New rules unlikely to affect Chinese takeovers of Canadian companies

NOTE THE DATE OF THIS ARTICLE 

Date: Friday, 11-January-2008

New rules unlikely to affect Chinese takeovers of Canadian companies: Emerson

BEIJING (CP) - The new national security test on foreign takeovers in Canada should have little impact on China's ability to buy out Canadian firms, including in the much-eyed resource sector, International Trade Minister David Emerson said Tuesday.

The minister told reporters in a conference call from Bejing that he assured Chinese officials during his visit there that the new guidelines proposed by Industry Minister Jim Prentice were not designed to thwart Chinese investment in Canada.

"Canada is anxious to have Chinese investments in Canada, including investments from the (state-owned) China Investment Corp.," he said, adding that Chinese officials welcomed his reassurance.

He said the rules outlined by Prentice in December were not meant to discourage acquisitions from state-owned corporations, but only to ensure these companies "are operating as economic and commercial companies not as a political arm or corporate arm that is simply delivering a political strategy in another country."

Although he did not elaborate, Emerson appeared to signal that he considers Chinese investments through its sovereign wealth fund to be primarily business related, rather than political.

Responding to the high level of foreign takeovers in Canada during the past few years, the government appointed a blue-ribbon panel to study the issue last summer, but also announced in December that it would take a closer look at state-owned takeovers as part of a national security test.

Prentice announced that the guidelines would apply on the "rare occasions when foreign investments by state-owned enterprises with non-commercial objectives and unclear corporate governance and reporting may not benefit Canadians."

He gave no examples of such takeovers, but many interpreted the new rules as being directed mostly at China, a government that Prime Minister Stephen Harper had openly criticized for its human rights record.

Among other things, the guidelines will assess whether a Canadian business to be acquired by a non-Canadian, state-owned enterprise will continue to have the ability to operate on a commercial basis regarding:

-the participation of Canadians in its operations in Canada and elsewhere;
-support of ongoing innovation, research and development; and
-the appropriate level of capital expenditures to maintain the Canadian business in a globally competitive position.

The government will also consider whether Canadians will be appointed as independent directors, employed in senior management positions and whether the Canadian business or its new foreign owner lists shares on a Canadian stock exchange.

Emerson, who wrapped up his visit to China on Tuesday before heading to Mongolia, also expressed optimism that a tourism agreement with China can be signed.

But if China keeps stalling, he said, Canada will have no choice but to launch a complaint to the World Trade Organization because he said China's Approved Destination Status agreement with the U.S. and 132 other countries discriminates against Canada.

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BREAKING: "I am strongly opposed to this deal" James Bezan, Con MP. Chair, Standing Committee National Defense.

It's time that all Conservatives speak up. 

The following is an e-mail from Conservative M.P., James Bezan (riding of Selkirk Interlake) to Jill Winzoski a reporter with the Selkirk Record dated October, 18, 2012:

Dear Jill,

Thank you for sharing your concerns and expressing your apprehensions regarding the bid by China National Offshore Oil Co. (CNOCC) to take over the publicly traded Canadian oil company, Nexen. This is an important subject that I am quite concerned about…

I would like to note that I am strongly opposed to this deal, and I have raised my concerns directly with Cabinet as well as with the Prime Minister. As I have stated to my colleagues in Cabinet, due to China’s dismal record on human rights and freedoms, I take particular exception to allowing a state-owned company from China to purchase a Canadian company. The communist Chinese government continues to fail to grant even the most basic of human freedoms to its citizens, as they strip away their national wealth to invest around the world. CNOOC’s past possible human rights abuses and failure to report oil spills is something I am also very concerned about…

As a Conservative, I am in favor of keeping markets open in Canada, however I do not support allowing state-owned and state-controlled enterprises to take over publicly traded Canadian companies, as these state-owned and controlled business [sic] are not on the same level playing field as other free enterprising corporate entities. Markets should operate in a manner that allow [sic] for fair and proper investment. State control, through financial manipulation and investment, do [sic] not allow for openness or fairness to the average investor. Large amounts of state investment distort markets for all other participants, while limiting other opportunities.

