Refusing To Help

"We find it indeed somewhat irritating and somewhat disappointing that Canada is so adamantly refusing to help.  A major problem in the eurozone would have major negative economic repercussions on Canada, so solidarity is needed ...  We still hope that Canada would be ready to contribute more, like so many other partners."  George Witschel, German Ambassador to Canada

Yes, it can be profoundly disappointing when 'friends' don't make that leap of faith in the intelligence of others to manage their affairs, by just giving them that added little bit of encouragement.  Canada, however, is not a 'partner' in the eurozone.  True, the European Union is hugely influential and has long boasted its collective trading muscle, while providing assurance to its members it has their backs.

Collectively, it has also been rather a bully.  Take, for example, its decision to ban Canadian seal products, and its officious tone toward Canada about the traditional annual seal hunt undertaken by a handful of Newfoundland seal hunters and First Nations peoples dependent on the outcome of that hunt to eke out a living for themselves and their families.

Trifling, I know, in the greater order of things.  And it's true, of course, that Canada, the current Government of Canada, has busied itself diplomatically to attempt a trade union with the European Union in a proposed free trade agreement.  True too, that the EU flexes its bully muscle there too, making poo-faces at Canada's many areas of financial support for its primary producers.  A practise not unknown within the EU.

Canada has managed to live within its means, for the most part.  When the global financial downturn hit, Canada, although affected, was less so than most other developed countries, thanks to the security of its banking system, and to its more cautious approach on spending and lending.  The PIGS countries of the EU have, in comparison, been rather less alert to the inevitable when due diligence in finance is not observed.

A country needn't be parsimonious with its GDP-sourced income, but nor should it be profligate at the availability of cheap lending.  It should be careful, prudently taking care to extend social services and benefits in a manner that will not in due time beggar it.  Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain are deeply in debt and face serious unemployment figures, like Iceland and Ireland before them.

Canada does empathize.  And it doles out advice, as well.  Not exactly preening or crowing, but taking a self-congratulatory curtsy in advancing the intelligence of husbanding resources carefully.  Little wonder Canada feels little obligation to boost its contributions to the International Monetary Fund to aid Europe in its debt crisis.

Europe got itself into the mess, and really, it is up to Europe to extricate itself.  With a lot of sympathy from its friends.