Canada, U.S. agree to use each other's troops in civil emergencies
David Pugliese , Canwest News Service
Published: Friday, February 22, 2008
Canada and the U.S. have signed an agreement that paves the way for the militaries from either nation to send troops across each other's borders during an emergency, but some are questioning why the Harper government has kept silent on the deal.
Neither the Canadian government nor the Canadian Forces announced the new agreement, which was signed Feb. 14 in Texas.
The U.S. military's Northern Command, however, publicized the agreement with a statement outlining how its top officer, Gen. Gene Renuart, and Canadian Lt.-Gen. Marc Dumais, head of Canada Command, signed the plan, which allows the military from one nation to support the armed forces of the other nation during a civil emergency.
The new agreement has been greeted with suspicion by the left wing in Canada and the right wing in the U.S.
The left-leaning Council of Canadians, which is campaigning against what it calls the increasing integration of the U.S. and Canadian militaries, is raising concerns about the deal.
"It's kind of a trend when it comes to issues of Canada-U.S. relations and contentious issues like military integration. We see that this government is reluctant to disclose information to Canadians that is readily available on American and Mexican websites," said Stuart Trew, a researcher with the Council of Canadians.
Trew said there is potential for the agreement to militarize civilian responses to emergency incidents. He noted that work is also underway for the two nations to put in place a joint plan to protect common infrastructure such as roadways and oil pipelines.
"Are we going to see (U.S.) troops on our soil for minor potential threats to a pipeline or a road?" he asked.
Trew also noted the U.S. military does not allow its soldiers to operate under foreign command so there are questions about who controls American forces if they are requested for service in Canada. "We don't know the answers because the government doesn't want to even announce the plan," he said.
But Canada Command spokesman Commander David Scanlon said it will be up to civilian authorities in both countries on whether military assistance is requested or even used.
He said the agreement is "benign" and simply sets the stage for military-to-military co-operation if the governments approve.
"But there's no agreement to allow troops to come in," he said. "It facilitates planning and co-ordination between the two militaries. The 'allow' piece is entirely up to the two governments."
If U.S. forces were to come into Canada they would be under tactical control of the Canadian Forces but still under the command of the U.S. military, Scanlon added.
News of the deal, and the allegation it was kept secret in Canada, is already making the rounds on left-wing blogs and Internet sites as an example of the dangers of the growing integration between the two militaries.
On right-wing blogs in the U.S. it is being used as evidence of a plan for a "North American union" where foreign troops, not bound by U.S. laws, could be used by the American federal government to override local authorities.
"Co-operative militaries on Home Soil!" notes one website. "The next time your town has a 'national emergency,' don't be surprised if Canadian soldiers respond. And remember - Canadian military aren't bound by posse comitatus."
Posse comitatus is a U.S. law that prohibits the use of federal troops from conducting law enforcement duties on domestic soil unless approved by Congress.
Scanlon said there was no intent to keep the agreement secret on the Canadian side of the border. He noted it will be reported on in the Canadian Forces newspaper next week and that publication will be put on the Internet.
Scanlon said the actual agreement hasn't been released to the public as that requires approval from both nations. That decision has not yet been taken, he added.
Why in the world, would the greatest military the world has ever known need another country to help it with anything? The only thing I can think of is in the event of a civilain uprising. Think about it, Ill bet alot of our military would be very very hesitant to fire apon its civilians, in fact Id bet a good number of them would fight on the side of us civilians. What better way to suppress an uprising than to use foriegn troops. Its not their country men their shooting, makes it just a little bit easier.
Yeah, I've only found one U.S. local paper publishing the story. Guess it was meant to be kept quiet. Considering the Katrina fiasco, I can see the sense in this. It's a little creepy, but I don't know if it should be squelched. If there were an WMD attack, it would probably come in handy.
Could be just a matter of "who's closer" when in hot pursuit of a Illegal trying to cross,either way.. I'll tell ya what, being hush, hush and the actual magnitude (Military crossing borders) could mean somethings up!
Could be just a matter of "who's closer" when in hot pursuit of a Illegal trying to cross,either way.. I'll tell ya what, being hush, hush and the actual magnitude (Military crossing borders) could mean somethings up!
Crap is usually smelled before it's seen. The stink is in the air.
