Feds set to introduce bill with new rules for crossing Canada-U.S. border https://t.co/ECdhHIn6pg Reminds me a bit too much of #FATCA IGA
— Patricia Moon (@nobledreamer16) May 9, 2016
New Rules for Crossing the Canadian-US Border
Masquerading (?) as an extension of the pre-clearance system already in place, the Canadian government ” is preparing to introduce legislation that will establish rules for a new border-crossing experiment that could change the way travellers enter the U.S.”
- It will spell out the rights and responsibilities of U.S. customs agents working on Canadian soil
- preclearance is being extended to land travel with the first pilot projects occurring at train stations in Vancouver and Montreal
Excerpts:
Under the 2001 airport deal, American agents can detain travellers in Canada — but it would be up to domestic police services to make a formal arrest. Also, American officers can be present for a strip search, but not when it involves travellers of the opposite sex. Other provisions govern the ability of agents to carry firearms.
“This is not a newfangled thing. We have preclearance (at airports),” Freeland said in an interview. “It works very well for Canadians, and that’s why we’re keen to extend it and formalize the structure a bit more.”
The land-preclearance agreement was first announced by the former Conservative government and the Obama administration, but implementing legislation had never been passed.
“That’s a really important step — introducing and passing the enabling legislation in Canada is really important,” said Maryscott Greenwood of the Canadian American Business Council.
The Canadian government has apparently concluded that the economic benefit warrants the cost. Canada will pay for U.S. customs infrastructure on Canadian soil.
Hmmmm… if we already have a pre-clearance program, why on earth do we need more rules, particularly ones that define being detained by Americans on Canadian soil, strip searches, and use of firearms by US agents? This reminds me an awful lot of the IGA and how it is “authorized by the Treaty.” If the Treaty covered it, why the IGA? If pre-clearance is already established, why the need for rules that sound like anticipated arrests rather than just the checking of documents etc? And of course, implementing legislation in the US does not exist and Canada (of course) will pay for Americans operating on Canadian soil. Will Canadian officers have the same “rights and responsibilities on US soil and will the US pay for that?
I cannot help but think that this is another way for the U.S. to try and sneak through the problems that have prevented previous attempts to have policing conducted by the U.S. in Canada as the U.S. sees fit. Definitely something we should all keep an eye on.
*****
Background:
End of Nations: Canada, the US and the “Security Perimeter” – GlobalResearchTV
While this video is from 2011, it outlines the recent history of border initiatives and questions the effects of cooperation with the Americans. Listen to former US Ambassador Jacobsen describe how no legislation is required; all this can be achieved via executive action. (sound familiar?)
The Security and Prosperity Partnership of North American
U.S. Wants Cross-Border Officers Exempt from Canadian Law
Canada-U.S. Cross-Border Police Project ‘Postponed’ Over Differences
Integrated Cross-border Law Enforcement Operations Act (in force August 20, 2012)
If it looks like a fish, swims like a fish and smells like a fish, it’s a fish.
we already have advanced clearance programs with NEXUS and enhanced drivers permits for individuals travelers and biometric passports. the program in place makes sense for air travel, a program for rail would require sealed trains, do we really want this in Canada, useless for bus travel with frequent stops between major centres and the border. It looks like a Status of Forces Agreement for cross border policing
which we do not need
@JapanT, “If it looks like a fish, swims like a fish and smells like a fish, it’s a fish.”
That must be old Japanese Proverb. 😉
@George
Kinda like in the medical world
” If you hear hoofbeats, don’t look for zebras”
Ha, ha, ha.
No, I just substituted fish for duck to match the “fishy” statement of the OP.
As a true blue patriotic American, even before FATCA, I would strongly disagree with this. If the US will not agree to the same, and they should not and legally can not, then we have no business even contemplating doing it.
A SOFA for service members I agree with. A SOFA for law enforcement, I do not.
The USA is just f*cking EVIL! Can no one else see this? I mean, really???!
All of the FATCA, FBAR’s, etc are, on their own, flying under every reporting radar? Even with all of the bluster & push-back about the tax cuts for the wealthy? I doubt it. I think it’s being demanded (by the US gov’t) that the press ignore it, “or else”. Like the 30% withholding extortion= “or else” to the rest of the world. That, “or else” could easily be a drone attack, “or else”…what’s to stop the USA bully?
The “press”, which “used-to” be about the everyday person, is now all about groveling & sucking-up to whomever chooses to own it…There is no coverage because there is a choke-hold. Imho.
No need for extortion of the US press anyway. They are all fellow travelers with the current party in charge, the other party just the obverse side of the coin. A very recent survey found not a single non democrat in the entire White House press corps. All (87 I think) of the same party as the party in power. That doesn’t happen by accident.
They all agree with the president on this and see their task as making sure nothing that can embarrass their guy gets reported.
@Jane, I can not use the term you use but I think I have an idea of some of what is going on….
