Categories: Need to know

Dubai-based newspaper says "Canada has lost its way"

Editorial slams federal government as protectionist

by macleans.ca on Thursday, December 30, 2010 4:54pm - 225 Comments

An editorial in the Dubai-based Gulf News claims “Canada has lost its way under Harper.” Purporting to explain why the UAE had imposed visas on visiting Canadians, the newspaper argues Canada just hasn’t been the same since the Conservatives took power. “Ever since Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his right-wing Conservative government came to power, the veneer of civility has slipped,” it reads. “Politics in Ottawa has become polarised — it is Harper’s way or the highway.” According to the paper’s editors, this shift is most noticeable in its staunchly pro-Israel stance on matters involving the Middle East, its eager participation in the war on terror, and, perhaps most important to UAE readers, its protectionist approach to trade. “Where companies were independent, they are now subsidised and granted preferential treatment, as is the case with Air Canada.”

Gulf News

Tags: UAE

Leo

To all those ranting about a con-mess, you may want to educate yourselves. (Emily, you have really lost it this time)

Canada and the bully http://globalbrief.ca/fredlazar/2010/12/30/canada…

"Imagine instead if the US, in order to prop up its beleaguered airlines, imposed visa requirements and costs on Canadians traveling to the US only on non-US airlines. This immediately would be labeled as discriminatory by the Canadian Government and a direct violation of the Canada-US Open Skies Agreement"

Emily

None of those restrictions applied before the Con-mess screwed everything up.

And in any case, the US has imposed a long list of restrictions on Canadians, and we just roll over in hopes of a belly-scratch.

Leo

No, UAE were moving to impose Visa requirements on countries that made them get Visas, i.e. Canada has always required Visas from UAE citizens for travel to Canada. You are out of your depth on this one. Please note that Canada has just signed an agreement with Qatar for three flights a week from Toronto. The prince is just pi__ed that he isn't getting his way.
http://globalbrief.ca/fredlazar/2010/03/21/the-th…

"If air transportation services were covered by the GATT, Air Canada would have had the Canadian Government launch a countervailing duty case against Emirates and Etihad. And most likely they would have won the case since both of these airlines (and the third amigo, Qatar) are subsidized by their respective governments. There isn’t a level playing field in this industry. However, this industry is not covered by the GATT."

Emily

The whole visa requirement is from the last few days….we were welcome in the UAE, have even used a base there for free for the last 9 years….until Harper screwed it up.

Gee….Qatar is just as Muslim as the UAE, just not as valuable to us.

Face it….it's a Con cock-up to protect Air Canada

Funny guy

Do you seriously think that the Liberals would have done differently than the "Cons" on this issue?

Harper did the right thing… protecting Canadian interests. I'm sorry, but I'm not "partisan" enough to believe the Libs would have done anything differently…

You need to see through the "partisan politics" here… some people are doing a show for the camera (hey, free votes!), but the Liberals (the majority that actually care about Canada) aren't stupid enough to give in the the UAE

abduljafar

that article was spot on, it actually uses facts and sources. unlike the dumb comments from emily

Emily

Why do you people even PRETEND to be conservatives?

Leo

It has nothing to do with being conservative but everything to do with Canada sticking up for what is best for Canada. Don't care if it is cons, libs, dips in charge – this was the right thing to do. If you follow ME politics at all, the younger Al Nahyan princes are prone to bullying and hate any stigma of their third-world image. After all, 50 years ago they were wandering around the sand dunes on camels.

Emily

It has EVERYTHING to do with claiming to be conservative!

Where are all the vaunted 'conservative principles' you were screaming about a few years ago?

Conservatives supposedly stood for free markets, open skies, global trade, capitalism….NOT protectionism, the nanny state, red tape, and regulations !

The UAE is not third world….but you won't make them first world by refusing landing rights between two oil producing countries.

And I'll remind you that 50 years ago most Canadians had out-houses.
Leo

For someone who seems to be well read you need to brush up on the global aviation industry. It is one of the most complex with much red tape, regulations and protectionism – always will be.

