool of countries that can bid on work involving the entire fleet.
The U.S. manufacturer is on the public record as saying the F-35 program is expected to deliver upwards of $15.5 billion in industrial value to Canada over the course of five decades, from 2007 to 2058.
Opposition Conservatives, who've long favoured the F-35, have accused the government of putting existing Canadian contracts and jobs at risk by undertaking the review.
Sweden’s royals in Canada as fighter jet debate brews “There are jobs tied to the F-35 right across this country in places like Richmond, Winnipeg and Montreal in the production phase,” defence critic James Bezan said during a House of Commons committee meeting last month.
At the Oct. 23 defence committee meeting, Bezan pressed Stephen Fuhr, secretary of state for defence procurement, for assurances that no jobs would be lost if the government changed course.
The government has not made a decision on whether to stick with the F-35 program or accept the existing 16 jets that have been ordered and mostly paid for, and shop elsewhere for the rest.
Aside from enticing Canada with the building of Gripens in this country, some in the defence community believe there may be other reasons to consider a mixed fleet.
"I would be cognizant of the fact that the 70 per cent of the costs of any acquisition is the life-cycle sustainment costs," said Alan Williams, the Defence Department's former top procurement official, "and these costs for the Gripen are one-sixth the cost of the F-35. So I would be shocked if in fact the cost analysis didn't say, 'Prime Minister, you can save a ton of money by having two fleets.'"
Lt.-Gen. Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, the new commander of the RCAF, is a strong proponent of the F-35 program. She and other senior defence officials told the Commons defence committee earlier this fall that the country needs a fifth-generation fighter jet like the F-35 to counter potential threats from major nations, a reference to China and Russia.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Date: Mon, Jun 2, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Subject: Automatic reply: Methinks Carney thinks that Joly and her Deputies know how to herd cats N'esy Pas?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
From: Ministerial Correspondence Unit - Justice Canada <mcu@justice.gc.ca>
Date: Mon, Jun 2, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Subject: Automatic Reply
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for writing to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
Due to the volume of correspondence addressed to the Minister, please note that there may be a delay in processing your email. Rest assured that your message will be carefully reviewed.
We do not respond to correspondence that contains offensive language.
-------------------
Merci d'avoir écrit au ministre de la Justice et procureur général du Canada.
En raison du volume de correspondance adressée au ministre, veuillez
prendre note qu'il pourrait y avoir un retard dans le traitement de
votre courriel. Nous tenons à vous assurer que votre message sera lu
avec soin.
Nous ne répondons pas à la correspondance contenant un langage offensant.
Date: Mon, Jun 2, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Subject: Réponse automatique - Automatic reply: Methinks Carney thinks that Joly and her Deputies know how to herd cats N'esy Pas?
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
I am out of the office and will return on Monday, June 2, 2025.
Should you require immediate assistance please contact Annette Hartlen at Annette.Hartlen@justice.gc.ca
Otherwise, I will reply to your email upon my return.
Date: Mon, Jun 2, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Subject: Methinks Carney thinks that Joly and her Deputies know how to herd cats N'esy Pas?
To: <melanie.joly@ised-isde.gc.ca>, Steven.MacKinnon <Steven.MacKinnon@parl.gc.ca>, Anita.Anand <Anita.Anand@parl.gc.ca>, <chrystia.freeland@canada.ca>, <shafqat.ali@parl.gc.ca>, <rebecca.alty@parl.gc.ca>, <gary.anand@parl.gc.ca>, <rebecca.chartrand@parl.gc.ca>, <julie.dabrusin@parl.gc.ca>, Sean.Fraser <Sean.Fraser@parl.gc.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, Steven.Guilbeault <Steven.Guilbeault@parl.gc.ca>, <mandy.gull-masty@parl.gc.ca>, <patty.hajdu@parl.gc.ca>, <tim.hodgson@parl.gc.ca>, Joel.Lightbound <Joel.Lightbound@parl.gc.ca>, heath.macdonald <heath.macdonald@parl.gc.ca>, <david.mcguinty@parl.gc.ca>, Bill.Blair <Bill.Blair@parl.gc.ca>, <jill.mcknight@parl.gc.ca>, <lenametlege.diab@parl.gc.ca>, <marjorie.michel@parl.gc.ca>, <eleanor.olszewski@parl.gc.ca>, <gregor.robertson@parl.gc.ca>, <Maninder.Sidhu@parl.gc.ca>, <evan.solomon@parl.gc.ca>, <joanne.thompson@parl.gc.ca>, <rechie.valdez@parl.gc.ca>, <buckley.belanger@parl.gc.ca>, Wayne.Long <Wayne.Long@parl.gc.ca>, <stephen.fuhr@parl.gc.ca>, <anna.gainey@parl.gc.ca>, <stephanie.mclean@parl.gc.ca>, <nathalie.provost@parl.gc.ca>, <ruby.sahota@parl.gc.ca>, <randeep.sarai@parl.gc.ca>, <Adam.vanKoeverden@parl.gc.ca>, <john.zerucelli@parl.gc.ca>, <philip.jennings@ised-isde.gc.ca>, <sony.perron@ised-isde.gc.ca>, <francis.bilodeau@ised-isde.gc.ca>, <natalie.giassa@ised-isde.gc.ca>, <joshua.chambers@justice.gc.ca>, <Lorri.Warner@justice.gc.ca>, <alain.vauclair@justice.gc.ca>
Cc: premier.ministre <premier.ministre@cex.gouv.qc.ca>, premier <premier@gnb.ca>, premier <premier@gov.nt.ca>, Office of the Premier <scott.moe@gov.sk.ca>, premier <premier@gov.bc.ca>, premier <premier@ontario.ca>, premier <premier@leg.gov.mb.ca>, premier <premier@gov.pe.ca>, premier <premier@gov.nl.ca>, premier <premier@gov.yk.ca>, PREMIER <PREMIER@gov.ns.ca>, premier <premier@gov.ab.ca>, <premier@gov.nu.ca>, melissa.lantsman <melissa.lantsman@parl.gc.ca>, <alexis.deschenes@parl.gc.ca>, <Alexis.Brunelle-Duceppe@parl.gc.ca>, Alexandre.Boulerice <Alexandre.Boulerice@parl.gc.ca>, Michael.Duheme <Michael.Duheme@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, washington field <washington.field@ic.fbi.gov>, djtjr <djtjr@trumporg.com>, ragingdissident <ragingdissident@protonmail.com>, <peyman.askari@prilyx.com>, <jasonlavigne@outlook.com>, jan.jensen <jan.jensen@justice.gc.ca>, Dana-lee Melfi <Dana_lee_ca@hotmail.com>, <ezra@forcanada.ca>, Jacques.Poitras <Jacques.Poitras@cbc.ca>, David.Akin <David.Akin@globalnews.ca>, <vicki.hogarth@chco.tv>, <NIA_IG@navy.mil>, NightTimePodcast <NightTimePodcast@gmail.com>, Frank.McKenna <Frank.McKenna@td.com>, postur <postur@for.is>, birgittajoy <birgittajoy@gmail.com>
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
35,662 Comments
Thursday, 11 July 2024
Trudeau says Canada can meet NATO's military spending benchmark by 2032
Poilievre won't commit to NATO 2% target, says he's 'inheriting a dumpster fire' budget balance
'I make promises that I can keep and right now we are, our country, is broke,' Conservative leader says
Federal
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks to the media in a school
park during a press conference in Montreal on Friday, July 12, 2024. (The Canadian Press/Christinne Muschi)Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he won't commit to meeting the two per cent NATO defence spending target if he becomes prime minister.
"I make promises that I can keep and right now we are, our country, is broke," Poilievre said. "I'm inheriting a dumpster fire when it comes to the budget.
"Every time I make a financial commitment, I'm going to make sure I've pulled out my calculator and done all the math. People are sick and tired of politicians just announcing that they're going to spend money without figuring out how they're going to pay for it."
Poilievre made the remarks in Montréal after being asked why he hasn't yet committed to the NATO benchmark of spending two per cent of annual GDP on the military.
