by Diane Wilson
Canada better start beefing up its relationships with Europe and Asia because our biggest trading partner is making it increasingly hard to play ball. The Americans are rightfully concerned with their rising unemployment. The Americans are rightfully concerned with 9/11 and its repercussions. But their concerns have been amplified by a national anger designed to keep outsiders out and Americans in. That kind of thinking is leading to border havoc -- long and costly delays at crossings -- and a steep decline for Canadian business.
The Globe and Mail reports that the new passport rule, enacted June 1, is keeping Americans out of our great country. In fact, according to Statistics Canada, travel to Canada from the United States in June has sunk to its lowest number since the agency started tracking cross border travel in 1972. Last year, Americans accounted for about 70 per cent of Canada's $75-billion tourism industry. The problem is this: only 30% of the American citizenry have passports.
The largest undefended border is now so defended that it saddens the heart. Drones fly south of Saskatchewan. If you happen to be drinking a Tim Horton's coffee as you cross the border into the US, you best declare it as a food item. Forget cheerful memories conjured up by Queenston/Lewiston or Buffalo/Fort Erie. The lovely flow of people and goods has come to a halt, as if Queenston/Lewiston is about to be returned to its 1812 standing.
This is not good news for wee little Canada or the hermetically sealed United States of America. However, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, the former Governor of Arizona, has said repeatedly that the northern border must be brought in line with the southern Mexican border. According to The Economist, Napolitano told reporters she wanted to “change the culture” along the 8,900km border. So she wants a real border despite the $1.8 billion worth of daily trade crossing the border. Napolitano talks heat-detecting sensors, surveillance drones and cameras along the the St. Clair River.
Buy American. Erect a big wall on both borders. Treat 'em the same and show 'em there's a new sheriff in town. Big. Tough. And oh so out of of touch with the reality that is 2009. Rather than partnering with Canada to encourage trade and tourism, the US has decided to go it alone and has essentially isolated itself, hoping that money just keeps pouring in from China et al. But we have only to look at other countries and unions, such as the EU, which are designed to foster a free flow of goods and people from countries with different languages and customs. What they share is a strong belief in progress.
Earlier, I was hopeful that Janet Napolitano might change her thinking about our border, but this issue seems to be much bigger than Ms. Napolitano. She merely echoes a chorus from the culture of Lou Dobbs. It is a sad inward looking United States whose people don't get out much. Then again, when only 30% of the population own a passport, you aren't going anywhere!
