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Sunday, June 21, 2009
Day wants us to talk and trade with the Russians
Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, arrived in Russia today with a trade mission composed of 33 Canadian companies representing various facets of Canada’s infrastructure sector.
Minister Day’s trade mission kicks off with a tour of Novie Veshki, a Canadian-built housing complex and one of the largest subdivisions in Moscow. This development is the first in Russia to mirror Canadian building codes, making it a good example of how Canadian expertise can be applied in this country.
“The Novie Veshki project is moving forward with the direct involvement of Canadian engineers and architects. It represents the first housing project in Russia to adopt building codes that mirror Canada’s strict regulations,” explained Day. “I was impressed to note that this new housing complex looks just like the ones we see in Canada. In fact, looking around, it feels like I haven’t left Canada!”
The trade mission will stop in Moscow and Sochi, where Minister Day will also meet with representatives of Canadian companies already doing business in Russia, including infrastructure development for the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
“Canadian companies have proven to be world-class competitors. They have a lot to offer, particularly expertise in construction and infrastructure development,” said Minister Day. “I am here in Russia this week to promote what Canada has to offer and to help Canadian businesses build bridges to the Russian marketplace.”
The Russian Federation is an emerging market and remains a key destination for Canadian companies specializing in technology, agriculture and infrastructure. Canada’s exports to Russia grew by 30 percent in 2008 and have increased almost sevenfold since 2000.
I’ve said before here and elsewhere that trade is the Trojan Horse of liberty. It encourages peaceful cooperation among nations for mutual benefit, develops liberal institutions and makes war costly and unattractive. So Day is a good will ambassador for international peace and prosperity.
Posted by Matthew Johnston
Posted by westernstandard on June 21, 2009 | Permalink
Comments
"I’ve said before here and elsewhere that trade is the Trojan Horse of liberty. It encourages peaceful cooperation among nations for mutual benefit, develops liberal institutions and makes war costly and unattractive. So Day is a good will ambassador for international peace and prosperity".
yeah. and we can't rely on the Obamanation anymore. we've got to make connections... and fast.
Posted by: shel | 2009-06-21 10:31:28 PM
Canadian expertise in cold climate construction, and harsh environment oilfield technology, make us a natural player in Russian development. I've met quite a few people who spend time working in their oilfields. The only thing they really complain about is the food.
The only downside is they might flood us with cheap liquid natural gas. That would kill a lot of jobs in southern Alberta. That hits too close to home.
Posted by: dp | 2009-06-21 10:50:10 PM
It would be awful expensive to ship such a quantity of LNG in tankers, dp. You'd think they'd almost have to sell it at a loss. And why would they do that, when they have most of Europe by the short & curlies?
It's interesting, comparing the climates of Russia and Canada. Russia is more famous for its cold, but most people don't know that most Russians do not live in Siberia, and that even Siberia is actually very hot and green in the summertime. I once met a Russian lady who lived in Winnipeg for a while and said it was definitely colder than Moscow.
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2009-06-21 11:28:54 PM
Shane- There's already an LNG terminal under construction in Nova Scotia. Alberta could lose some eastern customers.
It isn't cheap to produce Alberta NG any more. The safety and environment parasites have finally chewed into the heart of their host. Construction and drilling contractors have been forced to raise prices, to the point of making projects not feasible. We're in more trouble than most people realize.
Posted by: dp | 2009-06-22 9:10:10 AM
Canada's building codes are by and large in line with the International Building Codes. And I'm quite sure a country that can put a man in space can come up with a building code of their own. What crap.
The flip side is, yay Russia, more trade with large developed nations OTHER than China and the US is what Canada needs.
Posted by: Pete | 2009-06-22 10:10:42 AM
I'd think building methods would be more important than building codes.
Russia has had large populations living in "arctic" climates for many years. Canada has also been a pioneer in high efficiency buildings. A sharing of ideas could be beneficial for both countries.
The US put a man on the moon, but they still don't understand the concept of energy efficient buildings.
Posted by: dp | 2009-06-22 10:40:07 AM
dp,
You mean regulations kill jobs, innovation and run savings and investments out of the country? Who knew? ;)
Posted by: Charles | 2009-06-22 11:21:11 AM
We would do well to develop closer ties with Russia in my opinion. One reason is that as the USA (and the West in general) adopts more and more tenets of communism, Russia is becoming freer. The majority of Russians have an excellent memory of what communism entails and recognise it in spite of how it is dressed up, unlike many North Americans, and they do not want to return to living under it.
Posted by: Alain | 2009-06-22 7:51:47 PM
I hope you're right, Alain.
Posted by: Matthew Johnston | 2009-06-23 6:50:40 PM
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