Poilievre says he cannot commit to NATO benchmark due to ‘dumpster fire’ budget situation
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to reach the target by 2032 at the NATO summit in Washington D.C. on Thursday after facing criticism for lagging behind alliance partners.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell met with Trudeau in Washington on Tuesday. After the meeting, McConnell published a post on X: "It's time for our northern ally to invest seriously in the hard power required to help preserve prosperity and security across NATO."
In May, a group of U.S. senators from both major parties sent a letter to Trudeau urging the Liberal government to boost defence spending to the NATO target.
"It's clear now Justin Trudeau is seen as an absolute joke on the world stage," Poilievre said in reaction to allies' criticism of Canada's defence spending.
Poilievre said Thursday his plan to boost defence spending hinges on cutting funding to "dictators, terrorists and multinational bureaucracies."
"I will crack down on corruption, back office bureaucracy and procurement bungles, and I will use the savings from that to reinforce our military," he said.
Poilievre said that a future Conservative government would "buy equipment based on best value, to make our money go further" and would replace the military's "woke culture with a warrior culture" to boost recruitment.
"When the previous Conservative government was in office, we weren't hearing these criticisms. Why? Because we were delivering. It wasn't because we were spending more, it's because we were delivering more," he said.
In fact, between 2012 and 2015 the Conservatives faced substantial criticism for cutting the Department of National Defence budget by $2.7 billion annually in order to reach a balanced budget.
And after the Afghan war, the government of then-prime minister Stephen Harper cancelled or delayed decisions on several high-profile defence programs.
For budgetary reasons, it shelved a decision to buy modern close-combat vehicles for the army and delayed a program to buy replacement anti-aircraft systems for the army. It also put off buying the F-35 stealth fighter after the auditor general and the Parliamentary Budget Office accused the government of not doing enough homework on the purchase.
Canada spends about 1.37 per cent of its GDP on the military and the federal government says it plans to reach 1.76 per cent by the end of the decade.
Since coming to power in 2015, the
Trudeau government's military
NATO says that under the last Conservative government, military spending in Canada from 2008 to 2014 ranged from 0.99 per cent of GDP in 2013 to 1.39 per cent in 2009.
The alliance began tracking member nations' defence spending as a percentage of GDP in 1974.
In 1974, Canada spent an estimated 2.4 per cent of its GDP on the military. That placed it second from the bottom among 14 NATO members, ahead of Luxembourg and just behind the Netherlands.
The 1990s and the dissolution of the Soviet Union saw those numbers fall off a cliff. Defence budgets were gutted and Canada was spending about 1.2 per cent of GDP on defence — which is roughly where the defence budget stands today.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Senior writer
Peter Zimonjic is a senior writer for CBC News. He has worked as a reporter and columnist in London, England, for the Daily Mail, Sunday Times and Daily Telegraph and in Canada for Sun Media and the Ottawa Citizen. He is the author of Into The Darkness: An Account of 7/7, published by Random House.
With files from the CBC's Murray Brewster
Trudeau says he has 'full confidence' in Freeland following reports of tensions between PMO and minister
Senior source says Freeland not resonating with voters in the way PMO had hoped
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered a firm defence of Chrystia Freeland Thursday following reports of an increasingly tense relationship between his office and the finance minister.
"She has been a close friend, an ally and a partner in doing really big things for Canada, and will continue to be," Trudeau said during his closing news conference from the annual NATO summit in Washington.
"I have full confidence in her abilities and the work we're going to be doing together."
Trudeau's comments came after the Globe and Mail reported that tensions between Freeland and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) — including Trudeau's chief of staff Katie Telford — are increasing due to the Liberals' recent economic messaging and low approval ratings.
Trudeau is asked if he wants to replace Freeland as finance minister
The prime minister was also asked Thursday about rumours of internal discussions about recruiting former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney as finance minister.
"I have been talking with Mark Carney for years now about getting him to join federal politics. I think he'd be an outstanding addition at a time when Canadians need good people to step up in politics," he said.
Despite what Trudeau is saying publicly, CBC News has also learned of tensions behind the scenes.
A senior government source told CBC News that Freeland was not resonating with voters in the way the PMO had hoped. The source added that such tensions are to be expected when the government is facing headwinds.
The government's recent woes have prompted intense discussions among Liberals. The Liberals' unexpected byelection loss in Toronto last month prompted one backbench Liberal MP to publicly call on Trudeau to resign as leader. Other members of caucus have also expressed frustrations in private.
Former
governor of the Bank of Canada and Bank of England Mark Carney speaks
during the Canada 2020 Net-Zero Leadership Summit in Ottawa on
Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)
Polling has consistently shown the Liberals trailing Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives.
A second senior government source acknowledged the tensions, saying "everyone will be in support of her (Freeland) until they're not."
"That is the way these things roll," the source said.
CBC News is not identifying the sources, as they are not authorized to discuss these matters publicly.
A spokesperson for the PMO insisted there are no tensions with Freeland.
"These assertions are not accurate. The prime minister and his office have full confidence in Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland," wrote Ann-Clara Vaillancourt.
"The Deputy Prime Minister has been working tirelessly and effectively to serve Canadians since she was first appointed to cabinet in 2015."
A Liberal MP, who spoke on the condition they not be named, told CBC News they believe the general mood in caucus indicates a desire for change, including to the way the government communicates on issues like affordability. They added the communication problems are not limited to Freeland.
The MP also told CBC they haven't heard from caucus members calling for Freeland to be moved out of finance.
Despite requests from some Liberal MPs to meet over the summer to address the party's faltering fortunes, the party's caucus chair Brenda Shanahan has said a meeting won't be possible until September.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Reporter
Catharine Tunney is a reporter with CBC's Parliament Hill bureau, where she covers national security and the RCMP. She worked previously for CBC in Nova Scotia. You can reach her at catharine.tunney@cbc.ca
Thursday, 11 July 2024
China angered by NATO's charge that it's a 'decisive enabler' of Russia's war in Ukraine
From: NIA_IG <nia_ig.fct@navy.mil>
Date: Thu, Jul 11, 2024 at 3:45 PM
Subject: Automatic reply: [Non-DoD Source] Last year Viktor Orbán said It was up to Biden to decide when peace will materialize. Now he is meeting with Xi to discuss a potential Ukraine peace deal???
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Thank you for contacting the Naval Intelligence Activity Hotline. This automatic reply confirms we received your correspondence and will review it as soon as possible. All communications with Naval Inspectors General are databased in a tracking system. Your email will be reviewed and assigned a contact number.
If this is an emergency, dial 9-1-1. Emergencies include, but are not limited to, immediate danger to life and health, threats of harm to self or others, and ongoing criminal activity.
Naval Inspectors General exist to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of programs under their purview, and strive to eliminate waste, fraud, abuse, and gross mismanagement. This office is limited to assessing matters directly connected to US Naval Intelligence. Naval Inspectors General may be able to refer certain matters to other, more appropriate activities, or provide assistance. This office will disregard claims determined to be spurious, nonsensical, or fanciful.
Sincerely,
Naval Intelligence Activity Hotline
Naval Intelligence Activity
Office of the Inspector General
Attn: Hotline
4251 Suitland Road
Washington, DC 20395
NIA_IG@navy.mil<mailto:NIA_IG@
(301) 669-3030
CUI
The information contained in this email and any accompanying attachments may contain Inspector General sensitive information. It should not be released to unauthorized persons. If you are not the intended recipient of this information, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or the taking of any action in reliance on this information is prohibited. If you received this email in error, please notify this office by email or by calling (301) 669-3030.
Controlled by: DON
Controlled by: NIA OIG
CUI Category: PRVCY
Distribution Statement: FED ONLY
POC: NAVINTEL Hotline, (301) 669-3030
From: Chrystia Freeland <Chrystia.Freeland@fin.gc.ca>
Date: Thu, Jul 18, 2024 at 3:20 PM
Subject: Automatic reply: Last week Viktor Orbán was meeting with Xi Now Melanie Joly is in China???
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
The
Department of Finance acknowledges receipt of your electronic
correspondence. Please be assured that we appreciate receiving your
comments.
Le ministère des Finances Canada accuse réception de votre courriel. Nous vous assurons que vos commentaires sont les bienvenus.
