An Honoured Guest

"Not only should the European countries take overwhelming concerted action to take control of the situation, but also that European countries themselves have more than adequate resources to do so.

"It's not necessary for Canada to use Canadian resources to help solve the European problem, given that the European countries are among the wealthiest in the world." Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty

It's always nice to welcome people of distinction to one's home.  And of course, one has an obligation to be a welcoming host, above all.  And speak the language of diplomacy.  Of which a simple "no" doesn't quite seem fitting.  But let's hope that the "no" will remain firmly in place.  It's hard not to feel sympathy for Germans fed up with their membership in the European Union requiring them to guarantee bailing out failed EU economies.

They are in possession, after all, of the most robust economy in the EU.  German Chancellor Angela Merkel has accepted one of those casual, but well-meant invitations extended at one of the many G-8 and G-20 meetings that member-countries participate in regularly.  There's little doubt she accepted an invitation to come along and visit dear old Canada, propelled by the thought that she might exert some friendly force to exact a promise from the government to agree to help fund the EU bailout.

It's sad beyond measure what has happened to Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain.  And other countries like Italy aren't all that far behind.  People there, particularly in Greece, are enraged, they seem to feel that their financial failures are the fault and responsibility of the EU connection, and certainly not how they themselves have comported themselves.  They're outraged at the austerity measures exacted upon them at a time of poor economic performance and high unemployment.

And, despite that Germany has generously agreed to keep shoring up their lowered standard of living, they blame Germany for the crisis that has assailed them.  Certainly they're not to blame, despite an unwillingness to pay taxes, to work full-out for their salaries and inflated vacation time and other perquisites.  That's human nature; we all want to live in a socialist-type state providing amenities, and pay low or no taxes in exchange.

Canada and the United States are the only G-20 countries to refuse to contribute to the $450-billion International Monetary Fund bailout on behalf of financially wobbling European economies.  And then there's the issue of Canada's lobbying to sign a free trade agreement with the European Union to take advantage of its half-billion-population buying power.  They may not be buying now, but they will at some future date.

There've been a few sticking points; the EU likes its own farm subsidies but doesn't much care for Canada's and wants them revised to suit their perspective, not Canada's values.  And then there's the issue of patent protection, which the EU wants Canada to extend for brand-name drug manufacturers.  Which, if done to satisfy the demands of the EU, would cost the Canadian taxpayer hugely.

Germany's major drug firms are interested in lengthening drug patent protection, and without doubt this issue too will be raised by Angela Merkel, to accept the EU's demand that Canada expand the patent rights of brand-name drug manufacturers.  Our own generic drug firms would not benefit by this move; and consumers, companies, unions and government insurers will end up paying an additional $2.8-billion annually if that happens.

So let's hope that the genial two politicians will have a gracious and serene conversation about the beauty of Canada and how alike in some ways German and Canadian landscapes are in their natural beauty, for Chancellor Merkel was hosted at Harrington Lake on her arrival.  And that the conversation doesn't delve too deeply into the muddy waters of accommodation that will cost Canadians dearly.