It is important to note that although caucus members such as me personally oppose this deal, should Minister Paradis feel the Nexen bid meets all requirements under the Investment Canada Act and the Competition Bureau Act, there is little that can be done to stop it…

Sincerely,

James Bezan, MP.
Chair, Standing Committee on National Defense.

Source: ipolitics

A Nation With Vision!

We the people of Canada wish to serve notice to you; the United States of America, China and the European Union, that we live in a democracy that gives the people of this great nation the ultimate say on whether we will ratify or reject all agreements that have been made with you that have not received the support of at minimum, a Real Majority of all eligible voters in this country!

Stephen Harper, you too are being served notice, that your agreements; whether the Perimeter and Security Agreement, Security and Prosperity Agreement, Free Trade Agreements with other countries that are currently being entered into without full disclosure to the Canadian electorate, will be subject to the acceptance of at least 2/3rds of all sitting Members of the House in a free and unwhipped vote in the next Parliament of Canada! You promote democracy around the world! Canadians will be given a chance to exercise it through the Gathering Will of a Real Majority of the people! We must always accept the judgement of the people, and honour the decisions of the people who make the right decisions provided they are given full disclosure on matters before the nation!

In clear conscience we cannot allow a government which has received only 40% of the popular vote of the people to enforce a mandate that was not clearly communicated to Canadians by the Conservative Party of Canada!

As you are preparing for the next General Election, let it be known that whether we have 308, or 338 federal ridings in the country, there will be one non-partisan Courageous Canadian who will stand in each riding and serve the Will of a Real Majority of his/her constituents, their national Vision and a Mandate of and by Canadians.

You will have a chance to meet them when every seat in the House of Commons will be occupied by men and/or women duly elected, who will take the Stand for our national sovereignty, and deliver the democratic and economic authority to the most important SHAREHOLDERS, every citizen of this great Canadian nation!

The Spirit in this country is what calls us to serve the freedom of Canadians in truth and in justice!

Change is coming!

Wilfred Laurier said "the government must always be loyal to Canadians!"

by Timothy John Hickey

Stephen Harper has sold out Canada and Canadians

. . . and continues to do so.

Free trade and globalization works to the benefit of China and China has a take no prisoner attitude in trade. 

When I was young one of the signs that Christmas was approaching was the arrival of Japanese mandarin oranges. Our family would buy boxes and boxes. Today we still buy mandarins at Christmas, but the mandarin oranges are now from China. China came, they saw and they conquered. 

China marches forward

One industry after another has collapsed as the Chinese economy marches forward. The willing capitalists - who embrace the short term opportunity of making cash - will find themselves the victims of long lasting enslavement.

When markets are surrendered to China they are at the mercy of China. Things in politics are not complex if there's an ounce of intelligence in politicians, along with the determination to do the right thing, rather than the short term goal of fattening their corporate overlords. Remember how many business leaders Harper took to China?

Could relations with China be a threat to National Security?

The US is now in the process of selling out it's food source for short term gains to China. We should have already learned about this kind of one dimensional trade from the sale of apples to China. 

First China bought our apples, then they grew the trees on a scale we cannot match and now juice and other apple products are imported from China.

Harper wants Canada in the Pacific Rim Trading Agreement. Without doubt, our agriculture is going to be impacted, and in the long term Canada will take a hit on being food independent.

China's pursuit - 

Innovation and efficiency: 

China will import a technology or create a joint-venture; learn the best practices, apply those practices at a lower cost than overseas rivals and emerge as an aggressive competitor in the global market.

China's solution:
To super-size its supply by snapping up millions of live animals raised by U.S. farmers as breeding stock - capitalizing on decades of cutting edge agricultural research in America.

"By taking this step, say breeders and exporters, China will move from small-scale backyard farms, to the Westernized tradition of large consolidated operations to keep up with demand." 

