Canada, U.S. agree to use each other’s troops in civil emergencies

By Ottawa Citizen ^ | February 22, 2008

[DeaconBenjamin]

Canada and the U.S. signed an agreement that paves the way for either nation to send troops across each other’s borders during an emergency. Some question why the Harper government has kept silent on the deal.

Neither the Canadian government nor the Canadian Forces announced the new agreement, signed Feb. 14 in Texas.

The U.S. Northern Command publicized the agreement 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 campaigns against what it calls the increasing integration of the U.S. and Canadian militaries, raises 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 the agreement could militarize civilian responses to emergency incidents. 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 posted in Canada. “We don’t know the answers because the government doesn’t want to even announce the plan,” he said.

[rarestia]

Not just an end around to posse comitatus, but also a way for American troops to waste time on Canadian soil as well.

This is getting larger press in the Great White North, and several of my very close Canadian friends are telling me that they’re absolutely outraged.

[Marty62]

Wouldn’t Zero have to declare Martial Law for ANY troops to be used against civilians in the U.S.

[bobjam]

I really don’t have a problem with this for several reasons. In a civil emergency, such as New Orleans being submerged after Katrina, we saw the military respond with search and rescue, hospital ships, etc. The military did a much better job than School Bus Nagin, and Gov “I draw a” Blanco. This agreement would allow Canadian Forces (which are very good at this sort of thing) to assist. Likewise, US Forces could assist in similar situations in Canada (such as the Halifax Explosion).

Keep in mind that the US and Canadian Forces have been extremely integrated for many decades through NATO, NORAD, etc. Canada is within our defensive perimeter already.

[bill1952]

>This way they can do things like round up guns or people without breaking US law

I think that there would be a whole lot of dead Canadians to round up while that is tried...

[EverOnward]

So now I can look forward to being invaded by foreign troops pointing their weaponry at me. Since when were our troops not good enough to defend our own borders? Wondering how our National Guard units feel about this....

[Big_Harry]

This is a continuation of George Bush’s push to form the North American Union. I am surprised that anyone believes that it started with Obummer. He is just marching in lock step with his predecessor.

When Tom Tancredo first reported on the formation of the North American Union and the subsequent formation of a shadow government outside of the restraints of congress several years ago under the direction of President Bush, I immediately contacted my rep, Sue Myrick, to see if there was any truth to the allegation. Her office sent me back an email telling me that I was not a “Friend of the President”.

[bill1952]

>The military did a much better job than School Bus Nagin, and Gov “I draw a” Blanco. This agreement would allow Canadian Forces (which are very good at this sort of thing) to assist.

Why not allow Libyan troops to assist?
Or Mexican troops?
Are you a racist?

We have plenty of troops to spare in any such natural disaster. PLENTY.

The only reason for foreign troops to be involved is something else entirely.

[Dick Vomer]

Pretorian Guard.... nothing to worry abooot.

[DeaconBenjamin]

Why else are there German and Russian NATO troops housed on American soil ?

Russian NATO troops? And Russia joined NATO when?

[yldstrk]

This is bad.

[broken_arrow1]

>>In a civil emergency, such as New Orleans being submerged after Katrina, we saw the military respond with search and rescue, hospital ships, etc.<<

Watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-taU9d26wT4

[exit82]

This has never been necessary before.

Why now?

Is this to gut Posse Comitatus?

We may have to go Egypt on DC soon. Something evil this way comes.

[Jane Long]

This was posted Feb. 14, 2008 on the NorthCom site. It was signed in San Antonio in ‘08, according to that site. It was posted on Feb. 21, 2011 at the Ron Paul site. Hmmmm. Curiouser and Curiouser.

[dforest]

I wouldn’t be at all surprised if this was signed behind our backs as part of the NAU.

The Bushies were actively involved. What is frightening is having this power in the hands of Obama.

Seems like our government just acts behind our backs on all things anymore.

[sam_paine]

>This way they can do things like round up guns or people without breaking US law

I think that there would be a whole lot of dead Canadians to round up while that is tried...

Really? You really think so...or you just whistling past the graveyard of reality?

Step 1) Declare a terrorist/infiltration national emergency. Bioterror.

Step 2) Shut down internet, start broadcasting insidious propaganda from Dear TOTUS on Emergency Broadcasting System, newspapers.

Step 3) Take your time. Platoon-strength troops going neighborhood to neighborhood (not door to door.) They get your neighbor's guns on the next block....you don't know anything about it because they've got you isolated. Rinse the blood off the porch and repeat. Then they come for you.

Really? You think you're going to run down the block and break the barricades to help someone you don't even know? Did anybody do it for Waco? Ruby Ridge? Hell no! They were branded "child molesters" and "psychos" etc.

All this big talk about revolution is horsepuckey. Even if we all fight, they have been learning for 20 years in Serbia and Iraq and Afghanistan how to divide and conquer.

And besides. With DADT, all you need is an infiltration rate of 1 in 30, say, to rat out true patriots in the ranks who will not fire on their countrymen anyhow. "Just following orders" in a bio/nuke "emergency" may bring a firing squad. Them vs US?

[tacticalogic]

The only time is see this as being appropriate is in the event of a natural disaster along the border, when you want whoever can get help there the quickest to not have to worry about who’s on which side of a line.

[Travis McGee]

CW2 Ping

[rarestia]

Well, I’m glad that we’re all so positive about the outcomes.

/sarc

[Citizen Tom Paine]

If someone comes for your gun and you shoot and kill one, the others will not be as enthusiastic when they get to the next house even if you are killed.

[cripplecreek]

Unlike the bunker dwellers I don’t fear and hate our military. In fact I don’t have issues with Canadian troops helping with cleanup after a natural disaster but they don’t need to be armed for that nor should they have any authority over American citizens.

Canadian troops helping to quell civil unrest is quite another issue.