nd this years Summit of the Americas and now George W. Bushs energy initiates, Canadas economic brawn is well required.The growing trend is Canadas increasing inter-dependance on the economy of the US and the expansion of free trade agreements. NAFTA has brought our economies so close together that when there is a recession or a boom in the US, Canada feels the brunt of it. Also Canadas long-term economic wealth is more closely tied to the US than before NAFTA. Canada is in a quandary. On the one hand we want to help the Americans with their energy crisis. On the other we dont want to enter into another trade agreement where Canadian interests will be swept under the rug. In April Canada hosted the Summit of Americas in Quebec City. The leaders of 34 heads of government came to Quebec to extend free trade throughout the Americas. In spite of the protests the politicians tried to hammer out a treaty that would eliminate Tarriffs and trade barriers within the Americas. Newly elected President George W. Bush now is proposing a North American energy initiative that are making some Canadians uneasy. Canadas Natural Resources Minister Ralph Goodale said that he will be aggressive, astute and vigilant in standing up for Canada in any continental energy initiative. After months of being in office the president gave the specifics of his energy plan which called for 1,300 new power plants and the easing of restrictions on oil and gas development in the wildlife refuge in Alaska. For the short term though, the US wants to buy power from Canada and Mexico. Maud Barlaw, Director of the Council of Canadians says that we are selling our energy heritage so that Californians can have two SUVs, Land Rovers, two car garages and all their gadgets.Canada, with our almost insignificant population does play an incredible roll in our global economy. Although we dont have the capital as the US or the labour force of China or India, we possess the greatest asset...