Date: Thu, Jul 18, 2024 at 3:20 PM
Subject: Automatic reply: Last week Viktor Orbán was meeting with Xi Now Melanie Joly is in China???
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
(English follows)
Bonjour,
Nous
accusons réception de votre courriel adressé à L’honorable Dominic
LeBlanc, cp, cr, député de Beauséjour et nous vous en remercions.
Veuillez noter que nous recevons actuellement un volume élevé de correspondances. Veuillez prévoir un délai dans nos réponses.
En ce qui concerne les courriels relativement à des enjeux particuliers de nos commettants de Beauséjour, nous allons nous assurer de bien réviser votre message et un employé de notre bureau de circonscription communiquera avec vous si nécessaire. Si vous avez des questions ou vous désirez des clarifications, vous pouvez toujours communiquer avec notre bureau au numéro de téléphone suivant : (506) 533-5700.
Si vous écrivez à propos de sujets relatifs aux fonctions de sécurité publique du
ministre LeBlanc, veuillez communiquer avec notre département de Sécurité publique à ps.ministerofpublicsafety-
Pour toutes demandes des médias, veuillez contacter Kelly Ouimet à Kelly.Ouimet@iga-aig.gc.ca
Merci et bonne journée.
Bureau de L’hon. Dominic LeBlanc, cp, cr, député
Député de Beauséjour
------------------------------
Hello,
We acknowledge receipt and thank you for your email addressed to the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, P.C., K.C., M.P. for Beauséjour.
Please note that we are currently receiving a high volume of correspondence. This may mean a delay in our responding to you.
For emails related to specific issues from our constituents in Beauséjour, we will make sure to review your message and an employee from our constituency office will be in contact with you if necessary. If you have any questions or require clarification, you can always contact our office at the following phone number: (506) 533-5700.
If you are writing with respect to Minister LeBlanc's public safety duties, please
direct your correspondence to our Public Safety department at ps.ministerofpublicsafety-
Thank you and have a good day.
Office of the Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, P.C., K.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Beauséjour
Date: Thu, Jul 18, 2024 at 3:20 PM
Subject: Automatic reply: Last week Viktor Orbán was meeting with Xi Now Melanie Joly is in China???
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for contacting the Honourable Rob Moore, P.C., M.P. office. We appreciate the time you took to get in touch with our office.
If you did not already, please ensure to include your full contact details on your email and the appropriate staff will be able to action your request. We strive to ensure all constituent correspondence is responded to in a timely manner.
If your question or concern is time sensitive, please call our office: 506-832-4200.
Again, we thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Office of the Honourable Rob Moore, P.C., M.P.
Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal
Date: Thu, Jul 18, 2024 at 3:20 PM
Subject: Automatic reply: Last week Viktor Orbán was meeting with Xi Now Melanie Joly is in China???
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for your email. Your thoughts, comments and input are greatly valued.
You can be assured that all emails and letters are carefully read, reviewed and taken into consideration.
Thanks again for your email.
______
Nous tenons à vous assurer que nous lisons attentivement et prenons en considération tous les courriels et lettres que nous recevons.
Dans certains cas, nous transmettrons votre message au ministère responsable afin que les questions soulevées puissent être traitées de la manière la plus efficace possible. En conséquence, plusieurs jours ouvrables pourraient s’écouler avant que nous puissions vous répondre.
Merci encore pour votre courriel.
From: <info@nationalcitizensinquiry.ca>
Date: Thu, Jul 18, 2024 at 3:20 PM
Subject: Auto: Last week Viktor Orbán was meeting with Xi Now Melanie Joly is in China???
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.com>
Thank you for reaching out to the National Citizens Inquiry. We are grateful for all your messages. Due to the volume of correspondence received and our small team of volunteers, it may take some time to respond.
You may find the answer you’re looking for on our website:
https://nationalcitizensinquir
Commissioners Report:
https://nationalcitizensinquir
Follow NCI on Social Media:
https://nationalcitizensinquir
Media Inquiries:
https://nationalcitizensinquir
Help share the Commissioners Report! Learn more at
https://nationalcitizensinquir
To stay updated on all things NCI, please sign-up for our e-newsletter:
https://nationalcitizensinquir
While you’re waiting for us, we would like to share part of a new strategy to reach "unaware" Canadians, who do not watch alternative sources and who - as we know - are still the majority in our country. The NCI has now created a network of regional YouTube channels, containing some of the most important NCI testimonials, which can bypass YouTube filters, if it’s done right.
To successfully by-pass and avoid potential YouTube strikes, we need your help to get these channels indexed (made searchable). Please click and “subscribe” on each of the six regional channel links below and then share with those you know who support NCI efforts.
NOTE: If you have multiple google accounts or channels on YouTube, you can subscribe from each of them:
https://www.youtube.com/@nci-c
https://www.youtube.com/@nci-c
https://www.youtube.com/@nci-c
https://www.youtube.com/@nci-c
https://www.youtube.com/@nci-c
https://www.youtube.com/@nci-c
Thank you for your patience and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Yours sincerely,
NCI Support Team
PS The National Citizens Inquiry relies on the gracious support of volunteers to help with our correspondence. If your question was not fully answered, or you have additional questions or concerns, please reach out to us again for assistance.
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Date: Thu, Jul 18, 2024 at 3:19 PM
Subject: Last week Viktor Orbán was meeting with Xi Now Melanie Joly is in China???
To: Greta.Bossenmaier <Greta.Bossenmaier@hq.nato.int
Cc: nia_ig.fct <nia_ig.fct@navy.mil>
Mélanie Joly's surprise visit to China is first by Canadian foreign minister in 7 years
Joly set to hold talks with her Chinese counterpart on Friday
Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is making a surprise visit to to China in an effort to thaw relations between the two countries — the first face-to-face talks in Beijing involving a Canadian foreign minister in nearly seven years.
Joly is in Beijing at the invitation of Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign ministry said. Wang is China's foreign minister and a director of the all-powerful Communist Party of China's Central Committee.
A senior Canadian government official with direct knowledge of the visit told CBC News the meeting between the two foreign ministers on Friday is a "big step in the right direction" and "an important one" aimed at repairing the deteriorating ties between the two countries.
Those ties have soured in recent years after China's detention of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor — detentions Canada maintains were arbitrary — and recent reports of Chinese political interference in this country's politics.
The source told CBC News the visit has been discussed for a while but came together "over the course of a couple of weeks" and was finalized without the help of international partners.
In a statement, Joly's office says the ministers will "discuss possible avenues for collaboration on common challenges" and will also "exchange views on concrete ways to enhance the already deep ties between the people of Canada and China."
"As the world faces increasingly complex and intersecting global issues, Canada is committed to engaging pragmatically with a wide range of countries to advance our national interests and uphold our values," Joly said in a statement provided by her office.
"As described in Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, we must maintain open lines of communication and use diplomacy to challenge where we ought to, while seeking co-operation in areas that matter most to Canadians.
"I look forward to a productive meeting."
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told journalists in his regular briefing Thursday that Joly and Wang "will have in-depth communication on China-Canada relations and issues of common concern to promote the improvement and development of bilateral relations."
The senior Canadian government source said the trip is also being seen as a way to open the door to other ministerial visits in the future. The source said the two countries have the potential to work together on a number of issues, such as climate change and the environment.
The source said a "big question mark" lingers over the prospect of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visiting the country soon, the source said:
"At the core, [Joly] will defend Canada's national interests, while keeping ... the door open for further collaboration on common interests," the source said, adding Joly should be expected "to continue her diplomacy, to set the tone for the relationship through dialogue."
Troubled relations
This is Joly's first trip to this country since her appointment as foreign minister in October 2021. Joly last met her Chinese counterpart in February, on the sidelines of a global security conference in Munich.
Canada's relationship with China entered a deep freeze following Beijing's detention of Kovrig and Spavor in December 2018. Their arrests were widely seen as retaliation for the Vancouver arrest of Huawei's chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, at the behest of the U.S. to face fraud charges related to American sanctions against Iran.
Although all three were released in 2021, tensions continue and Canada's spy agency has said it believes the Chinese government interfered in both the 2019 and 2021 federal elections.
More recently, Canada said it is considering a plan for potential tariffs to protect Canada's electric vehicle supply chain from what the Trudeau government calls unfair Chinese competition.
