CEF Blogs

Smart Links 06 February 2012
Paul Summerville • February 6, 2012

Commentary on what a worsening Europe crisis would do to China, halftime in America, food stamps in the USA, taking a close look at relative decline, slow growth in the developed world, and managing Canada’s relationship with China.

A much discussed IMF report on the outlook for China because of their forecast that if the crisis in Europe worsens growth could fall in half requiring a massive government response.

Pdf below -- IMF -- China Economic Outlook Feb 2012

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Canada’s China Syndrome
Paul Summerville • February 5, 2012

 

The only thing driving Canada’s oil and gas strategy is to sell the most amount in the shortest period of time to the highest bidder.

In the second decade of the 21st century accelerating demand is coming from China.

This is the background to the huge shift in Prime Minister Harper’s approach to China from human rights advocate to oil and gas salesman.

 

 

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Bill C-10 and 30 Years of Folly
Paul Summerville • February 3, 2012

Last night Lewis Rhodes and the Young Liberals of the University of Victoria hosted a standing room only seminar on the wisdom of Bill C-10.

I was asked to round out the panel of criminal justice experts Michael Mulligan and Christopher Beresford to give an economist's perspective.

These were my remarks.

Congratulation to Lewis and his executive.

More evidence that leading with the message will bring in members, money and votes.

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Murmuration: A new way of doing and changing politics?
Paul Summerville • January 20, 2012

Professor Errol Mendes from his post today on the Linked In discussion group Canadian Progress hosted by Nancy Leblanc.

He notes that Don Tapscott at the Liberal Party Convention used this murmuration video to argue that the way politics is done is changing and that those who adapt to it are going to be the best change agents.

Marvellous.

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The Politics of Self-Restraint - The Voluntary Export of Japanese Automobiles to the United States
Paul Summerville • January 18, 2012

Over the weekend I was asked a few times what my Ph.D. thesis at the University of Tokyo (1988) was about.

I graduated from the International Relations Department writing a thesis on the politics and economics of voluntary export restraints of Japanese automobiles to the US.
 
The key political result of the restraints was to give the Japanese state a heavy hand in dealing with the Japanese automotive makers particularly Toyota.

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A Plea for What Youth Should Aspire To
Paul Summerville • January 8, 2012

The wonderful and exuberant Julia of Montreal shared this link with us.

Thanks Julia.

Quote worth living your life by.

“You'll see a stranger ... a complete stranger being bullied and beaten and suddenly, in an agonizing moment, he'll become your brother ...” -- The Counterfeit Traitor

 

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A Liberal Future for Canada
Paul Summerville • December 6, 2011

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be with you this evening.

I appreciate very much that you are giving me the unique chance to share with you my thoughts about the Liberal Party at this juncture in Canadian history, the role of National Policy Chair, and the challenges Canada faces.

Most of you will know that I spent much of my professional life in investment banking and that I ran for the NDP in the 2006 federal election in the riding of St. Paul’s in Toronto where Carolyn Bennett trounced Peter Kent and me.

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'Winston Churchill and Social Justice', Speech to the Sir Winston Churchill Society of BC, 21 November 2011
Paul Summerville • November 29, 2011

Thank you very much for inviting me here this evening.

I want to thank Christopher Hebb and the Sir Winston Churchill Society of British Columbia for this opportunity.

In the spring of 2010 I first gave a version of this talk in Victoria to the Sir Winston Churchill Society of Vancouver Island on the invitation of that great Churchillian Barry Gough.

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How Toronto Lost Its Groove
Paul Summerville • October 15, 2011

The Walrus -- How Toronto Lost Its Groove

The city of Toronto is stumbling toward the end of 2011 mired in a deep civic funk. Thanks to Allan of Canmore.

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The Times Are For A-Changin'
Paul Summerville • October 8, 2011

A very coherent explanation of what’s stirring everywhere.

Coming soon to a town near you, the deep human passion for connection without the heavy hand of mindless consumerism or a manipulative government.

It’s just about us.

Maria Cardona explains. Thanks to Evan, my good friend.

CNN -- Why "occupy"? It's personal
I appeared on a couple of segments on CNN this week where the topic was the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations.

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