OTTAWA - A leading North American business group fears Canadian-American relations have been hijacked by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, with security concerns trumping efforts to enhance trade and economic prosperity.
The Canadian American Business Council also believes that non-governmental organizations and so-called civil society groups -- not just blue chip corporate CEOs -- should be invited to participate in the Security and Prosperity Partnership.
The concerns echo some of those expressed by protesters at the summit in Montebello, Que., where the leaders of Canada, the United States and Mexico will be meeting Tuesday with business leaders to discuss the cross-border initiative. Top executives from a number of the council's member companies will be among those attending the closed-door meeting.
The council, which bills itself as "the premier voice of the Canadian American business community in Washington,'' outlined its concerns in talking points circulated earlier this month to its corporate members. The document was obtained by The Canadian Press.
The council says much of the opposition to the SPP revolves around process rather than substance. It notes that one of the chief criticisms is the "lack of transparency'' in the way in which a 30-member committee of business leaders from the three countries makes recommendations to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, President George W. Bush and President Felipe Calderone.
"The CABC understands the concerns of such organizations and would endorse a plan to incorporate the various civil society groups and NGOs that wish to make a contribution to the substance,'' the notes say.
Moreover, the council says the political leaders should embark on a public education campaign to explain the SPP. Given how little political capital has been spent on selling the initiative, it observes that "it is not a surprise that there are organizations who are skeptical of the process and concerned about what is going on behind closed doors.''
The council also outlines its concerns about the way in which the U.S. government has been responding to key cross-border issues. In particular, it's upset about the new U.S. policy of requiring passports at border crossings and its recent decision to shut down negotiations on a pilot project aimed at easing customs lineups at land crossings.
"The council is concerned that the Canada-U.S. relationship is being run by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in that security concerns have become a detriment to economic growth and prosperity,'' says the internal document.
Scotty Greenwood, the council's executive director, said the latter concern was sparked by Homeland Security's unilateral decision to shut down negotiations on a land preclearance project at the Buffalo, N.Y.-Fort Erie, Ont., border crossing, notwithstanding that "the whole world,'' including Bush, had agreed the project was vital for easing customs lineups.
"(Homeland Security) on its own walked away from the table,'' Greenwood said in an interview.
"Our mantra is if the cops are running the relationship, that's out of balance. We shouldn't be treating our neighbours and friends like they're all potential criminals.''
Liberal Leader Stephane Dion said Harper has "caved in'' to Bush's narrow agenda and has been "completely dismissive'' of concerns about secrecy and the fixation on security. Dion said the prime minister will have to pay attention now that big business is echoing some of the same concerns as NGOs and opposition parties.