Despite that, when Joly and Wang met in February in Germany, the two foreign ministers signaled the thaw in diplomatic ties meant a path forward for negotiations on the most sensitive issues dividing the two countries.
"It is in the fundamental interests of both countries to promote the stabilization of China-Canada relations from further deterioration and achieve the improvement and development of bilateral relations," a readout — or summary — of the meeting released by China's foreign ministry said at the time.
"The economies of China and Canada are highly complementary and there is no conflict of fundamental interests between the two sides. The two sides are not rivals, let alone enemies, and should be partners of cooperation."
The last Canadian foreign affairs minister to visit China was Chrystia Freeland in 2017. Prime Minister Trudeau visited the country in December of that year, when Canada and China appeared poised to announce the formal start of negotiations toward a free trade agreement.
All hopes of that were dashed when the "two Michaels" were detained 12 months later, and bilateral relations between the two countries hit what Beijing described as "rock bottom" and a "freezing point" compared to any time since diplomatic ties were first established in 1970.
Trudeau says trip will "reset the relationship" with China
Friday's high-level visit by Joly comes just weeks after China's new top envoy began his post in Ottawa. The new Chinese Ambassador to Canada Wang Di — who officially began on June 26 — said at the time of his appointment that "China attaches importance to its relations with Canada."
The ambassador is quoted as saying that China "stands ready to work with Canada to promote healthy and stable development of the bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect, seeking common ground while putting aside differences and win-win co-operation," in a statement released by the embassy.
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Date: Thu, Jul 11, 2024 at 3:35 PM
Subject: Last year Viktor Orbán said It was up to Biden to decide when peace will materialize. Now he is meeting with Xi to discuss a potential Ukraine peace deal???
To: Greta.Bossenmaier <Greta.Bossenmaier@hq.nato.int
Cc: nia_ig.fct <nia_ig.fct@navy.mil>, <nia_ig@navy.mi>, <ugyfelszolgalat@bm.gov.hu>, <Was.missions@kum.hu>, washington field <washington.field@ic.fbi.gov>, blaine.higgs <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>, martin.gaudet <martin.gaudet@fredericton.ca>
China angered by NATO's charge that it's a 'decisive enabler' of Russia's war in Ukraine
Hungary signed off on NATO statement but doesn't want alliance to become 'anti-China'
China on Thursday criticized a draft statement from the NATO summit in Washington, D.C., that described it as a "decisive enabler" of Russia's war effort in Ukraine.
Beijing continues to pose systemic challenges to Europe and to security, the planned statement also said.
Outgoing NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this week at a news conference in Washington that China "is propping up Russia war's economy" in what he termed a "major strategic shift."
A spokesperson for the Chinese mission to the European Union described the draft as "full of Cold War mentality and belligerent rhetoric, and China-related content full of provocations, lies, incitement and smears."
"China's core position on the Ukraine issue is to promote peace talks and political settlement, which has been widely recognized and appreciated by the international community," said the spokesperson.
China has broken with the United States and its European allies over the war in Ukraine, refusing to condemn Russia's invasion or even to refer to it as an act of aggression in deference to Moscow. Its trade with Russia has grown since the invasion, at least partially offsetting the impact of Western sanctions.
WATCH l Retired major, a former NATO official, on the alliance's uncertain future with U.S.:
Strong NATO is ‘good for the United States,’ whether Biden or Trump wins: NATO secretary general
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jin said at a regular press briefing Thursday that the county's trade with Russia is legitimate.
"On the Ukraine crisis, NATO hyped up China's responsibility. It makes no sense and comes with malicious intent," said Lin. "We urge NATO to reflect on the root cause of the crisis and what it has done, and take concrete action to de-escalate rather than shift blame."
Chinese troops in Belarus for drills
Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping attended a meeting of leaders or top officials from the 10 Shanghai Co-operation Organization countries in Kazakhstan.
This week, Chinese troops are in Belarus for joint drills near the border with Poland, a NATO member. The exercises are the first with Belarus, an ally of Russia, with which it shares a single-party system under President Alexander Lukashenko, whose regime cracked down brutally on mass protests against his rule in 2020. Lin described the joint training as a normal military operation that is not directed at any particular country.
Beijing put forward a 12-point paper more than a year ago that set out general principles for ending the war, but did not get into specifics. It received a lukewarm reception at the time in both Russia and Ukraine.
Chinese officials on Thursday also repeated charges that NATO has expanded its presence to the Asia-Pacific Region, saying it disrupts the prosperity and stability of the region.
Leaders of Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia are in attendance at the NATO summit in the U.S., having forged stronger ties with the security alliance amid rising concerns over China's aggressions in the South China Sea.
NATO member Hungary hasn't specifically commented on the draft statement, but Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told Hungary's state television on Thursday it does not want, and will not support, NATO becoming an "anti-China" bloc.
Earlier this week, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban paid an unexpected visit to Beijing, meeting with Xi to discuss a potential Ukraine peace deal.
Hungary has become an important trade and investment partner for China, in contrast with many other European nations, who are seeking to become less dependent on Beijing.
With files from The Associated Press
From: PMO-CPM <pm@pm.gc.ca>
Date: Thu, Jul 11, 2024 at 12:53 PM
Subject: Readout
To: <PM_AN_E@list.pm.gc.ca>
July 11, 2024
Washington, D.C., United States of America
Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on the margins of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit in Washington, D.C., United States of America.
The Prime Minister reiterated his condemnation of Russia’s increased indiscriminate attacks on civilians, including Russia’s recent abhorrent attack on Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv, Ukraine, and he offered further support in the wake of these attacks. He also underscored how these horrific attacks have only served to further strengthen NATO’s unity and resolve in support of Ukraine as Russia continues its unjustifiable war of aggression.
Prime Minister Trudeau reaffirmed Canada’s ongoing and unwavering support for Ukraine. He noted Canada’s commitment to provide an additional $500 million in military assistance to Ukraine as part of NATO’s Pledge of Long-Term Security Assistance for Ukraine, as well as further support to enhance F-16 training for Ukrainian pilots through the Ukraine Defense Contact Group Air Force Capability Coalition.
The leaders also exchanged views on Ukraine’s efforts toward a just and sustainable peace. They noted the need to continue building on the success of the recent Summit on Peace in Ukraine in Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 15 to 16, 2024, including Canada’s commitment to host a Ministerial event on Working Group Four to discuss the return of prisoners of war, unlawfully detained civilians, and illegally deported children.
The leaders discussed progress that has been made to provide critical assistance to Ukraine, including at this year’s NATO Summit. They also noted Ukraine’s progress as it continues on its path toward Euro-Atlantic integration and NATO membership.
Prime Minister Trudeau and President Zelenskyy reaffirmed their intention to remain in close and regular contact.
Associated Links
The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
[Manage my subscriptions | Unsubscribe]
Monday 6 May 2019
Voters everywhere are in no mood for the same-old
David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos
Replying to @DavidRayAmos @Kathryn98967631 and 47 others
Methinks the polls are saying that most Canadians would be satisfied with a Conservative minority N'esy Pas?
https://davidraymondamos3.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/
Voters everywhere are in no mood for the same-old
The Canada Votes newsletter is your weekly tip-sheet as we count down to Oct. 21.
Reading this online? Sign-up for the newsletter and receive it every Sunday.
Voters open to something different
Vassy Kapelos, host of Power & Politics
What does a byelection in Nanaimo-Ladysmith have in common with a Ukrainian comedian?
More than you might think. Or nothing. Bear with me for a few minutes.
The byelection tomorrow will be another window for something "different" to happen. And when I say "different," I mean something other than the typical outcome.
If you've been paying attention to the results of some recent provincial elections (and international ones, too), you'll notice small changes that have the potential to turn into something bigger.
In New Brunswick's provincial election back in September, voters showed they wanted change. OK, that's not unusual. What was unusual is where many of them chose to park their votes.
New Brunwsickers voted in a minority Conservative government - with the Greens and the People's Alliance of New Brunswick winning three seats apiece and holding the balance of power.
Last month, P.E.I's election saw another vote for change. Despite the economy's positive performance, voters in that province turfed the governing Liberals and voted in a Conservative minority government, with the Greens forming the Official Opposition.