We have to start with the premise that nothing is forever and only when we embrace that can you move forward. And for people of faith, nothing is forever of this earth.
The Spanish Empire failed and ended.
The German Reich failed and ended.
The British Empire failed and ended.
The Soviet Empire failed and ended.
The United States empire is now ending.
What you are seeing and applying words to is simply nothing more than the symptoms of a failing empire.
Yes, in many circles it is heresy to say that the US Empire is failing like the British or Soviets especially in or to homelanders.
And just like all empires, this too shall all of a sudden fade quickly.
“We’re going to build a wall, and make the Canadians pay for it….. it’s gonna be YUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE.”
@Isabelle Brock, This lies at the feet of John Kerry and Obama. Trump has nothing to do with it.
@All, there is some value to this for those that relinquished in the past and do not want to buy a CLN. Would you rather be turned away whilst still in Canada or AFTER you are in the USA?
Good points, both.
Sadly, the second doesn’t apply to me.
Makes me wonder — as we, the people continue to be distracted, will the agenda for the next *Three Amigos* meeting and negotiations be kept, as was the IGA, behind closed doors? Who will be the protector of Canada’s sovereignty and its Charter of Rights and Freedoms?
From the past, 2013: Global Research “The Integration of Canada into a U.S. Dominated North American Security Perimeter”
“We’re going to build a wall, and make the Canadians pay for it….. it’s gonna be YUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE.”
Isabelle. I think that they won’t come out and say it but their behavior is pointing towards “behaving so badly” that we’re all going to breathe a sigh of relief when they actually do build a wall.
“advance our vital bilateral relationship with Canada.” Read that as the interpretation of unspoken admonishment by US ambassador to Hungary Colleen Bell to Hungary in her flowery speech praising Hungarian relations with the United States. We can therefore interpret that US-Canada relations (re: US-Canada bilateral agreement) consists of the simple six word playground bully admonishment: “DO AS WE SAY; OR ELSE!”
Without reading it all, it looks a lot like the reasoning the Imperial Japanese gave for direct take over of the Ryuku kingdom, now known as Okinawa prefecture, and many other nation’s leading up to the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Regardless, why are the homelanders American people and the Canadian people not up in arms over all these closed door deals. At least in the States and I am assuming in Canada, laws are in place to prevent all these behind the scenes wheeling and dealing with our liberties. And yet they are met with at most a yawn.
I don’t care who set it up – and I’m fully aware it was the Jubama Bromance – but the effect remains 😛
It’s still gonna be yuuuuuuuuuuuuuge
Like the IGA’s, we all know how difficult it is to reverse these new initiatives, when they are proclaimed by those who support them to already have legal standing (“legal because it’s the law”).
Maybe it’s occurred to others a long time ago, but it’s suddenly dawned on me why TFSA’s, RDSP’s, RESP’s have been exempt from FATCA reporting for BOTH Canadian resident and non-residents under the IGA – how else can the Canadian government claim that the IGA is allowed under the treaty when treaties exist to prevent double taxation?
Our Revenue Minister’s claims of information sharing fall pretty short though, when under our IGA, residents in the US do not have any of their TFSA’s, RDSP’s and RESP’s reported to the IRS.
In other words, doesn’t the fact that RDSP’s, RESP’s and TFSA’s don’t get reported make the IGA outside the treaty, as the treaty doesn’t prevent the double taxation of these investments (as RRSP’s are)?
Of course, I’m sure it’s more complicated than this, but on the surface it sure seems that way to this non-legal mind.
It’s time for a Canadian Charter of Sovereign Nation Rights …
Article 1
All attempts by a foreign nation to change Canadian legislation for the sole benefit of said nation will be rejected and repulsed.
Add further articles as needed to protect at all times and with vigour the sovereignty of Canada.
“Regardless, why are the homelanders American people and the Canadian people not up in arms over all these closed door deals?”
Japan T, Some of us are: the rest are lemmings who don’t give a shit one way or the other.
“Article 1
All attempts by a foreign nation to change Canadian legislation for the sole benefit of said nation will be rejected and repulsed.
Add further articles as needed to protect at all times and with vigour the sovereignty of Canada.”
That would be the first thing I’d say would be of concern and a must to implement. However we have “traitors” in Parliament on both sides (ruling party and opposition). In an ideal situation, it would lead to something much like the French Revolution; however the lemming public would balk from such bloodshed.
The second comment was directed to “Embee”
Embee, further, It should be understood that when one is in power that one passes laws to favor and protect Canada first and foremost. Any other actions are the actions of a traitor and should be punished as such. If we took that attitude towards our government, the entire Liberal and Conservative caucus would be on trial for treason.
Simply put. Canada should protect her citizens first; we should not be making laws to appease other nations.
How on Earth can Canada give this sort of power to a foreign agent?! What, do they want to pre-screen before you get on the Ambassador Bridge eventually?