"In Canada, Toronto and possibly Vancouver, because of their locations, have the potential to become a gateway airport, or at least a regional hub, but only as long as Air Canada survives and grows. Air Canada will not have the opportunity to deploy their Boeing 787s (currently on order) to expand the number of spokes into these two hubs and the reach of their network if the three amigos are able to dump capacity into Canada."

UAE is a third world country dressed up to be first world. Do you know anybody who has lived and worked there?
Emily

I'm well informed about the global aviation industry…it's part of my job.

It is not, however, our 'conservative' govt's job to protect Air Canada.

The UAE is not a third world country…but even if it was, what difference does it make? Do you want to make money, expand our economy, let jobs develop or not??

No, we won't always have red tape, regulations and protectionism….that's what globalization means…an end to all that.
Leo

No you don't know anything about the aviation industry – it is protectionist and always will be. Current agreements between countries are constantly changing as the global trends change so everyone gets their fair share – UAE is being greedy.

Enough posters have tried to explain why Canada supports its airlines – we are a huge land mass with few people – end of storey.
Emily

Yes dear, I do. Kindly don't tell me my job.

And no, it won't.

And no, they aren't.

Gee, if Russia….which is vastly bigger than us….doesn't whine, I don't see why we should

End of YOUR story, anyway.
Funny guy

I guess the first "Conservative principle" is doing what's best for one's country.

Here, it is clearly protecting our national interests, jobs and security.

Liberalisation can only work successfully with countries that are similar to ours… (workplace laws, health and safety, equality, etc..) if not, we lose and are doing more "international aid" than anything.

It's good to see political decisions reflecting that and casting blind dogma aside.

Makes me proud to be a canadian.
Jan

How is this 'best for Canada'? We have lost this valuabe, irreplacable base for our continued presence in Afghanistan and we are propping up a lousy airline.
Funny guy

Jobs, taxes, HUMAN RIGHTS, environment, etc…

what do you want that base for? Someone else will get the economic and defensive benefits of a canadian presence.

Judge Roy Bean

Who are the traitors who stand on the side of the concerted effort to destroy Christianity. Do decent Canadians really want anything to do with people who would destroy any country, Israel included. There is more to life people than your own selfishness.

Emily

Pardon?? Canadian foreign affairs is not some church mission. Other people have other religions….some are even…gasp…atheists.

It is not our job to convert the world to your personal beliefs.

As to Muslims, they aren't interested in your beliefs….they want our militaries and the dictators we support, out of their countries so they can run their own affairs.

Ryan

Like getting back to stoning women in peace?

Emily

The Inquisition was better? Or maybe you mean killing doctors and gays?

It is not our job to convert the world to your religious beliefs….especially since we've had 2000 years of horrendous christian ones we can't excuse.

Ryan

The difference, of course, is that islam specifically condones and promotes such actions.
Emily

So does christianity.

Slavery, stoning, gang-rape, genocide.

Apparently you've never read the Bible.
Curt

Emily,
Sorry to say but I think you are a little over the top. You might want to reflect on what you write before you hit the submit button. No Christian leader condones "slavery, stoning, gang-rape and genocide" except maybe that preacher in Florida.
Happy New year
Emily

Apparently you are unfamiliar with the religion you are defending. There are indeed christians who promote and do just such things. And they want the govt to institute such Biblical laws as the law of the land.

To a more knowledgeable New Year….
Binder Dundat

Emily… If you are able to travel, and I don't mean putting the wheels back on your mobile home and heading further south to the next trailer court, visit Vatican city and Mecca. I would suggest the Vatican first, you will find that you are most welcome there, will marvel at the structures, paintings, sculptures and ancient carpets from all over the world. Visit Mecca, and you will be killed on the spot if you are not a Muslim.. hence the suggestion.
Emily

I've travelled all my life thanx….and I live in a Victorian home.

The Vatican for all it's pretty paintings is responsible for the death of millions.

And no, you don't get killed in Mecca.
Keith in Brampton

"There are indeed christians who promote and do just such things [Slavery, stoning, gang-rape, genocide]. And they want the govt to institute such Biblical laws as the law of the land."

Not mainstream Christians in Canada, Emily. Back up your outrageous claim or admit you are (once again) resorting to libelling an entire group due to your rabid anti-Christian hatred.