As two former premiers from those provinces told me, voters increasingly are looking beyond the usual binary choice between voting Liberal or Conservative.
Is something going on here? If so, what?
It's hard to know, and I hesitate to use the term 'populism' because it conveys so many different things to different people right now. But what I do see is a clear appetite for change, anxiety about the status quo and a desire among a growing number of voters to see less-traditional options as vehicles for that change - a way to reject the status quo.
Former New Brunswick premier Brian Gallant, who was turfed in September's election, told me recently it would be a big mistake for federal parties to ignore this trend.
So what does that mean for Monday's byelection? I don't know. I gave up on predicting elections back in 2015, when I told a group of much more senior reporters that there was no way Albertans would ever vote for change. (Very smooth move on my part.)
But the Greens have a shot, and a decent one in Nanaimo, as my colleague Éric Grenier points out.
According to Éric's poll tracker, the Greens are just six points behind the NDP nationally. The Greens have struggled (as they did in P.E.I.) to convert that popular support into actual wins. But along with the newly-formed People's Party of Canada (helmed by ex-Tory Maxime Bernier), they certainly throw something different into the mix heading into October.
The electorate itself also appears to be different this time - less confined to traditional voting patterns, more willing to try something new.
Vassy Kapelos is host of Power & Politics, weekdays at 5 p.m. ET on CBC News Network.
Power Lines
The Power & Politics Power Panelists on where the big parties will be focused this week
Amanda Alvaro president and co-founder of Pomp & Circumstance
The Liberals will likely continue to highlight that Andrew Scheer and his campaign director were recently caught holding behind-closed-doors strategy sessions with oil industry executives and shadowy third party groups. While the Conservatives strategized about "silencing environmental critics," the Liberals will continue to focus on the importance of a real plan to fight climate change
Rachel Curran senior associate at Harper & Associates Consulting
The Conservatives will be focused this week on issues designed to keep the government on the defensive: SNC-Lavalin; the trial of Vice-Admiral Mark Norman and the recent revelation that retiring Liberal MP Andrew Leslie will be testifying for the defence; and ongoing provincial opposition to Trudeau's carbon tax, as articulated in clear terms by Alberta Premier Jason Kenney in his testimony before the Senate on Bill C-69. The Conservatives will also be playing some defence of their own, as the Liberals press Scheer for his own climate change plan.
Kathleen Monk principal at Earnscliffe Strategy Group
New Democrat Leader Jagmeet Singh is trying to catch the eye of Canadians who are looking for a new progressive champion, now that 44 per cent of Liberal voters report they disapprove of Justin Trudeau's performance. Singh is starting to lay out his key policy offers for Canadians, such as affordable medicine, access to housing and a Canadian version of AOC's "Green New Deal." With just a few sitting weeks left in this Parliament, Singh has an important opportunity to hold Liberals accountable and will continue to put corporate influence over the Liberals under the spotlight.
Poll Tracker Takeaway
Éric Grenier's weekly look at key numbers in the political public opinion polls.
On the face of it, the polls have been all over the map this past week.
Surveys by the Angus Reid Institute and Léger have given the Conservatives a lead of 13 percentage points over the Liberals. Nanos Research put the edge at just three points, while Ipsos suggested it was four. Forum Research split the difference with a seven-point margin.
The natural reaction might be to throw up your hands. But this is actually how it should be.
The Canada Poll Tracker currently shows the Conservatives with a lead of just over seven points nationwide. If that's the current political environment, then we should expect to see polls giving the Conservatives a double-digit edge, with others showing a gap within the theoretical margin of error.
Assume that these polls have a margin of error of about three points. Online surveys cannot calculate a margin of error in the same way as random surveys, but they are designed to replicate the same kind of accuracy — and a seven-point Conservative lead easily turns into a gaping 13-point edge when you add three points to the Conservative tally and take three points away from the Liberals.
Similarly, that seven point gap turns into a tight one-point margin just as easily. Suddenly we go from majority territory to a toss-up.
So don't worry too much about the differences between individual polls. They can still paint the same overall portrait — and right now, it's one that doesn't look good for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Tap here to go to the full Poll Tracker
More from CBC Politics
Conservatives, Liberals in closer fundraising race in decisive election battlegrounds
The Conservatives are dominating in fundraising nationwide, but where the money is coming from tells a different story.
Budget watchdog to crunch numbers on political campaign promises for 1st time
For the first time, Canada's budget watchdog has a mandate to cost out election campaign promises, but the uptake from political parties isn't clear.
Trudeau appoints Chrystia Freeland's chief of staff to run Liberals' election campaign
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his party's national campaign director this week, elevating his former deputy principal secretary Jeremy Broadhurst to the top of his re-election team.
Ask Us
We want to know what YOU want to know.Jim Hilson from Medicine Hat, Alta., emailed to ask… "I understand the reluctance of political parties to disclose too much too early. That just sets them up as a target. They have to keep electors on board and without giving away too much to the enemy. When is the right time for disclosure from a political party as to what they want to make the backbone of their campaign?"
The short answer is that there is no "right" time to release major parts of your eventual campaign platform. Most parties try to stagger announcements of significant policy initiatives to win as much attention as possible, and to force their opponents to respond. And, as you note, some parties prefer to wait to avoid having another party steal, incorporate, or otherwise assume all of parts of their plans.
For example, voters already have a good idea of how most of the parties plan to address climate change, and that's put pressure on the Conservatives to release their own plan before the summer, long before the formal campaign will begin this fall.
Most parties still time their campaign announcements to lead up to the formal release of a final, costed platform at some point in the campaign. Again, there's no firm rule about when a platform should be released.
Take 2015 as an example. The Liberals released the final, costed version of their platform on Oct. 5 while both the NDP and Conservatives unveiled their versions a few days later on Oct. 9.
The Greens were first-past-the-post, so to speak, when party leader Elizabeth May released her party's full platform on Sept 9.
There's a new wrinkle in this election. The Liberals passed legislation to allow the Parliamentary Budget Officer to give political parties the option of providing "independent and non-partisan" analysis of how much their platforms will cost taxpayers. So far, only the Liberals and Greens have given clear commitments to use the PBO's costing service, so stay tuned.
— Chris Hall, CBC National Affairs Editor and host of CBC Radio's The House
Thanks for reading. If you've got questions, criticisms or story tips, please email us at politics@cbc.ca.
Reading this online? Sign-up for the newsletter to have the Canada Votes Newsletter delivered to your inbox every Sunday.
Friday 2 April 2021
Russia warns NATO against deploying troops to Ukraine
https://twitter.com/
https://davidraymondamos3.
#nbpoli #cdnpoli #CORRUPTION
https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/
Ukraine says Russia massing troops on border; U.S. warns Moscow
AFP Staff
Agence France-Presse’s network of 201 bureaus covers 151 countries, with 80 nationalities represented among its 2,400 collaborators. AFP is a global news agency delivering in-depth coverage of the events shaping our world from conflicts to politics, economics, sports, entertainment and the latest breakthroughs in health, science and technology.
The Agency operates regional hubs in five geographical zones: Africa, North America, Latin America, Asia, Middle East
Ukraine has been locked in a conflict with Russian-backed separatists since 2014. (AFP)
KYIV, UKRAINE -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday accused Moscow of building up troops on his country's border as the United States warned Russia against "intimidating" Ukraine.
Kiev has been locked in a conflict with Russian-backed separatists since 2014, and this week Ukrainian officials reported Russian troop movement in annexed Crimea and on the border, near territories controlled by Moscow-backed separatists.
On Thursday, Zelensky's ministers discussed the escalating security situation with Western allies including U.S. Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin.
"Muscle-flexing in the form of military exercises and possible provocations along the border are traditional Russian games," Zelensky said in a statement.
He accused Moscow of seeking to create "a threatening atmosphere" as Kiev hopes to resume a ceasefire brokered last year.
The U.S. State Department said it was "absolutely concerned by recent escalations of Russian aggressive and provocative actions in eastern Ukraine."
"What we would object to are aggressive actions that have an intent of intimidating, of threatening, our partner Ukraine," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters.
