LMT Oct 29 2018

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4 Last Mountain Times • Monday, October 29, 2018 • lmtimes.ca EDITORIALS, LETTERS & OPINIONS As if the USMCA dairy concessions were not bad enough … Canadians are rightly concerned by the new North American trade deal’s concessions on Supply Management. Farmers are also very concerned about its attack on the integrity of Canada’s grain quality control system. Our government’s capitulation on these matters was no doubt encouraged by corporate lobbyists who had easy access to our negotiators. It is deeply concerning, though not surprising, that the proposed United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has at least three chapters that formally entrench corporate influence on government decision-making. If USCMA comes into effect it will become even more difficult for elected governments in all three countries act responsibly in the public interest. Chapter 26, Competitiveness (https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/ files/agreements/FTA/USMCA/26%20 Competitiveness.pdf), establishes a Committee on Competitiveness made up of government appointees from Canada, USA and Mexico (the Parties) to promote further economic integration among the Parties and enhance the competitiveness of North American exports. The Chapter outlines a series of aims, commitments and tasks designed to make North America an outward-facing free trade zone and trading bloc, and for all three countries to combat “market-distorting practices by non-Parties” that affect the region. The Committee will identify priority projects and policies to develop a modern physical and digital trade- and investment-related infrastructure, and improve the movement of goods and provision of services within the free trade area. In Chapter 26 Canada agreed that the Committee on Competitiveness must give “interested persons” regular and timely opportunities to provide input on ways to enhance competitiveness. The USCMA defines “person” as a natural person or an enterprise. Thus, the USMCA gives corporations a permanent seat at the table as if their interests equate with national interests. Every year this Committee must report to the Free Trade Commission on its work and give advice and recommendations for further enhancing the competitiveness of the North American economy. The Commission oversees the USCMA and is empowered to consider amendments to the deal. Chapter 26 hampers Canada’s economic sovereignty, making us extremely vulnerable to any punitive tariffs that might be used to “make America great again” which could be imposed due to the USA’s national security exemptions from the deal. It anchors, not only Canada’s economic interests, but our very infrastructure, firmly to the United States, preventing alternatives such as the diversification of our export markets or independent development of our own domestic economy. Chapter 28, Good Regulatory Practices (https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/files/agreements/FTA/USM- CA/28%20Good%20Regulatory%20 Practices.pdf) , promotes regulatory harmonization for the sake of increasing trade. It requires Parties to publish an annual report of their regulatory changes and estimated annual costs and benefits of the economically significant regulations adopted over past year, and notice of proposed regulatory changes for upcoming year. Countries must provide notice and access to their domestic regulatory consultation processes and supporting data to “persons” in the other two countries. It also creates a mechanism for “persons” in the other USCMA countries to provide suggestions for change or repeal of existing regulations. These reporting requirements are not only onerous, but appear designed to ensure corporate lobbyists have advance notice and information that would help them influence new regulations. Chapter 28 also establishes a Committee on Good Regulatory Practices made up of government appointees from each country, including top people from overarching regulatory bodies and key regulatory agencies, such as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and our Pesticide Management Regulatory Agency. This Committee will promote regulatory compatibility and regulatory cooperation, with a view to facilitating trade between the Parties. The USMCA defines regulatory cooperation as “an effort between Parties to prevent, reduce, or eliminate unnecessary regulatory differences between jurisdictions to facilitate trade and promote economic growth, while maintaining or enhancing standards of public health and safety and environmental protection.” Regulation is a critical function of government. The power to regulate flows from legislation passed by our elected representatives. Regulation creates the framework within which action is allowed. These limits are a matter of public concern, and should be set via legitimate democratic processes with the goal of protecting and enhancing the public interest according to the priorities