Canada won't fund missile shield (but will take Americans avoiding Iraq)

[Minstrel Boy]

Canada won't fund missile shield: PM

December 15, 2004
Windsor Star

Prime Minister Paul Martin said Tuesday he does not believe the U.S. ballistic missile shield will succeed in shooting down incoming rockets, as he threw up new roadblocks to counter President George W. Bush's strong appeal for Canada to join his continental defence plan.

Canada will not put any money into building the missile shield and it will not allow Washington to station rockets on Canadian soil as the price of participation in the multibillion-dollar program, Martin told Global National in a year-end interview.

In another issue that could cause friction with Bush, Martin said Canada was prepared to accept U.S. citizens who do not want to serve in the war in Iraq.

"In terms of immigration, we are a country of immigrants and we will take immigrants from around the world. I'm not going to discriminate," said Martin, when reminded that former prime minister Pierre Trudeau opened Canada's doors to draft dodgers and deserters during the Vietnam War.

http://www.canada.com/fortstjohn/story.html?id=f02a4367-b138-4f32-ae17-32da81fb4a02

[jeff30997]

1. We're so cool !

Chimpy will cry like a baby.

[Hieronymus]

52. Indeed, you guys are cool.

Thanks.:bounce:

[ilovenicepeople]

75. WELCOME TO CANADA!

:hi: :hug: :hi:

[GetTheRightVote]

2. Hurray for the Canadian, friends of freedom and anti-war victims

Thank you all Canadians, we love you !!!!!!!!!!!!

You are our best example of the best in this world and you are our neighbors, may God bless you all.

[IrateCitizen]

3. WOW! This is HUGE!

I, for one, am ecstatic to see the Canadian PM standing up to its southern neighbor on the important issue of recognizing the illegality of the Iraq War. I honestly thought that the recent Bush visit would cool Martin from making any statement on this issue.

Furthermore, it's important that Martin calls out the real aim of "Star Wars" -- the weaponization of space.

But just one question on the article -- why in the hell does it repeat text 2 or 3 times over?

[arikara]

53. It reads the same way that Paul Martin speaks

he always stutters and stammers and repeats himself. The reporter probably was lazy and just transcribed the tape word for word.

[CatWoman]

64. *ahem*

don't you mean, "this is hugh"???!!?? :D

[Danmel]

4. I saw his interview on CBCs "The National" Last night

He appears quite worried about the militarization of space and doesn't want to participate in that.

He also said that although he is a devout and practicing Catholic, he has searched his soul and cannot justify discrimination against gays and lesbians and that the Charter of Rights would preclude such discrimination, while protecting religious marriage from any requirement for same-sex marriage. He was intelligent and nuanced. More fuel on my "I want to be Canadian" fire.

But can some Canadian DUer tell met what the "notwithstanding clause" is and what "Senate Reform" is all about.

[Minstrel Boy]

15. The "notwithstanding clause"

gives provinces the choice to opt out of provisions of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It was a concession made when our constitution was finally patriated in the early 1980s. (It's a long story. :))

Ah, "senate reform." There's been talk of that for years. Our upper chamber is appointed, like the UK's House of Lords. A senate seat is widely viewed as a cushy patronage appointment, and the senate an ineffectual rubber stamp. There are lots of ideas on how to reform the senate. It's usually touted by the right, to give Alberta and Western Conservatives a greater say to "break the power" of Central Canada. The NDP just want to see it abolished.

[Maple]

19. I'll try

Our constitution, which is our basic foundation law of existence, is combined with a charter of rights...and has a 'notwithstanding' clause.

If, in some serious situation, a govt feels they cannot be bound by our basic law...they can invoke that clause. It's an exit clause, a loophole.

It has only been invoked once, by the province of Quebec, in defence of their use of the French language. Everybody else avoids using it, because it's meant to be a last resort in a very serious situation.

We have an appointed senate. The PM appoints people to it, and they are there till retirement age. The idea was to give 'sober second thought' to bills passed by the House. They often catch problems, and return it to the House for clarification. They also initiate projects on their own, to offer to the country.

Some think our Senate should be elected. That is the 'senate reform' they are talking about.

