Ballistic Missile Defence
Next Monday Canadian Parliamentarians will be sitting down together to focus on the issues that need to be addressed. It would appear from reading newspapers and from TV that a “hot” topic is that of “same-sex” marriage. The legislation will be a matter of fact within a couple of months. I predict the legislation will pass.
In Ottawa, the continuing discussion will be on the Gomery Commission and its inquiry into the sponsorship scandal. There will be much talk but no action as the Commissions report will not be issued until December, prior to Christmas. Parliamentarians along with most Canadians will be more concerned about festivities than looking at the conclusions which will do little good for the Liberal Party.
Of much greater concern to the Canadian public should BMD, the ballistic missile defence of North America. When President George W. Bush visited Canada late in November, the official agenda did not include BMD as a topic but it was still raised by the President not only with the Prime Minister in private but also mentioned in a speech before a Canadian audience that received national TV attention.
Canada is well aware of the development of the BMD system. Consultations have taken place in Ottawa in July 2002 and later in Washington, in January 2003. There is a Canadian liaison officer working with the US Missile Defense Agency who serves as the “eyes and ears” for the Department of National Defence since 2001.
Now, the big questions are, how, when, where and why the big decision to participate or not will be made. Perhaps the decision has been made by way of a firm commitment by the Prime Minister to support the American initiative. The U.S. does not need Canada to move ahead with its program. It is already well advanced in the development of the expensive system. Yet, it needs to have Canada on-side as other nations at Canada’s role as an active participant or as a nation that opposes what the Americans want.
There is little doubt about Canada’s opposition to the system. The Canadian government spends much money on polls. Recent polls reveal that the majority of Canadians are opposed, with a higher percentage from the Province of Quebec. Even the Liberal members from Quebec have expressed their opposition. How will they vote, if the decision takes the form of a “free vote?” Or, will there ever be a vote if the decision is made by the Liberal cabinet under the direction of Paul Martin, who as Prime Minister of Canada has almost absolute power.
In Ottawa, the continuing discussion will be on the Gomery Commission and its inquiry into the sponsorship scandal. There will be much talk but no action as the Commissions report will not be issued until December, prior to Christmas. Parliamentarians along with most Canadians will be more concerned about festivities than looking at the conclusions which will do little good for the Liberal Party.
Of much greater concern to the Canadian public should BMD, the ballistic missile defence of North America. When President George W. Bush visited Canada late in November, the official agenda did not include BMD as a topic but it was still raised by the President not only with the Prime Minister in private but also mentioned in a speech before a Canadian audience that received national TV attention.
Canada is well aware of the development of the BMD system. Consultations have taken place in Ottawa in July 2002 and later in Washington, in January 2003. There is a Canadian liaison officer working with the US Missile Defense Agency who serves as the “eyes and ears” for the Department of National Defence since 2001.
Now, the big questions are, how, when, where and why the big decision to participate or not will be made. Perhaps the decision has been made by way of a firm commitment by the Prime Minister to support the American initiative. The U.S. does not need Canada to move ahead with its program. It is already well advanced in the development of the expensive system. Yet, it needs to have Canada on-side as other nations at Canada’s role as an active participant or as a nation that opposes what the Americans want.
There is little doubt about Canada’s opposition to the system. The Canadian government spends much money on polls. Recent polls reveal that the majority of Canadians are opposed, with a higher percentage from the Province of Quebec. Even the Liberal members from Quebec have expressed their opposition. How will they vote, if the decision takes the form of a “free vote?” Or, will there ever be a vote if the decision is made by the Liberal cabinet under the direction of Paul Martin, who as Prime Minister of Canada has almost absolute power.
posted by croweagle at
11:12 PM
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