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Who Is Our Neighbour Up North?
It’s downright puzzling how little we know about Canada.
Is it from our blind faith in our government, and the false sense of security that it provides within the iron-clad border, which induces this temporal apathy on our surroundings? It is this “I feel safe in America, I don’t care what happens outside” disposition. Sadly, this mentality has caused most Americans to live in a myoscopic bubble within a globalized world, stripping them from proper insight and awareness.
The basic animal instinct to be alert and aware of its surroundings is suppressed. Literally, the population has been domesticated, like indoor puppies and kittens displaying reduced alertness compared to wild canines and felines.
Seriously now, who is the Prime Minister of Canada?
It really shouldn’t require a rationale of why we should understand our neighbour. If it is a peaceful nation, we can determine what we can exchange. If it is a rogue nation, we should prepare the appropriate defense. If it is a flourishing nation, we can examine what we can learn and adopt. If it is a poor nation, we can extend a helping hand.
It’s elementary. The very fact that we ask why we should care shows how widespread ignorance has become.
One needs look no further than India-Pakistan, South Korea-North Korea to witness the trouble of strained relation between adjoining countries (Israel-Palestine is a totally different issue) and the series of national security problems it poses.
The geographical connection may, ironically, be one of the less substantial aspects that Canada and US share compared to the contractual bindings that really glue the nations together.
Canada and US are mutually each other’s top exporter. Over 70% of Canada’s exports is to the US. One may think most of our oil comes from somewhere in the Middle East? Think again. Canada remains to be the top crude oil and petroleum exporter to the US almost doubling the runner-up Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Canada is US’s top exporter comprising of 10% of all US’s exports.
The strong partnership can be partially attributed to bilateral agreements such as NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement), and mutual participation in groups such as G8, and WTO (World Trade Organization).
As with the economy, the partnership in national security is rigid. Canada and US collectively form NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) as the core military defense providing security to the US-Canada airspace. In addition, the two nations established numerous joint committees, forums, and agreements to facilitate the security functions of the two nations. IBET (Integrated Border Enforcement Teams), CBCF (Canada-U.S. Cross Border Crime Forum), SPP (Security & Prosperity Partnership), and Canada-US Smart Border Declaration are some ways the two nations collaborate their efforts to enhance their respective national security.
There is no question that Canada-US are closely knitted economically, militarily and geographically. For those power-hungry Americans who like to claim Canada to be US’s 51st state, I would not disagree. It’s just another way of saying US is Canada’s 11th province. The point is, one is complementary to the other. Undeniably, the decisions of one can impact the other drastically.
Imagine if the next Prime Minister of Canada decides to withdraw from NAFTA, or if a Hugo Chavez-esque character would set to nationalize all of Canadian’s resources. What if Canada relaxes their security efforts and fail to adhere to the provisions of the joint agreements.
Ultimately, what if Canadian was no longer an ally.
Why do we continue to dismiss the significance of our neighbour up north?
Of course, this apathy is only rampant amongst the average population, swallowing every ignorant joke spewed out by both left and right-winged comedians, spawning a mocking feud between the nations. The power structure itself understands very well how powerful an arm Canada is to American expression. Even during the US Presidential race, Obama maintained correspondance with Canadian advisors in regards to NAFTA, reassuring them on his adherence to the agreement, contrary his campaign platform. And President W. Bush selected Calgary, Canada to be his first foreign lecture destination, as did President Obama as his first foreign visit since inauguration. Let’s not forget, Canada remains a vital member of the so-called “Coalition of the Willing” in Afghanistan.
If no other logical reason suffices, at least you won’t look like the hermit who doesn’t know who lives next door.
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