Benefit for shareholders only

Re China’s big play, Insight, Sept. 30 I think the Conservatives should hire someone with at least a Grade 4 level of education to look at the Nexen deal. First, Canadian corporations have $500 billion in surplus cash. U.S. corporations have $1.6 trillion in surplus cash. I don’t think we need to worry about Alberta oil companies having access to funds without China to support them. Second, our oil and minerals are finite and will have increasing value over time. Third, if a Canadian corporation tried to make a similar purchase in China, it would be shown the door. This deal may have a benefit for the shareholders of Nexen, but if we are looking at the public interest, there is none. Michael D. Smith, Oakville Re Chinese investment deal ties Canadian

hands, Opinion, Sept. 30 Gus van Harten reminds us that Canada does not have much luck in challenging other countries in international court. If we lose on softwood lumber, cattle and mining, why should we win on oil? Sounds like China’s CNOOC has a win-win deal in Canada, one that the U.S. would examine in its Foreign Investment Review Committee (didn’t Canada have one once?), but one that has limited review here. If Canada has no right to challenge Chinese investors for breaking laws, why are we even considering the Nexen deal? Who exactly wants it? Let them be named and shamed. Margaret van Dijk, Toronto The implications for Canada outlined in this article took my breath away. Canada appears to be for sale and the price will be unbearable. Can you imagine democratic Canada entering a deal where a Chinese firm could sue in a special tribunal to protect itself from Canadian government decisions? While, on the other hand, no one in Canada could sue Chinese investors for a breach of law. And who’s to know about it? If the Canada-China arrangement becomes law, hearings and documentation could be kept secret if the defendant country so desires. The result: if there are unpublished Chinese lawsuits against Canada, we can have hidden from us the reasons for the suit, or which tribunal is hearing the case, or even if Canada is under order to change our own government decisions. Morley S. Wolfe, Brampton