BBC
23 January 2008
We are delighted that at the suggestion of Consul General Mary Marshall, U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins will be joining us for (part of) this Wednesday Night’s Salon. Ambassador Wilkins’ visit is particularly timely given that the Republican Primary was held in his native South Carolina on Saturday, however, we understand that he would prefer not to discuss the current election campaign, and is much more interested in talking about his Christmas visit to the U.S. and Canadian troops in Afghanistan, at the invitation of the Honourable Peter MacKay.
Ambassador Wilkins was named to his post by President Bush in 2005 and at the time of his confirmation hearings stated that security and trade issues - like softwood lumber and beef - were among his priorities. Although there was a change in government soon after his arrival in Ottawa, resulting in somewhat more sympathetic interlocutors, he has had to address a number of contentious issues including those related to intellectual property protection, the SPP meeting of last August, Arctic sovereignty, the ongoing problems of security versus facilitation of cross-border traffic and the consequences of the weakening U.S. economy.
The Ambassador has travelled extensively throughout Canada and has reached out to Canadians in person and through the Embassy Website (a great improvement over the previous site).
Other topics sure to be discussed:
The catastrophic events in the global markets and President Bush’s economic stimulation package
The just-released Report of the Independent Panel led by John Manley on Canada’s future role in Afghanistan [NDP Leader Jack Layton reacted negatively to the recommendations, as did BQ leader Gilles Duceppe; Stéphane Dion is reserving judgment]
The defiant move by Homeland Security head, Michael Chertoff to change ID requirements for all crossing the Canada-U.S. border as of January 31
Our nuclear proponents will also be interested in the recent statement on nuclear energy by Energy Secretary Bodman at the World Future Energy Summit.
A few questions have come in for the Ambassador and we welcome more:
1. As the Ambassador is from a coastal state, I’d also be very interested to hear his thoughts on the viability of the National Flood Insurance program — which to my mind is a guaranteed way of putting people and infrastructure in harm’s way.
2. What he thinks the prospects are, realistically, for a deeper NAFTA
3. What would he suggest Canada does to improve the management of common North American problems.
Pertinent Links
David Wilkins: America’s next ambassador to Canada
CBC News Online | June 22, 2005
Tuesday March 20, 2007
Earlier this month, U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins stepped up the pressure on Canada on copyright. The speech that launched a round of media coverage has now been posted by the U.S. Embassy:
” … we are requesting a stronger copyright bill be introduced and be passed. We are joined by the U.S. and Canadian motion picture and sound recording and computer software industries. Right now the copyright laws or the intellectual property right protection in Canada is considered the weakest of the G-7 countries. So we are asking that be strengthened. And it really does cost the Canadian economy a huge amount every year. It is estimated to be from some $10 to $30 billion per year.”
Leaving aside the rhetoric, what is particularly remarkable about these comments is the claim that Canadian copyright law is costing the economy between $10 to $30 billion per year. Obviously any estimate that varies by up to $20 billion is not particularly credible. Further, even the low end figure looks ridiculous as it is four times the losses claimed by the MPAA in China and is more than three times the total amount of cultural goods that Canada imports from the U.S. every year. Or considered another way, the $10 billion figure is more than the Finance Minister committed yesterday to new health care initiatives, the environment, education, and special services for armed forces veterans combined. And that is the low end - the $30 billion figure represents nearly 13 percent of total government revenues and nearly equals the total amount of provincial transfers and subsidies. All of this from “a lot of counterfeiting of movies and songs and whatnot?”
Wilkins encourages Canada to stay in Afghanistan beyond 2009
Dec 29, 2007
COLUMBIA, S.C. - The U.S. ambassador to Canada says he’s unsure how the death of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto will affect Canada’s upcoming parliamentary vote on troops in Afghanistan.
Ambassador David Wilkins says: “It remains to be seen” if the crisis in Pakistan will affect how Canadian legislators vote.