I used to think elections would be a better idea, but have changed my mind over the years. While it often functions as a cushy reward for service to the party in power, it also means the senators can discuss and decide on something objectively, rather than worrying about how this will play to the voters in his/her area.

So they can think more for the long-term, and for the whole country, not just showy stuff for the next election in their local area.

So our House of Commons is elected, and our Senators are appointed.

[Danmel]

42. Thanks Guys

I've been trying to educate myself about Canada, so that if I do flee, I won't be a total "moran" when I get there. The Prime Minister was talking about Western Canada wanting Senate Reform and I figured that might a right wing thing, but then BC didn't seem too right wing when we were there this summer.

Thanks for the info!

[ilovenicepeople]

76. Yes, Thanks Guys (coming from a Canadian)

I've been spending most of my time observing the American administrations agenda while ignoring the structure of my own (didn't vote for them,Damn Liberals:wtf: )I'm sure we will become the same country soon enough with the upcoming creation of the Pan American Union:scared: so if your looking to escape the draft and police state hurry up and get here so we can draft you to help protect our countries soverignty

[Canuckistanian]

93. Nobody's ever used it yet

It's like "going nuclear" constitution-wise. Once one province starts, it could create a precedent, thereby weaking constitutional protections.

Alberta's Ralph Klein once hinted that he might use it in the case of gay marriages. It would be a disaster if he did.

[Pachamama]

5. I love you Canada! I hope you'll also accept US citizens wishing to avoid

Fascism when it gets so bad here we need to do a mass exodus...

It may need to come to that....

Ich bin ein Kanadian.... :hi:

[Feathered Fish]

6. PM had me a bit worried

but he came to his senses. This isn't that much of a surprise, because he would be in deep, deep shit with his party and his country if he had agreed. Time will tell how this pans out.

[whosinpower]

7. Wow....

Paul Martin grew some ba!!s. In truth, his statements simply reflect the wishes of most Canadians.

The missile shield is just a pork project for the defense industry. It is expensive, has NEVER been proven effective, and outdated in todays world of threats.

Why would Osama Bin Laden spend all that time, money and effort developing a long range missile when he can be far more effective with a few insiders and some boxcutters????

[democracy eh]

8. Whoa

Martin is an average man with ambitions of being great. Most of the time he fails to pull it off... but sometimes.

:toast: :toast:

Canada could solve its skills and immigrant shortage in a matter of years if we loosened the system for allowing yanks to immigrate.

[AndyTiedye]

9. O Canada!

Be prepared for a flood of America's best and brightest
once they start up the DRAFT here.

[Hand]

10. Whale Oil Beef Hooked!

I don't know where Paul Martin suddenly found a spine, but I'm mighty glad to see this!

:toast:

[Nite Owl]

11. This is the best news in such a

long time. I have two draft aged sons and now I know that they can go to Canada and be safe.

[Alisa]

20. Me too - what a relief!!!!

[Just Me]

12. AWESOME!!! Hey, Canada,...I LOVE you!!!!

:loveya:

Awww, man,...you're TOUGH!!!

:thumbsup:

[Kitsune]

13. YES YES YES

Safety at last! :D

Ohhh Canada

/is draft age

[Pithy Cherub]

14. Is the Canadian message to *

going to be communicated to him?

Love It: "Mr. pResident, the elected Canadian PM is blowing you raspberries on his end of year message!"

[Mel]

16. Thank You Canada Thank you Paul Martin

for not going along with the boondoggle missile shield program and for accepting US citizens that do no want to serve in Iraq.

Thank you! Thank you!

[Norwood]

17. Yay!

Once the draft begins, I'm there.

[demigoddess]

18. three cheers for Canada,

That is the way a democracy should be run. Hope some of that comes down over the border

[GOPBasher]

21. I LOVE Canada. Why can't we be more like them?

:shrug:

[Barkley]

36. Canada, not Disneyland is the happiest place on earth

The UN ranks Canada first-place (ahead of 170 countries) in terms of life expectancy, education and per-capital income seven or eight years running.



UN ranks Canada number one again
WebPosted Sat Jul 10 11:15:29 1999
http://www.thecanadapage.org/Millennium.htm

NEW YORK - For the sixth year in a row, the United Nations has ranked Canada the best country in the world.

