NAFTA demise an opportunity
From all reports, the North American Free Trade Agreement is losing its appeal with the passage of time.
That being the case, Canada could well prosper by paying less attention to its southern neighbours and develop her rich northern natural resources.
In addition, Canada would be wise to create sufficient transportation by way of increased pipelines and upgrade all coastal terminal facilities to avoid demurrage on coastal foreign vessels and concentrate off-shore markets.
It must never be forgotten, the northern corridor, the Mackenzie Valley pipeline project, was approved and later rejected in 1974 with a 10-year moratorium for the purpose of study. Now, 43 years later, the study continues. The rejection was a national disgrace whereby monumental federal, provincial and municipal debt would have been avoided.
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NAFTA talks appear to accomplish revenue-bearing issues in the U.S.A.’s favour but limit their generosity in favour of Canada and Mexico. With reference to labour costs, how would the three countries balance labour between Mexican potato pickers in California, a Canadian taxi driver and an oil worker in Fort McMurray?
How do the three countries balance their food production costs one against the other and arrive at a free trade balance?
If absence of NAFTA occurs, could it become Canada’s golden age by conducting its own affairs independently, without ground rules, procedures, topics and issues?
Winter climatic conditions and temperature variations between Fairbanks, Alaska, and Mexico City could become a topic of major annoyance.
How will Canada’s carbon tax be accepted by the Trump administration during NAFTA rejection discussions by the U.S.A.?
John Siesta
Tisdale, Sask.
