Changing Times

Well, I suppose many of you that read this, also read the "Hometown" web page, and have been privy to all this kerfuffle going on. As usual, it appears I have backed the slow horse. The thoughts and opinions of myself and others backing this plodding animal, have incised one to even suggest we walk off a short pier.
  I am the first to admit, I am pig headed. However, I also like to get all my facts before stepping onto a pier, short or not. I will read, I will Google, I will listen..today there is so much more out there to search than back in High school. I realize that almost everything that happens in my life, has, indeed happened to someone else. If I am lucky I will be able to see how that other person dealt with the issue, what errors they made, and I can ensure I don't make the same errors. However, often the rules that were in place for the previous person, are suddenly different. Then I have to be extra careful, and step very slowly.
  Now I listen to a group of people who heard  a condensed shiny version of the future, and they jump up in glee. They refuse to read, Google, or listen. They feel no one has the right to question their actions, and..even worse, they refuse to question the actions of those who have given the condensed version. They feel they can wade through red,green, and invisible tape, without assistance...in fact they are totally pi$$ed that others who have no business, are in their business.
 Hold up there Mr. Progress...Rules have changed. Hold up those who state our economy is based on foreign exports, rules have indeed changed there. Once again, the People's Republic of China  is holding out a cookie to you. That cookie might look really good, but so did that Pet food, that was sent to you, processed in a country with a totally different set of standards. That toy you bought for Junior, hey, it was pretty nice, except when he chewed the flipping lead paint off that has been banned in our country, but...yep, you got, it, not in China!
  The problem would not be as immense if we could look at something, check out where it is from, and simply refuse to purchase anything that does not meet the same rules and regulations companies in our country must follow. But, when you open the door to industry, and your progress is tied to dealings with China, you had best study up. The rules in trade with this particular country are far different than anything you imagine.
  Our government has created so many back room deals to plead with them to come on over and suck out what they need, you best beware. You will get to a point where perhaps they have done something disastrous, something environmentally horrible...you will insist they cease, and...guess what folks, any profit lost from  putting up a road block, will be paid out of your pocket!! Yep...did you know that? I have not read the whole agreement, however I have Googled FIPA and it is a very scary agreement. They can come in, and take what they want, in a manner they wish. They can bring their own over to mine in a process that until now, was against our mining regulations because of the safety issue, which is why only Chinese can do this type of work. So, apparently our government turns a blind eye to rules set for North Americans, allows China to mine "straight Wall" and agrees Canadians need not apply..Perhaps that is out of concern for the safety of our own?
  The difference in our exporting to foreign countries is this...Up until now, Canadians did the work to provide the resources to export. Our country made money through taxes paid by working Canadian, mining, logging, and yes, in oil and gas. What is happening slowly but surely, and no, I am NOT fearmongering, is that these companies lower their wages, they require employees to work in unsafe conditions, and then when the greedy Canadians start to whine, they get exactly what they planned in the beginning, they hire their own!
  I am unsure how much our government is making on these deals, hopefully enough to make up for the loss of income tax from their own. To those who request the plodding horse be put to sleep, this is the future! To imagine you will suddenly be handed over good paying jobs, with the advent of Chinese LNG projects, grow up!!!
 You will simply end up in the same place as I am with Site C. This will end up in your backyard. Unlike me, you won't get diddly squat from it, and anything it destroys will not even be mitigated. You will simply have to shut your mouths and swallow.
  Those who have been sticking their noses in your business, are different from those who you are opening up your welcoming arms to. They are people who actually care about your community. Do the Chinese? Does the company looking to make a massive fortune as the middleman to the Chinese? No, he is simply a person who is getting paid, very well, to set in motion what they want,and, yes, need. They need it!!! For goodness sakes, they are NOT doing you a favour, they are attempting to find the cheapest easiest way to get what they need!!!
  A person simply needs to click on their computer to find out how the Chinese have abused their own country, and they live there!!! Do you want a job with Chinese wages, and Chinese safety standards so badly, you don't care what happens? Do you think once an application is accepted that you can sit down and make up your rules?  Nope, it is clear, most folks will just sit back and let this play out the way those in the drivers seat want. Will these same people be squawking when no one listens to them? Could happen, but, that's O.K. they opened the door to industry, without any questions, and now they can gallop into another pile of sh*t!
 The Canada-China Investment Treaty allows Chinese companies (including state-owned enterprises) to sue the Government of Canada over decisions that can limit or reduce their expectation of profits. In treaty language, this is called “tantamount to expropriation.”  China can claim damages against Canada for decisions at the municipal, provincial, territorial or federal level.  Even decisions of our courts can give rise to damages. The damage claims start with six months of diplomatic negotiation. If that fails, damage claims move to arbitration – behind closed doors.
 Just in case you don't believe what I said.