As ambassador, he is encouraging Canadian officials to extend the country’s military operations in Afghanistan beyond its current commitment that ends in February 2009. The ambassador left Afghanistan on Wednesday after a three-day visit with Canadian and American troops, at the invitation of Defence Minister Peter MacKay.
Wilkins praises Canada’s role in Afghanistan
OTTAWA: With U.S. appeals to NATO allies to step up their military roles in Afghanistan largely unheeded, Canada’s parliament faces a crucial vote this winter on what form, if any, that nation’s participation will take next year.
At his Greenville home for the New Year holiday following a trip to Afghanistan over Christmas, U.S. ambassador to Canada David Wilkins told The Greenville News that any vote on the “contentious” issue would be close.
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23 January 2008
We are delighted that at the suggestion of Consul General Mary Marshall, U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins will be joining us for (part of) this Wednesday Night’s Salon. Ambassador Wilkins’ visit is particularly timely given that the Republican Primary was held in his native South Carolina on Saturday, however, we understand that he would prefer not to discuss the current election campaign, and is much more interested in talking about his Christmas visit to the U.S. and Canadian troops in Afghanistan, at the invitation of the Honourable Peter MacKay.
Ambassador Wilkins was named to his post by President Bush in 2005 and at the time of his confirmation hearings stated that security and trade issues - like softwood lumber and beef - were among his priorities. Although there was a change in government soon after his arrival in Ottawa, resulting in somewhat more sympathetic interlocutors, he has had to address a number of contentious issues including those related to intellectual property protection, the SPP meeting of last August, Arctic sovereignty, the ongoing problems of security versus facilitation of cross-border traffic and the consequences of the weakening U.S. economy. So there will certainly be no lack of topics during the evening.
Ambassador Wilkins has travelled extensively throughout Canada and has reached out to Canadians in person and through the Embassy Website (a great improvement over the previous site).
Other topics sure to be discussed:
The catastrophic events in the global markets and President Bush’s economic stimulation package
The just-released Report of the Independent Panel led by John Manley on Canada’s future role in Afghanistan [NDP Leader Jack Layton reacted negatively to the recommendations, as did BQ leader Gilles Duceppe; Stéphane Dion is reserving judgment]
The defiant move by Homeland Security head, Michael Chertoff to change ID requirements for all crossing the Canada-U.S. border as of January 31
Our nuclear proponents will also be interested in the recent statement on nuclear energy by Energy Secretary Bodman at the World Future Energy Summit.
Pertinent Links
David Wilkins: America’s next ambassador to Canada
CBC News Online | June 22, 2005
CBC
Number Crunching
Tuesday March 20, 2007
Earlier this month, U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins stepped up the pressure on Canada on copyright. The speech that launched a round of media coverage has now been posted by the U.S. Embassy:
” … we are requesting a stronger copyright bill be introduced and be passed. We are joined by the U.S. and Canadian motion picture and sound recording and computer software industries. Right now the copyright laws or the intellectual property right protection in Canada is considered the weakest of the G-7 countries. So we are asking that be strengthened. And it really does cost the Canadian economy a huge amount every year. It is estimated to be from some $10 to $30 billion per year.”
Leaving aside the rhetoric, what is particularly remarkable about these comments is the claim that Canadian copyright law is costing the economy between $10 to $30 billion per year. Obviously any estimate that varies by up to $20 billion is not particularly credible. Further, even the low end figure looks ridiculous as it is four times the losses claimed by the MPAA in China and is more than three times the total amount of cultural goods that Canada imports from the U.S. every year. Or considered another way, the $10 billion figure is more than the Finance Minister committed yesterday to new health care initiatives, the environment, education, and special services for armed forces veterans combined. And that is the low end - the $30 billion figure represents nearly 13 percent of total government revenues and nearly equals the total amount of provincial transfers and subsidies. All of this from “a lot of counterfeiting of movies and songs and whatnot?”
Wilkins encourages Canada to stay in Afghanistan beyond 2009
Dec 29, 2007
COLUMBIA, S.C. - The U.S. ambassador to Canada says he’s unsure how the death of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto will affect Canada’s upcoming parliamentary vote on troops in Afghanistan.