Think about it, Ill bet alot of our military would be very very hesitant to fire apon its civilians, in fact Id bet a good number of them would fight on the side of us civilians.
I used to think the same thing until I heard our military was going around confiscating citizen's guns after Katrina. I'm not so sure now.
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I heard Jesus He drank wine and I bet we'd get along just fine.
I'm just guessiong here but, I don't think you're military can be used in cival emergencies....
I didn't see any military jets trying to knock those Boeing planes out of the sky during the 911 attacks..It was the National guardin the air wasn't it?
Thats what your National Guard is for protecting your country from Cival unrest...
And since your National guard troops are pretty much all in Iraq, and you can't use your own military for civilian emergencies, you probably forced call on other countries military to do it for you..
I don't see the big deal, when you had those big wildfires last summer alot of our forest fire fighters where sent down to fight them, visa verse when the big fires of 04 hit the Interior of British Columbia..
Same as Katrina alot of our Rescue Workers where sent to help.....
Since 911 alot happened, after the attacks on the world trade centre (when no planes could land anywhere on U.S. soil) they all flew to Canada...
The reason Harpers kept quiet about it is because we have
the ConservatesMinority Gov up here and if the opposition got wind of it before the treaty was signed it never would have been done..
Now thats its signed election means little, we'll just give Quebec and the Liberals and the Bloq another 3 billion dollars to shut them up and keep them happy...
As far our military shooting on your civilians, the same rules of engagement would probably aplly..
Canadians are excellent in Peace Keeping..Very good at it in fact...
We are there to help people in distress first and formost,, protect property from looters, stop rape, and prevent murders..
I think our military would have a heck of alot of explaining to do, if we just started shooting civilians..
That wouldn't even be an issue.
If it was I don't think your Gov would ask us for our help....
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I'm just guessiong here but, I don't think you're military can be used in cival emergencies
They can if the president authorizes it.
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didn't see any military jets trying to knock those Boeing planes out of the sky during the 911 attacks..It was the National guardin the air wasn't it?
Im pretty sure it was the reqular US military, I dont believe we have guard units on standby ready to rush out to their aircraft at a moments notice. And I really dont see what the differnece is, I have friends that have full time jobs with the guard, wear their uniforms every day of the week, get paid by the federal goverment, salute, have rank, and have to follow 35-10, if it walks like a duck,quacks like a duck, it must be a duck.
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when you had those big wildfires last summer alot of our forest fire fighters where sent down to fight them, visa verse when the big fires of 04 hit the Interior of British Columbia..
These were civilian forrest fighters, No?
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The reason Harpers kept quiet about it is because we have
the ConservatesMinority Gov up here and if the opposition got wind of it before the treaty was signed it never would have been done..
So you are saying it was done all hush hush to make sure there wasent any oppisition to it? Sweet!!
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As far our military shooting on your civilians, the same rules of engagement would probably aplly..
Canadians are excellent in Peace Keeping..Very good at it in fact...
Peace keeping AKA, quelling a civilian uprising, nice, just make sure they wear those nice bright blue helmets.....
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I think our military would have a heck of alot of explaining to do, if we just started shooting civilians..
That wouldn't even be an issue.
Wow you trust your government a heck of alot more than I trust mine. Its not a stretch for the US to use its military against its citizens, Kent state, whiskey rebellion, Im sure I could come up with some others.
I glad for ya that the President can authorize military force if need be.....
Hey I don't see any diff between your National guard and your Army either, however from what I saw from and 911 Katrina incidedents agencies where running intoeach other and constantly butting heads...
Yep they where civilian firefighters, but my point being we are constanly helping each other out in emergencies anyway.....
And I agree.It was smart to get it done hush hush..
Yeah I probably do trust my Gov alot more than you..
Why shouldn't I....
Our Gov didn't fall for that Iraq B.S. that your intelligence service claimed to make and your Gov fell for hook line and sinker.
Never have Nuked our own people either....
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Yep nothing like a government doing things that would make the citizens wonder just what the heck they are thinking, in complete secrecy. DUDE your scary. In case you dont know our entire government is supposed to derive its very being from the people. Its for the people and by the people not the other way around.
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Never have Nuked our own people either....
Did I miss something? the US government nuked its own citizens? when and where?
Have you freaking seen this!!!!!?
I'm just guessiong here but, I don't think you're military can be used in cival emergencies....
