

Currently released so far... 12689 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AF
ASEC
AR
AEMR
AMGT
AE
AU
AID
AORC
APER
AS
AM
AFIN
AMED
AJ
AGR
ACOA
ANET
ASIG
ABLD
AL
AA
APECO
AGAO
AY
AGMT
APEC
AINF
AG
ACS
AECL
AFFAIRS
ABUD
ASUP
ADANA
AADP
AMCHAMS
ARF
ASEAN
ADPM
ATRN
ALOW
APCS
ADCO
ACAO
AORG
AROC
AO
AODE
ACABQ
AX
AMEX
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
ASCH
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORL
ADM
AN
AIT
BU
BR
BL
BO
BA
BB
BG
BM
BBSR
BH
BEXP
BK
BD
BTIO
BT
BE
BY
BF
BX
BP
BRUSSELS
BILAT
BIDEN
BC
BMGT
BWC
BN
BTIU
CH
CG
CF
CU
CE
CVIS
CASC
CO
CS
CA
CIDA
CBW
CW
CMGT
CI
CODEL
CY
CPAS
CJAN
CD
CWC
CDG
CIA
CL
CROS
CAPC
CTR
CT
CR
CBSA
CEUDA
COM
CFED
CV
CACS
CARSON
CLINTON
CN
CONS
CM
CAC
CIC
COPUOS
CDC
CONDOLEEZZA
CICTE
COUNTER
COUNTRY
CBE
CKGR
CHR
CVR
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CLEARANCE
COE
CARICOM
CB
CSW
CITT
CACM
CDB
CJUS
CTM
CAN
CLMT
CBC
CNARC
CIS
EG
EZ
EUN
ECON
ETRD
ECPS
EFIN
ENRG
ETTC
EPET
EINV
EAID
EAIR
EWWT
EU
EAGR
EC
ELAB
EIND
EN
EMIN
ESENV
ENNP
EFIS
ELTN
ET
ECIN
EFTA
ES
EINT
EI
ENGR
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENVI
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECINECONCS
ELN
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EXTERNAL
EXIM
ETRO
ENIV
ESA
ER
EK
EUR
EFINECONCS
EUMEM
EUREM
EPA
ERNG
ENERG
ECA
ETRC
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
ECONOMIC
EXBS
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
EIAR
EINDETRD
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
EREL
EINVETC
ECONCS
ETRA
EAIG
EUC
ERD
ETRN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
IS
IZ
IR
IC
IO
IN
ID
IGAD
IT
ILC
IAEA
ITU
ICAO
IMO
IBRD
IMF
ICJ
IAHRC
ITF
INRA
INRO
IWC
IQ
IV
ICRC
ICTY
INRB
IEFIN
ILO
ITRA
ITALY
IBET
ISRAELI
IL
INTELSAT
IRC
IDP
ICTR
IRAQI
IPR
IIP
INMARSAT
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
INTERNAL
IRS
IA
INTERPOL
IEA
INR
IZPREL
IRAJ
IF
ITPHUM
ISRAEL
IACI
INDO
IDA
ISLAMISTS
KSPR
KNNP
KWBG
KAWK
KISL
KPAO
KN
KS
KIPR
KCRM
KDEM
KIRF
KJUS
KHLS
KSCA
KOMC
KAWC
KV
KFRD
KWMN
KTIP
KPWR
KSUM
KGHG
KTIA
KTFN
KIRC
KCOR
KACT
KMDR
KGIC
KOLY
KUNR
KIDE
KMPI
KPKO
KCFE
KVPR
KRAD
KPAL
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KTEX
KTDB
KFSC
KZ
KSEP
KFLU
KE
KU
KPLS
KRVC
KRIM
KSTH
KG
KFLO
KPOA
KICC
KDDG
KPRV
KTBT
KBCT
KSAF
KMOC
KDRG
KBIO
KREC
KSTC
KVRP
KBTR
KMIG
KENV
KNSD
KCGC
KWAC
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KWMM
KPRP
KNEI
KPAI
KO
KVIR
KX
KMCA
KCRS
KMFO
KID
KCIP
KNAR
KR
KCRCM
KBTS
KSEO
KHDP
KFIN
KOCI
KGIT
KNUP
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KSCI
KTLA
KHIV
KCSY
KTRD
KMRS
KNPP
KJUST
KCMR
KTER
KRCM
KCFC
KSAC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
KCOM
KLIG
KDEMAF
KAID
KGCC
KICA
KHUM
KSEC
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KWWMN
KOM
KWNM
KRFD
KRGY
KIFR
KWMNCS
KPAK
KOMS
KHSA
MPOS
MOPS
MARR
MTCR
MNUC
MASS
MX
MCAP
MAR
MTRE
MASC
MK
MG
MTCRE
MI
MD
MA
MO
MY
MU
ML
MRCRE
MAS
MEDIA
MC
MR
MIL
MW
MARAD
MAPP
MZ
MP
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPN
MEPI
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MT
MCC
MIK
MAPS
MV
MILITARY
MDC
MEPP
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
NATO
NG
NL
NZ
NT
NW
NO
NU
NS
NPT
NASA
NI
NK
NSG
NE
NORAD
NAFTA
NP
NATIONAL
NSSP
NSF
NA
NGO
NV
NR
NDP
NIPP
NZUS
NH
NC
NEW
NRR
NAR
NATOPREL
NPG
NSC
NPA
NSFO
OPDC
OPRC
OEXC
OTRA
ODIP
OIIP
OVIP
OPIC
OPCW
OAS
OREP
OSCE
