I am rarely amazed at Peter MacKay's ability to do something stupid

Peter MacKay has decided in his now legendary wisdom to close 4 Canadian consulates in G8 countries. Let's put aside the interests of Canada's textiles industry and the importance of Milan and the fact that Russia as a BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) country is a primary trade growth target and that you are closing the consulate in St. Petersberg - Putin's home town. And finally, two-way trade between Canada and Japan is roughly $20 billion (CAD)a year, and roughly in balance.

Why would you shut the doors to 4 G8 country consulates whose GDP represent $7.4 trillion of economic output almost triple the GDP of China? If anything we should be re-doubling our efforts by adding additional trade commissioners there and in China.

Like the Kyoto climb down, this narrow-minded short-term decision by Canada's toddler government will need to be reversed.