Opinion by Joe C Vass

JCVdude

Read more: 

Insight: U.S. barnyards help China super-size food production

Canadians want to be heard, NOT BULLIED, about Environmental Issues

Today in Canada, we have a governance, the harper government, that does not tolerate dissent or disagreement, particularly when it comes to the environment. The harper government's mandate is industrialization at all costs.

To those who have questioned this stance, the harper gov't has resorted to name calling (Canadians were called 'radicals', 'enemy of the state') and threats. The harper government has targeted both individuals and organizations. Now, they are using their political mite to create laws with the purpose of silencing voices that chose to question harper government policy.

I received this email from David Suzuki who was one individual in Canada who came under attack by the harper government. I am saddened for David Suzuki and the steps he is taking and am also grateful that he will continue his great work for Canadian sustainability and the Canadian environment. Thank you David Suzuki. To me, David Suzuki is a true Canadian Hero.



This is David Suzuki's Letter:








Dear friends,

Some of you may have seen media coverage about my decision to step off the board of directors of the David Suzuki Foundation. I am writing to tell you more about this and what it means.

After my children and grandchildren, my greatest pride is the David Suzuki Foundation.

I am fiercely proud of how the Foundation brings science and solutions to environment problems. I’m determined to ensure that the Foundation continues to have the ability to solve critical environmental issues and bring hope for the future.

But I have reached a point in my life where I would like to consider myself an elder. I want to speak freely without fear that my words will be deemed too political, and harm the organization of which I am so proud. I am keenly aware that some governments, industries and special interest groups are working hard to silence us. They use threats to the Foundation’s charitable status in attempts to mute its powerful voice on issues that matter deeply to you and many other Canadians.

This bullying demonstrates how important it is to speak out.

The Foundation’s science-based, solutions-oriented research and educational work has enriched our democracy and reflected Canadian values for two decades. While not always happily received by governments or industrial interests, this work is strictly non-partisan, as required by the laws governing charities, and has made the Foundation one of the most trusted environmental voices in Canada.

Our opponents, however, are redoubling their efforts to marginalize the Foundation by getting at me, personally.

So last year, I made the decision to step off the board of directors of the David Suzuki Foundation. I remain one of its most active volunteers and committed major donors. This way I can fulfill my personal mission and the Foundation can continue to build on its inspiring work—for us and our grandchildren—in finding solutions to our shared, and very real, environmental challenges.

I hope you understand this decision and will continue to show your, steadfast support for my work in this concrete way:

Please share this letter with your family and friends and, at this critical moment, invite them to become supporters of the David Suzuki Foundation, by joining our online community ordonating today.

Sincerely,

David Suzuki

Benjamin Netanyahu - Most Dangerous Man in the World - YouTube

The French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, described the Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, as a "liar" in a private exchange with Barack Obama at last week's G20 summit in Cannes that was inadvertently broadcast to journalists.

"I cannot stand him. He's a liar," Sarkozy told Obama. The US president responded by saying: "You're fed up with him? I have to deal with him every day."

Israel could attack Iran as early as April: Panetta
Panetta report fuels concerns that Israel will attack Iran‎
Brent steady above $112 on Iran tension
Israel sees narrowing window for attack on Iran‎
US Foreign Policy: War, war and more war‎
ran helping al Qaeda? War "hysteria" builds‎

The world has changed, USA is no longer the king of the castle or the sole super power, Russia and China are now starting to assert their power and influence - Russia signaled a clear intention to prevent any "regime change" intervention in Syria; but Russia's deployment of its flagship aircraft carrier and escorts to Syria's port of Tarsus this month drew a starker than usual line in the sand.
Beijing views Tehran as a useful tool to divert US military force from Southeast Asia. India, too, looks reluctant to play along with the wider western strategy of attempting to strangle Tehran economically to push it from its nuclear program and is also seen as a rising regional player.

War is not an option...