Obama vs. Romney – Round 1: Debate!
The first of three, 90-minute, US presidential debates featured a determined and energized Mitt Romney take the fight to a rather hesitant and professorial Barrack Obama. In a debate that saw back and forth bickering on policy nuances and segments dominated by technical jargon, the true star was perhaps – Sesame Street’s Big Bird!
While expanding on his economic policies centred around tax cuts, GOP candidate Mitt Romney said he would cut taxpayer funding to the PBS network (that hosts Sesame Street) even though he loves Big Bird. President Obama constantly asserted that these tax cuts would add another $5-trillion to the deficit over 10 years and favoured the upper-class. Trying to champion the middle-income Americans’ cause, Obama countered with investments in education and vocational training in addition to tax incentives for companies investing domestically. Mr. Romney however labelled this strategy as a “trickle-down government”, and brought notice to the fact that the Obama’s policies were reminiscent of four years ago; having only increased deficits and decreased the income of the middle-class. Romney instead proposed to implement pro-business policies that would rejuvenate small business, domestic energy, free trade and skills development while allowing for a balanced budget.
Trailing Obama in key states with a teetering campaign highlighted by numerous gaffes (see our Issue 1 column ‘Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s controversial 47% comment’) Romney sought to change the course of the election and he may have succeeded.
Canada and the UK to share embassies in some countries.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague quoted Prime Minister David Cameron saying, “We are two nations, but under one Queen and united by one set of values” during an announcement that Canada and the United Kingdom would be sharing some embassies abroad. The move was made in an attempt to reduce costs and increase diplomatic reach for both countries. It is meant to only involve countries where Canada doesn’t have an embassy but Britain does, and vice-versa. For example, Canada has offered the UK a space in the Embassy in Haiti, where Britain has no presence, and the UK has offered Canada a place in their embassy in Burma, where Canada has no diplomatic presence. The NDP led opposition expressed outrage as they feel that it would give Britain some control of Canada’s foreign policy. Foreign Affairs minister John Baird assured them that there will still be a “made-in-Canada foreign policy” and that the agreement was a purely administrative one. Canada currently has an agreement with Australia to provide consular services in countries where one nation has a presence and the other doesn’t.
United Nations holds General Debate – Syria and Iran centre of attention.
From September 25th to October 1st the United Nations held its General Debate. Representatives from over 190 sovereign states had a chance to speak on the world podium. Most of the speeches had the common theme of denouncing the war in Syria. Some nations like Russia and Cuba did defend Syria but they were in the minority. Russia and China have used their veto power on three past Security Council resolutions meant to try and pressure Syrian leader Bashar Al-Assad. Iran was also a hot topic. Israel made a speech criticizing Iran’s nuclear program and implied that if things kept going as they were Israel would attack Iran within a year. Iran made no direct references to their nuclear program during their speech but instead criticized the UN as well as Israel. Canada was represented by foreign minister John Baird. In his speech he condemned the UN for its inaction against Syria as well as attacked Iran and called for them to halt their Uranium enrichment program immediately. No resolutions were made for either the war in Syria or the Iran situation.
Justin Trudeau Announces Leadership Ambitions
Justin Trudeau, a Liberal representative in the House of Commons for the Papineau riding in Montreal and son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, has announced his candidacy for leadership of the federal Liberal party. Despite criticism of riding on the coattails of his famous father, Justin remains highly popular among many Canadians, with polls showing that if he were the leader of the Liberal party they would unseat the ruling Conservatives in the election. His recent boxing match victory over Conservative senator Patrick Brazeau and audible cursing in the House of Commons have further enforced his charismatic and fiery image to the Canadian population. Most analysts believe that unless a surprise heavy hitting candidate emerges to run the Federal party, such as Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney, Justin Trudeau will cruise to victory and will become leader of the federal Liberals. An increase in party support from Quebec and Ontario will likely hurt support for the NDP and provide a formidable foe to the seemingly unshakable Stephen Harper and his Conservative Party.
CNOOC Attempts Takeover of Nexen
The Chinese National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC) has recently announced a plan to takeover Canadian oil and gas company Nexen, based out of Calgary, Alberta. Nexen has assets in the Canadian oil sands, but has the majority of its shares in foreign offshore assets around the world. Stephen Harper’s federal Conservatives are left with a difficult political decision. By allowing the takeover, they forfeit the controlling interest of a Canadian company with some Canadian assets to Chinese hands. However, by blocking the takeover, they go against their own policy of diversification and block large capital inflow needed for oil sands development. Stephen Harper is left with yet another dilemma that comes with the responsibility of a majority government.
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