In a report to be released Monday by the UN Development Program, Canada was ranked ahead of 170 other countries in terms of life expectancy, education and per-capital income.

Norway came in second, followed by the United States, Japan, and Belgium.

The ratings in the UN report have been disputed by many countries that do not agree with the methodology used to prepare the report.

But the UN says the human development index, or HDI, is a more comprehensive measure of a country's standard of living than per-capita income.

Canada's average life expectancy is 79 years, while Japan's is 80 and the United States' is 76.

The average Canadian in 1997 earned $16,525 US a year, well bellow Norway's $27,620 and Japan's $25,084. Even the average U.S. income ranked higher at $21,541.

And while Canada ranks equal with Norway, the U.S., Japan and Belgium in terms of adult literacy rates, it spent seven per cent of its Gross National Product on education.

Canada has occupied the top spot since 1992.

Can you imagine what America would be like if we used that all the money we waste on dominate and conquering the world and used at home?

[GOPBasher]

50. "Can you imagine..."

Yes! That's what I always think about. Why can't we spend more of our money on education and health care, like they do in Canada, Japan, Australia ande Europe?

[trogdor]

94. You know it's gotta be good since the weather sucks so bad.

I'd go there in a minute.

Good beer. Really good Scotch. Decent food. Tim Horton's. Cities you can walk in. NICE people, and they really are very happy people.

[A Brand New World]

22. My family LOVES Canada and that will be our new home if our

23 year old son is drafted. I've vacationed there ever since I was a small child and it wouldn't take much for me to call Canada home.:loveya:

[VegasWolf]

23. You mean that georgie-porgie can't talk the Canadians into throwing

their money down the toilet. He did it so successfully
here!

[MisterCompletly]

24. Will they accept anti-Iraq war Americans with a DUI offense?

Last time I tried to cross the border for a concert in Montreal one of our passengers had a DUI from eight years prior and no other crimes. Our van of 12 people returned home and, the money for tickets and the chance to see the show.

This was last year. Have the morons in charge of Canadian border entry changed their Nazi ways since then? I never plan to spend a cent in Canada until they fix that nonsense.

[Just Me]

44. Gee,...I guess us more "moral" types should feel some compassion,...

,...for you and your buddies.

I do. Sorry 'bout your experience. Hope your buddy gets his DUI offense excused or excised.

Maybe you would consider,...ahhh,..never mind.

[MisterCompletly]

59. Consider what?

Asking the carpool contents if they may have had a traffic violation in the last ten years before they can ride in the carpool to Montreal to see a show? If CA thinks a rear seat passenger on her way to spend cash in CA should be banned for some BS traffic violation ten years ago then THEY are the assholes and should scrap the facade that Canada welcomes otherwise decent people into their private little world.

They were wrong to ban this American for some BS traffic conviction ten years ago and you know it, I know it and every other liberal knows it. If Canada wants to put on this happy face then they should enforce it and not ban otherwise honest and respectable visitors.

[CHIMO]

61. Canada Makes It's Own Laws

DUI is a criminal offense in Canada.
Driving excessively over the speed limit could also end up as a criminal offense.
Thems the law.
If one has gone for a certain number of years and not re offended then there may be a way to remove this offense as an impediment.
Don't expect DUI to be removed as a criminal offense in Canada.
When you have a criminal conviction it counts against you.

[MisterCompletly]

66. Complete and utter indefensible excuse

A passenger in a van pool that was charged with driving above .08 (a bogus limit) ten years earlier endangers exactly whom in CA while they go to see a show and get the same ride back? WTF danger does the moronic CA admin see in this passenger?

I can not even imagine a defense for the CA border gestapo to refuse entry of a sober passenger in a van going up for the night to spend their money in CA. Do you?

[CHIMO]

67. A Criminal

Offense is a criminal offense.
So you think the law is wrong.
But that is the law.
If you want to argue about whether the law is logical or otherwise then I would suggest that you begin your discussion with MADD.
DUI ends up killing people.

[Minstrel Boy]

68. Bush needed a special exemption to enter Canada

on account of his DUI. It expires next year.

[MisterCompletly]

72. Okay, I accept your absolutism and resolve

My friend that got popped at .081 was driving her mother to the hospital on new years eve because 911 was overloaded and even a direct call to the hospital could not get a vehicle out to her house due to snow depth.