Funny guy

You really are ignorant.. muslims want to come here !!! They don't give a f*** about the rest.

If you get out of in front of your computer and walk outside in Toronto, you'd know what I speak of.

Dan Calda

Hey Judge, ya'll good ol'e boys may choose to believe in Jewish Fairy Tales…but most of us do not.

Are you saying that Foreign Affairs is a Christian missionary / crusade effort?

I am Jewish…and I am disgusted with the State of Isreal. In fact I lost have of my family in the camps. That does not mean I believe that Palestine should be a concentration camp. Nor do I believe that the Jewish lobby should control our gov't.

The truly pathetic part is that there is more debate about their conduct in Isreal then there is in Canada.

Ariadne

Let them foam in the mouth and just ignore them, they will soon tire. Abu Dhabi right now is trying to get over defaulting their debts that they would resort to blackmailing. To allow UAE airline more landing rights, is not opening up to fair competition as this airline is heavily subsidized, thus they have been creating havoc in Australia and Europe's airline industry since they were let in. People should think about that before welcoming them without preconditions. I believe Canada is not only pressured by Air Canada but also from European countries, as letting UAE get more landing rights in Canada will lead European airline industry's ruin as well. Should UAE learn how to compete fairly, then they are very welcome, not until then. It made me laugh when Canadians willingly argue in behalf of UAE, working as their unpaid lobbyists. The phrase "useful idiots" comes to mind, I hope these willing idiots do not run their own business or they might end up giving their businesses to their competition at a bargain if not at no cost.

Emily

Again…this is not being conservative. We are losing billions of dollars, not to mention jobs.

The UAE already has landing rights here, and amazingly we still survive. They simply want more….in oil-producing provinces….you know, for oil people and oil deals? Stelmach is all for it.

Maybe he's the conservative you're not

Ariadne

Emily if conditions are not met, those billions may look like peanuts when contracts stretched into years. If they learn to met our conditions and play fairly, they will be welcomed with open arms – not until then. I hope you will not be negotiating any business contracts very soon. Palestinians should hire you as their negotiator so we could have peace.

Emily

We freeloaded on the UAE for 9 years, and all they wanted was expanded landing rights. We just blew billions away, not to mention jobs.

Please stop pretending otherwise.

PS I've run a successful business for many years…globally in fact, so enough patronizing as well.

Ariadne

So you are careful with your business but freely give Canada away? Way to go.
Emily

Extending landing rights to a country we've freeloaded on for 9 years is hardly giving away Canada.

Exaggerate much?
Curt

Emily,
We didn't freeload.. Canada pumped a lot of money into their local economy. What's a base in the desert worth… one dollar per section?
Emily

We didn't pay for the use of the base for 9 years….the fact our soldiers sometimes shop is hardly the same thing.

What's the base worth? Well since we don't own it, that's up to the UAE. What would we charge other nations to use any of our bases….even an Arctic one?

Other countries happily continue using the base, it's only us that got tossed.
Ariadne

Freeloading? Exaggerating much? Are you really in business? The Gasoline the military have to guzzle while fighting terrorism, the food, consumptions, and other needs they have to buy from Abu-Dahbi while there, are not for free. in fact, it contributes greatly to UAE's suffering economy. The military service, contribution, and expenses for fighting terrorism that UAE are exempt from contributing, in exchange for this landing rights are not miniscule. As UN member, UAE has obligations towards UN coalitions to fight terrorism also. Canada with the many other countries, contribute money, logistics, other resources, and most precious of all the lives of soldiers towards this UN cobbled coalition. Before you throw the word Freeloader, make sure you know what it means first, you should be ashamed of yourself.
Emily

The use of a military base for 9 years …for free…and then refusing to offer anything for it….is free-loading.

And like I said, shopping doesn't begin to cover it. The UAE is loaded with shoppers.

The UAE isn't required to 'fight terrorism'….that's our gig, not theirs. UN countries are not required to donate a plugged nickel towards something that only concerns us.

