HARPER TO VISIT CARIBBEAN AND LATIN AMERICA
Topic: July 10, 2007
"I'm freezing, I want to go somewhere warm. All this talk of arctic sovereignty has given me the shivers."
"But you were in Esquimalt. That's on Vancouver Island, it has one of, if not the most, moderate climates in Canada."
"I said I want to go somewhere warm-er."
"Speaking of the Arctic, do you really think it's a good idea not to buy the icebreakers you promised?"
"Icebreakers? In a few years there won't be much ice left up there, then we'll see who gets the last laugh. Those ships will be able to cruise all year round."
"If we did our part to combat global warming, perhaps we'd still need icebreakers."
"Ha. That was funny. Seriously now, I think we should do a tour of Latin America. I could really use a decent cup of coffee."
"Okay, you're the boss."
"Maybe a pina colada too, let's do the Caribbean while we're at it."
"Do you think this trip is a good idea?"
"You must be new here. If we're going to keep exporting jobs out of Canada, we have to forge friendships with those countries. If we get an incidental tan or bottle of rum out of the deal, so be it."
"But some of these areas have less than desirable working conditions. Child labour, sweatshops you name it."
"Exactly! No pesky laws or regulations to get in our way down there. Now don't forget my pirating outfit. I want to blend in with the locals. Har-har, Harper."
"Sigh."