Some observers say the reported Russian troop buildup is a test for the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden, who caused an uproar in Moscow last month by calling his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin a "killer".
This week, Moscow and Kyiv blamed each other for a rise in violence between government forces and Kremlin-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, which has undermined the ceasefire.
Zelensky said 20 Ukrainian servicemen had been killed and 57 wounded since the start of the year.
Separately, the military announced that a Ukrainian soldier was wounded in an attack it blamed on separatists.
'READY FOR AN OFFENSIVE'
On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of Defence Austin called his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Taran, Ukraine's defence ministry said.
Austin said during the call that Washington would "not leave Ukraine alone in the event of escalating Russian aggression", the ministry said.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba for his part discussed the "aggravation by the Russian Federation of the security situation" on the frontline with his Canadian counterpart Marc Garneau.
Ukraine's military intelligence accused Russia of preparing to "expand its military presence" in the separatist-controlled eastern regions of Donetsk and Lugansk.
In a statement, the intelligence service said it "does not rule out" an attempt by Russian forces to move "deep into Ukrainian territory".
A high-ranking Ukrainian government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that the Russian army was practising "military co-ordination" with separatists.
"From mid-April their combat units will be ready for an offensive," the official told AFP.
WEST SHOULD NOT 'WORRY'
Moscow has repeatedly denied sending troops and arms to buttress the separatists and Putin's spokesman stressed on Thursday that Moscow is at liberty to move troops across its territory.
"The Russian Federation moves its armed forces within its territory at its discretion," spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, but he did not directly confirm a troop buildup on the Ukrainian border.
He added that "it should not worry anyone and does not pose a threat to anyone".
The war in eastern Ukraine broke out in 2014 when Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula following a bloody uprising that ousted Ukraine's Kremlin-friendly president Viktor Yanukovych.
On Wednesday, the Pentagon said U.S. forces in Europe had raised their alert status following the "recent escalations of Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine".
Mark Milley, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, also spoke with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts, Valery Gerasimov and Ruslan Khomchak.
Khomchak said this week that 28,000 separatist fighters and "more than 2,000 Russian military instructors and advisers" are currently stationed in eastern Ukraine.
On Thursday, the deputy head of Zelensky's office, Roman Mashovets, called for joint drills with NATO forces to "help stabilise the security situation".
Zelensky was elected in 2019 promising to end the years-long conflict, but critics say a shaky ceasefire was his only tangible achievement.
The fighting has claimed more than 13,000 lives since 2014, according to the United Nations.
- ---------- Forwarded message ----------From: NIA_IG <nia_ig.fct@navy.mil>Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2021 11:03:08 +0000Subject: RE: [Non-DoD Source] Fwd: Methinks the evil lawyer Howie Cooper made a deal with the VERY NASTY FBI dudes in Beantown N'esy Pas Howie Anglin?To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
com> Dear David Amos,The Naval Intelligence Activity (NIA) Office of the Inspector General (IG) reviewed your email and attached .WAV file provided to the NIA Hotline on 2 April 2021. I found no connection to the United States Navy or United States Naval Intelligence.Naval Inspectors General exist to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of US Navy Programs, and strive to eliminate and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse with their respective departments. Naval IGs are restricted to assessing matters falling within the purview of their respective commanders.Citing the lack of an apparent connection to the US Navy or Naval Intelligence, I am unable to provide further assistance, or provide direct referral to any other agency or activity.Sincerely,Mark KonedaInvestigatorNaval Intelligence ActivityOffice of the Inspector General(301)669-3030 (unclass)TSVOIP 560-3030INSPECTOR GENERAL SENSITIVE INFORMATION - FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY The information contained in this email and any accompanying attachments may contain Inspector General sensitive or pre-decisional information, which is protected from mandatory disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA, 5 USC Section 552). It should not be released to unauthorized persons. If you are not the intended recipient of this information, any disclosure, copying, distribution, or the taking of any action in reliance on this information is prohibited. If you received this email in error, please notify this office by email or bycalling (301) 669-3030.
From: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Date: Fri, 2 Apr 2021 16:20:15 -0300
Subject: Hey Jim perhaps many Yankees should say YO to Premiers Moe
and Higgy and all of Queen Dizzy Lizzy"s minions before another
needless war breaks out overseas EH???
To: Jim@conservativewriters.org, "fin.minfinance-financemin.
<fin.minfinance-financemin.
<scott.moe@gov.sk.ca>, "blaine.higgs" <blaine.higgs@gnb.ca>,
"Greta.Bossenmaier" <Greta.Bossenmaier@hq.nato.int
art.mcdonald@forces.gc.ca, wayne.eyre@forces.gc.ca, premier
<premier@ontario.ca>, premier <premier@gov.bc.ca>, premier
<premier@gov.ab.ca>, pm <pm@pm.gc.ca>, "Ian.Shugart"
<Ian.Shugart@pco-bcp.gc.ca>, premier <premier@gov.pe.ca>, premier
<premier@gov.nl.ca>, premier <premier@gov.nt.ca>, premier
<premier@gov.yk.ca>, premier <premier@leg.gov.mb.ca>, PREMIER
<PREMIER@gov.ns.ca>, mcu <mcu@justice.gc.ca>, "Mark.Blakely"
<Mark.Blakely@rcmp-grc.gc.ca>, "martin.gaudet"
<martin.gaudet@fredericton.ca>
"Ross.Wetmore" <Ross.Wetmore@gnb.ca>, erin.otoole@parl.gc.ca
Cc: motomaniac333 <motomaniac333@gmail.com>, Newsroom
<Newsroom@globeandmail.com>, Nathalie Sturgeon
<sturgeon.nathalie@
.
https://www.aljazeera.com/
Russia warns NATO against deploying troops to Ukraine
Moscow will act to ‘ensure its security’ if the alliance intervenes in the conflict, which has seen fresh fighting.
2 Apr 2021
![Renewed front-line clashes between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatist forces have gripped eastern Ukraine in recent weeks [File: Gleb Garanich/Reuters]](https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/meips/ADKq_NYUZ3BYc63efXXUM3rhpZwXD-pxefWCmvdzRR7MvNLqTVcdETFb9LSKnFopA781zO4vXnTDjlpI7olqj2vgAaXa3QkabnvUGX6NMiUpVd757qy7hFihmrXqIX9O_UeP6-FQ1_jSojpvlTHdICDgEP9jJsbfTfOyOv313vtQryUfo-wzNfrAk4GU-chh0whVG7Zs-U9ERCOXp53GXCC-2UOhEOHz7UtsNtyUJ1Bi_qvsbSbr1e0=s0-d-e1-ft#https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2020-03-17T172153Z_1735282055_RC2TLF9GNTGK_RTRMADP_3_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-UKRAINE-EAST.jpg?resize=770%2C513)
Renewed front-line clashes between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatist forces have gripped eastern Ukraine in recent weeks [File: Gleb Garanich/Reuters]
Russia has warned NATO against deploying troops to Ukraine, saying such a move would escalate tensions nears its borders, amid renewed fears over the region’s long-simmering conflict.
Moscow’s comments came after NATO voiced concern on Thursday over what it said was a large Russian military build-up near eastern Ukraine, with leading member the United States pledging to stand by Ukraine in the event of any Russian “aggression”.
Renewed front-line clashes have gripped the region in recent weeks.
Russia earlier said an escalation in the conflict in Ukraine’s Donbass region could “destroy” Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday that the situation at the contact line in eastern Ukraine between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatist forces was concerning, and that multiple “provocations” were taking place there.
Peskov also said Russia would be forced to respond if NATO troops were deployed to Ukraine as he insisted Russia was not threatening Ukraine.
“There is no doubt such a scenario would lead to a further increase in tensions close to Russia’s borders. Of course, this would call for additional measures from the Russian side to ensure its security,” he said, without specifying which measures would be adopted.
“Russia is not threatening anyone, it has never threatened anyone.”
Ukraine has been battling pro-Russian separatists in the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions since 2014, following Moscow’s annexation of the Crimean peninsula after an uprising that toppled Ukraine’s Kremlin-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych.
Moscow and Kyiv this week blamed each other for a rise in violence that has undermined a ceasefire brokered last year.