OSCI
OES
OFDP
OECD
OCS
OIC
OPAD
OVP
OHUM
OFFICIALS
OIE
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OBSP
OFDA
ON
OCII
PREL
PGOV
PARM
PINR
PTER
PHUM
PK
PREF
PM
PHSA
PA
PINS
PE
PBTS
PCI
PO
PL
POGOV
PAK
PEL
PGIV
PROP
PP
PBIO
POL
POLITICS
POLICY
PINL
PBT
PMIL
POV
PTBS
PG
POSTS
PALESTINIAN
PROV
PNAT
PINF
PRL
PAS
PDOV
PRAM
PREO
PAHO
PHUMPGOV
PAO
PREFA
PSI
POLITICAL
PAIGH
PARMS
PROG
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PNG
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PGOC
PY
PLN
PHUH
PF
PHUS
PU
PARTIES
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PHUMPREL
RS
RU
RW
REACTION
RCMP
RSO
RO
RP
ROOD
RM
ROBERT
RICE
REGION
RSP
RF
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
RUPREL
RELATIONS
RFE
REPORT
SY
SP
SOCI
SMIG
SNAR
SCUL
SC
SU
SO
SI
SENV
SZ
SW
SA
SR
SF
SEVN
SN
STEINBERG
SEN
SG
SYR
SWE
SK
SH
SNARCS
SAARC
SNARIZ
SPCE
SARS
SNARN
SCRS
SYRIA
SL
SENVKGHG
SAN
ST
SIPDIS
SSA
SPCVIS
SOFA
SANC
SHI
SHUM
SIPRS
TSPA
TSPL
TU
TBIO
TRGY
TPHY
TS
TP
TW
TBID
TI
TF
TZ
TD
TT
TN
TNGD
TC
TX
TH
TL
TIP
THPY
TV
TK
TERRORISM
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TINT
TFIN
TAGS
TR
US
UNSC
UNGA
UK
UP
UNCHC
UN
UNMIK
UNCSD
UY
USTR
USOAS
UNHRC
UNFCYP
UG
UNAUS
UNESCO
UNIDROIT
UNO
UV
UNHCR
USUN
UZ
USNC
UNCHR
UNCND
UNEP
USEU
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
UNDP
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNDESCO
UNC
UNPUOS
UNDC
UNICEF
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08OTTAWA1, CANADA'S POLICY PRIORITIES FOR 2008
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08OTTAWA1.
VZCZCXRO3348
OO RUEHGA RUEHHA RUEHQU RUEHVC
DE RUEHOT #0001/01 0021704
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 021704Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7089
INFO RUCNCAN/ALL CANADIAN POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/CDR NORAD PETERSON AFB CO IMMEDIATE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/CJCS WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JCS WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO IMMEDIATE 0863
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 OTTAWA 000001
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/02/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON SENV AF CA
SUBJECT: CANADA'S POLICY PRIORITIES FOR 2008
REF: A. 07 OTTAWA 1928
¶B. 07 OTTAWA 1924
Classified By: CDA Terry Breese, reason 1.4 (d)
¶1. (C) Summary: The government of Prime Minister Harper
intends to maintain a steady course in implementing the
policy priorities of the October 2007 ""Speech from the
Throne"" (reftels), while the Conservative Party's minority
status in both Houses of Parliament makes demonstrable
progress problematic. The government is determined to find a
way to win Parliamentary support for an extension of the
Canadian Forces' mission in Afghanistan beyond February 2009,
and counts on help from the upcoming recommendations of the
Manley Panel. With polls showing climate change as the
biggest single issue for voters, the government is striving
to come up with some tangible new policies, and likely looks
to forming a solid front with the U.S. and other major
economies in charting a common course. In the wake of the
January 1, 2008 cut in the GST, the government's tax-cutting
days are over for the present, and declining surpluses may
make the budget leaner in 2008 - and more difficult to pass.
