Harper announces that border guards will be armed: more USA pandering or legitimate threat

It seems that the next phase of conservatism in Canada has been set motion in with Stephen Harper's announcement today that border patrol guards will be armed. Although the guard's unions have been asking for this for some time, I suspect that this represents another nail in the coffin for the Canadian way and another example Canada shadowing the United States' enforcement-based policies, especially when it comes to homeland security.

Furthermore, this may be something that the Conservatives have had to agree to in the remote chance that Washington will postpone the new border crossing and identification rules by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Currently, this is expected to be implemented in two phases -- for entries via sea and air by January 2007 and for land-border crossings by January 2008. This puts at risk much cross border trade and makes Canada particularily vulnerable economically. Reportedly, the Conservatives have been lobbying Washington to postpone WHTI with little success so far.

What if this change does not result in any movement by Washington? Will Harper continue to make changes in Canada he thinks George Bush will like in the event that he will "throw us a bone". I am not convinced this is the best way to negotiate with Washington. I am not convinced that the systematic dismantling of aspects of Canada that distinguish us from our neighbours to the South is not the best way to motivate Canadians to vote Conservative in the future unless we are at the same time convinced there is an imminent threat. Watch out and be cautious about reasons that could support and legitimise the further conservatism of Canada - which is the only way I can see Canadians buying in to liberties traditionally valued by us collectively.