of the population. Chapter 28 seeks to harmonize regulation among the three USCMA countries, even though the citizens that elect these governments have quite different constellations of histories, cultures, values and circumstances. Harmonizing regulation on the advice of interested “persons” for the sake of trade fundamentally attacks democracy by replacing the full range of considerations with narrow corporate financial interests. In Chapter 34, Final Provisions (https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/ files/agreements/FTA/USMCA/34%20 Final%20Provisions.pdf) , we find a de facto sunset clause. During the NAFTA renegotiation process President Trump’s proposed 5-year sunset clause was rejected as a deal-breaker by both Mexico and Canada. But what ended up in the USC- MA appears to be a convoluted six-year sunset clause. The Final Provisions chapter says the negotiated USCMA deal will last six years as is, then be re-evaluated. If all three countries agree, it would continue intact for other 16 years. However, if they don’t, the Free Trade Commission will hold annual joint reviews unless or until a new agreement is reached that all Parties are willing to accept for a further 16 years. Any Party can leave USMCA on six month’s written notice, leaving the other two in a bilateral agreement. The joint reviews after Year Six appear to set up a process of continuous, piecemeal renegotiation. This is a recipe for constant pressure by corporate lobbyists - and American ambition - to erode both the economic and political sovereignty of all three countries without triggering public attention. After tying Canada and Mexico to the American economy under the Chapter 26 competitiveness measures and Chapter 28’s regulatory harmonization, both are vulnerable to intimidation if the USA decides to use the threat of withdrawing on six months’ notice. If Canada ratifies the USMCA, it will not only strike a severe blow to our dairy and grain sectors, but will also sacrifice broad aspects of Canada’s democratic sovereignty. -Cathy Holtslander, NFU Director of Research and Policy Disclaimer: opinions expressed are those of the writer Note of thanks Dear Editor, Just wanted to thank you for printing my letter regarding the vandalism and subsequent theft of 3 election signs belonging to Garry Dixon, the newly elected Division 4 Councillor for the RM of McKillop #220. After one of the Last Mountain Times many readers read the article they contacted Mr. Dixon and reported the whereabouts of 2 of the signs. Thank you to this person as well. Sincerely, Darlene Dixon Climate change... A global health emergency? After a summer that saw over 90 heat-related deaths in Quebec, drought-impacted crops across the Prairies, and large swaths of Western Canada and Ontario ravaged by wildfires and shrouded in smoke, many of the world’s leading experts gathered in San Francisco at the Global Climate and Health Forum to discuss the health implications of climate change. The Call to Action we issued is clear: “Climate change is a global health emergency.” The World Health Organization calls climate change the “greatest threat to global health in the 21st century,” but the Call to Action points out that many of the policies that move us towards our climate goals have demonstrable and significant health benefits. That’s good news. Unfortunately, we’re failing to capitalize on the health opportunities of climate action. The Canadian government has committed $$35 million to support socioeconomic health by helping workers from coal communities transition to jobs in a low-carbon economy. But it has, at the same time, committed billions to purchase a pipeline for highly flammable diluted bitumen from the Alberta oil sands to the Pacific coast, without CONTINUES on PAGE 6
Arrests made On Oct 23 2018, members of the Combined Traffic Services Section comprised of Sask Highway Patrol, Regina Police Service, RCMP traffic members, and White Butte Detachment were conducting a “slow to 60 km” project along Highway 1 near Pense. A U-Haul truck and trailer was stopped after an Automated License Plater Reader alerted members that the vehicle was reported stolen from Winnipeg. During the stop another vehicle stopped behind the U-Haul and the driver identified themselves as travelling with the U-haul. Both drivers spoke with police and were arrested. Searches were then conducted of the U-Haul and the other vehicle. Several items related to falsifying identification and identity theft were located including counterfeit money, personal information, and stolen property. The driver of the U-Haul, Cameron Boychuck and the driver of the second vehicle, Druscilla Crate are facing 11 charge, and both are scheduled to appear in Regina Provincial court. This investigation is still ongoing. Human remains located following single-vehicle collision SPORTS RCMP REPORT Last Mountain Times • Monday, October 29, 2018 • lmtimes.ca At approximately 1:00 p.m on October 22nd, Esterhazy RCMP