Cindy got her mother to the hospital in time and made it through 20 miles of ice storm roads. The gestapo at the hospital ER entrance smelled champaign on her and called the resident 10-8's and get her busted.

I hate fascism and all of those that defend it. All cases have exceptions and every decent person deserves neutrality and understanding.

[CHIMO]

73. I Am Pretty

Sure that the person could get an exemption or something of that kind to remove the impediment to the record.
But had an accident occurred then it would have been put down to DUI.
However, that does not remove the inconvenience that happened at the border. But it takes time for things to be understood by everyone. Back thirty years ago DUI was a badge of honor or being someone like Bernie K.
I am sorry that you and your friends missed the concert.

[tanyev]

90. "I hate fascism and all of those that defend it"

Gosh, you must really hate the direction the USA is heading.

[SnowBack]

65. Those same rules apply to Canadians entering the US...

Sure it should be changed, but calling them Nazis and morons for enforcing the rule is ridiculous...

:eyes:

[Brundle_Fly]

83. the US border

can stop canadians from entering the states for NO REASON whatsoever.

Nazi Ways....I think you should get a mirror.

[TrogL]

25. YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

Martin finally developed a spine.

Guess Dubya didn't sweeten the pot during his last visit and now he's paying the price.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

26. WTG Canada!

I would love to have seen *'s face when he heard this news! I have a mental picture of him stomping about and having a childish fit. He doesn't take opposition well and it seems he is getting more and more of it from other countries these days.

I am so proud of Canada and Prime Minister Paul Martin. My heartfelt congratulations go out to you for being able to slap this administration in the face twice in one speech. :toast:

[PROGRESSIVE1]

27. I'm sure that the NDP and Bloc Quebec threatened to take down....

Martin & Co if they did not back out of Bush's imperial plans.

[Minstrel Boy]

29. minority governments are our most progressive and populist

The result is, typically, next election, the Liberals will win a landslide and tack to the right. But in the meantime, we milk it for all it's worth. :evilgrin:

[StaggerLee]

28. Looks like a good time to trip up to Ontario

Look out Canada, I'm in huggin' overdrive mode!!

:D

[ckramer]

30. Canadians are such a nice people, who would want to fire missiles

at them?

Missile defense = Total waste of money concerning Canada.

[Massachusetts]

31. While this is Gracious of Canada a great country indeed,

those U.S. citizens who plan to cut and run have an obligation to themselves and their country men and women, to Right the Wrongs that these politicians have done to our Constitutional Rights as well as OUR image throughout the world. NO ONE EVER SAID IT WAS GOING TO BE EASY! KEEP UNITING AND EDUCATING, WE WILL PREVAIL.:thumbsup:

[Zhade]

47. Some of us are going to wind up at Gitmo, the way things are going.

Especially with the combination of 1) "Lone Wolf Terrorist" legislation that just passed and 2) the things I say about this government.

You want people like me to wait around until they pick me up? I'll say this as nicely as I can: FUCK THAT!

Hard to fight the fascism from a prison cell.

[Raenelle]

32. God bless Canada. How about seceded states? Will they take those?

Californian here. And I'll bet we could make a run at voting in secession.

[VegasWolf]

37. Mississippi? Then Canada could have Gulf beachfront property. n/t

[Barkley]

33. My favorite "Martin"

Canada doesn't need missile defense because Prime Minister Martin is the 'bomb'!

Can you imagine how prosperous America would be if we used our war resources to better the US instead of dominating the world?

We're spending more on defense than the next five countries combined and can provide troops in Iraq sufficient protection.

[dkofos]

38. That's more like 25 countries

[mike_c]

34. thank you Canada....

:yourock:

[Vidar]

35. Bless Canada, her people and her leaders.

[Hand]

39. Got the perfect excuse today, actually!

Talk about good timing--Martin must be relieved that his announcement coincided with:

The numbnuts were trying yet again for a successful (rigged) test, but the interceptor missile--that's the one that's supposedly going to work like hitting a bullet with another bullet--suffered an, ahem, "anomaly". Said anomaly consisted of the worthless POS not launching at all.

Meanwhile, the target missile worked like a champ and proceeded on its way, unimpeded by any pesky interceptors.

