Latest News & Updates

IN THE NEWS ~ Conflicts surrounding Canadian mines 'a serious problem'

But perceptions in Latin America are changing, say observers here and there, as conflicts pitting Canadian mines against local communities become entrenched and spread across continents, and the line between those companies and the Canadian government becomes increasingly blurred.

"Last week, there were demonstrations outside the Canadian Embassy in Mexico. But it's not just Mexico, it's throughout the region," says Daviken Studnicki-Gizbert, a history professor at McGill University and the coordinator of the McGill Research Group Investigating Canadian Mining in Latin America. "What embassy in Latin America has not been the locus of protests because of a Canadian mine?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ~ STATEMENT BY MEGAN LESLIE ON CANADA’S WITHDRAWAL FROM THE KYOTO PROTOCOL

Unfortunately, one year ago today, Canada became the first signatory to withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol. This announcement takes effect today.

While the rest of the world is moving forward in the fight against climate change, Canada is falling behind. We are leaving a huge ecological, economic and social debt to future generations.  

New Democrats are more determined than ever to fight against the Conservatives’ disastrous attacks on the environment. We want to make our country a leader in the green energy economy.

IN THE NEWS ~ Harper's stern warning to foreign state-owned firms masks deeper ambiguity in new rules: experts

Prime Minister Stephen Harper lays out the federal government's response to takeover bids for Alberta oil firms by foreign state-owned enterprises

The impact of Ottawa's new restrictions on foreign state-owned enterprises on the wider business climate will take years and more regulatory decisions to determine, said several analysts who spent the last several days deciphering the new rules.

IN THE HOUSE ~ Question ~ Why is the government trying to cover up the real impact of the CNOOC takeover approval and of the Canada-China FIPA?

    Mr. Peter Julian (Burnaby—New Westminster, NDP): Mr. Speaker, there are still no answers. The Prime Minister's improvised press conference last Friday demonstrated how the Conservatives are mismanaging foreign investment.

    The CNOOC takeover approval, coupled with the Canada-China FIPA is a dangerous mixture. CNOOC will have unprecedented rights in Canada, and now it is entitled to national treatment, meaning it has carte blanche to expand in Canada, including buying up oil sands leases.

NEWS ~ NDP: Net benefits test needs immediate clarification

The NDP opposition motion put forward by NDP Natural Resources critic Peter Julian calls on the government to lay out specific net benefit criteria, improve the transparency of decisions and to require public consultations on changes to the Investment Canada Act.

“The Conservatives rubber stamped a deal that leaves the Canadian economy vulnerable to foreign government interference, in secret with no public consultation,� said Julian. “This is unacceptable and we need immediate action on the Investment Canada Act to ensure that this doesn’t happen again.�

IN THE HOUSE ~ Question ~ PM refuses to acknowledge that FIPA will dramatically change the significance of the Nexen takeover

    Mr. Peter Julian (Burnaby—New Westminster, NDP): Mr. Speaker, Canadians are asking these questions because they know, after these last few months of sheer incompetence, Conservatives cannot be trusted to manage foreign investment. The Conservatives just want to sell out Canada.

    Conservatives claim they will limit foreign-state control of the oil sands and yet the FIPA with China will do the opposite. They did not get reciprocity, they gave away national treatment rights to companies like CNOOC. The Conservatives do not even seem to understand the agreement they signed. They approved the CNOOC takeover of Nexen and they signed the Canada–China FIPA which gives special rights to CNOOC. Why were they so irresponsible?

IN THE NEWS ~ POLICY BRIEFING ~ The Way forward: Building Canada’s Green Economy

Time for partisan politics long gone, time now for leadership and action on green economy

Without decisive action from the federal government, Canada will miss out on this critical opportunity in the green energy sector.

NDP MP Megan Leslie, NDP MP Peter Julian

Clean, sustainable energy isn't just good for the environment it makes good economic sense. The green energy sector not only holds significant potential for Canada to reduce our carbon emissions and meet our domestic energy needs, but to also establish ourselves as key contenders in the manufacture of renewable energy technology.

IN THE NEWS ~ Nexen Deal Approved

ROBERT FIFE (Reporter): After months of delay and debate, Prime Minister Stephen Harper gave the green light to two monster takeovers of the country's oil and gas sector.

STEPHEN HARPER (Canadian Prime Minister): These decisions are not the beginning of a trend but rather the end of a trend.

FIFE: Cabinet approved the Chinese state-owned conglomerate's $15 billion purchase of Calgary-based Nexen, one of Canada's premier independent players in the oil patch. It also gave thumbs-up to a $6 billion takeover of natural gas giant Progress Energy Resources by a Malaysian state enterprise.

IN THE NEWS ~ Feds hope approval of Nexen deal will open door to more Canadian investment in China

Feds hope approval of Nexen deal will open door to more Canadian investment in China

DANIEL PROUSSALIDIS, PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU

The Winnipeg Sun (Final) News, Page 5; the Calgary Sun (Final)

OTTAWA -- With Chinese government-owned CNOOC getting the thumbs-up to buy its way into the oilsands, the feds are raising hopes that the Chinese economy will become more open to private Canadian investment.

IN THE NEWS ~ Foreign takeovers get green light

Stephanie Levitz and Craig Wong, Canadian Press

Prince George Citizen (Final) News, Page 14; Times Colonist (Victoria) (Final) Business, Page B1/Front

Prime Minister Stephen Harper ended months of market uncertainty by approving the foreign takeovers of Calgarybased Nexen Inc. and Progress Energy Resources Corp. -but insisted future appropriations by state-owned firms in the oilsands would become the exception rather than rule.

IN THE NEWS ~ Ottawa approves foreign takeover bids

Jason Fekete, Postmedia News; With Files From Gordon Hamilton And Jonathan Fowlie, Vancouver Sun, And Mike De Souza And Jordan Press, Postmedia News

VANCOUVER SUN (FINAL)

CANADA & WORLD, Page: B1 / FRONT

- Canada is open for business and foreign investment - but is not for sale - the Harper government declared Friday in approving two major foreign takeovers of Canadian natural resource companies, including one deal with major implications for British Columbia.

IN THE NEWS ~ Ottawa approves Nexen and Progress takeover deals

Corcoran: Rocky road lies ahead for foreign investments in Canada

OTTAWA - After months of uncertainty, the Conservative government finally broke its silence Friday - approving two contentious foreign takeovers that are destined to form the basis of Canada's investment strategy for years to come.

But the prime minister indicated he would draw a line in the oil sands when dealing with future overtures from foreign companies, state-owned enterprises in particular.