Canada’s steady “deep integration” with the UnitedStates is being designed and driven by corporategroups on both sides of the border, while beingsupported by our federal government, says Maude Barlow, spokespersonfor the Council of Canadians.

She warns that the Canadiangovernment is making efforts to harmonizeNorth American regulations on immigration, nationalsecurity, the economy and refugee policies, andtalks of the negative impact this would have onCanadians.

In a Dalhousie University auditorium in Halifax, morethan 200 people watched as theRaging Grannies welcomed Barlow with songs againstcorporate greed and in support of the United Nations.

Barlow was in Halifax as part of hercross-Canada speaking tour to discuss the themes ofher most recent book — Too Close for Comfort: Canada’s Future Within Fortress North America.

In response to those who might think she isparanoid, Barlow offered a joke.

“When I hear people accuse me of a conspiracy theory,I just think of the two cows on a hill,” she said.“The first one says, ‘Oh, you and your conspiracytheories,’ but the other one’s reading a pamphlet thatsays: ‘Where beef really comes from.’”

The audience answered with resounding laugher.

Deep Integration

Barlow made specific reference to a document called TheSecurity and Prosperity Partnership of North America,signed by all three North American governments lastMarch in Waco, Texas. She said the document has “laidout the plan on harmonization for energy, nuclearsecurity and regulatory regimes across the border.”

The effects of integration are already being seen inCanada, she said; third country agreements thatallow the U.S. to turn away refugees on their way toCanada, and security laws that allow the U.S. toaccess private information on Canadians are already areality.

“We have gone way overboard in terms of what it meansto be a sensible neighbour,” said Barlow.

Increased military spending, a closer alignment withAmerican foreign policy, and a growing gap betweenrich and poor, are just some of the negative signsBarlow says prove Canada is becoming more like theUnited States.

Barlow also questioned the judgment of emulating acountry whose administration has systematicallydismantled social security, human liberties andenvironmental protections.

“On the front of human rights, civil rights, they havebrought in appalling legislation,” said Barlow. “Thehomeland security act, the patriot act, what AmnestyInternational calls an American gulag — a series ofhorrible prisons is taking place inside Americanterritory and outside, where unspeakable things arebeing done in the name of the war on terror.”

Joining the struggle

Eva Munro, a member of the raging grannies, came tosee Barlow speak with her friends and to lend hersupport.

“We’re interested in making a more just world,” shesaid. “And there’s so much more to do.”

Munro remembered her younger years in Halifax, andexpressed disappointment over increasing pollution.

“When I was a kid, I could drink the water all aroundHalifax. But now you can’t even swim in the harbour.”

Mike Tharamangalam, 26, a Dalhousie student doing aMasters in Development Economics, said he came to thetalk as a way of re-engaging the social justicemovement. He said he remembers the work the Council ofCanadians was doing concerning NAFTA, and has respectfor Barlow.

“Just coming to one of these events is a catalyst forbecoming more involved,” Tharamangalam said. “I cametonight as a kind of way to get back into it.”

He expressed his disappointment in the media’s lack ofcoverage on the issues Barlow touched on in her talk.

“These issues are not covered in mainstream media,they’re marginalized,” he said. “It’s good that we’reanalyzing things a bit deeper here.”

Finishing her talk, Barlow stressed the need to becomemore engaged in the fight against integration with theU.S.

“We at the Council of Canadians have launched acampaign to halt and reverse this process,” saidBarlow to strong applause. “We want a full debate, andwe are very very keen on getting this central to thenext election.”

Tor Sandberg

Tor Sandberg

Tor Sandberg is the program director for rabbletv. When Tor was 8 years old, the two schoolyard bullies, Allen and Roger, made up a mean little ditty about him. “Let’s tear Tor in the Northwest...