Peskov’s comments came after the US warned Russia against “intimidating” Ukraine, with both Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling their Ukrainian counterparts to stress support.
The Pentagon said earlier this week that US forces in Europe had raised their alert status following the “recent escalations of Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine”.
Moscow, Kyiv trade barbs
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday accused Russia of massing troops on the border and said 20 Ukrainian servicemen had been killed since the start of the year.
Ukraine’s military intelligence accused Russia of preparing to “expand its military presence” in the separatist-controlled regions.
Moscow has repeatedly denied sending troops and arms to support the separatists. The Kremlin has said that Russia is at liberty to move troops on its own territory.
“Russia is not a participant of the conflict,” Peskov said on Friday, accusing Ukraine’s armed forces of “multiple” provocations in the region.
A senior Russian official also dismissed reports of a plan to attack Ukraine as “fake”.
“Russia is not interested in any conflict with Ukraine, especially a military one,” deputy foreign minister Andrei Rudenko told state news agency RIA Novosti.
To date, the fighting in the region has killed more than 13,000 people, according to the United Nations.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Art.McDonald@forces.gc.ca
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2021 13:49:10 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Methinks the evil lawyer Howie Cooper made a
deal with the VERY NASTY FBI dudes in Beantown N'esy Pas Howie Anglin?
To: motomaniac333@gmail.com
The Acting Chief of the Defence Staff is LGen Wayne Eyre, he may be
reached at wayne.eyre@forces.gc.ca.
Le Chef d'état-major de la Défense par intérim est le LGen Wayne Eyre.
Il peut être rejoint au wayne.eyre@forces.gc.ca.
Art McD
He/Him // Il/Lui
Admiral/amiral Art McDonald
Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS)
Canadian Armed Forces
art.mcdonald@forces.gc.ca<
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Higgs, Premier Blaine (PO/CPM)" <Blaine.Higgs@gnb.ca>
Date: Fri, 2 Apr 2021 18:52:19 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Continuation of our Conversation "The
Rothschilds also control BHP Billiton" Go figure why the BHP boss Jac
Nassar sent yours truly the letter hereto attached many moons ago
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Thank you for taking the time to write to us.
Due to the high volume of emails that we receive daily, please note
that there may be a delay in our response. Thank you for your
understanding.
If you are looking for current information on Coronavirus, please
visit www.gnb.ca/coronavirus<http://
If this is a Media Request, please contact the Premier’s office at
(506) 453-2144.
Thank you.
Bonjour,
Nous vous remercions d’avoir pris le temps de nous écrire.
Tenant compte du volume élevé de courriels que nous recevons
quotidiennement, il se peut qu’il y ait un délai dans notre réponse.
Nous vous remercions de votre compréhension.
Si vous recherchez des informations à jour sur le coronavirus,
veuillez visiter
www.gnb.ca/coronavirus<http://
S’il s’agit d’une demande des médias, veuillez communiquer avec le
Cabinet du premier ministre au 506-453-2144.
Merci.
Office of the Premier/Cabinet du premier ministre
P.O Box/C. P. 6000
Fredericton, New-Brunswick/Nouveau-
E3B 5H1
Canada
Tel./Tel. : (506) 453-2144
Email/Courriel:
premier@gnb.ca/
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Office of the Premier <scott.moe@gov.sk.ca>
Date: Fri, 2 Apr 2021 18:51:21 +0000
Subject: Thank you for your email
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
This is to acknowledge that your email has been received by the Office
of the Premier.
We appreciate the time you have taken to write.
NOTICE: This e-mail was intended for a specific person. If it has
reached you by mistake, please delete it and advise me by return
e-mail. Any privilege associated with this information is not waived.
Thank you for your cooperation and assistance.
Avis: Ce message est confidentiel, peut être protégé par le secret
professionnel et est à l'usage exclusif de son destinataire. Il est
strictement interdit à toute autre personne de le diffuser, le
distribuer ou le reproduire. Si le destinataire ne peut être joint ou
vous est inconnu, veuillez informer l'expéditeur par courrier
électronique immédiatement et effacer ce message et en détruire toute
copie. Merci de votre cooperation.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "MinFinance / FinanceMin (FIN)" <fin.minfinance-financemin.
Date: Fri, 2 Apr 2021 18:52:25 +0000
Subject: RE: Continuation of our Conversation "The Rothschilds also
control BHP Billiton" Go figure why the BHP boss Jac Nassar sent yours
truly the letter hereto attached many moons ago
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
The Department of Finance acknowledges receipt of your electronic
correspondence. Please be assured that we appreciate receiving your
comments.
Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation, we apologize in advance for
any delay in responding to your enquiry. In the meantime, information
on Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan is available on the
Government of Canada website at
www.canada.ca/coronavirus<http
calling 1-800 O Canada (1-800-622-6232) or 1-833-784-4397.
Le ministère des Finances Canada accuse réception de votre courriel.
Nous vous assurons que vos commentaires sont les bienvenus.
En raison de la fluidité de la crise de la COVID-19, il est possible
que nous retardions à vous répondre et nous nous en excusons.
Entre-temps, les informations au sujet du Plan d'intervention
économique du Canada pour répondre à la COVID-19 sont disponibles dans
le site Web du gouvernement du Canada au
www.canada.ca/coronavirus<http
composant le
1-800 O Canada (1-800-622-6232) ou le 1-833-784-4397.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Newsroom <newsroom@globeandmail.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Apr 2021 18:52:55 +0000
Subject: Automatic reply: Continuation of our Conversation "The
Rothschilds also control BHP Billiton" Go figure why the BHP boss Jac
Nassar sent yours truly the letter hereto attached many moons ago
To: David Amos <david.raymond.amos333@gmail.
Thank you for contacting The Globe and Mail.
If your matter pertains to newspaper delivery or you require technical
support, please contact our Customer Service department at
1-800-387-5400 or send an email to customerservice@globeandmail.
If you are reporting a factual error please forward your email to
publiceditor@globeandmail.com<
Letters to the Editor can be sent to letters@globeandmail.com
This is the correct email address for requests for news coverage and
press releases.
Top US national security officials call counterparts as Russia and Ukraine tensions rise
By Oren Liebermann and Barbara Starr, CNN
Updated 8:54 PM ET, Wed March 31, 2021
(CNN)Top US national security officials have spoken with their Ukrainian counterparts, and America's top general held a call Wednesday with his Russian opposite number amid concern over Russian military activity in Crimea and eastern Ukraine, including what the US deemed a violation of a ceasefire by Moscow that led to the deaths of four Ukrainian soldiers last week.
Canadian warship transits South China Sea as diplomatic tensions remain high
HMCS Calgary passed near the disputed Spratly Islands, claimed by both China and the Philippines
The
HMCS Calgary, shown here returning to Victoria in 2008, passed through
the South China Sea while travelling from Brunei to Vietnam on Monday
and Tuesday. (Deddeda Stemler/The Canadian Press)A Canadian warship sailed through sensitive waters near China this week amid heightened tensions between the two countries.
The Department of National Defence says HMCS Calgary passed through the South China Sea while travelling from Brunei to Vietnam on Monday and Tuesday.
The passage did not go unnoticed by China, which shadowed the Canadian ship, according to a Defence official speaking on condition of anonymity.
China claims much of the sea as its territory and has been greatly expanding its military presence in the area. Many of those claims have been rejected by China's neighbours and several international rulings.
The Calgary's passage could aggravate tensions with Beijing, which has been engaged in a diplomatic dispute with Ottawa since Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was arrested at the Vancouver airport in December 2018.
Beijing subsequently arrested two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, in what the federal government and others have described as an act of retaliation in response to Meng's detention.
Meng is now facing possible extradition to the U.S. to face fraud allegations, while China has launched court proceedings against Kovrig and Spavor behind closed doors in recent weeks.
Department of National Defence spokesperson Daniel Le Bouthillier confirmed the Calgary passed near the disputed Spratly Islands — which both China and the Philippines claim and where the Chinese military has set up facilities and equipment.
Demonstrating support for allies
He said the South China Sea was the most practical route for the warship. Canadian officials have previously denied trying to send any message when warships have passed through waters claimed by China.
