The End of Canada's Sovereignty
as a Nation State?
Towards a U.S.-Canada
Economic and Security Perimeter
By Dana Gabriel
Global Research, July 18, 2012
URL of this article: www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=31976
Over
the past several months, the U.S.-Canada Beyond the Border action plan
has taken significant steps forward. This includes efforts to modernize
and expand infrastructure at key land ports. In a move that went largely
unnoticed, both countries also recently agreed on a statement of
privacy principles that will guide information sharing across the
border. Meanwhile, a separate joint initiative has been announced which
addresses energy and environmental issues.
President Barack Obama and Prime
Minister Stephen Harper launched the U.S.-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue
(CED) in 2009 to promote new ways to reduce greenhouse gases and combat
climate change. The CED Action Plan II released last month, outlines the
next phase of activities both countries will undertake. This includes
continued work on carbon capture and storage, as well as integrating the
electricity grid. In a press statement, Canada’s Minister of the
Environment Peter Kent explained that the CED, “strengthens our efforts
to collaborate on innovative clean energy solutions that reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.”
He also commented on how "It is our hope that the transformation of our economies and our joint work will identify clean energy solutions that will contribute to making sustainable energy a reality for all." Whether real or exaggerated, environmental issues are also advancing North American integration. If you look at some of the words being used and the goals being pushed, they are tied to Agenda 21. Under the guise of protecting the environment, many solutions being offered are in the form of more taxes and control over our lives.
He also commented on how "It is our hope that the transformation of our economies and our joint work will identify clean energy solutions that will contribute to making sustainable energy a reality for all." Whether real or exaggerated, environmental issues are also advancing North American integration. If you look at some of the words being used and the goals being pushed, they are tied to Agenda 21. Under the guise of protecting the environment, many solutions being offered are in the form of more taxes and control over our lives.
In June, Canada reached an
agreement with the State of Michigan to build a second bridge between
Windsor and Detroit which is one of North America’s busiest land
crossings. A press release described how, “The new Detroit River
International Crossing will facilitate the movement of people and goods
between Canada and the U.S. by ensuring that there is sufficient border
crossing capacity to handle projected growth in cross-border trade and
traffic.” It goes on to say that the, “announcement demonstrates that
the Government of Canada is working to advance the goals of the Action
Plan on Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness.” During a
speech, Prime Minister Stephen Harper called the new bridge, “an
investment in the future of the North American economy, of North
American trade and of North American manufacturing.” With the existing
Ambassador Bridge being privately owned, motivation for the project is
largely based on being able to further control border trade and traffic
in the region. It is also part of the necessary transportation
infrastructure needed for a trade corridor that would span from Windsor,
Ontario to southern Mexico.
The U.S. and Canada recently
issued a Statement of Privacy Principles that will shape information
sharing arrangements under the perimeter security deal. The charter
covers areas such as oversight, accountability, redress, retention, data
quality and information security. Attorney General Eric Holder
acknowledged in a Department of Justice news release that “These privacy
principles reflect the shared commitment of the United States and
Canada to implement our Beyond the Border Action Plan.” The Freedom of
Information and Privacy Association warned that, “What the government
just announced will certainly provide more access to Canadians personal
information to the U.S. and other governments.” The Canadian Civil
Liberties Association have also voiced concerns on privacy safeguard
provisions that were not included which, “may permit the lowest standard
between the two countries to prevail.” Ever since the perimeter
security action plan was first unveiled in November 2011, there have
been fears associated with personal data collected and exchanged at the
border. This latest announcement has done little to ease these worries
with respect to privacy rights and civil liberties.
As part of their commitment
under the Beyond the Border agreement, both countries have also
announced the establishment of Joint Port Operations Committees at eight
Canadian airports that offer U.S. pre-clearance service. The move is
designed to, “help facilitate legitimate cross-border trade and travel
and promote collaboration on overall port management.” In June, the
Beyond the Border Executive Steering Committee met to oversee progress
on the implementation of the action plan. They announced that in the
interest of transparency and accountability, a joint public report will
be issued in December. Public Safety Minister Vic Toews also recently
gave an update on other aspects of the perimeter security deal. He
stated, “We are making great progress. We have, for example, added NEXUS
lanes, made air cargo screening programs mutually recognizable and
installed new passenger screening machines to end duplicate screening in
Canadian airports.” Toews added, “More work continues every day to
fully implement this new shared vision that represents the most
significant step forward in Canada-U.S. cooperation since the North
American Free Trade Agreement."
Despite some minor setbacks with
regards to bilateral relations, Canada has moved closer to its American
partner under Prime Minister Harper. The Beyond the Border deal
provides the essential framework for U.S.-Canada integration with the
action plan being incrementally implemented. This piece by piece
approach has allowed many different initiatives to go unnoticed and fly
under the radar. Some of these individual steps may seem insignificant,
but combined together they are further merging economic and security
ties between both countries. This is paving the way for a North American
security perimeter which would mean sacrificing what is left of our
sovereignty and independence.
Dana Gabriel is an activist and independent researcher. He writes about trade, globalization, sovereignty, security, as well as other issues. Contact: beyourownleader@hotmail.com. Visit his blog at beyourownleader.blogspot.com
Dana Gabriel is an activist and independent researcher. He writes about trade, globalization, sovereignty, security, as well as other issues. Contact: beyourownleader@hotmail.com. Visit his blog at beyourownleader.blogspot.com
