The Integration of Canada into a U.S. Dominated North American Security Perimeter
Canada’s prime minister recently addressed the CFR, a globalist think tank who have been a driving force behind the push towards deeper North American integration. The U.S. and Canada are now further advancing this agenda through the Beyond the Border agreement. Both countries are increasing bilateral border transportation and infrastructure coordination. This includes a common approach to border management, security and control. They are also integrating an information sharing system that would be used to track everyone crossing the U.S.-Canada border and entering or leaving the continent. Without much fanfare and seemingly little resistance, Canada is being assimilated into a U.S. dominated North American security perimeter.
In May, the Conservative government highlighted the benefits of the U.S.-Canada Beyond the Border
action plan which was announced back in 2011. The deal, “focuses on
addressing security threats at the earliest point possible and
facilitating the lawful movement of people, goods, and services into
Canada and the United States, and creates a long-term partnership to
improve the management of our shared border.” The goal is to further
increase, “security, economic competitiveness and prosperity through
numerous measures, including reducing border wait times and improving
infrastructure at key crossings to speed up legitimate trade and
travel.” The Beyond the Border Executive Steering Committee
recently met to discuss the objectives that have already been achieved
and the work that still needs to be done. Another important facet of the
economic and security perimeter agreement is the Regulatory Cooperation Council action plan. A stakeholder dialogue session
is planned for June 20, which will review its implementation progress
and will seek further input regarding the next stage of U.S.-Canada
regulatory integration.
Last month, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a joint report on the findings of Phase I of the Entry/Exit Information System. The program included collecting and exchanging biographic information at four selected land border ports of entry. In a news release, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Acting Commissioner Thomas Winkowski stated that, “The results of Phase I demonstrate the capacity of the United States and Canada to increase information sharing capabilities.” He added, “This kind of cooperation epitomizes the Beyond the Border Action Plan.” The next phase of the entry/exit initiative is set to begin at the end of this month. It will involve exchanging the biographic data collected from third-country nationals and permanent residents of Canada and the U. S. at all common ports of entry. Both countries are further merging databases and are expanding surveillance and intelligence gathering operations. In 2014, they will also start sharing biometric information at the border. This will further advance the creation of a North America security perimeter where all travellers will be tracked and traced in real time.
As part of the commitment made under the Beyond the Border deal, both countries have announced the Border Infrastructure Investment Plan
which was, “developed to establish a mutual understanding of recent,
ongoing and potential border infrastructure investments. It outlines the
approach that Canada and the United States will take to coordinate
plans for physical infrastructure upgrades.” In June 2012, Canada
reached an agreement
with the State of Michigan to build a second bridge between Detroit and
Windsor, Ontario. This was followed by a presidential permit issued in
April of this year that officially paved the way for construction of the
project. A U.S. State Department press release
explained that, “Consistent with the bilateral Beyond the Border
Initiative, this permit contributes to ensuring that our border
infrastructure supports increased competitiveness, job creation, and
broad-based prosperity in the United States and Canada.” It went on to
say that the new bridge, “will help to meet future capacity requirements
in a critical travel corridor, promote cross-border trade and commerce,
and advance our vital bilateral relationship with Canada.”
In March, DHS Secretary
Janet Napolitano and Canada’s Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews
signed a memorandum of understanding which established a truck cargo pre-inspection pilot project.
The joint undertaking is another component of the Beyond the Border
agreement and would shift inspections and clearances away from the
actual border crossing. The first phase, “will test the concept of
conducting U.S. CBP primary cargo inspection in Canada, and will be
implemented at the Pacific Highway crossing between Surrey, British
Columbia and Blaine, Washington.” The second phase, “will further test
how pre-inspection could enhance border efficiency and reduce wait times
to facilitate legitimate trade and travel, and will be implemented at
the Peace Bridge crossing between Fort Erie, Ontario and Buffalo, New
York.” The perimeter security deal is laying the foundation for a future
U.S.-Canada binational organization that would jointly manage and
control the border.
The CBSA is also testing additional technology at the Morses Line, Quebec and Piney, Manitoba
ports of entry. Under the remote traveller pilot project, people
entering either location after regular hours of service, “will be
processed by a border services officer located at a remote processing
centre through a two-way audio and one-way video kiosk. Cameras will be
installed to provide the officer with the ability to see the traveller
and the vehicle.” The program which could later be expanded to other
areas , “is part of the Small and Remote Ports of Entry Initiative, one of the deliverables under the Beyond the Border Action Plan.” NAUNEWZ
pointed out that, “Although a lot of this technology is already
installed and being utilized in limited ways at most of the main
Canada-U.S. border crossing points, these smaller border crossings are
ideal testing grounds for their ‘no borders’/NAU agenda.”
On May 16, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper participated
in question and answer session before the Council on Foreign Relations
(CFR). The conversation centered around economic growth, foreign
investment and the role of the G20 with regards to global governance.
Other issues focused on Canada-U.S. relations. Harper lobbied for
approval of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline which would carry oil
from western Canada to the Texas gulf coast. He dismissed environmental
issues associated with the project and argued that it would be a step
towards North American energy independence. The Obama administration is
expected to make a final decision on the pipeline sometime this year.
Harper also acknowledged the Beyond the Border and the Regulatory
Cooperation Council action plans. He blamed sovereignty concerns and the
continued negativity surrounding NAFTA as the main obstacles to even
deeper continental integration. Prime Minister Harper used his audition
in front of the CFR as an opportunity to demonstrate to the U.S.
political and corporate elite that he is committed to defending the
interests of big business and further pushing plans for a North American
Union (NAU).
The Beyond the Border
action plan is the most significant step forward in U.S.-Canada
cooperation since NAFTA. It provides the framework for future North
American integration. When fully implemented, the agreement can be
expanded and updated. So far, the agenda has quietly slipped under the
radar. By incrementally incorporating various pilot projects and
excluding Mexico from the process, it has managed to avoid the
controversy of past initiatives. The perimeter security deal is being
sold as vital to improving the flow of trade and travel across the
border. In order to appease U.S. fears, Canada has made numerous
concessions with no guarantees that it will lessen border restrictions.
As part of a North American security perimeter, Canada will always be at
the mercy of any new U.S. security measures, regardless of the dangers
they may pose to privacy and civil liberties.
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 Be Your Own Leader
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Copyright © Dana Gabriel, beyourownleader.blogspot.ca, 2014
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