Hmm... sounds like a REALISTIC test to me! Har!

[neweurope]

40. When Bush was in Canada I read something here about

a bilateral agreement between the US and Canada that the US can now arrest US-citizens ("terrorists") on Canadian ground. It must have been in one of the links posted here. Am I the only one who has read this?

[Just Me]

46. Yuck. Throwing a "spoiler" at all us dissidents/opponents,...

,...takes the flame away from our joy.

Now, why would you do that?

:bounce:

[neweurope]

49. Because I'm scared for you. Sorry. And I might be wrong

but I don't think so :(

You see: I like you.

[ilovenicepeople]

78. Speaking of "spoiler"

PM Paul Martin taking this stance provides Canada with the possibility of a "terrorist" attack if you catch my drift,not to mention all the "hate them for their freedoms" crap the MSM will be spewing forth.:puke: It's Never to Late to Be a Pessimist.

[neweurope]

79. Yeah, you're right. One has to anticipate one everywhere any day now

:puke:

But really, I cannot find the link to the information any more. And I think this information is very, very important. If I remember this correctly (I hope I don't but I think I do) then any US-citizen fleeing to Canada would still be in grave danger there. The US-government simply would have to declare them to be "terrorists". And under PATRIOT II it can declare ANYONE to be a terrorist as we know. I have been mentioning this a couple of times but nobody ever takes it up.

[Guaranteed]

41. Canada RULES!!!! nt

[Megahurtz]

43. YEH CANADA!!!

:toast:
:yourock:
:loveya:

[ninkasi]

45. Thank you, Canada...

you beautiful, wonderful, friendly, freedom loving people. I'm so jealous; in Canada, somebody like Bush couldn't get elected, even by cheating.

[Mother Jones]

48. That's so true, we all think bush is an idiot

and we are still scratching our heads at how he got back in.....HAD to be the fear factor, no other rational, sane reason.


This is the best gift we could get, as most of us wanted nothing to do with bushy's missile defense. Our PM is pandering to our whims on this one - you GOTTA LOVE a minority govt!

[depakid]

51. All the right-wing Canada bashing seems to have...

backfired.

Expect more of the same- more bashing... more backfiring. And increasing popularity for Martin on the homefront.

There's probably no better bogeyman to refuse to "cooperate" with in the world today and therebey win support of the majority of the electorate than Bush.

[Az_lefty]

54. You guys are just too cool for the shrub !!!!

Is it possible to send the PM a "Thank You" note of support?
:toast:

[icnorth]

63. happy to oblige A. L.

Snail Mail:

R. H. Paul Martin
House of Commons
Parliament Buildings
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
K1A 0A6

email:
[e-mail]

Fax
[phone]

[BrklynLiberal]

55. As an American I have to say what a great country Canada is. We are so ..

lucky to be located right next to such a wonderful place.:*

[Greybnk48]

56. OH CANADA!!!!!

How about we kick those red states loose and join you!

[sakabatou]

57. Thank you Canada

For your country actually shows intellect.

[Solly Mack]

58. Canada is awesome!

Thank you!!!

[superconnected]

60. Thank you Canada :)

[KingChicken]

62. Thanks Canada, I won't forget about the support :)

I will stay to help keep my liberal friends safe here in the U.S., however it's always good to know that there exists a safe harbor of rational minded people just to the north.

[ailsagirl]

69. Isn't Canada refreshing??

They actually REPORT the news.

They don't fawn all over Dub (if anything, they call a spade a spade)

They're not fooled by his "homespun" ways--

Its citizens can hardly hide their disgust for these thugs.

People used to be that way here-- it's really tragic

So many of our citizens are either colosally stupid, not paying attention, or hypnotized

However you slice it, it's bad news "for the rest of us"

[Sugarbleus]

70. OMG, I'm covered in CHILLS...This is SO BEAUTIFUL.

This news has to be the best thing I've heard in a long long long time...

My face is awash in SMILES. I LOVE YOU CANADA!!!!! Got a tear of joy lingering in the corner of my eye!!

Instantly, I want to do something for Canada, :) What can we do to show our gratitude? Send Flowers to the Prime Minister?? heehee

This action by Canada reminds me of a hebraic tradition where an area is created called: The city of refuge (something like that).

