When Stephen Harper was once asked about the probability of designing a “NAFTA Super highway” from Mexico through central USA and into Winnipeg he laughed and sarcastically answered, “Maybe superhighways to the continent, maybe Interplanetary... I’m not sure.” Well it would appear that as news about a “security perimeter” around Canada and the USA has made headlines recently the fable of the super highway is being talked about yet again.

The Security Perimeter for North America is a plan long coming; from GATT to NAFTA to the SPP it is clear the government of North America want to merge the economies of Mexico the United States and Canada especially in the trade sector.

“The number of fees and inspections at the Canada-U.S. border has ballooned dramatically says a report released this month by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Compounded by additional penalties for minor infringements and increased regulation, the situation has drained the bottom lines of businesses and hindered the free flow of legitimate trade and travel, the trade group says.”

Simply put, the plan is to thin the border in terms of wait times. The ways in which this idea will be put into action is through collaboration between the two governments, although details of those collaborations are vague to say the least.

For example: "We intend to work together in co-operation and partnership to develop, implement, manage, and monitor security initiatives, standards and practices to fulfil our vision."

The following however, was confirmed by CBC.

 

One highly classified government document obtained by CBC's Rosemary Barton describes various political and communications issues connected with the perimeter security plan. It warns the "safeguarding of privacy and sovereignty will be of concern to Canadians."

 

This safeguarding will undoubtedly be a concern when the FBI or the CIA has an interest in who’s coming into the country and demands Canada hand over sensitive documents of a person’s personal information without a warrant. Unfortunately this is the Canada we live in after the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001.

A Financial Post article written on Thursday December 9th may be the first concrete evidence we’ve heard confirming a super highway from Mexico to Canada as of late. “The United States announced a similar security and trade deal with Mexico in March. It included provisions like secure transit lanes for pre-cleared rail and truck shipments,” Read the Financial Post

Brigit Matthiesen, Washington representative for the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME), said a deal on perimeter security could reduce the need to keep tough inspection rules and compliance measures along the border that Canadian producers argue have hampered business. She said there are currently few signs of tangible improvements, such as dedicated non-stop routes for trusted U.S.-bound shippers.

News of a possible Canada-U.S. perimeter deal emerged after the CME announced the creation of a coalition it is calling B3, or Businesses for a Better Border. This is a group of North America’s largest producers with cross-border operations whose aim to work together with Canada and U.S. border agencies in improving traffic between the two big trading partners.

According to Smart Grid (smart-grid.tmcnet.com) CME is a player in this plan to create smoother travel for cargo and trusted customers from the US to Canada and otherwise.

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) is Canada's leading trade and industry association and the voice of manufacturing and global business in Canada.

The association represents more than 10,000 leading companies nationwide. More than 85% of CME's members are small and medium-sized enterprises. As Canada's leading business network, CME, through various initiatives including the establishment of the Canadian Manufacturing Coalition, touches more than 100,000 companies from coast to coast, engaged in manufacturing, global business and service-related industries.

CME's membership network accounts for an estimated 82% of total manufacturing production and 90% of Canada's exports.

It is quite remarkable how the idea of a super highway from Mexico to Canada was laughable to Prime Minister Harper only a few short years ago, yet here we are on December 12th, 2010 having the blueprints essentially handed to us.

What is most concerning to me isn’t this highway, I can see logically how it would increase trade and help out all economies involved. I am concerned by the powers we are giving to US (foreign) agencies to spy on Canadians and the eventual announcement that we are entering official union within North America, much like Europe.

It’s easy to say “if you have nothing to hide...” but that it completely beside the point. We are Canadian, we have our own laws, our own police and our own secret service. These are all Canadian entities because, legally, that’s the only entities that should be allowed to operate within Canada and gather information (lawfully) of citizens if need be.

I am not comfortable surrendering the completely adequate powers which our national defence and policing services have to the United States.

My second point, pertaining to the unionization of North America, may be most frightening. This too would be laughed at by politicians if any journalist had the courage to ask them, but all signs point to a union at some point down the road. From free trade, to super highways, to same legislation being written to countless speeches from prominent leaders telling the world globalization is inevitable, I don’t think it’s a stretch any longer to seriously begin talking about a union within the next decade or two in North America.

The government of Canada is currently crafting a public relations campaign to convince Canadians this is what they need to make their lives and their safety approve but I ask that you take the time, upon this perimeters official announcement to stand up and tell the powers that be that Canadians will not stand for the deterioration of our national sovereignty.