Trudeau cannot ignore America's resurgent competitiveness

[cc]

I know that historically the other party does well in the election 2 yrs after a new president, I'm thinking that those in the middle will not respond well at the polls to this behavior + the party is moving sooooo far left  .. too far for most people .. and I believe a disastrous mistake ... + Bernie will help force them even further left and further away from real people in the middle



I know Justine is subject on this one, but he's moot. America will lead the way and direct the action here. It will become more and more interesting as T succeeds to make the US strong and get far more working for higher wages etc.



Damn I so wish we we had whatsherface here as things keep improving for Americans thanks to her illusionary crotch grabber  ac_biggrin

[Anonymous]

I'm just curious if anyone saw the American state of the union address last night and if so what did you think?

I did. He had a bit of something for everyone(except for fiscal conservatives), but of course the Democrats will never be happy.

[cc]

[cc]

So nice that Jo replied to your OP elsewhere



Jo, the gift that never stops giving  

[Anonymous]

So nice that Jo replied to your OP elsewhere



Jo, the gift that never stops giving  

JOE enjoys cross forum drama.

 ac_boring

[Bricktop]

The great division of ALL western societies is caused by leftards.

[Anonymous]

So nice that Jo replied to your OP elsewhere



Jo, the gift that never stops giving  

The Joe and Eddie forum.

[Anonymous]

I'm just curious if anyone saw the American state of the union address last night and if so what did you think?

I did. He had a bit of something for everyone(except for fiscal conservatives), but of course the Democrats will never be happy.

It was conciliatory for sure, but like you said, the jack ass party doesn't care.



Lots of big ticket items proposed like infrastructure spending and lowering the price of prescription drugs without any mention of where the money is coming from to pay for it.

[Anonymous]

I'm just curious if anyone saw the American state of the union address last night and if so what did you think?

I did. He had a bit of something for everyone(except for fiscal conservatives), but of course the Democrats will never be happy.

It was conciliatory for sure, but like you said, the jack ass party doesn't care.



Lots of big ticket items proposed like infrastructure spending and lowering the price of prescription drugs without any mention of where the money is coming from to pay for it.

The pro growth side of Trump's agenda is working. But, the spending side has to be addressed or he's no better than Obama. That will not happen until after mid terms, if at all.

[Frood]

I'm just curious if anyone saw the American state of the union address last night and if so what did you think?

I did. He had a bit of something for everyone(except for fiscal conservatives), but of course the Democrats will never be happy.

It was conciliatory for sure, but like you said, the jack ass party doesn't care.



Lots of big ticket items proposed like infrastructure spending and lowering the price of prescription drugs without any mention of where the money is coming from to pay for it.

The pro growth side of Trump's agenda is working. But, the spending side has to be addressed or he's no better than Obama. That will not happen until after mid terms, if at all.

I don't believe the US has ever intended to pay back its creditors. A big conflict or event will give them an excuse to renege.

[Anonymous]

Washington and Ottawa as well as the provinces and states made an effort in the 90's.

[Frood]

Maybe but more symbolic than anything.

[Anonymous]

Washington and Ottawa as well as the provinces and states made an effort in the 90's.

Fuck, I miss Ralph Klein. Most successful elected leader I've ever seen.

[Anonymous]

Washington and Ottawa as well as the provinces and states made an effort in the 90's.

Fuck, I miss Ralph Klein. Most successful elected leader I've ever seen.

I miss Mike Harris, Jean Chretien, Newt Gingrich and the entire 90's. During that brief that started around 1995, governments respected taxpayers and liberty. Today, the exact opposite.

[Anonymous]

Who benefits from the US making that country a prime destination for investment in natural resources?  American workers who have more jobs available with better pay and benefits. Local governments who have money for roads and schools.



Who pays the price for Trudeau and the provinces obstructionism on resource development? Working Canadians who are denied opportunities to provide for their families. Provincial governments who have less revenue for health care and the feds who continue to raise taxes instead of encouraging investment to pay the bills.

While Canada faces regulatory uncertainty and low oil prices, U.S. states are reaping the benefits of increased investment and higher prices. As the U.S. oil industry booms, Canada remains stuck in an uncertain storm that's restricting economic opportunities. The result: fewer jobs for Canadians and less resource revenue for governments.



So why is this happening?



Even as the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price surges past $60 per barrel, Canada is unable to realize the full benefits of higher prices due to pipeline obstructionism and regulatory uncertainty from the Trudeau government in Ottawa and key provinces including Alberta.



As a result, Canadian oil and gas producers are unable to reach new Asian markets, costing the Canadian economy billions of dollars. Studies show that barriers to building pipelines mean that Canadian oil producers must sell their products to the U.S. at dramatically discounted rates, 20 to 30 per cent below the world price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI).



In fact, the deep discount for Canadian heavy crude is only expected to grow larger in 2018 as Canada's oilsands output grows but there are no additional transportation options to get crude to market. Export pipelines are already running close to their limits and no new export pipelines are expected to be built before late-2019. Rail companies are also reluctant to expand capacity due to concerns that demand for their service is short-term.



Sadly, while Canada is stuck on the sidelines, the United States is becoming one of the world's largest oil producers. Sources predict the U.S. Permian Basin, which extends from Texas to New Mexico, will be one of the world's "hottest oil plays" in 2018, with spending expected to increase by more than US$5 billion this year. Meanwhile, spending in Canada's oil patch is expected to stay largely flat.



To make matters worse, the Trump administration is implementing sweeping energy-sector reforms including cutting taxes, suspending regulations, opening additional lands, and dropping international greenhouse gas obligations. Meanwhile, Canadian governments impose harsher regulations, increase carbon taxes, cap oilsands emissions, ban tanker traffic on the West Coast, and change regulatory requirements for major projects.



The U.S. advantage over Canada is reflected in the Fraser Institute's latest Global Petroleum Survey, which allows investors to evaluate policies that govern the oil and gas industry (royalties and taxes, duplicative regulations, etc.) and make jurisdictions attractive — or unattractive — to investment.



In this year's survey, six of the world's top 10 jurisdictions are in the U.S., compared to only two in Canada (Newfoundland and Labrador, and Saskatchewan). Texas, the most attractive jurisdiction in the world based on policies, and New Mexico (23rd) rank well ahead of Alberta (33rd). While the U.S has an abundant and low-cost shale industry, policies still matter and investment dollars flow to jurisdictions that encourage investment.



This raises a key question for Canadian policymakers to consider: Why would investors put their money into Canada as opposed to U.S. states, if governments in Ottawa, Alberta, British Columbia and elsewhere insist on increasing taxes and regulations?



As U.S. states ramp up efforts to attract investment, and succeed, Canada must also become competitive. The U.S. oil and gas industry is creating jobs, growing the economy and lowering GHG emissions with advancements in technology, without imposing costly policies and onerous regulations on its industry. Canadian governments must change direction before investors close the door on Canada.

http://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/guest-column-government-policy-hampers-canadas-oil-industry-as-u-s-accelerates">http://torontosun.com/opinion/columnist ... ccelerates">http://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/guest-column-government-policy-hampers-canadas-oil-industry-as-u-s-accelerates