Really Ariadne….your name is well chosen. Mythology.
Ariadne

Not our gig, it's UN's gig. If you look at the signatory, you will see UAE there, so please give me a break. Really Emily, you become so predictably a Middle Eastern and Persian's lobbyist. I hope they pay you well.
Emily

No, it's the Bush-Blair gig…there is no 'war on terrorism' beyond those 2 idiots.

It has nothing to do with the UAE…or anyone else for that matter, so don't try to drag me…or others… into these idiotic little wars for pipelines.

I'm a globalist, Ariadne…not a white supremicist.
Ariadne

If it makes you happy to pretend there is no terrorism, then who am I to make you sad.
Emily

Terrorism is a tactic..nothing more.

Used by the IRA, Bader-Meinhoff, Red Brigade, Basques etc

Only the US gets into panics over such things. And Harper, who is off to hide in a nuclear bunker for fear of the Taliban airforce
Ariadne

All the rest you mentioned never used God's name in killing. As a tactic, it's so horrible, and that does not excuse any of the above organization for their brutality, it has never been alright. Emily it's about Islamic Supremacy, how I wish I can close my eyes and just be as naive as you are but Before you excuse brutality of any kind watch this video that has been submitted to UN from TV channels across Middle Easts and Persia:

http://vimeo.com/16779150
http://memritv.org
Emily

LOLOL of course they do…everyone does.

Even Nazis used 'Got mitt us' on their uniforms

I don't see 'terrorism' by others any different than our dropping bombs on women and children from 30,000 ft

It's NEVER been about Islamic supremacy …that's Bush's BS…shame on you for being such a gullible dumbcluck

Hey you wanna see terrorism?
http://trueslant.com/johnknefel/2010/04/05/leaked…
Ariadne

Now I know what your global business is Emily.
Emily

Yes, trade…I've said it often enough.

Liked the kids getting shot in a military video game mood didja?

This is what you're backing….proud of yourself?

Maybe some introspection over the new year is in order, eh?
Leo

"The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is also one of NATO’s 48 Troop Contributing Nations for the war in Afghanistan and provides air bases to NATO member states for the war in that country."

They only supplied 15 troops so the air base was the remainder of their contribution.

Someone must have peed in your cornflakes this morning as you usually base your stance on facts. Have a good and safe New Year's eve!!!
Emily

And you aren't required to either contribute or respond in any way.

I am basing my 'stance' on facts. You just don't like em.

I already celebrated New Years with people in J-burg earlier, but thanks anyway and the same to you.

Funny guy

Billions of $$$ !?!?!

Where do you get that from? Marijuana? LOL

Tony, SFO-YUL

I think the UAE is really angry at the United States but is Too Afraid to admit it. Displaced anger.

Because whatever the USA does in this world is more important than what Canada does.
And the United States is certainly much more protectionist than Canada is.
UAE, I think you have your countries mixed up.

Emily

Cheezuz are you that wimpy?

Andre1958

This is the part where I just about heard enough of the UAE. If they are not happy with the way we conduct our business, they can pretty well stay away. And I mean ''away'' across the board. No, we are not doormats like Australia, so take your attitude somewhere else.

Emily

Yup…costing us billions and lots of jobs, but what the hey. As long as YOU are happy, right?

Dry cleaners phoned…your hood is ready.

Andre1958

Uncalled for Emily, not really cool.
Funny guy

Again Emily… how do you calculate "costing us billions of dollars" ?

One could argue this actually saves us money and costs far mor to the UAE… Having the base there actually creates wealth. Someone really working in the trade industry should know that.

http://3edgesword.blogspot.com FACLC

Oh those wacky protectionist Conservatives. When is Michael Ignatieff's Libertarian government coming to power again?
Gary

They are bang on. Just as Americans seemed to be with the runaway Bush/Cheney administration, Canadians appear to be too close to the issue when it comes to our current government. The rest of the world gapes dumbfounded and snickers mockingly at what has happened to our country, but 30-35% of Canadians haven't noticed, are still entranced by the manipulations and false façades the Harperites feed us daily. One almost needs to travel out of the country and look back to see what's going on here.

mjo

Well you are right about one thing about 35% of the population doesn't feel the need to pander to blackmailing despotic regimes for some kind of bizarre ego gratification. We finally have a govt which puts Canadians first before its own international glorification.