Key legislation on terrorism and crime remain in Parliament,
but probably have sufficient support in both Houses to pass,
unless there is a spring election. The government has
pledged to pursue strengthened copyright legislation early in
2008, but it, too, will face tough prospects. The government
plans a new strategy in 2008 to strengthen Canada's presence
in the Arctic, a popular issue. However, virtually all
political pundits are already looking for signs of federal
elections, with the only real debate now as to whether they
will come in the spring or the fall of 2008. End Summary.
PURSUING A CONSISTENT AGENDA
----------------------------
¶2. (C) Twenty-three months after taking office, the minority
Conservative government under Prime Minister Stephen Harper
has made some progress in advancing a consistent policy
agenda focused on incremental change in limited priority
areas: delivering ""clean"" and accountable government, tax
cuts, reinvesting in defense, bolstering Canada's northern
sovereignty, promoting national unity, and raising the
profile of Canada's role abroad through its combat mission in
Afghanistan, contribution to stabilization in Haiti, and
renewed partnership with the Americas. However, it has had
less success in pushing through a tough crime agenda,
achieving a sustainable environment, ensuring democratic
(Senate) reform, and introducing comprehensive copyright
legislation. Meeting these objectives, and determining the
future of Canada's mission in Afghanistan, will be the themes
of Parliament's upcoming sitting, with the House of Commons
returning on January 28 and the Senate on January 29.
WINNING SUPPORT FOR THE AFGHAN MISSION
--------------------------------------
¶3. (C) PM Harper has made clear privately and publicly that
the government believes Canadian Forces should remain in
Afghanistan until at least 2011, while acknowledging that
Parliament will need to approve any extension of the mission
beyond February 2009 (although such a vote is not a
Constitutional requirement). The government is clearly
counting on tangible recommendations from the independent
Manley Panel in late January that could improve the political
QManley Panel in late January that could improve the political
climate on this issue and broaden domestic support, but the
late December death of another Canadian soldier (the 30th in
2007 and 74th overall) as well as instability in Pakistan
complicate this goal. In an ideal world, Canada would like
to inform NATO allies of Canada's decision at the 2008 NATO
Summit in Bucharest on April 27, but it appears increasingly
possible that the Parliamentary vote may not take place until
as late as May (even assuming the government remains in
place). Harper wistfully admitted in a year-end interview
that ""I don't know whether Canadians do - or don't -
understand"" the importance of remaining involved in
Afghanistan and what is at stake. The government's key
challenge is to get them to understand - and soon.
PLACATING FEARS ABOUT ENVIRONMENT
---------------------------------
¶4. (C) Climate change remains - according to polls - the
single most important issue to voters, but the government has
yet to convince the voting public that its policies are
OTTAWA 00000001 002 OF 003
effectively addressing climate change or that it is best
suited to handle the issue. While the performance of
Environment Minister John Baird at the UN climate change
conference in Bali won mostly negative reviews at home,
Canada seems certain to continue resisting calls for
near-term emissions reduction targets that it deems are too
aggressive for its economy. Domestically, the government
will continue to push a patchwork of energy efficiency and
alternative fuels programs while it struggles to devise,
implement, and enforce nationwide emissions standards. The
Conservatives' most effective claim to the voters - so far -
is that the Liberals had a weak record in meeting Kyoto
commitments and protecting the environment while in office.
Harsher than usual winter weather in late 2007 and early 2008
may, ironically, help the government to kick this can a
little further down the road and give its programs more
opportunity to achieve noticeable progress in the run-up to
eventual elections.
ECONOMY AND THE BUDGET
----------------------
¶5. (SBU) PM Harper has claimed that the Canadian economy is
""arguably the strongest in three decades."" He was able to go
ahead with a long-promised second cut in the federal GST, now
down to 5 pct. Concerns remain high, however, about the
longer-term effects of a U.S. slowdown, including possible
job losses in Canada. PM Harper has already indicated that
no more tax cuts are forthcoming for the foreseeable future.
At the same time, the government will need to deliver its
third federal budget to Parliament in February or March, and
its passage is by definition a confidence vote. The
Conservatives need the support of at least one other party to
pass the budget. The government already used up most of its
fiscal flexibility in its Fall Economic Statement, which
provided C$60 billion in broad-based personal, corporate, and
sales tax relief over five years, and which Parliament
approved in December. The cuts will put tax savings in
voters' hands in time for spring tax-filing season. The
willingness of opposition parties to support or abstain on
the government's budget will probably decrease this year,
however. The budget may contain regionally targeted
initiatives, such as aid for the Ontario and Quebec
manufacturing and forestry sectors, aimed at garnering the
support of the Bloc Quebecois. PM Harper will meet with
provincial premiers on January 11, at which time he will
likely explain these upcoming initiatives, which he
undoubtedly hopes will win some support for the budget.