USCBP detaining someone on Canadian soil for an American warrant for example? I don’t think so. What if one were to just walk away? An American agent is not empowered to lay his hands on you outside the borders of the US, in a sane world.
Thank you Tricia for highlighting this. I think it is all part and parcel of the same ceding of sovereignty and autonomy as with FATCA. Money talks as trade interests on both sides lobby for what benefits them – even if it erodes the civil and human rights of individual citizens.
Trade and corporations trump people.
And the one with the biggest stick gets their way – the American way.
Read what the ACLU is trying to combat even WITHIN US jurisdiction:
See the rights free zone that encircles the US at every border;
https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights-governments-100-mile-border-zone-map
Read about the problem that already exists – on the US side
https://www.aclu.org/constitution-100-mile-border-zone
Now picture that zone extending into Canada.
If citizens inside the US can’t rely on their constitutional rights vis a vis the border (or anywhere near it), and there is substantial and mounting evidence of abuses in the name of US border “homeland” security, what do our lawmakers think will happen if the US government has its representatives present and operating on Canadian soil?
Who can possibly believe that the US would in any way respect or defer to Canadian law? And that there would be any recourse? Or transparency?
The Fiberals are proving to be CONS in disguise. Ready to become just another US territory.
Duals;
Just a thought;
Can dual Canadian – Americans actually rely on Canada to protect them in this new border security scheme?
It has been shown that duals and those with the US taint have not been able to rely on the Canadian government to protect them, their data, their assets and their rights though they live, work, bank, and pay taxes on Canadian soil, within Canadian jurisdiction and boundaries.
So what makes us think that Trudeau and the Liberals (as the Harper CONs before them) will do anything to help if claimed by the US as citizens even if on Canadian soil, in this border situation?
If you’re inside Canada on the Canadian side, but in the zone where US border personnel will operate, who do you think will utimately determine your fate?
This is the situation for US citizens and residents INSIDE the US Constitution free zone;
……….”Much of U.S. population affected
Many people think that border-related policies only impact people living in border towns like El Paso or San Diego. The reality is that Border Patrol’s interior enforcement operations encroach deep into and across the United States, affecting the majority of Americans.
Roughly two-thirds of the United States’ population lives within the 100-mile zone—that is, within 100 miles of a U.S. land or coastal border. That’s about 200 million people.
Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont lie entirely or almost entirely within this area.
Nine of the ten largest U.S. metropolitan areas, as determined by the 2010 Census, also fall within this zone: New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego and San Jose.”………..
…….”The expansion of government power both at and near the border is part of a trend toward expanding police and national security powers without regard to the effect of such expansion on our most fundamental and treasured Constitutional rights. The federal government’s dragnet approach to law enforcement and national security is one that is increasingly turning us all into suspects. If Americans do not continue to challenge the expansion of federal power over the individual, we risk forfeiting the fundamental rights and freedoms that we inherited—including the right to simply go about our business free from government interference, harassment and abuse.”
And to raise and repeat one of George’s points:
What about the claim that the bodies of Canadian males of US descent and dual citizenship are property of the US Armed forces and must register their bodies and lives with the US or face penalties?
https://www.sss.gov/Registration/Why-Register
As @calgary411, this includes those with disabilities – even those with disabilities deemed legally incapable – so much so that they will never be allowed to renounce US status due to a lack of sufficient comprehension – but still by law bound to the US for tax purposes AND for selective service registration;
…..
“PARENTS / GUARDIANS:
If your son is not confined to an institution or homebound (completely bed bound), he is required to register. Depending on the condition of the young man, while he would not be able to serve in the military in a crisis, it does not exempt him from the Selective Service registration requirement. Even though this may not seem to make any sense, the facts are neither the Military Selective Service Act nor the Presidential proclamation provide an exemption from registration because of a man’s mental or physical condition unless Selective Service is provided with documented evidence that the man is hospitalized or institutionalized; or homebound and unable to function outside the home, with or without physical assistance; or is in such a physical or mental condition that he would not comprehend the nature of his registration with the Selective Service System. In these cases, a determination can be made by Selective Service as to whether or not the man qualifies for exemption from registration. Otherwise, Selective Service is not allowed to “classify” men until the Congress and the President authorize a return to the draft in an emergency. Thus, all men must register… even those with obvious disqualifying disabilities…”…….
https://www.sss.gov/Registration/Who-Must-Register/Men-With-Disabilities
And Selective Service is being seriously examined for women;
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/12/07/pentagon-to-confer-with-justice-on-having-women-register-draft.html
And it is not beyond belief and probability that some version of mandated selective service for females will follow, even if community service if the Armed Forces aren’t integrated.
http://www.npr.org/2015/12/17/460082475/should-american-women-have-to-register-for-the-draft
What happens when duals come into the border zone and US Security and Border personnel start sifting through ON THE CANADIAN SIDE?
Perhaps that might possibly help to convince our MPs that this more ‘harmonized’ (read US Empire controlled) border is a horrible and unacceptable thing to legislate and enable.