Harper stands against EU

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Easy Big Boy I have been all over Europe. Stayed in the majority of the countries. I actually like places in Europe, very much in fact.


What I think sucks is their belief that we should be bailing them out. Helping end an issue that was not created by Canada.

So yeah, I am resentful of that. Now if they want to increase their orders of Saskatchewan Seal Skin Boots.....then maybe was can talk.

that's a little bit different than saying flat out "Europe sucks" don't you think? don't get all defensive when people call you out for saying stupid crap

[stampsx2]

I don't mind if we help them out so long as they take extreme steps in fixing the mess they made.

So no six week vacations, no getting away with not paying taxes or traffic tickets, no social payments being higher than minimum wage, etc. They need to take the first steps and they would have to be lifestyle changing ones.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by stampsx2

I don't mind if we help them out so long as they take extreme steps in fixing the mess they made.

So no six week vacations, no getting away with not paying taxes or traffic tickets, no social payments being higher than minimum wage, etc. They need to take the first steps and they would have to be lifestyle changing ones.

Agreed but all these things need to change BEFORE they are given any type of assistance IMO. I have no problem helping people that are willing to be helped.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I'd be fine giving them the money if it has extreme strings attached, namely as has been mentioned, they need to adjust their sense of entitlement and some of their social programs to become sustainable.

[SebC]

If we're giving them our money, the strings should benefit us - e.g. no surcharge for oil sands oil.

[onetwo_threefour]

Perhaps we can contribute, subject to certain trade concessions being made that will help us in the long term. I don't see any reason for Canada to stick out its neck in uncertain times in the name of international comity. I don't recall any G20 countries going out of their way to help when our debt was ballooning, our fisheries were closing and the oil sands seemed like a pipe dream.

Instead, Canadian accepted austerity, travelled thousands of kilometers to find jobs, and worked to develop an uncertain resource into a major part of the economy, all while dealing with protectionist tendencies of the EU and to a lesser degree US.

[GP_Matt]

If we do give them money we should make them sign the debt in oil on a sealskin paper.

Realistically though, are they asking for money or a loan? Under the loan situation the way I see it, and I could be wrong quite easily, is that Canada would issue bonds to raise money using our good name and then loan that money to European governments at a higher rate. It wouldn't affect our net debt as it would hit both sides of the balance book and as long as they don't default it will generate positive cash flow.

If we can couple it with some conditions to open up their markets to Canadian goods (food stuffs) it might be quite the boon for Canada.

[Table 5]

I'd be willing to give them 20-30 billion if in return they build us the same awesome level of highway/transportation network that I see in almost every European country. It makes ours look 3rd world in comparison. Build us a Canada-wide Autobahn and we'll talk!

[GP_Matt]

Maybe we should ask for a few islands while we are at it. St Pierre and Miquelon to start and then maybe Guadeloupe and St Martin for good measure.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by GP_Matt

Maybe we should ask for a few islands while we are at it. St Pierre and Miquelon to start and then maybe Guadeloupe and St Martin for good measure.

I would totally be on board if we got a tropical island out of it.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I think we should loan them the money, then take Ibiza, Monte Carlo and Cannes as collateral. If they default, they become ours.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

I think we should loan them the money, then take Ibiza, Monte Carlo and Cannes as collateral. If they default, they become ours.

that banana hammock count is too high

[GP_Matt]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

that banana hammock count is too high

The skimpy clothing goes both ways. I think I can put up with one to get the other.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

that banana hammock count is too high

Everything good in this world comes with a price. A hairy, tight-lycrad, price.

[karl262]

North America has been helping Europe solve its problems for 100 years now. If it's not a shooting war its cleaning up after one. If it's not cleaning up after one it's trying to stop another one from starting. Then another shooting war. Then clean up. Then a long and costly cold war. Then it looked like they might be OK after all that, and here we are again with another big mess. Come on Europe, get it together.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by karl262

North America has been helping Europe solve its problems for 100 years now. If it's not a shooting war its cleaning up after one. If it's not cleaning up after one it's trying to stop another one from starting. Then another shooting war. Then clean up. Then a long and costly cold war. Then it looked like they might be OK after all that, and here we are again with another big mess. Come on Europe, get it together.

You forgot about the peacekeeping missions.....

[Muta]

F that shiznit. Let's demand Greenland in return (rightfully ours). And we'll ease the burden of the Spain headache by taking the Canary Islands.

[FlamesAddiction]

I don't mind bailing them out, as long as there were strings attached to the money.

"Aid" has always been a euphamism for political payola. The U.S. isn't the largest giver of "aid" to other countries because they are nice. It's one of the tools they used to build themselves into the most influential country in the world.

You give them "aid", and they give you favourable trade and policy relations. This could actually end up being a big opportunity for Canada to exert some power and project our influence. It would be short-sighted to not explore the possibility. If the EU wants money which isn't contingent on anything, they aren't being realistic.

[freedogger]

I think it is interesting how this is being framed as a Europe thing when in fact it really is a Banking thing.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I would totally be on board if we got a tropical island out of it.

Why would we pay for a tropical island when we can have Turks and Caicos for free?