tdaxp

Hi there!

I just wanted to inform you that Canada did indeed increase security after September 11th! It would have been foolish not to, given the circumstances, don't you think? And you are correct that Canada's immigration rules are not identical to the United States', or Mexico's, but that is Canada's decision to make - and they have had no problems it thus far. At least, not on the same level that the United States has had with their own rules.

Canada's more liberal stance on immigration is a conscious decision partly based on what is now a 100 year old view that immigration is absolutely necessary to the advancement of the country. Most Canadians still hold this view, especially with one of the fastest-aging populations on earth. And Canada's three largest cities, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, are largely made up of immigrant populations. More than 50% of Torontonians are immigrants, second only to Miami, Florida. Foreign-born Canadians general represent a higher percentage of the overall population than they do in the United States. So, part of the reason Canada continues to have liberal policies on immigration is not because of a conscious decision of inaction towards the threat of terrorist attacks, but rather because it's what the country is used to, and it's what the voters want. Canadians are very conscious of terrorists, especially with the recent reminder of the decades old Air India trial, and the government is taking appropriate action.

Also, you have to understand that for both the Canadian government, and for individual people, something like this represents an assertion of sovereignty. That being said, Canada's policies certainly do NOT promote division between Canada and Mexico or the United States and saying so is obtuse. Canadians, even those who dislike George W. Bush, see Americans as the same ethnicity as them. I don't mean whites in Canada and whites in the States-- I mean ALL Canadians. When they talk about what America is doing they don't say "they". They say "we". To be fair, this is partly because of a high percentage of American media, but it's also because there's a sense of shared history and destiny. And, to clarify between the above statements: because of media, films, etc. Canadians have a very American experience. They know as much as America as most Americans do, but can't participate. This unique vantage point certainly affects things like these immigration laws.

And by the way, your talk about "one North American frontier" sounds a lot like propaganda about "one German frontier" in the 1930's. Nice job, Hitler.

Posted by: Michael | Monday, April 11, 2005

Canada's high level of immigration is something to be proud of. Likewise, Canada's pretty good track record at assimilation. While America's friend to the north has ghettoized its French, other minorities are easily able to participate in the one Canada.

That said, some of Canada's policies are dangerous. Famously, an al-Qaeda terrorist attempted to enter the United States through Canada in 1999. If not for visibly sweating he would have entered the United States and denoted a bomb in Los Angeles. At the time, America also had loose immigration controls. While America is attempting to fix the processes that allowed such men in, Canada is punishing America for securing "our" homeland.

Is Brussels also Hitlerian for pushing one common European frontier? Especially when one common North American frontier would give all North American nations equal security and internal free movement?

Posted by: Dan | Monday, April 11, 2005

Whoa there dude... Think about what you're saying here... harmonize border policies with the US... Since when does the US harmonize ANYTHING, they'd just be dictating what the policy should be... I for one am REALLY glad the Canadian gov't is *trying* not to be a US lapdog... Especially with the insanity that's going on down there these days, closer ties are NOT what we need... if anything, we should be pulling back from our insane "cousin" to the south.

Posted by: elmysterio | Thursday, April 14, 2005

I personally think it's already too late for Canada.Look at NAFTA,and all the American influence we have here.

Come 2010,integration is a nice way of saying what it actually is...assimilation or a subtle takeover.We'll have their govt.running things and all their laws and policies and social problems,and especially the Orwellian Patriot Act.Hmmm,maybe a reinstatement of the draft if they continue on to Iran.

Their govt.is already eyeing up the vast oil reserves in Alberta,and our other resourses like our hydro,minerals and lumber.

Their govt.was complaining about our immigration policy,yet they allow millions of Mexican illegals(gang members etc) into their country.They shut down the border due to the mad cow incident.Well for one thing,that cow was originally from the US.I think Vermont or Oregon.

I lived in NM for a year and I saw some pretty weird and disturbing things down there.So we'll probably be seeing alot more problems here come 2010.

Peace

Posted by: Hippyslob | Monday, June 13, 2005

Hippyslob,

Canada was formed in response to fear of Union expansionism in the wake of the Civil War. Canada's fate has been intertwined with her sister States to the south for centuries. There is no history of Canada as a seperate nation.

Many social problems are well on the decline -- teen pregnancy is already at its lowest level, ever. Granted, America still has a way to go from what it "should" be.

Saying "their govt.is already eyeing up the vast oil reserves in Alberta" makes as much sense as saying "the Albertan government is already eyeing the vast capital in America."

North American immigration should be restructured to make it completely lawful. Mexico's President Fox is right on this issue. However, as a practical concern no anti-Canada terrorists have entered North America through the United States, while anti-American terrorists have entered through Canada.

Take care

Posted by: Dan | Monday, June 13, 2005