But documents obtained by The Canadian Press last year show such passages are often discussed at the highest levels of government before being approved.
One transit by HMCS Ottawa through the South China Sea's Taiwan Strait last year was described in the documents as having "demonstrated Canadian support for our closest partners and allies, regional security and the rules-based international order."
Defence officials were told to keep quiet about the Ottawa's trip in September 2019, three months after Chinese fighter jets buzzed two other Canadian ships making the same voyage.
NATO scrambles jets 10 times to track Russian military planes across Europe
(CNN)NATO scrambled fighter jets 10 times Monday to track and intercept an unusually "rare peak" of Russian bombers and fighters flying over the North Sea, Black Sea and Baltic Sea, according to a NATO official.
Canada would have a more effective aircraft with the Gripen.
Canadas military however prefer the F35!
Could this be because of the endless integration of our military with the USA armed forces?
We should stop dreaming of things will return to normal when Trump is gone.
Next year Trump could announce martial law for some baloney reason and deny an election that would clip his wings.
Even playing a longer game JD Vance could replace Trump!
Its a new world and it’s time for Canada and others to change direction; the USA is no longer the centre of the universe.
TB
Like
We need to declare that Canada is no longer a vassal state to the U.S. We need to atone for the decision to scrap the Avro Arrow program in 1959. All we got in return were bomarcs that were eventually scrapped and crappy F-104s from Lockheed. We were told that in the age of ICBMs the Arrows had become obsolete and therefore the cost to taxpayers could no longer be justified. Funny how the Russians are still flying TU-95s and the Americans are still flying B-52s, both of which date back to the 1950’s. There are too many advantages to Canada acquiring Gripens. But our military is now so integrated into the U.S. military-industrial complex that I doubt we’ll ever see Gripens flying with the RCAF.
Like
With Americans maintaining control of the software that is vital to F-35 operations, the highly automated aircraft could be disabled in moments if a U.S. politician suffering dementia issued an Executive Order to do so. The aircraft could be turned into expensive piles of aluminum, titanium, and carbon composites.
Today, the White House clown promised to issue an order soon to preempt state and local laws. Republicans used to advocate for reduced federal government power and greater autonomy for States when they make policies. G.O.P. members will quickly fold because they lack the will to stand up to a despot.
The U.S. is a dangerous ally. Canada should increase its alignment with Europe, particularly the Nordic countries.
Like
I no longer think of the U.S. as an ally. While there are many Americans who are decent folk there are just as many who are imbeciles who worship at the feet of Trump. This includes many in congress. I believe the U.S. is beyond saving. The best we can do is keep the 79 year old toddler from going completely off the rails. As much as I hate to admit it Carney has done a reasonable job of doing that. But then he turns around and caves to an avowed right wing separatist premier who flew to Mar-A-Lago to kiss Trumps ring. Some say he’s playing 4D chess but I doubt it. That MOU was negotiated without the participation or knowledge of the BC government or coastal 1st nations. Why? Because Carney and Smith know they’re dead set opposed to a pipeline and the removal of the tanker ban. Carney and Smith are acting like decades of court rulings and the Truth and Reconciliation Comission never happened. Why they’re so eager for Northern Gateway 2.0 is anyone’s guess, especially since there’s no business case for a second pipeline that would cost North of $50 billion and especially since the TMX is operating at nowhere near capacity. Just my two cents.
Like
Wait for the coming article at IN-SIGHTS that reveals how bad the proposed pipeline would be.
Like
https://www.facebook.com/share/19npHzYdNo/
Like
Last century in the world we’ve left behind, it made great good and reasonable sense to offer finely researched, easily verified and carefully documented arguments for not allowing additional expenditures to enact enormous boondoggles.
This century? Who will be tasked to examine such weighty considerations as the F-35? Someone impartial? Is that how modern politics function?
A guess? Regardless of how astute the effort if it actually refutes planned policy it must be ignored.
To clarify: yes, evidence assembled must be discussed at the highest levels, kicked about among the brass, perused by self-interested industry Stakeholders, pondered by numerous premiers looking for spicy contracts, and only then poofed away into academic debates within the limbo/purgatory of Scholarly Oblivion
Why think that way? Consider what has been ignored with the example of Ukraine.
How could a country of 38,980,376 people survive 3 years of attacks by a neighbour of 143,997,393 people? Brilliant use of Technology within defense Strategy, plus unconventional Tactics?
Was what Russia deemed sufficient to re-conquer Ukraine at speed already obsolete? In earth’s largest Kleptocracy countless Rubles were lavished to fight yesterday’s wars three years ago. Such plans and countless Russian lives have gone up in flames.
How did Moscow once control Eastern Europe? In a “political” emergency Russian tanks led an army to crush a hopelessly out-gunned opposition.
What changed? Sixty years later when tanks enter Ukraine and are exposed electronically they face near-certain destruction. Heavily armoured vehicles are exploded regularly by tiny drones carrying ultra-high explosives, both small enough to be carried by 1 soldier. Tanks arrayed against other tanks? Completely unnecessary.
Offshore of Crimea naval vessels once patrolled in perfect security until drones made them targets. Some drones operate on the surface, some below. The result? Much of Russia’s Baltic armada is damaged, sunk or has fled, the rest too vulnerable to being sunk to permit close approach.
Long-range bombers and intercontinental missiles stored deep inside Russian territory, where it was considered safe? Now subjected to drone attacks, these assets too are being incinerated. Russian stores of fuels for war and domestic consumption? Same story.
Moscow? Crucial infrastructure is attacked repeatedly.
How could anyone rational fail to reassess the policy implications of what’s changed?
Such a happily self-blinded and self-guided herd has a traditional name, Politicians.
In the last quarter century while science overwhelmed centuries of ignorance politicians everywhere busied themselves to protect industries and fossilized ideas long past their best until purchase dates.
All this concatenated to military parlance? When SNAFU persists long enough it becomes permanently FUBAR.
But, no worries folks. As a soon-to-be Energy Superpower when PetroGiant Canada hits full stride rest assured that regardless of cost or functionality diminished by comparison with weaponry more advanced whatever we purchase will be politically affordable.
Still unaffordable? Ending poverty, ending homelessness, feeding people, improving healthcare, ramping up housing, improving education, reconciling with First Nations, making the streets safer, and in any sane way contributing to the COP effort to avoid the extinction of all planetary life.
Meanwhile in a distant corner of forever-radicalized British California a daily blog posts a cartoon of a future educator (in a cave) who explains, “Yes, the planet got destroyed. But for a beautiful moment in time, we created a lot of value for shareholders.”
Some who have seen this blog may soon view that cartoon as unsoundly optimistic. The idea of any human surviving 25 years of chronic institutionalized stupidity being doubtful.
I’m not there yet. I’ll leave connecting the dots to Albert.
‘We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.’ A. Einstein.
That “same thinking” stuff we call…?
Politics.
Like
If runway too short a parachute is used?
Like
How much damage can drones do?
“The SBU estimates the Dashan to be worth around $30m (£22.4m). It can carry roughly $60m worth of oil goods on a single voyage.”
https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/russia-oil-tanker-drone-strike-b2882486.html
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-russia-shadow-fleet-sea-drone-strike-b2882415.html
“• The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) used naval drones to attack and damage the Comoros-flagged oil tanker Dashan, part of Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’, in the Black Sea.
“• The Dashan, which had its automatic identification system switched off, was sailing towards the Russian port of Novorossiysk and is estimated to be worth around $30 million.”
“• This incident marks the third attack in two weeks on Russia’s unregulated ‘shadow fleet’, which is crucial for Moscow’s oil exports and helps circumvent international sanctions.”
“• The SBU stated its actions aim to reduce Russia’s petrodollar revenues, with attacks on oil transport forming a key part of Kyiv’s economic warfare strategy.”
“• In response to such attacks, Russian President Vladimir Putin previously threatened to cut Ukraine’s access to the Black Sea and intensify attacks on Ukrainian facilities.”
So… Mr. Putin’s military imagined that with oil tanker Dashan’s automatic identification system switched off it would be safe?
During a war, clearly visible Russian oil and gas pipelines, and supporting infrastructure, they’re safe too?
So much to learn!
Like