responded to a report of a vehicle located in the bush on an isolated, rural property near Bangor, Sask. Preliminary investigation determined that a single vehicle travelling on a remote, gravel road appears to have gone through a T-intersection and into dense bush and was not immediately visible from the road. The SUV had significant damage and a lone, deceased individual was located at the scene. Further investigation has determined the vehicle located was the one being operated by 64-yearold Ruby Barnes at the time she was reported missing from the Carlyle area on June 18th. Family has been notified and this investigation remains ongoing pending a positive identification. At this time, the death is not considered suspicious. Warrant executed Unlicensed Cannabis dispensary On Oct 19th, Yorkton RCMP received information about an unlicensed storefront that had been set up and was selling cannabis to the public. An investigation was started and a search warrant was executed on the store front. Cannabis and cannabis products were on display and for sale by two adult males. 1.3 pounds of cannabis, small amount of edibles, cannabis concentrate and a small amount of cash was seized. Both males were arrested and charged with Unlawfully Sell Cannabis, Section 10.1 and Unlawfully Possess Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling, Sect 10.2 under the Federal Cannabis Act. Matthew Langan (DOB: 1992-07-20) and Ryan Rienks (DOB: 1994-07-26) will make their first court appearance in Provincial Court in Yorkton on Nov 26th. Permanent Crime Reduction Teams now in place RCMP announced last week that Saskatchewan RCMP’s two, new, fulltime Crime Reduction Teams (CRTs) are now fully operational. With assistance and support from the Province of Saskatchewan, the CRTs are conducting high-intensity, targeted enforcement in areas that have been identified as crime “hot spots”. They conduct intelligence-led policing, including: warrant executions, high-visibility traffic stops, tracking chronic offenders and tackling gang activity. The teams recently deployed in tandem in the North Battleford area from Sept. 29th through Oct. 3rd. Among the results: 18 arrest warrants were executed in relation to 51 Criminal Code charges; 27 arrests were made in total; 25 new Criminal Code charges were laid; 44 traffic stops were conducted resulting in 4 tickets, 21 warnings and 2 suspensions being issued. One team is based in North Battleford, the other in Prince Albert. Both are prepared to deploy wherever they are most needed. Each team is made up of seven, full-time members along with one crime analyst and a support/ admin position, for a total of 18 full-time positions.The CRT initiative has been over a year in the making. The CRT is designed to enhance – not replace - the enforcement, investigation and community safety work already being done by detachments to ensure a coordinated response to rural crime. “Communities where the CRT has deployed have told us the increased police presence was both visible and appreciated,” said Insp. Tammy Patterson, Officer in Charge - Crime Reduction/Crime Prevention Unit. “People are noticing an impact and feel their communities are safer for it. We look forward to seeing what more the CRTs can accomplish in the weeks and months ahead.” Break and Enter to a business In the early hours of Oct 19, a retail store on Main street in Shellbrook was broken into and several items were stolen. Entry was gained by smashing through the glass front door. The four suspects were inside the business for approximately 20 minutes as they removed selected items from the store and then fled in a vehicle that was parked in front of the store.The vehicle used by the suspects was a smaller four door hatchback, light in color. If you have information about this crime, please contact Shellbrook RCMP at 306-747-2606 or you may contact Saskatchewan Crime No debate needed: McDavid is NHL’s best Let’s get this over with quickly. There is no need for a ‘debate’ about the best player in the National Hockey League. Connor McDavid, is far and away the best player in the game. Anyone trying to spark a ‘debate’ that Auston Matthews of Toronto should be in the ‘best’ discussion is either: a.) unstable; b.) slightly delusional; c.) a budding comedian or d.) a die-hard, intransigent Leafs’ fan. Both are great players. Matthews is off to a sensational start with the Leafs, accumulating 16 points in his team’s first seven games before being blanked in Games 8 and 9. McDavid, meanwhile, racked up 11 points in his team’s first six games, scoring or assisting on 11 of Edmonton’s first 13 goals. Speed, of course, is at the root of his excellence. He is the fastest skater in the NHL and while he may some near peers in the speed category, no NHLer can control the puck at full speed as he’s able to do. Defencemen are regularly left flailing away as McDavid wheels around them and helpless goaltenders know a red light is imminent when they see him speeding toward them on