
Deep Integration Survey Council of Canadians \|\| December 17, 2005 From October 2004 to February 2005, The Council of Canadians held Crossing the Line: A Citizens’ Inquiry on Canada-U.S. Relations, a 10-city consultation on the future of North American political and economic integration. The Inquiry heard over 80 presentations about the effect of “deep integration” on Canada’s agriculture, energy, natural resources, defence policy, health care, media and culture. Here is some of what Canadians had to say: 1. CANADIANS WANT A HOMEMADE FOREIGN POLICY. Canadians’ deeply rooted opposition to U.S. Ballistic Missile Defence forced Prime Minister Paul Martin to pull out of any Canadian involvement. Canadians were also opposed to participating in the U.S.-led war in Iraq. They want a foreign policy that is distinct from that of the U.S., and reflects Canadian values of peacekeeping and multilateralism. 2. CANADA SHOULD BREAK ITS DEPENDENCE ON FOSSIL FUELS BY INVESTING IN RENEWABLE ENERGY. Canada has reached its oil and gas production peak. Canadian energy is now in short supply, despite the extraction of oil from the Athabasca tar sands. With further deregulation, privatization and integration, much of the oil and electricity generated in Canada will be produced for export to the U.S. In the meantime, Canada has no coherent strategy to alleviate our dependence on fossil fuels and make the transition toward a renewable energy economy. 3. CANADA SHOULD MAINTAIN INDEPENDENT FOOD AND DRUG TESTING POLICIES. The Smart Regulation initiative of the Martin government is intended to streamline and downgrade all regulatory processes in Canada to facilitate trade with the Unites States. Rules and regulations intended to protect our food and drugs will have to become compatible with the interests of big business and trade, and the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE) is promoting a North American “tested once” policy that would strip Canada of its ability to set safe standards for its citizens. Article Posted at www.KnowledgeDrivenRevolution.com 4. CANADA SHOULD PRESERVE THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE IN ITS HEALTH STANDARDS. Health Canada is proposing a crucial change in policy, away from the precautionary principle, and toward adopting risk management. The precautionary principle places the burden of proof on industry to demonstrate that its products are safe for consumers. In a risk management scenario, the onus is on citizens to demonstrate that a product or procedure is a threat to public health. 5. ABORIGINAL PEOPLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN ANY CONSULTATIONS ON CANADA-U.S. RELATIONS. Canada and the U.S. are moving forward with agreements such as the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America, without any participation from indigenous peoples. Deeper integration with the U.S. will impact Aboriginal peoples’ abilities to maintain their culture, rights, and sovereignty. During the Citizens’ Inquiry, people overwhelmingly rejected “deep integration” with the United States. They urged the federal government to stand up for Canadian sovereignty by protecting social programs; promoting energy conservation; maintaining independent testing procedures for food and drugs; safeguarding Canadian culture; protecting our water; promoting peace, and rejecting unjust wars. For more information on how to take action on North American integration, please visit our website (www.canadians.org), and click on “Integrate This!” About KDR \| \| Home \| \| Weekly Features Archive	Weekly Weekly Features Archive
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Deep Integration Survey

Council of Canadians || December 17, 2005

From October 2004 to February 2005, The Council of Canadians held Crossing the Line: A Citizens’ Inquiry on Canada-U.S. Relations, a 10-city consultation on the future of North American political and economic integration. The Inquiry heard over 80 presentations about the effect of “deep integration” on Canada’s agriculture, energy, natural resources, defence policy, health care, media and culture. Here is some of what Canadians had to say:

1. CANADIANS WANT A HOMEMADE FOREIGN POLICY. Canadians’ deeply rooted opposition to U.S. Ballistic Missile Defence forced Prime Minister Paul Martin to pull out of any Canadian involvement. Canadians were also opposed to participating in the U.S.-led war in Iraq. They want a foreign policy that is distinct from that of the U.S., and reflects Canadian values of peacekeeping and multilateralism.

2. CANADA SHOULD BREAK ITS DEPENDENCE ON FOSSIL FUELS BY INVESTING IN RENEWABLE ENERGY. Canada has reached its oil and gas production peak. Canadian energy is now in short supply, despite the extraction of oil from the Athabasca tar sands. With further deregulation, privatization and integration, much of the oil and electricity generated in Canada will be produced for export to the U.S. In the meantime, Canada has no coherent strategy to alleviate our dependence on fossil fuels and make the transition toward a renewable energy economy.

3. CANADA SHOULD MAINTAIN INDEPENDENT FOOD AND DRUG TESTING POLICIES. The Smart Regulation initiative of the Martin government is intended to streamline and downgrade all regulatory processes in Canada to facilitate trade with the Unites States. Rules and regulations intended to protect our food and drugs will have to become compatible with the interests of big business and trade, and the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE) is promoting a North American “tested once” policy that would strip Canada of its ability to set safe standards for its citizens.

Article Posted at www.KnowledgeDrivenRevolution.com

4. CANADA SHOULD PRESERVE THE PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE IN ITS HEALTH STANDARDS. Health Canada is proposing a crucial change in policy, away from the precautionary principle, and toward adopting risk management. The precautionary principle places the burden of proof on industry to demonstrate that its products are safe for consumers. In a risk management scenario, the onus is on citizens to demonstrate that a product or procedure is a threat to public health.

5. ABORIGINAL PEOPLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN ANY CONSULTATIONS ON CANADA-U.S. RELATIONS. Canada and the U.S. are moving forward with agreements such as the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America, without any participation from indigenous peoples. Deeper integration with the U.S. will impact Aboriginal peoples’ abilities to maintain their culture, rights, and sovereignty.

During the Citizens’ Inquiry, people overwhelmingly rejected “deep integration” with the United States. They urged the federal government to stand up for Canadian sovereignty by protecting social programs; promoting energy conservation; maintaining independent testing procedures for food and drugs; safeguarding Canadian culture; protecting our water; promoting peace, and rejecting unjust wars.

For more information on how to take action on North American integration, please visit our website (www.canadians.org), and click on “Integrate This!”

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