Where is canada going?

[countryboy]

We hear a lot from ourselves about how wonderful Canada is, and how many nice people we have, what a nice place we have here, and so on...all very good and much of it likely true.

But, do we know where we're going as we forge ahead into the future? As a country, do we have a plan to sustain ourselves with a focus on anything in particular? Something we can all get behind and support? Something that could benefit us, the citizens, and perhaps the whole world?

To give this a bit more meaning, let's go back in time to a different place for a thought-starter. In the late 50s, a number of large companies in Japan got together and formed a sort of "national industrial strategy" to become the best in the world in at least 2 fields - electronics and automobiles. From those humble beginnings emerged the giants of industry that we all know today...companies like Toyota, Nissan, Sony, Matsu****a (Panasonic, Pioneer, and many other brand names) and others. It was a plan and they implemented it rather well, according to the results.

What is in Canada's plan? Do we have one? Should we have one? Are there things you think we should be focusing on to help us build a bright, economically-sound future for our children and grandchildren?

Any ideas?

 

[countryboy]

Here's one possibility...Canada has lots of natural resources. And a big natural environment. And a well educated work force. And a pretty good handle on modern technologies. And manufacturing capacity.

If we were to decide to become the world leader in pollution control, we could "Go Green" to the max and create an entire industry to focus on cleaning up the world, starting with our own backyard. The growth possiblities are huge - emerging industrial giants like China and India are well behind us in technologies of this sort, and we could be leading the pack with all kinds of new ways (and equipment) that could be applied to manufacturing scenarios to reduce pollution of all types. And we could sell the technology and equipment to these giants, plus any other country. If the plan included government incentives for companies - like employment expense support, tax incentives, and more - it would be a national "Clean & Green" strategy guided by us (the government vision), run by private industry (to keep it efficient), and supported by all of us (government incentives).

I can see it all now in the headlines...
"Canada. Putting Our Money Where Our Mouth Is." Call 1-800-AIR-PURE for more details on Canada's Clean and Green Industry.

 

[justinmb]

I think If we are to become anything other than a concord nation in the future we need to seriously think about what we are doing in all aspects of everyday life countries like Germany rule us when it comes to conservation, recycling, health care, education and manufacturing just to name a few

As a people we are wasteful, I live in Winnipeg and the recyclers will not take
Styrofoam, we price post secondary education out of reach for a lot of our people, our health care system is slow and wasteful and they still think teeth and eyesight are a luxury. Most would not argue they would rather have a German made product rather than a Canadian for good reasons, they educate there people for almost nothing so their people are well qualified for what they do rather than our manufacturers and a lot of other trades people go to because they have no education and it is the only resort to eventually make a decent living.

Not to mention the fact that we have the Aboriginal issues which drain our economy and the fact that we created an entire race called the maitee french indan mix no country in history has done something so ludicrous and then to give them special rights WTF. The rest of the world thinks we froze our brains.

I love the wilderness in this country but socially I am worried about the outcome for my children and theirs we may beat ourselves in the end and someone will come in to clean up the mess and probably stay. Lets face it there are those out there that would use it better.

 

[petros]

With more than 85% of Canadian business in foreign ownership and the "new dawn of global socialism" taking place as we speak, Canada and it's citizens are facing some very harsh identity realities. Are you really who you think you are?

Have a nice day!

 

[Mowich]

Good topic, CB.

Greening our industries and creating green products would be a good start. While we are at it, we could also take a serious look at our agricultural practices. Where once we had independent farmers working the land, we now have big agri-companies who promote Monsanto, Cargill, Sargenta and the like. Our once rich and fertile land has been taken over by these for-profit-only companies who care less about the quality of the product then they do about the bottom line. As the number of individual farms drops, the possibility of sustaining viable agricultural land drops too. Something must be done to reverse this process and put our agricultural lands back in the hands of individual farmers. At the same time, we need to get rid of the GM companies who rape and pillage the land leaving useless, infertile ground in their wake.

 

[weaselwords]

The fact of the matter is we are so closely allied to the US economically, Canada does not have a choice at this point but to follow its lead. Any attempt at moving outside its sphere of influence would be stalled immediately if not sooner.
******************This discussion is 100 years too late************************

 

[bizzymum]

Very true, but most of the western nations have been following the US way of economic growth. I think it is NOW biting the US in the hiney with the lavish and throw away lifestyle. It seems that Obama is looking at other nations of Europe and Canada for changing the US to be more eco-friendly and for the people rather than every man for themselves.

 

[countryboy]

The fact of the matter is we are so closely allied to the US economically, Canada does not have a choice at this point but to follow its lead. Any attempt at moving outside its sphere of influence would be stalled immediately if not sooner.
******************This discussion is 100 years too late************************

Is that an idea for a plan?

 

[countryboy]

With more than 85% of Canadian business in foreign ownership and the "new dawn of global socialism" taking place as we speak, Canada and it's citizens are facing some very harsh identity realities. Are you really who you think you are?

Have a nice day!

Uh, I can't find the new idea in there. But, have a nice day.

 

[weaselwords]

Canada go green thats an oxymoron, just look @ Churchill Falls, James Bay Hydro, Sudbury, Port Hope, Lambton Generating, Asbestos PQ, pulp & paper, the OilSands, the diamond open pits is NWT need I go on.

