Canada denied seat at East Asia Summit

Canada will not get a seat for years at the East Asia Summit, the Pacific’s new power forum, says the leader of the region’s key political bloc, but he insists Ottawa has other avenues to expand trade and ties. The Harper government has asked to join the East Asia Summit, which includes major Asian nations as well as others such as Russia, the United States and Australia. While Canada’s application has not yet been made public, it is expected in coming days, a source told The Globe and Mail. But Surin Pitsuwan, secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, says it will take years before the summit door opens again.