Majority Politics in Canada: Foreign Investment with the Asia-Pacific

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The Canadian government of Stephen Harper recently confirmed that is has ratified a foreign investment treaty with China. In the works for more than two years, the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) will come into force this Wednesday October 1, effectively ushering in a new era in Canadian economics. Shrouded in mystery since being first announced in 2012, the deal and its unexpected ratification have been met with immediate and strong opposition. While some consider the agreement a bold and potentially lucrative economic move, reaction in Ottawa, the media and the public seems overwhelmingly critical. One of the most potent arguments has charged the Harper government with putting Canada’s long-term economic sovereignty at risk. Is this criticism warranted, and should Canadians be concerned of the potential pitfalls of a foreign investment deal with China? In today’s post we delve into this issue by exploring in brief Canada’s economic history with the Asia-Pacific.

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At the Intersection of Security and Discrimination: Canadian Immigration and the Case of Irene Rebrin

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Within academic circles, terms such as “nation” and “Canada” are highly contested. They are loaded with historical, cultural and linguistic meaning, and thus welcome deep investigation which often produces heated debate. The history of Canadian immigration policy is a particularly interesting and contested subject that challenges scholars to investigate the meaning of citizenship and national identity. This is perhaps most evident during a unique period in the immediate postwar years, when the proverbial gates to Canada became “vulnerable” to Cold War Communism.

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The Long History of Progressive Conservatives in Canada

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These are tough days for Canadian Conservatives. Their chosen government under Prime Minister Stephen Harper is losing support from scandals over the Senate and now over the heavily disputed Fair Elections Act. Since its 2003 merger with the Canadian Reform Party (then called the Canadian Alliance), the party has succeeded in forming a minority and majority government much to the chagrin of nearly 2/3rds of the Canadian electorate that voted for other parties. Many disparage the Conservative Party as a destructive right-wing movement that impedes Canada in the 21st century. Criticism of the neo-liberal policies of the Conservatives are usually based in ideological disagreements, which sometimes results in broad generalizations about all Canadian conservatives. It's worthwhile to remember the roots and success of the old Progressive Conservatives – Canadians conservatives should not be defined by one leader or one party in 2014.

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Wheat and Oil: Diefenbaker, Harper and Canadian-American Trade by Matthew Wiseman

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Matthew Wiseman, a PhD candidate at Wilfrid Laurier University, explores some of the ways in which Canadian prime ministers of the past have capitalized on Canada's resource-rich environment. He provides a historical background to debates surrounding Alberta's tar sands and Canadian economic policy.

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