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U.S. Aims to dismantle borders New U.S. ambassador wants to harmonize immigration, energy and more: 'Is there a NAFTA-plus?' Robert Fife and Alan Toulin National Post OTTAWA - Canada, the United States and Mexico should forge closer links as part of a ''NAFTA-plus'' relationship based on harmonization of border controls, law enforcement, energy, environmental and immigration policies, Paul Cellucci, the new U.S. ambassador to Canada, said yesterday. Mr. Cellucci, the former governor of Massachusetts and a close friend of George W. Bush, the U.S. President, suggested the borders between Canada, the United States and Mexico be dismantled with the aim of achieving a more fully integrated economy. ''If we look at [the North American Free Trade Agreement], I think we can conclude that NAFTA has been a good thing for Canada, the United States and Mexico and I think the question is: Is there a NAFTA-plus, and I think there is,'' he said in an interview. While Mr. Cellucci said there is no interest in a comprehensive European Union style economic and political union, the flow of commerce and people should be eased. The U.S. is promoting special entry points for overseas travellers to North America that would be jointly run by Canada and the U.S., while opening up most border crossings to relatively free passage for American and Canadian citizens. ''We have to talk about being more consistent [in policies]. We don't want Canadian citizens or U.S. citizens to be spending three or four hours trying to cross the border. "No one wants to go down that road. If we don't want to go down that road we need to use technology and some more consistent policies to make it more convenient.'' Mr. Cellucci's discussion of a ''NAFTA-plus'' continental economic coalition follows a call from David Zussman, an independent policy advisor to Jean Chrétien, the Prime Minister, for a public debate on economic and social union between Canada, the United States and Mexico. Mr. Zussman, president of the Public Policy Forum, is planning a November trip to Europe, bringing 15 to 20 senior federal and provincial civil servants to investigate how the nations in the European Union have coped with the end of borders for the European market, and the implications for policing, immigration and social policies. Mr. Zussman said the think-tank will issue a report that will link the European experience to the context of North America. Maurizio Bevilacqua, a Liberal MP and chairman of the influential House of Commons finance committee, welcomed a debate, saying North American integration is occurring more quickly than people generally realize. ''I think the debate certainly should take place on North American integration and it should be a no-holds-barred debate where nothing is taboo,'' Mr. Bevilacqua said. ''With NAFTA, the economies of Canada, the U.S. and Mexico are becoming increasingly integrated ... we have to take the logical next steps in maximizing the benefits of such an agreement.'' Mr. Bevilacqua added: ''Canadians are more open to change than people may suspect.'' Lorne Nystrom, the New Democratic Party finance critic, said the Liberals are ''testing the waters'' to get the public prepared for potentially closer ties to Mexico and the United States. Along with Mr. Zussman's speech calling for debate about Canada's future in North America, the Liberals are moving toward a continental policy, Mr. Nystrom said. ''I'm beginning to suspect that there is an orchestrated move to soften us up toward political and economic integration with the U.S.,'' he said. Bob Mills, Canadian Alliance foreign affairs critic, also believes the Liberal government is attempting to spark public debate on North American integration. ''We should be talking about everything, but politically it's scary to do that because, of course, people start labelling you. But the Liberals are very good at floating these things,'' Mr. Mills said. However, a spokesman for the Prime Minister said the ideas put forth by Mr. Zussman are part of the nature of policy developers and a political and economic union is not on the current Liberal government's agenda. Mr. Cellucci said Canada and the United States can use technology such as computerized transponders to permit low-risk Canadian travellers, particularly business people and truckers, to pass through the so-called border perimeters without seeing a customs officer. Dismantling the borders would require increased co-operation with law enforcement in both countries and similar policies on travel visas, immigration and refugees, he said. ''We have to use technology to make it easier for Canadians and U.S. citizens to cross the border and allow the flow of goods to cross the border,'' the ambassador said. ''That is the goal of both governments, but it seems to me that one of the obstacles in the way [is a difference over policies]. ''If we really want to move to that [flexible] perimeter [approach to borders], it seems to me we have to try to be more common on those immigration policies.'' Mr. Cellucci said the continental energy accord being negotiated by the three countries will also require a common set of environmental standards. ''One of the other things we can look for in an integrated market is that these three countries would have environmental standards that are complementary and consistent. It makes sense if you are going to have a free country market that your environmental standards be good everywhere.'' However, John Urquhart of the Council of Canadians warned Canada would become completely dominated by the United States if it began harmonizing its policies as part of economic integration. ''The United States is the biggest bully in town and the world when it comes to trade. They get what they want and they will get what they want,'' he said. |