 

[countryboy]

I think If we are to become anything other than a concord nation in the future we need to seriously think about what we are doing in all aspects of everyday life countries like Germany rule us when it comes to conservation, recycling, health care, education and manufacturing just to name a few

As a people we are wasteful, I live in Winnipeg and the recyclers will not take
Styrofoam, we price post secondary education out of reach for a lot of our people, our health care system is slow and wasteful and they still think teeth and eyesight are a luxury. Most would not argue they would rather have a German made product rather than a Canadian for good reasons, they educate there people for almost nothing so their people are well qualified for what they do rather than our manufacturers and a lot of other trades people go to because they have no education and it is the only resort to eventually make a decent living.

Not to mention the fact that we have the Aboriginal issues which drain our economy and the fact that we created an entire race called the maitee french indan mix no country in history has done something so ludicrous and then to give them special rights WTF. The rest of the world thinks we froze our brains.

I love the wilderness in this country but socially I am worried about the outcome for my children and theirs we may beat ourselves in the end and someone will come in to clean up the mess and probably stay. Lets face it there are those out there that would use it better.

Good descriptions of some of our problems. Did you have an idea in there for a new plan for Canada?

 

[countryboy]

Canada go green thats an oxymoron, just look @ Churchill Falls, James Bay Hydro, Sudbury, Port Hope, Lambton Generating, Asbestos PQ, pulp & paper, the OilSands, the diamond open pits is NWT need I go on.

Sure. It's helpful to air the problems to arrive at a new idea. Have any?

 

[countryboy]

Very true, but most of the western nations have been following the US way of economic growth. I think it is NOW biting the US in the hiney with the lavish and throw away lifestyle. It seems that Obama is looking at other nations of Europe and Canada for changing the US to be more eco-friendly and for the people rather than every man for themselves.

There is probably some truth to that. Any ideas on how Canada could take a big step in that direction?

 

[Johnnny]

Canada go green thats an oxymoron, just look @ Churchill Falls, James Bay Hydro, Sudbury, Port Hope, Lambton Generating, Asbestos PQ, pulp & paper, the OilSands, the diamond open pits is NWT need I go on.

Sudbury is green

 

[countryboy]

Good topic, CB.

Greening our industries and creating green products would be a good start. While we are at it, we could also take a serious look at our agricultural practices. Where once we had independent farmers working the land, we now have big agri-companies who promote Monsanto, Cargill, Sargenta and the like. Our once rich and fertile land has been taken over by these for-profit-only companies who care less about the quality of the product then they do about the bottom line. As the number of individual farms drops, the possibility of sustaining viable agricultural land drops too. Something must be done to reverse this process and put our agricultural lands back in the hands of individual farmers. At the same time, we need to get rid of the GM companies who rape and pillage the land leaving useless, infertile ground in their wake.

Thus far, we seem to have 2 ideas...Go Green (as an industry) and a new approach to agriculture/food. So far, so good! Thanks...

 

[weaselwords]

An idea for a plan is to abrogate the NAFTA Agreement and attempt to realign with the movers & shakers of the 21st century China, India, Brazil etal & find niche where they are weak & work with them as partners in a Global Economy. Typically our niche is natural resources so we'll still be hewers of wood & drawers of water however maybe that expertise can exported as well as the material to make it happen.

 

[justinmb]

This may be overly simplified but I think it would be feasible to look at other countries and see what is working for them and adopt the idea for our country.

lets face it if it works somewhere else it would work here the fact is most of the euro countries are so good a conservation and other societal aspects because they have to be they are out of room.
We should be smart about it take their plans and make them ours I think people are to worried about coming up with something original but unfortunately I think we are to divided as a nation for that to work well we have to worry about what this group and that group thinks.

The day we can actually call everyone in this country Canadians and not the aboriginals, maitee, francophone's or the east and west we will be able to make progress but first we have to have Canadian rights the same for every citizen no exeptions.

 

[Kakato]

Worlds largest fresh water supply is in Canada.;-)

 

[Mowich]

Canada go green thats an oxymoron, just look @ Churchill Falls, James Bay Hydro, Sudbury, Port Hope, Lambton Generating, Asbestos PQ, pulp & paper, the OilSands, the diamond open pits is NWT need I go on.

It is so refreshing to see a positive attitude such as yours, WW, nothing is accomplished without one. Keep up the good work and Canada may just one day be the mess you think it is. ;-)

 

[countryboy]

This may be overly simplified but I think it would be feasible to look at other countries and see what is working for them and adopt the idea for our country.

lets face it if it works somewhere else it would work here the fact is most of the euro countries are so good a conservation and other societal aspects because they have to be they are out of room.
We should be smart about it take their plans and make them ours I think people are to worried about coming up with something original but unfortunately I think we are to divided as a nation for that to work well we have to worry about what this group and that group thinks.

The day we can actually call everyone in this country Canadians and not the aboriginals, maitee, francophone's or the east and west we will be able to make progress but first we have to have Canadian rights the same for every citizen no exeptions.

I see your point on the divided nation problem. What about suggesting a new idea that would cover all regions of the country? Mowich had one in here a bit earlier...about farming, which takes place in all the areas of the country, except the far north.

It's a brainstorming exercise, and it's usual helpful to approach with the thought "What could we do?" instead of "What couldn't we do?" Just trying to be positive...