General Discussion

Canada is lucky to rely on the United States for defense.  It is already in the beginning of conflict with Russia over oil resources.  Aside: Russia would, easily, pound the Canutes in any military conflict.

We import more oil from Canada than any other country on earth, and we defend her for FREE.

Moreover, Canada has universal health care coverage - and pharmaceuticals are cheatper there by, at least, 300% than in the United States.  Edit:  Because the Canadian government controls the prices, and United States American citizens pay for the research and develop through (1) prices and (2) taxes. 

Should Canadians pay for the defense, drugs, and trade (particularly, say, an oil import tariff) on Canada?

Originally posted by declaredemer

Canada is lucky to rely on the United States for defense.  It is already in the beginning of conflict with Russia over oil resources.  Aside: Russia would, easily, pound the Canutes in any military conflict.

 

We import more oil from Canada than any other country on earth, and we defend her for FREE.

 

Moreover, Canada has universal health care coverage - and pharmaceuticals are cheatper there by, at least, 300% than in the United States.  Edit:  Because the Canadian government controls the prices, and United States American citizens pay for the research and develop through (1) prices and (2) taxes. 

 

Should Canadians pay for the defense, drugs, and trade (particularly, say, an oil import tariff) on Canada?

Canada doesn't piss other countries off so no defence is needed.

And why should Canada pay for the mess that is the US health care system?

Anyway Canada or atleast the Quebec area will probably turn french anytime soon and sever every tie it had with the US.

Oh, and Canada brings you oil and they should pay YOU?

You are either dumber than a doorknob or escaped from the nuthouse.

Wtf do you care anyway? You are A-U-S-T-R-A-L-I-A-N.

I think however that your country should pay more in taxes for their kangaroo and koala export.

America pays to defend Canada.

Canada should pay for US healthcare.

Don't make us ask twice.  We don't like to ask twice. 

Originally posted by Jefferson81

 

Canada doesn't piss other countries off so no defence is needed.

And why should Canada pay for the mess that is the US health care system?

Anyway Canada or atleast the Quebec area will probably turn french anytime soon and sever every tie it had with the US.

Oh, and Canada brings you oil and they should pay YOU?

You are either dumber than a doorknob or escaped from the nuthouse.

Wtf do you care anyway? You are A-U-S-T-R-A-L-I-A-N.

I think however that your country should pay more in taxes for their kangaroo and koala export.

Canada is pissing Russia off *right* now, and have been for quite some time.  Well, I guess it depends on how you look at it, you might say Russia is pissing Canada off.  But Canada wouldn't have a leg to stand on if the US wasn't backing their national defense.  Canada has a wonderful military, many of whom I have had the pleasure of working with, but they just don't have the means to defend themselves against the likes of the re-emerging superpower Russia is trying to become.

The reason this is important is because the argument right now is over oil rights, which Canada probably has rights over, yet Russia says is in international waters.  Anyhow, the US imports tons of oil from Canada and that is the reason they are pushing for more drilling in Canada.  The Canadians are more than happy to oblige.  The trick is that to get even more they have to face up to the Russians who have been exploring the polar region for some time.  I think you see where this is going:  If Canada cannot militarily match up with Russia over oil that will essentially be for the US, should the US be footing the bill entirely or should the Canadians cough up a little too as the sale of the oil to the US greatly assists Canada's economy?  Declaredemer was implying that the money directly helps support Canadian social programs.

For the record, I don't really support Canada paying us for our military support, I'm merely presenting the argument as I *think* was originally intended.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Canada,the United States and 24 other member countries entered into what amounts to a mutual defence pact. If one gets attacked the other 25 nations consider it an attack on them also and are bound to assist in many ways, one of which includes military support. This is why the U.S "defends" Canada.

As for the ridiculous comment about drugs and such. You do understand that most of the major drug companies are worldwide entities and have offices and research centers across the world, this includes Canada? Any new wonder drug that gets researched or produced isn't the property of any one country. If Pfizer(one of the largest drug companies worldwide) develops a cure for the common cold no country can lay sole claim to it. Nor does any country have sole right to the product or it's distribution.

Also I'm not sure where you got the idea that drug prices are 300% cheaper in Canada as opposed to the States. I would sure like to see your documentation. in rebuttal I have the following direct from the U.S Food and Drug Administration

http://www.fda.gov/oc/whitepapers/drugprices.html

Direct from the U.S government it shows that the vast majority of generic drugs are cheaper in the States than in Canada.

Better to do more research next time you want to troll.

Also in regards to the oil rights please see:

http://progressive.stanford.edu/cgi-bin/article.php?article_id=103

This is basically what all the sabre rattling is about.

Research and Development Facilities - Does Not Impact Drug Costs for Canadians

The location of subsidiary research and development activities has nothing -and I mean nothing- to do with low drug costs in Canada and high drug costs in the United States.  The purposes for location research and development branches, or subsidiaries, is to reduce costs and achieve tax savings.  It has nothing -repeat: nothing- to do with United States citizens paying the costs for Canadians' low cost drugs. 

The Canadian government will not allow pharmaceutical companies to sell medicines in Canada beyond a certain price ceiling, and the Canadian government asks as the universal supplier in Canada.  The drug costs are then passed onto Americans. 

It is a raw deal for Americans, and a great one for Canada. 

Defense Costs

The Canadians are allowed to spend more on developing their people because of the amount of oil they export to the United States and the cost-savings by not having a military that could hold a candle to even third world countries (or second world countries such as Saudi Arabia).

This puts Canada in the unique position in the international sphere, especially in the area of international relations where Canadians can bash other countries but be the direct (not indirect or constructive) beneficiary of a large U.S. military policy.

It is extremely costly for the United States.

Relationship with Russia

Someone naively said, "Canadians do not piss other people off like Americans."

How convenient.  You are right, the Canadians just have Americans do all the dirty work.

Russian submarines, alone, could claim Canadian, or disputed, territory to extract valuable natural resources in a world of scarce natural resources.  The economy is spooked right now, but wait until it recovers and how valuable natural resources and precious metals are.

Whether it be the country of Georgia or Canada, let the Russians have their way. 

I cannot afford to pay for the (1) health costs, (2) oil costs, and (3) defense costs of Canada.

Didn't canada refuse to use the american missile system?