Read Acted

Why do we care what these slave traders think ?
Dan Calda

Canada has indeed lost its way.

Since when does our word mean nothing?

I have voted for all the political parties at one time or another. So all you Conservative cheerleaders can save your pinko, leftie BS for your drinking buddies.

UAE let us use the base free for 9 years. This is how we repay them? Pathetic.

It is funny, Conservatives wax on about competition, free markets and capitalism. When there is a glorious opportunity to have more competition in our airline industry….Harper balks. Talk is cheap, actions count.

Or is the problem the UAE are not Americans. The US has no problem taking over our companies and conducting trade here. Is it that we do not want any of "them" here? Who knows. To me it would have killed two birds with one stone. Repay UAE and help Canadians stop being gauged by Air Canada.

Isreal is a red herring. It has nothing to do with the subject. Some of you do have a hard time chewing and walking gum eh?
H. Legatto

Those among you who are 110% for Israel and our troops yay yay yay pump a fist into the air and yell stfu to all those who counsel diplomacy and moderation (and what goes hand in hand with those strategies – Christian tolerance and unconditional love for your fellow man) back in the 30s probably would have been the same xenophobes who agreed with the signs in Toronto that read 'No Jews or dogs allowed'. I know your kind. So does Jesus.
Vin

I don't have problem in not giving Emirates flights more access to Toronto. But Air Canada has to do more to match Emirates. Air Canada robs passengers with stupid service by charging more money.

I avoid Air Canada at any cost, they don't deserve my money. Once they start getting their act together I will travel with them.

Sorry to say, Air Canada is not loyal to their customers. Their employees think they are the only ones who is providing the service.
Haide James

Harper, as flawed as he is, is being used as an excuse to hurl rhetoric and as proof for an argument, no matter how well intentioned the arguer maybe. While we exchange clever and not so clever remarks here and reveal our infinite or finite wisdom(s), the world goes to hell anyway. "What we have here is a lack of communication.." Non-violent communication and a shift in focus from being "right" to being understood and heard is the answer to all of this. There is no "right" answer, no matter your political orientation. We as a species could do well to view one another with compassion and in doing so, validate ourselves and our inalienable right to exist.

Utopia you say? Why not???
Haide James

Harper, as flawed as he is, is being used as an excuse to hurl rhetoric and as proof for an argument, no matter how well intentioned the arguer maybe. While we exchange clever and not so clever remarks here and reveal our infinite or finite wisdom(s), the world goes to hell anyway. "What we have here is a lack of communication.." Non-violent communication and a shift in focus from being "right" to being understood and heard is the answer to all of this. There is no "right" answer, no matter your political orientation. We as a species could do well to view one another with compassion and in doing so, validate ourselves and our inalienable right to exist.
Jeet

Must not have any more women to stone.
s_c_f

Well, this suggests that the UAE is full of petulant children, much like many other regions of the Middle East. Let them whine. Clearly they have no idea how to conduct international relations. They tried to strong-arm Canada and they lost, and now we see them trying to save face.
True Canadian

By the comments, I see that this is read mostly by lefties. Those Marxists-in-disguise, Islamist-loving people, cannot handle a Conservative party being in power. Get a life!

True Canadian
Tony, SFO-YUL

Canada has “lost its way” because it agrees on everything that the United States does or says.
Canada should be more independent and separate in its way of thinking from the United States.
shaouoo

have these people ever been educated….they are talking non sense.have no clue about the world politics.L O L one of them says canada should have nothing to do with third world!!! hah does he/she know CANADA itself is "THIRDWORLD" country??? helloooo…smell the java
Chris

I'm not a big fan of the religio-fanatical UAE either. I don't want to travel there anyways, thank you very much. At least Harper is ELECTED. It's a lot better than their DICTATORSHIP. When people like then say we have "lost our way" then it is a COMPLIMENT. It means that we must be doing something RIGHT!
Emily

'War is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is power'….and we have always been at war with Oceania.
Ryan

I'm not sure there is a more apt example of a cliche than to use a 1984 reference.