Looks like Canadians are about to get sucked MUCH further into the "Global War on Terror" as the DHS Security Gestapo expands its reach into Canada.
Canada negotiating perimeter security deal with U.S.
STEVEN CHASE
OTTAWA? From Thursday's Globe and Mail
Published Wednesday, Dec. 08, 2010 9:45PM EST
Stephen Harper?s Conservatives are negotiating a perimeter security agreement with the United States ? a deal designed to ensure the vital trade flow between Canada and its largest trading partner is not choked off by the aggressive U.S. security bureaucracy.
?We intend to work together to defend and protect the land, maritime, air, and cyberspace domains of both the United States and Canada and to enhance the security of our integrated transportation and communication networks,? says a draft version of a declaration on a possible deal obtained by The Globe and Mail.
?We intend to pursue a perimeter approach to security, working together within, at and away from the borders of our two countries in a way that supports economic competitiveness, job creation and prosperity, and in a partnership to enhance our security and accelerate the legitimate flow of people and goods between our two countries.?
Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorism attacks in the United States, Canada has fought a constant battle to convince the Americans that bilateral commerce needs to be protected from the ever-expanding U.S. security clampdown that is clogging trade with new rules and procedures. Increasing border controls, for instance, in recent years have forced companies to abandon just-in-time shipping and stockpile goods to reduce the risks of transaction delays in cross-border trade.
It?s not clear how close Canada and the United States are to signing a deal that would more closely intermesh Canadian and U.S. security bureaucracies. The Prime Minister?s Office refused to comment on the matter on Wednesday evening, and Canadian officials denied an announcement is imminent.
The draft statement says the two countries intend to establish a ?Beyond the Border Working Group? of officials to implement and oversee the agreement. In Canada, the Privy Council Office would take the lead, while in the United States it would be national security staff within the White House.
?We intend for the BBWG to report to their respective leaders within 120 days of the signing of this declaration with a joint plan of action to realize the goals of this declaration,? it says.
The deal could trigger concerns over privacy and
sharing of information with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, but the statement says a deal would respect sovereignty, privacy and civil liberties.
...
The agreement would also combine efforts to fight terror threats and computer hackers.
"We intend to work together to prevent, respond to, and recover from physical and cyber disruptions of critical infrastructure and to implement a comprehensive cross-border approach to strengthen the resilience of our critical and cyber infrastructure."
continued..
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle1830782/