Tribute to Lois Hole

This is a fitting tribute to the late Lois Hole, drawing from her own words and insights; it's simple, honest, and sincere.

Too bad those who may have strategized the whole media hoopla and regional outrage over Adrienne Clarkson's absence had to mar Lois Hole's passing, and turn it into a negative occasion. (Kind of like me, come to think of it: angry, negative, and destructive.)

I'm not endorsing the Governor General's inaction. If Clarkson is doing a poor job, give her the boot. If the position is costly and unnecessary, as some say, then go ahead and cut it. I'm simply trying to understand the timely machinations that lead up to this well-hyped and divisive event. I believe there will be many more to come.

(Also, if I don't sound like the bleeding-heart liberal I once was, believe me, I have good reasons.)


Going South

If you want Canada to become a U.S. subsidiary, with just a different flag, then make that choice in an informed way, and help shape the outcome.

I can still remember the shock, despair, and utter disbelief when former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and the Progressive Conservatives pushed through the Canada-U.S. free trade agreement - without consultation, and in spite of valid, widespread, well-reasoned concerns from so many groups, organizations, farmers, workers, and so on (over 1500 organizations country-wide signed a petition - including some major ones).* Slam, bam, thank you, folks, for putting us in a position to do this. People's voices meant NOTHING. As this trend continues, people will still be shaking their heads, wondering how it all happened.

*Note: Sometimes I'm deliberately vague for a reason.

If you voted Conservative in the 1988 election, please find out if and how Canada has benefitted from free trade, or if the country has been fundamentally undermined, due to lack of public input. Try talking to people who work in industries other than your own - especially those sectors that are key to Canada's physical survival and prosperity (natural resources, agriculture, etc). Neither blind conservatism or blind liberalism will be much help, dude.

Legal and electoral systems exist for a reason: use it or lose it.

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Variety of Information on Free Trade:

'Keeping Canada Independent' - The Claire Foss Journal

Canada - United States Free Trade Agreement (FTA) - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Canada - US Free Trade Agreement (1989) - Historica

Canada - US Free Trade Agreement (1989) - Texas A&M University

'The Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement: Now or Never'* by Michael I. Krauss

NAFTA - Public Citizen: Protecting Health, Safety & Democracy

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) - U.S. Department of Agriculture: Foreign Agricultural Service

*Note: Krauss' 1988 pro-free trade policy analysis and theoretical arguments have not been borne out. Monopolies continue, stronger than ever; competition has not improved; the economy, employment, farmers and manufacturers have not benefitted. (Believe me, I've been seeing it first-hand in this city, but continuing company closures and outsourcing of work should be clear indicators. Canada is clearly heading towards the totally dependent, socially and economically polarized, ghetto state that many predicted.)

Saw an excellent article on all this (searching...).