2009). Canada Welcomes UN Action

¶ … 2009). Canada Welcomes UN Action on 'Unacceptable' North Korea. Google News. Online at http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gjUM3xSIRf_A1O89ZdwD61_cJj3Q

Canada is an active and respected member of the world community. Therefore, its position and input is sought on matters of international diplomacy and geopolitical assessment. So is this demonstrated by the article from June 2009 which denotes its position on the current and pressing question of North Korea's nuclear policies. In response to its frightening actions in May, where the designated 'rogue' state engaged an "underground nuclear test and subsequent missiles firings," the United Nations Security Council issued Resolution 1874. (AFP, 1) This calls for binding trade sanctions of the nation as a punishment for actions which are in clear violation of global nuclear nonproliferation policies and treaties.

For its part, Canada voiced strong support for the measure, and cited in particular the sanction policies institution of embargoes on any arms trades to and from North Korea. Accordingly, "Canada said it welcomed the adoption of the sanctions resolution against North Korea unanimously adopted by the UN Security Council on Friday, saying the move showed a strong response to the North's 'unacceptable' actions." (AFP, 1)

One can infer from this strongly worded sentiment, reported by the Associated Free Press, Canada's position of consensus with the global community, particularly with respect to the aims of improving peace prospects and imposing limitations upon the proliferation of nuclear technology and weaponization. Reinforcing its own position as a deviating party from the world community, North Korea's nuclear tests have been precipitated by its declaration of treaties with South Korea and the west dating to the Korean war are no longer valid. The point-of-view taken by the article demonstrates Canada to be a party to the efforts to retain validity of international and regional treaties.

Henrich, E. (2009). World's Best Chardonnay . . . From Canada? Fortune. Online at http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gjUM3xSIRf_A1O89ZdwD61_cJj3Q

Canada's reputation as a producer of fine wines is modest to say the least. Though its predominantly French regions have a robust domestic wine economy, its reputation has hardly been vaunted in the global landscape. The main idea of an article released in June of 2009 is that this reputation may be about to change. With the upset victory of a Chardonnay originating on the Clos Jordanne vineyard in the Niagara region of Canada in a blind taste test over globally renowned competitors from France and California, the conversation may well be turning toward Canada's future as a major party in the wine scheme.

The key question cited by the article will be Canada's ability to seize on the surprise success of the Claystone Terrace chardonnay that shocked the wine world just as did a Napa bottle 33 years ago. The article sets up the subject to suggest a question as to whether or not Canada's wine region, though less expansive than the fertile valleys of Napa, can replicate its success in channeling an upset victory into a thriving global business.

Primarily, this brief history on the emergence of California as a major force in the global wine scheme reveals the compelling bit of information that it was at this moment that the wine industry ceased to be alone dominated by Europe. It became altogether more acceptable for a fine wine to be considered possible outside of Europe. We may from this infer that today, the emergence of Australian, Chilean and other new players in the wine market has been precipitated by Napa's victory of 1976.

The point-of-view of the article is that a similar occurrence is now to be expected in Canada. To the point, "this means Canadian wines have to be taken seriously,' says Steven Spurrier, organizer of the Judgment of Paris in 1976, from his home in London." (Heinrich, 1) This seems to articulate best the view also taken by the article.

Kruger, D. & Fournier, C. (2009). Canadian Dollar Drops To Lowest in Four Days as Crude Oil Declines. Bloomberg.com. Online at http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601082&sid=ahfsbyRA1cRI

The global economy is in a determined state of recession. Poor policy in the United States and throughout the globalizing world community have reverberated through all entangled nations. The impact on currencies in North America in particular has been decidedly negative. As the Bloomberg article from June of 2009 indicates, "Canada's currency plunged to the lowest level in four days as commodities including crude oil, the nation's biggest export, dropped amid a surge in demand by investors for safer assets." (Kruger & Founier, 1) One can infer from the article that this decline parallels a drop of similar proportions throughout the year in American currency, reflected the ripple effect of continental trade agreements in the face of major U.S. recession.

Recent events including the declaration of Japanese finance ministers of a renewed confidence in American debt has caused a rally in the value of the long-flagging U.S. dollar. By outcome and related to OPEC's recent increase in crude production -- a chief export for Canada and therefore a major source of commodity value -- the value of the loonie has declined relative to most major world currencies. This, Kruder & Fournier report, is consistent with a trend which bottomed the loonie at its lowest value in March of 2009.

The point-of-view of the article reports expectations of some recovery relative to recent declines, but is also frank about negative economic expectations in relation to recent events. Most particularly in this case, the decline in the value of crude oil and, consequently the dollar, may lead to further economic retraction for a Canada that is carrying a record C$50 billion deficit.

MacIntyre, N. (2009). City council rejects back-yard hen proposal. Hamilton Spectator.

The article published in May 2009 in the Hamilton Spectator takes a humorous perspective on in issue which invokes consideration of the rather serious matter of ecological sustainability. In the city of Waterloo, the city council debated the issue this spring in the interests of allowing for the voicing both of advocacy and opposition to the allowance for back-yard chicken coops. The main purpose of the article was to report the debate at the city council at the ultimate outcome which was to reject the request for legalization of this practice, which its supporters view as a great and forward-thinking food source.