Ambassador David Wilkins says: “It remains to be seen” if the crisis in Pakistan will affect how Canadian legislators vote.
As ambassador, he is encouraging Canadian officials to extend the country’s military operations in Afghanistan beyond its current commitment that ends in February 2009. The ambassador left Afghanistan on Wednesday after a three-day visit with Canadian and American troops, at the invitation of Defence Minister Peter MacKay.
Wilkins praises Canada’s role in Afghanistan
OTTAWA: With U.S. appeals to NATO allies to step up their military roles in Afghanistan largely unheeded, Canada’s parliament faces a crucial vote this winter on what form, if any, that nation’s participation will take next year.
At his Greenville home for the New Year holiday following a trip to Afghanistan over Christmas, U.S. ambassador to Canada David Wilkins told The Greenville News that any vote on the “contentious” issue would be close.
Wilkins top choice for U.S. Attorney
By RICK BRUNDRETT -
Walt Wilkins, son of former Chief U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge William “Billy” Wilkins of Greenville, is a leading candidate for the seat of outgoing U.S. Attorney Reggie Lloyd, sources said Tuesday.
The younger Wilkins, an assistant U.S. attorney in Greenville since 2005, declined comment Tuesday. He is the nephew of David Wilkins, the former S.C. House speaker and current U.S. ambassador to Canada.
Afghanistan
Khadr Boy: More Calls to Drop Charges 'Cause He was a Kid - More - more - His Lawyer - Former Boy Soldier Says He Knew What He Was Doing
500 USA Mine-proof Vehicles Headed to AFG
Taliban Targets Hoity-Toity Hotel in Kabul: More - UN Reviewing Own Security - More to Come? - Foreigners in the Sights - More - NOR Says This is Why They Have to Stay - Brit Civil Servants Stressed from Blast
It's Official: New Super-Envoy for AFG - More - more - Profile - Taliban Underwhelmed
Son of Osama Wants Peace (Really)
Oldest Profession Flourishes in North
Pakistan
AFG: What Arty Hitting PAK? (permalink)
Admiral: PAK (More) OK with US Helping Train PAK Troops - More - Still, Nervous About Outside Strikes on AQ - More - PAK Bad Guy's Who's Who
PAK Hitting Bad Boy's 'Hood - Bad Guys Come, Go - More
PAK Arrests Bhutto Killing Suspect - CIA Throws Own Guess Into Hat
U.S. Race 2008 | Hillary Clinton | Barack Obama | Amb David Wilkins We will post more information here over the next few days Diana's page
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UNITED STATES
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Notes by Herbert Bercovitz OWN and Edited by Diana Thébaud Nicholson OWN
Tuesday 22 January 2008 Fears of global recession: stock indexes fall A DEAFENING CRASH Investors' ears are ringing after yesterday’s thunderous
crash of the Toronto stock market. The
National, CTV
News, the
Post, the
Citizen, the
Globe, and the Star (not available online) lead and La
Presse goes inside with the worst drop since the aftermath of 9/11.
Fears of a US recession prompted a massive selloff at the TSX, mirroring
similar developments in other world markets. Toronto stocks fell 4.74
percent, triggered, CTV and the Post report, by worries in Asia that the
Bank of China may have to write off $8 billion in US sub-prime debt.
Contributing to the chaos were fears that President George W. Bush’s
$145 billion (US) economic stimulus package was too little, too late. The
panic spread to Europe, says CTV, finally landing in Toronto. The US was
spared pain yesterday because the markets were closed for Martin Luther
King Day, but the punishment starts at opening bell today. There is no
shortage of violent metaphors in today’s coverage to describe the
carnage, ranging from the Globe’s “falling off a cliff”
to CTV News’ “mauling.” The Post steps back from the
panic and offers analysis, with Terence
Corcoran admonishing that it is “crazy to jump out the window
every time the markets rattle.” He predicts some stability retuning
to markets today, but grim developments for the longer term. Analysts
interviewed on the National and Richard Gwyn
in the Star provide some reason for optimism, with the former saying that
the crash will lead to some great deals on good stocks, and the latter
suggesting that this crisis will teach us that the market is not
invincible, and government regulation is needed to ensure stability.
