DEEP INTEGRATION
FEATURES

INTEGRATE THIS! A Citizen’s Guide to Fighting Deep Integration

Dear Concerned Citizen,

Deep integration between Canada and the United States is not a theory or a fear – it is a reality. For several years now, task forces, working groups, commissions, coordinating committees and cross-border consultations have been working to harmonize Canada-U.S. programs and procedures. This has led to an incremental and systematic harmonization of Canadian and American regulations and standards governing health, food safety, and all aspects of the environment.

This harmonization process has been central to the demands of the big-business community in Canada. They contend that the only way to secure trade across the border and continued access to the U.S. market is to merge trade and border policies, including all regulatory, environmental and inspection systems. The Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE), an organization that lobbies the government on behalf of Canada’s largest corporations, argues that because the economies of the two countries are now so integrated, our domestic laws are essentially redundant.

Those pushing for deep integration are looking at a common customs union, as well as harmonizing existing policies, standards and regulations to a common norm. Combined with joint Canada-U.S. inspection and security procedures, this would essentially wipe out the Canada-U.S. border. This push will lead to the privatization of our health care system, the loss of control of our resources and further compromises in trade deals like what we saw with the softwood lumber dispute.

But there is hope. We can work together to demand that the Canadian government stop taking its cues from big business and put a moratorium on deep integration initiatives.

This is not a call to put up borders around Canada. Nor is it an announcement of presumed moral superiority with respect to our neighbours. What I believe, and what the Council of Canadians believes, is that Canada must decide if it is in our interest to forge deeper economic, foreign policy, social and resource ties with the United States under its most aggressive government in modern history, or if we are going to stand with moderate countries and people around the world to form a counterweight.

This booklet includes background information, key demands and suggestions of how you can get involved in the fight against deep integration.

Make your voice heard.

Maude Barlow
National Chairperson, The Council of Canadians

INTEGRATE THIS! A Citizen’s Guide to Fighting Deep Integration Tool Kit (PDF 839kB)
All DI resources have been udpated! Download entire kit here or link to specific resources on the right side menu.

http://www.canadians.org/browse_categor ... 10&iscat=1