This union has gone too far

A new agreement made between Canada and the United States is just now coming to light north of the border - and for a lot of Canadians it's got some ominous overtures.

Having personally just finished reading a book on the economic awakening of the slumbering giant otherwise known as the European Union called “The United States of Europe” by T. Reid, the thought that one day a similar North American union may take place had actually occurred.

But I had presumed it would be of the economic variety - not military.

It turns out that on Valentine's Day (how fitting) of this year the two nations entered into a cross-border military agreement that has received very little press in the States and none in Canada. Why hadn't Canadians heard about it? Well, believe it or not, the government that preached openness and accountability pre-election and proceeded to put all information onto a ‘need-to-know' basis, with the idea that the public never really needs to know anything, decided to keep it to themselves.

Not surprising really when you take a look at the agreement.

On the surface it looks almost innocent. Called the Civil Assistance Plan, it allows American and Canadian forces to go cross-border to help their neighbour in the case of an emergency, like a terrorist attack, as additional support. Not a bad idea at first glance. But then it becomes clear that the decisions always, ultimately, come down to the Americans.

They're the ones who decide what is deemed an ‘emergency' in Canada, and therefore choose when they can send their troops north, or when to request our military support in the States. And more disturbingly is the fact that the agreement entirely bypassed the American Congress, and was therefore not a debatable issue.

And in Canada it was the same case, because the government knew full well that had such a bill be taken public not only would it have been shot down by the opposition parties, but that the public outcry would make the entire Schreiber/Mulroney scandal look inconsequential.

American papers are seeing this as another step towards creating a militarized police state surreptitiously called the North American Union.

Canadians should see it as a threat to their sovereignty.

Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.