Oh Canada, the Land of Refuge and Compassion. Long Live Canada! :loveya:

[Gregorian]

71. Bravo! God bless Canada!

I decided, this week, to hold off on immigration. But I feel there may be a Canadian resident in me yet.

Canada is great.

Edit- Wow. Weird. Did I just say "God bless Canada"? That's a phrase I really hate. But there's no hypocracy in the statement like it feels when I hear God bless America.

[Name removed]

74. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Hand]

77. Izzatso?

Ya know what else they say? "A Canadian is just an unarmed American with health insurance and an affordable college education..." THPFFFFT!!!!

[Iceburg]

85. kick

[Brundle_Fly]

84. nice tombstone n/t

[LynnTheDem]

88. That was one of the more obvious

RWW trolls I've seen on here in a long while. :D

[Solar]

80. God Bless Canada!

Ive only been there for a few hours waiting for a connecting flight in Toronto, but I knew I loved it!

[Hand]

89. Wow!

If you could enjoy that godawful Pearson Airport, wait'll you see the rest of the country!!!

:hi:

[Dem2theMax]

81. Oh Canada,

I just want to the entire country!


Imagine having a leader say "I'm not going to put money into it. I'm going to put money into our priorities ..." sigh.


I LOVE YOU CANADA! :yourock:

[neweurope]

82. Careful. They may accept conscientious objectors but not terrorists.

Anybody can be a terrorist now, remember. Under PATRIOT II really everybody can be declared to be a terrorist. Once you have been declared to be a terrorist the law doesn't help you anymore. It's a crime to even say where they have taken you.

When Bush was in canada I read something in the links posted here that the US-authorities now can arrest US-citizens on Canadian soil. I cannot find that link anymore. But I googled and came up with something. It may or may not be true but I think somebody should do some digging for the facts. If what some people believe to be true then it will be NO SOLUTION to go to Canada. I rather think everybody should polish up their French :)

Some things I have found:

Vivelecanada.ca:
U.S. Border Patrol to Look for Terrorists in B.C.?
from the Vancouver Sun (fair use only):
Expanded U.S. border patrol to peer deep inside B.C.: Aircraft and boats to scan 400 km for drugs, terrorists, arms and illegal migrants

Some answers in that thread:
1) Just a thought...but fascist police states do not like their people leaving...and them mountain passes might look tempting to some of our fellow Americans in a few years time.
Dissolution of the CIA (replaced by ? ...you tell me)
The Patriot Act (what is a terrorist ? WHO is a terrorist)
The National Security Alert
Can anybody feel a DRAFT ?
Construction of 'Guantanamo' style internment camps across the U.S. etc...etc...etc...

2) Good points and I don't know how I overlooked some of that. If the draft is reinstated there may just be a flood of young Americans north. Could that be why they are looking to clamp down on the border?

A broader context here:

Is the annexion of Canada part of Bush‘s military agenda?

(I have for some weeks been having the notion that the US ultimatively plan a kind of Commonwealth with Canada, Great Britain and Australia. I have no idea if Chossudovsky is a trustworthy source but I think his ideas deserve at least some reflection)

http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/CHO411C.html

23 November 2004
Territorial control over Canada is part of Washington's geopolitical and military agenda as formulated in April 2002 by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. "Binational integration" of military command structures is also contemplated alongside a major revamping in the areas of immigration, law enforcement and intelligence

by Michel Chossudovsky

For nearly two years now, Ottawa has been quietly negotiating a far-reaching military cooperation agreement, which allows the US Military to cross the border and deploy troops anywhere in Canada, in our provinces, as well station American warships in Canadian territorial waters. This redesign of Canada's defense system is being discussed behind closed doors, not in Canada, but at the Peterson Air Force base in Colorado, at the headquarters of US Northern Command (NORTHCOM).
The creation of NORTHCOM announced in April 2002, constitutes a blatant violation of both Canadian and Mexican territorial sovereignty. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld announced unilaterally that US Northern Command would have jurisdiction over the entire North American region. Canada and Mexico were presented with a fait accompli

.....