Regulation? Nonsense, says John
Ivison in the Post, comparing Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion’s
plan for economic aid to Mao's Theory of Productive Forces. Monday 21 January 2008 Montebello summit bill tops $27 million OTTAWA -- The Montebello summit cost at least $27 million, according to new documents obtained by Canwest News Service. The documents show the RCMP's expenses to secure the two-day event that brought together the leaders of Mexico, Canada and the U.S. at Quebec's Chateau Montebello, about 80 kilometres east of Ottawa. The RCMP, the police force with "primary responsibility for security" at the meeting, spent $13.4 million to plan and secure the event according to a financial summary. The Mounties originally estimated it would cost them $15.7 million for the event. anuary 19, 2008 The Education of Ben Bernanke 13 January 2008 nsnbc Economy Where nest
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Wednesday Night creates charts and follows stocks, including timely related financial news items, in which Wednesday Nighters are interested and in order to demonstrate a service that could eventually be developed and marketed. Wednesday Nighters are invited to participate and help to test the service.
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2008 W-N Links
Fed Cuts Rate 0.75%, but Dow Drops
The Federal Reserve, responding to an international stock sell-off and fears about a possible United States recession, cut its benchmark interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point on Tuesday.
by Josh Ginsberg
January
22, 2008
CTV News started the conversation about the effect the crash will have on
Canadian politics, noting that it immediately cooled Liberal election
fever. Dion is taking a conciliatory approach, saying that he will vote
for the government’s budget if it has provisions to help Canadians
through the hard times. However, the Star sees it
differently, saying that, if the budget lacks string measures to shield
Canadians from a recession, the government will likely fall at
Dion’s hands. There are few indications of what Finance
Minister Jim Flaherty is planning to bring forward in his budget, which
could be tabled in early February, but the Star notes that, due to recent
increases in spending, he will have little room in which to maneuver. As
the
Globe reports, immediate help will come from the Bank of Canada, which
will lower the key interest rate by at least a quarter of a percentage
point today, although David Dodge, the bank’s governor, is calling
for a cut of half a point. This should come as some comfort to investors
unsure of their financial futures, but will hardly bring the rollercoaster
of a market to a halt.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
THE LEADS:
THE NATIONAL: “Dive!
Dive! Dive!: Global Markets are slapped by a big selloff and investors are
warned to brace for more”
CTV NEWS: “Stunning
Losses: Stock markets plunge around the world”
GLOBE AND MAIL: “US
recession fears spark global selloff”
TORONTO STAR: “605 points, or 4.75%” (not available online)
NATIONAL POST: “Markets
Plummet”
LA PRESSE “Canada
must stay in Afghanistan” (top non-local)
OTTAWA CITIZEN: “Prospect
of a recession in US sparks huge selloff” (top
non-local)
(NYT Magazine) Ben Bernanke’s first exposure to monetary policy was reading the works of Milton Friedman, the Nobel laureate. That was 30 years ago, when Bernanke was a graduate student at M.I.T., and he has been studying central banking ever since.
Stephen S. Poloz VP EDC Economics Weekly Commentary
How low can oil prices go? - January 23, 2008
Oil prices have broken below the psychologically-important $90 level, leading speculators who have bet heavily on $100-plus oil to consider bailing out of the market. For real consumers, in contrast, this is good news – and the question is, how much better can it get?
There is a wide dispersion of views on the future. Just a year ago many thought oil prices were headed below $50, while today some believe they are headed above $100. A non-economist might wonder what changed during the past 12 months to account for such shifts. Certainly, the arguments that are made to support forecasts are not new – rapid growth in Asia, political risk in the Middle East, a perception that conventional sources of oil are drying up, and the like. Past issues | his WN page
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