Comments on: Wednesday Night #1337

By: Diana Thébaud Nicholson

Diana Thébaud Nicholson — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 03:08:28 +0000

Oilpatch Forecast Bleak
CALGARY - Uncertainty from Alberta’s drawn-out royalty debate has all but killed the peak winter drilling season, amplifying a collapse in activity to levels not seen in two decades, the sector’s main industry group said yesterday.
The Canadian Association of Oil-well Drilling Contractors predicted drilling for oil and gas in Western Canada will fall to a “sub-economic” 34% fleet utilization rate next year, while winter drilling, historically the industry’s busiest period, will reach only 50%.
“The winter drilling season has been lost due to the uncertainty created by the Alberta royalty review,” the group said in a statement. Companies remain reluctant to commit to significant drilling plans after weeks of debate that culminated with the introduction last week of Alberta’s new royalty framework. Financial Post

By: Diana Thébaud Nicholson

Diana Thébaud Nicholson — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:01:39 +0000

Postscript to Jacques Clément’s predictions
US dollar touches a new euro low
The euro traded as high as $1.4348, breaking its last record set on Friday when one euro bought $1.4319.

By: Diana Thébaud Nicholson

Diana Thébaud Nicholson — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:08:55 +0000

IS THE $100 barrel of oil on the way? In the coming week analysts will, as ever, monitor the oil price, which has been nudging up to around $90, back up to levels last seen in the early 1980s. Tight supply, expectation of a chilly winter in the northern hemisphere, anxiety about more conflict in the Middle East, a weak dollar and hopes that America’s economy will avoid recession have all helped push the price up. In addition speculators may be inflating the price. So far the world’s economy has endured higher costs well, but there must come a moment when they begin to hurt.

By: Diana Thébaud Nicholson

Diana Thébaud Nicholson — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:21:28 +0000

Editor’s note:
L. Ian Macdonald column of 22 October on the limits to federal spending and reduction of barriers to inter-provincial trade:
Liberals will have a struggle with PM’s decentralizing ways
Dion is portrayed as a centralizer, but he has shown flexibility in the past
There’s a vision thing in the Throne Speech, and it’s the Harper government’s proposal to limit the federal spending power in areas of exclusive provincial jurisdiction.
It’s also a guided missile that might splinter the Liberal caucus, between Quebec and the rest of Canada like nothing since Meech Lake.
In philosophical terms, Stephen Harper is very comfortable with what he’s proposing. He believes strongly in classical federalism and the division of powers between Ottawa and the provinces. This is the bargain struck by the Fathers of Confederation - the powers of Ottawa in Section 91 of the constitution, and the powers of the provinces in Section 92. Until the Charter of Rights came along in 1982, the division of powers was the heart of any federal question, from federal-provincial conferences to Supreme Court rulings.

By: Diana Thébaud Nicholson

Diana Thébaud Nicholson — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 02:29:41 +0000

What Robert Galbraith is up against
Canadian Forces Media Embedding Program // Programme d’intégration des médias avec les Forces canadiennes
“I understand you have expressed an interest in embedding with the Canadian
Forces in Afghanistan. Please find below some basic information on our
program for consideration.
Due to the number of requests we receive on a weekly basis, and the level of interest in the program, we may not be able to respond immediately to your
submission. We are currently scheduling 2 months in advance, based on the
priority list below.
The following information should provide some basic details on the program.
Please note that media organizations traveling to Afghanistan should budget
approximately $8,000.00 for planning purposes, which includes everything
from travel to/from Canada to Afghanistan, purchase of personal protection equipment, and other miscellaneous fees.
If you wish to proceed with your request, please provide a letter of
broadcast with a media organization, dates as to when you would like to
embed, an idea of the stories you are interested in covering, and
confirmation that you are able to support the above mentioned costs. We will then consider your request based upon the priority list below and advise as to whether we can support.”
Robert’s reaction:
It would appear that we have hit the brick wall concerning my coverage of the Canadian Armed Forces in Kandahar. … Regardless, it is my job, and my duty to cover the Kandahar region, with the help of our Forces or not. So, we will now be making arrangements to travel to the region and to stay in a Kandahar guest house that was recommended by some Dutch colleagues. … There appears to be a great flaw in the DND’s understanding of what journalism is. It is not the exclusive property of the industrial media giants solely, but it is also the the right of the freelance, independent journalist to have the same access, without being bowled under by unrealistic requirements or the threat of some outrageous financial investment. They seem to have forgotten this and built this wall, but then it may also be a political initiative….