17 May 2005

North American task force sets more ambitious plan

The following article is extracted from the 17 May 2005 edition of “globeandmail.com”.

A tri-national task force's final report on North American co-operation is pushing leaders to consider a more ambitious integration scheme than the one the three countries outlined at a meeting in March. [This task force’s report is not sanctioned by the three North American governments.]

U.S. President George W. Bush, Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin and Mexican President Vicente Fox agreed then that the countries would work together on key security and economic issues on a wide number of fronts.

But recommendations to be released Tuesday in New York by the task force, co-chaired by former deputy prime minister John Manley, go further in promoting a single trading space with a common security perimeter and a three-country biometric border pass.

The suggestions also include a permanent tribunal for resolving bitter trade disputes like softwood lumber, an idea that gained little traction with Mr. Bush in March….

Most of the task force's ideas were released in March before the three leaders met. They have been widely endorsed by big business groups but drew fire from some Canadians who see them as a dangerous surrender of sovereignty.

The panel cites new security concerns and increased economic competition from countries like China and India as reasons for expansive moves by 2010 to guarantee prosperity in North America….

It also calls for a common energy strategy, increased labour mobility and a "tested once" policy for biotechnology and pharmaceuticals that would ensure a product tested in one country would meet standards set by another.

In March, the three countries signed a deal to co-operate on a wide range of security, economic and health issues, as well as harmonizing tariffs and regulations that would save businesses a lot of money.

Called the Security and Prosperity Partnership, the accord lets any two countries move on an issue while allowing the third to join later. Cabinet ministers are working on details and are due to make a first report next month.