a breakaway. In his first three seasons, McDavid has two scoring titles, an MVP crown and two first all-star team awards. He might have three scoring championships had he not missed three months of his rookie season with a shoulder injury. Toronto fans, meanwhile, are going gaga over Matthews, who was on pace for more than 100 goals after scoring 10 in Toronto’s first eight games. They are being egged on by the national broadcast media in the Centre of the Universe, who with straight faces tout Matthews as McDavid’s equal — or, gad!, his superior. The Matthews hype machine has been roaring at full blast since Game 1. Hockey people know better, and western Canadian fans who see McDavid on a regular basis know better, too. “Connor McDavid has put up back to back 100-point seasons,” Mark Scheifele, the Winnipeg centre, told the Globe and Mail.. “He has done a lot that Matthews hasn’t. Auston is a star and is going to get better, but he is not at McDavid’s level yet.” Matthews may win a Stanley Cup before his Oilers’ rival, because he has a far better supporting cast. But the best individual player? That mythical trophy goes to McDavid, with no debate. RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com: “I drove in St. John’s, Newfoundland, last week on a highway named after local skip Brad Gushue. It was great: no matter how many mistakes I made, it was someone else’s fault.” Headline in the New York Post, after the Giants fell to 1-5 with a loss to Philadelphia: “ “From Bad to Hearse.” Randy Turner of the Winnipeg Free Press, on Twitter: “Watching Connor McDavid play for the Oilers is like if Jimi Hendrix played lead guitar for The Monkees.” Norman Chad of the Washington Post: “Rockets’ Carmelo Anthony says reserve role is ‘challenging mentally.’ He is also challenged mentally by defence, passing the ball, team play and winning.” Humour guy Brad Dickson on Twitter: “Starting tomorrow marijuana is legal in Canada. In a possibly related story, 87 per cent of all NBA players have requested a trade to the Toronto Raptors.” Comedy writer Jim Barach: “Eli Manning is pushing a video game that teaches kids finance. The first lesson is to avoid poverty by not sitting around playing video games all day.” Another one from Barach: “The Raiders have Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222- TIPS (8477). Stolen Vehicles/pursuit/ CEW deployment On Oct 19 at 9:30 am Maidstone RCMP received a call of abandoned vehicle in the RM of Wilton. A member was in the area and observed another suspicious vehicle with two occupants. That vehicle was recently stolen. The Member attempted to stop the second vehicle, the vehicle fled and sped through a construction zone at high speed. They were not pursed due to the danger to the public. A short time later the vehicle was abandoned and a truck and trailer were reported stolen from the same area. Members located the trailer a short time later, but the truck was still missing. At 11:00 am the recently stolen truck was observed by the Britannia Rural Crime Watch group north of Highway 3 trying to access homes and driving into farmyards. Police located two suspects at 1:30 am on TWP Road 530 and they headed north of Highway 17 towards Onion Lake, before turning west into Alberta. Two attempts were made with spikebelts to stop the fleeing vehicle, the spikebelts were successful in deflating the tires of the vehicle, but the suspects continued to drive. The suspects then fled on foot into the bush. One suspect was arrested without incident, while a Conducted Energy Weapon was deployed to gain control of the second suspect. Both are facing numerous charges including, resist arrest, flight from police, theft, possession of stolen property and assault with a weapon and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. 41 year old Wayne Mcgilvery and 21 year olf Tyrell Rowan of Frog Lake , AB made their first court appearance in Lloydminster Provincial Court on Oct 23rd. FROM THE SIDELINES BRUCE PENTON been fined $20,000 for violating the league’s injury reporting policy. Which is the NFL’s way of adding insult to injury.” RJ Currie again: “The Nashville Predators, knocked out in Round 2 of the 2018 playoffs, raised three banners commemorating last season. I think one of them was for participation.” Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg: The Chargers’ move to Los Angeles ranks up there in bad decisions with Col. Custer saying, ‘How many warriors can some idiot named Sitting Bull have anyway?’ Headline in the onion.com: “Manny Machado Denies Playing Dirty After Late Slide Into Pitcher’s Mound.” Care to comment? Email brucepenton2003@yahoo.ca - Bruce Penton Disclaimer: opinions expressed are those of the writer. For all your collision repairs, glass repairs, and replacements, contact – We do Light Mechanical LORNE’S Collision Center Raymore, SK. SGI Accredited. Call Lorne Huber at 306-746-5800 or 306-746-5805 Open Monday thru Friday 5
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