Harper touts Canada as 'energy superpower' in pre-G8 speech to business cr

[CHIMO]

LONDON (CP) - Canada is an emerging "energy superpower" that's the most attractive investment opportunity in the world, Prime Minister Stephen Harper told a London business audience Friday.

On the eve of a G8 conference in St. Petersburg, Harper used his address to the Canada-U.K. Chamber of Commerce to establish Canada's bona fides on the oil and gas front.

Energy security is supposed to be one of the key themes as Russia, for the first time, plays host to the Group of Eight industrialized countries over the next three days.

Russia and Canada are the only two net energy exporters among the G8, and Harper appeared determined to ensure Canada's voice is heard at the table among such heavyweights as the United States, Germany, France and Britain.

British investors, Harper told his well-heeled audience in London, "have recognized the emergence of Canada's global energy powerhouse. Or as we put it, the emerging energy superpower our government intends to build."

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=f00ea975-9355-4dbc-a908-e9c6f7059863&k=73302

Caveat: Don't invest in a Canadian company though, as it could and probably would be sand bagged in favour for one of the friendlies, just as in softwood. So be cautious. I have no known investments in the oil companies.

[ThsMchneKilsFascists]

1. .wtf are you talking about? Don't invest in CDN companies??

Caveat: Don't invest in a Canadian company though, as it could and probably would be sand bagged in favour for one of the friendlies, just as in softwood. So be cautious. I have no known investments in the oil companies.
FYI
Canada is already THE( meaning largest)importer of oil to the US, so I'll expect you'll read this and walk about your merry way here-ever-after.


edit:syntax

[CHIMO]

3. Exactly

What I said.

If one were the director of an investment firm and invested in a Canadian resource company it could be construed that they didn't do due diligence.

Period.

[ThsMchneKilsFascists]

7. on the surface you sound like a xenophobe

I'll ask you again to explain exactly WHY Canadian resource investments are holus-bolus a bad idea.

edited to add that you claim to be in Canada in your profile so I'll say this...maybe you aren't a xenophobe but I'd never pay for your financial advice

[tuvor]

2. Was it intentional that he didn't say that we also have lots of lumber?

Or is it only the USA's to take?

:argh:

[George1984]

4. Pretty sure is was intentional since

all he seems to be doing is ramming the softwood deal down our throats when the majority of lumber producers in Canada don't like the deal. Weird that it sounds like the U.S producers don't like it either. Do agree we have enough resources to fuel the fire for a few more years.

[tuvor]

5. Welcome to DU, George1984...?

Or are you just a very infrequent poster?

Regardless, hi! :hi:

[George1984]

6. Hello to you

I am a very regular DU reader and decided to sign up. I enjoy the board, just not much for posting. Not a very eloquent speaker.

[tuvor]

8. Don't let that stop you.

It hasn't stopped me. :)

[unhappycamper]

10. Welcome to DU George1984!

:hi:

[laundry_queen]

13. Welcome George1984!

I know what you mean. There are so many bright minds, great writers and eloquent speakers on DU.

[Lisa]

9. shut up, Steve!

I swear he's trying to get us invaded by Bush!

[whosinpower]

11. We've already been conquered

Mostly, anyways. Our resources, our culture, our social fabric, our economy --have all been effectively taken over by America. So we get to keep a pretty flag. It is sad really - when you think about it, how many canadian companies exist anymore....most have been bought up by the Americans or have been run out of biz becuse of big box interests moving north.

And Harper will sell our very soul if he thinks it would please George. I'm not saying this to be anti-american - because there is so much I still love about America - but Harper would never ever ever ever take a stand against American interests, even if that was to the detriment of Canadian interests. He won't stand up for us. And he isn't standing up for us when he is blathering on about our energy resources.

[sueragingroz]

12. Talk about nationhood while ignoring the multinational

Is folly these days...

We hear in the news about nation states, G8 talks, wars in the Middle East and threats to Persia...

But at the end of the day, do you honestly think that the concept of nationhood has the same relevance in today's society as it did in the past? Going to the polls and voting for a progressive candidate can make you feel better but it won't stop the problem. The only way to truly improve the lot of those in the Middle East and elsewhere is to make fundamental changes to the way we live in North America.

I agree about the original statement in this thread about it being a poor idea to invest in companies that rape the land for the sake of fossil fuels (maybe not for the same reasons, but I do agree)

Land Rape is exactly what is going on in Alberta - strip mining vast tracts of virgin land in order to feed the North American thirst for and rampant and wasteful consumption of energy.

Instead of just focussing on political action, we should also focus on our own daily habits - examine for yourself how much you consume in a given day - how many plastics you use and how much energy you use. If we start living more simply we will create a much greater dent in the problems that face the world than we will ever do on the streets protesting or in the voting booth.

But then, that's just MY HO.

[krkaufman]

14. Can't blame us for Harper, though, eh?

I gotta believe you felt similar sadness in his being elected, as I did with *. (Though, did Harper steal his election?)

[Spazito]

15. Yep, in spades! The "light at the end of the tunnel" is that his

government is a minority one, limited in it's ability to do major damage although they sure as hell are trying. I think the Harper government will fall later this year and we will be back at the polls. I suspect Harper's faux pas re unconditional support for Israel and his lack of action toward evacuating Canadians from Lebanon will not serve him well at the polls.