U.S. money influencing Canada’s future.
Shouldn’t Canadians be directing the future of Canada?
Positive Aquaculture Awareness, November 25, 2010
A concerning story appeared this week in the National Post Journalist Kevin Libin exposes several wealthy U.S. based individuals and philanthropic Foundations who hope to bring “systematic” change to Western Canada.
Systematic change?
We can only guess as to what this change is, and why it’s desired by Americans. But what is important for Canadians to be aware of is that U.S. money has already played, and is playing, a big part in shaping Canada’s politics, policies and our economy.
One self proclaimed “change maker” is a group called Tides Canada.
According to their website “Tides Canada identifies environmental and social challenges and brings the resources and leadership to make change happen” providing “innovative philanthropic, financial and project management services for change makers – including philanthropists, foundations, activists, and civil organizations.”
Tides Canada funding is mostly U.S. cash. It’s easy and it’s anonymous – and you can’t trace the money back to the donor. Tides Canada then turns around and gives it to groups that “share it’s values” and can help bring about “systematic change”. It may be supports for environmental groups fighting Canadian fish farmers, Alberta oil, gas resource development in the Kootenays, coastal shipping or a ski lodge in Invermere. It may even pump money into a left-wing online magazine like The Tyee to help communicate this “change”.
There are many well known names associated with this influence and dubious accounting that Mr. Libin exposes including Joel Solomon, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, Martha Burton, Dr. Andrew Weil, Pew Charitable Trusts and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.
Quite frankly, this should be very concerning to all Canadians. Canadians should be directing the future of our country, not Uncle Sam.
