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Letter to the editor

Nothing nefarious lurking in trade talks, Harper says

By JIM FOX, Times Correspondent
Published August 26, 2007

There is no sinister, hidden agenda involving Canada, the United States and Mexico, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper says.

No, there are no plans in the Security and Prosperity Partnership to divert Canada's vast water resources south or to build a superhighway between Alaska and Mexico, he said.

The federal Liberals and activist groups have accused Harper's Conservative government of secretly negotiating bulk water exports to the United States.

David Wilkins, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, said there's a serious lack of information about the pro-trade initiative that has allowed "myths, innuendoes and conspiracy theories" to flourish.

Harper and his colleagues said continental security and prosperity lie in forging closer ties. Along the way, sovereignty must be respected, U.S. President George Bush added.

"I'm amused by some of the speculation, some of the old political scare tactics," Bush said.

Then there was the businessman who complained to the leaders that he makes jellybeans and the Canadian rules for content are different than those in the United States, causing him to maintain separate inventories.

Praise for astronaut

The Canadian government is praising the efforts of astronaut Dave Williams and Canada's technology in the efforts to construct and operate the international space station.

Jim Prentice, minister of Industry responsible for the Canadian Space Agency, was commenting on the recent 13-day STS-118 mission, when Williams performed three space walks.

He spent 17 hours and 47 minutes outside the space station, a Canadian record, and conducted a scientific experiment called perceptual-motor deficits in space with NASA colleague Alvin Drew.

Canada is preparing for its next space station mission in February.

In brief

- Canada sent its newest military aircraft to deliver humanitarian aid to Jamaica after destruction by Hurricane Dean. The C-17 Globemaster supersized cargo plane carried more than 30 tons of supplies. Canada has also pledged $2-million in aid to the Caribbean nation.

- The number of Canadian-born residents in the United States has risen to 820,771, or 2.6 percent of the foreign-born population. The Canadian Embassy in Washington reports U.S. census figures show the seven states with the largest populations of Canadians are California, Florida, New York, Michigan, Washington, Massachusetts and Texas.

- Vancouver was again named most "livable" city in the world for the fifth year by the British Economist magazine. It said Vancouver offers the most exceptional quality of life of any of 132 cities polled, noting low crime and highly developed transportation and communications infrastructure.

Facts and figures

The inflation rate in Canada is steady at 2.2 percent for the fourth month, raising speculation the central bank will leave its key lending rate unchanged at 4.5 percent next month. The prime lending rate is 6.25 percent.

Canada's dollar is higher at 95.11 cents U.S., while the U.S. greenback returns $1.0515 in Canadian funds.

Stock markets advanced, with the Toronto exchange index at 13,520 points on Friday and the TSX Venture Exchange at 2,639 points.

Lotto 6-49: Wednesday 2, 7, 18, 32, 36 and 43; bonus 22. (Aug. 18) 2, 12, 32, 34, 38 and 48; bonus 43.

Regional briefs

- Quebec City Mayor Andree Boucher, 70, known for inviting voters into her home and her flamboyance, has died of a heart attack. She was elected in 2005 and was busy planning for the 400th anniversary of the city.

- A section of Ontario's Highway 401 that's a somber repatriation route for soldiers killed in Afghanistan, including two more in the past week, is being renamed in their honor. The 100-mile stretch between the eastern Ontario air base where the coffins of fallen soldiers arrive and the forensics center in Toronto that receives them will be called the Highway of Heroes.

- NEXUS kiosks have been opened at Calgary International Airport to allow travelers to move quickly through the Canadian and U.S. border clearance processes. The NEXUS card is a secure alternative to a passport. Airports in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax are already in the program, and Edmonton and Winnipeg will be next.

- The quest for copper has hit a new low in Halifax, where thieves are pilfering the valuable metal from grave sites and selling it for scrap. Thieves have taken dozens of bronze flower vases that cost about $400 each and are 90 percent copper.

Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com.

[Last modified August 26, 2007, 01:38:30]