Re: Let government get on with it, PNR, Dec. 14.
It is clear that Mr. Langford does not understand the nature of the threat that China presents.
The contracts signed, and the history of China purchasing our coal and other raw materials is not the issue. This is the nature of international trade. The issue now is, that the federal government is making agreements with China to sell the means of production of our raw materials to a very powerful and secretive government, not simply to another private sector corporation.
Once this happens there will be inexorable pressure to force our government to change policy, procedures and law to accommodate their needs, the as yet ratified FIPA agreement is clear evidence of this. Private sector corporations also do this but these government owned and run corporations are different creatures, they can exert their power in arenas that normal corporations cannot access. Additionally the profits of these, and other multinationals, will go where the corporations decide, not necessarily into Canadian enterprises.
Also, his belief that “our best course is to let the government get on with the job” is probably our worst course. If we have learnt anything about governments it is that they need constant watching. Power corrupts, and a vigilant electorate is our best protection against government chicanery.
G. Chislett
Sidney