PASSING TERRORISM AND CRIME BILLS
---------------------------------
¶6. (SBU) Parliament will have to move quickly to pass
amendments to Canada's system of immigration security
certificates in order to meet a February 23 deadline from the
Supreme Court of Canada, or face the mandatory elimination of
the use of these certificates. The bill still faces
additional debate in the Commons and must also pass the
Senate before that deadline, but has broad support given that
it follows the Court's guidelines on how better to balance
civil rights and national security. A bill to revise the
Anti-Terrorism Act will be more controversial. Introduced
first in the Senate and still in committee, the bill would
Qfirst in the Senate and still in committee, the bill would
restore two powers - investigative hearings and preventive
arrest - that were subject to sunset clauses and lapsed in
February 2007 when Liberal MPs voted against extending them.
This time, however, the Liberals have promised to approach
the bill with no ""preconceived bias.""
¶7. (SBU) Tackling crime has long been a central plank in the
Conservatives' platform, but the their ""safe streets"" agenda
has proved difficult to push through Parliament. Five
flagship crime bills introduced in 2006 all failed to pass.
In October 2007, the government grouped all five bills
(including some revisions reflecting opposition concerns)
into a comprehensive ""Tackling Violent Crime"" bill that would
establish mandatory prison sentences for serious gun crime,
toughen bail provisions for serious firearms and other
weapons offenses, make it easier to designate someone a
dangerous offender, crack down on drug and alcohol-impaired
driving, and raise the age of sexual consent to 16 years.
The bill passed the House of Commons without amendment and is
now in committee in the Senate. Its fate may rest on
election timing. Liberal senators (who form a majority in
the upper house) may have an incentive to hold the bill up in
OTTAWA 00000001 003 OF 003
the short term to avoid handing an election eve gift to the
Conservatives if it looks like the government may not last
long into 2008. However, if the government continues to
survive for the foreseeable future, the Liberals will want to
avoid being tagged as ""soft on crime"" and the Senate will
probably also pass the legislation.
COPYRIGHT REFORM
----------------
¶8. (SBU) After failing to introduce stronger copyright
legislation in the fall 2007 session as expected, the
government now plans to introduce a major copyright reform
bill after Parliament returns in late January. The
government has expressed confidence that the revised
legislation will both placate both domestic concerns and meet
international standards. Despite calls for stronger
copyright protection from two parliamentary committees in
2007, recent grassroots opposition nonetheless makes passage
of this legislation rough sledding ahead.
ARCTIC IMPROVEMENTS
-------------------
¶9. (SBU) Voters remain concerned about the Arctic, and the
public has been broadly supportive of the government's
ongoing efforts to assert Canadian sovereignty and to improve
its ability to defend its Arctic interests. Especially
popular were programs to modernize Halifax-class frigates, to
purchase new Arctic patrol ships, to deploy additional
Canadian Rangers, and to develop a deep water port in the far
North. The government will announce a ""Canada First"" defense
strategy early in 2008 further to demonstrate its attention
to this issue, as well as to bolster its long-term military
modernization program, including purchases of four C-17
Globemaster strategic airlift aircraft, 17 C-130 Hercules
tactical airlift aircraft, 16 CH-47 Chinook Helicopters,
modern Leopard tanks, and heavy trucks. The new strategy may
include purchases of new search-and-rescue aircraft and
utility planes, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles, for
Arctic coverage and an improved Arctic underwater
surveillance system.
BUT THE BAD NEWS IS...
----------------------
¶10. (C) Even with a recent poll showing 92 percent of
Canadians optimistic that 2008 will be a good one for them
personally (up from 88 heading into 2007) and 80 percent
optimistic about Canada's prospects in the new year, the
government still faces a tough year ahead. The Conservatives
have come off a difficult late fall, during which their
support drifted from a high of 42% in early November to a low
of 30% in mid-December. However, the opposition parties --
especially the Liberals -- have not been able to gain much
traction so far. This has not prevented the Liberals and New
Democratic Party from stepping up their election rhetoric,
with Liberal leader Stephane Dion warning voters to prepare
to vote in 2008. The government's already tenuous ability to
manage a fractious parliament from a minority position will
face even more challenges in 2008. Increasingly, the chatter
in political circles is not over whether there will be new
federal elections in 2008, but rather about when - spring or
fall? The growing prospects of upcoming elections make
passage of any major new legislation or adoption of any major
new policies extremely problematic, leaving the Conservatives
in somewhat of a caretaker role. However, PM Harper has
Qin somewhat of a caretaker role. However, PM Harper has
shown himself an adept and shrewd parliamentary tactician,
and the Conservatives retain the advantage of clarity and
consistency on major issues, mostly in sync with U.S.
priorities and interests.
Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at
http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada
BREESE