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Is ‘anti-Canadianism’ the new ‘anti-Americanism?’
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By Andy Radia | Canada Politics
An online magazine owned by the Washington Post is the latest international publication to take a jab at the Harper government and its environmental record.
In a provocative column published Friday, Slate Magazine's Will Oremus compares Canada to Saudi Arabia and Venezuela and asks the question: "Is our neighbor to the north becoming a jingoistic petrol state?"
"[Canada's] regime, in thrall to big oil interests, has grown increasingly bellicose, labeling environmental activists "radicals" and "terrorists" and is considering a crackdown on nonprofits that oppose its policies," writes Oremus.
"It blames political dissent on the influence of "foreigners," while steamrolling domestic opposition to oil projects bankrolled entirely by overseas investors. Meanwhile, its skyrocketing oil exports have sent the value of its currency soaring, enriching energy industry barons but crippling other sectors of its economy."
Oremus cites the recent "flurry of negative press" as proof that Canada's reputation around the world has been diminished.
"It seems anti-Canadianism could be the new anti-Americanism," he states.
The left leaning writer also peppered his column with several examples of 'linkages' between the U.S. and Canada.
He groups Stephen Harper with George W. Bush, Sun TV News personality Ezra Levant with Fox News' Bill O'Reily, and Alberta with Texas.
And he says, if the Republicans win the next election, the United States and Canada will be united again.
Maybe as a petrol-continent that other countries despise?
"About that pipeline: President Obama's rejection of Keystone XL is only as secure as his re-election. GOP front-runner Mitt Romney has called the decision "shocking," and Newt Gingrich called it "stunningly stupid," Oremus writes.
"By 2013, the two North American countries could be on the same team again when it comes to oil. If so, it'll be us against the world."
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