The BPG's mandate goes far beyond the jurisdiction of a consultative military body making "recommendations" to government. In practice, it is neither accountable to the US Congress nor to the Canadian House of Commons.
The BPG has a staff of fifty US and Canadian "military planners", who have been working diligently for the last two years in laying the groundwork for the integration of Canada-US military command structures. The BPG works in close coordination with the Canada-U.S. Military Cooperation Committee at the Pentagon, a so-called " panel responsible for detailed joint military planning".
Broadly speaking, its activities consist of two main building blocks: the Combined Defense Plan (CDP) and The Civil Assistance Plan (CAP).

.............

The Militarisation of Civilian Institutions
As part of its Civil Assistance Plan (CAP), the BPG is involved in supporting the ongoing militarisation of civilian law enforcement and judicial functions in both the US and Canada. The BPG has established "military contingency plans" which would be activated "on both sides of the Canada-US border" in the case of a terror attack or "threat". Under the BPG's Civil Assistance Plan (CAP), these so-called "threat scenarios" would involve:
"coordinated response to national requests for military assistance in the event of a threat, attack, or civil emergency in the US or Canada."
In December 2001, in response to the 9/11 attacks, the Canadian government reached an agreement with the Head of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, entitled the "Canada-US Smart Border Declaration." Shrouded in secrecy, this agreement essentially hands over to the Homeland Security Department, confidential information on Canadian citizens and residents. It also provides US authorities with access to the tax records of Canadians.

..................

And ultimately what is at stake is that beneath the rhetoric, Canada will cease to function as a Nation:
 Its borders will be controlled by US officials and confidential information on Canadians will be shared with Homeland Security.
 US troops and Special Forces will be able to enter Canada as a result of a binational arrangement.
 Canadian citizens can be arrested by US officials, acting on behalf of their Canadian counterparts and vice versa.

..........

By endorsing a Canada-US "integration" in the spheres of defense, homeland security, police and intelligence, Canada not only becomes a full fledged member of George W. Bush's "Coalition of the Willing", it will directly participate, through integrated military command structures, in the US war agenda in Central Asia and the Middle East, including the massacre of civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan, the torture of POWs, the establishment of concentration camps, etc.
Under an integrated North American Command, a North American national security doctrine would be formulated. Canada would be obliged to embrace Washington's pre-emptive military doctrine, including the use of nuclear warheads as a means of self defense, which was ratified by the US Senate in December 2003. (See Michel Chossudovsky, The US Nuclear Option and the "War on Terrorism" http://globalresearch.ca/articles/CHO405A.html May 2004)
Moreover, binational integration in the areas of Homeland security, immigration, policing of the US-Canada border, not to mention the anti-terrorist legislation, would imply pari passu acceptance of the US sponsored police State, its racist policies, its "ethnic profiling" directed against Muslims, the arbitrary arrest of anti-war activists.

[Lost4words]

86. Bravo Canada! n/t

[Massachusetts]

87. My final comment on this topic

I believe that Canada is a GREAT neighbor, BUT, I'm sticking it out in OUR country and I will ENDEAVOR to make things right.:mad:

[TexasChick]

91. Thanks, Canada. Help these poor people who do not want to kill for

these damn Neocon/PNACers just so they can make profits off of the oil!

[Minstrel Boy]

92. NDP says Martin sneaking in Star Wars "under the radar"

Feds sneaking in Star Wars: NDP

Dec 16

Ottawa is quietly forging ahead with plans to join the U.S. in missile defence "under the radar screen" of a disapproving public, New Democrat MP Alexa McDonough said. Prime Minister Paul Martin insists no decision has been made, but McDonough said six officials who briefed the NDP caucus yesterday gave signals talks are pressing ahead.

"They acknowledged that they don't have any authorization from cabinet to sign on to a negotiated agreement, but it was absolutely clear that it's moving ahead, moving apace, that the discussions are ongoing," she said.

During year-end television interviews this week, Martin said he would demand a written guarantee the ballistic missile defence shield wouldn't entail the weaponization of space. But McDonough said officials contradicted that statement during yesterday's briefing.

"The officials made it absolutely clear there would be no such guarantee, that actually there is a continuing push in that direction -- that people aren't wrong to say it's the next phase of what is now admittedly focused on land and sea. But when you get to the next phase, you're talking about space."

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2004/12/16/785592-sun.html