Canadian Environment Minister Stephane Dion stated the position of the Canadian government in no uncertain words in a joint press conference with the Gwich'in First Nations in the Yukon yesterday:
"We are making all the arguments we are able to make, and we have strong allies in the United States, too."...
"How many days of oil will it give them [the United States] to destroy this ecosystem?" Mr. Dion said in French. "Let's say it gives them half a year [of oil]. The solution is certainly not to destroy the Arctic Wildlife Refuge."
For those of you who don't know Dion, this guy is one of the sharpest guys in Canadian politics--both in terms of brains and the ability to play serious hardball. If he defends ANWR with half of the intensity he used to defend Federalism against the separatists, the Senate is going to have its hands full.
