Energy Plan May Threaten Sovereignty in Canada

OTTAWA -- - Canada faces enormous risks to its sovereignty over energy, the environment and the economy if it joins the United States in a continental energy policy, local press reported.

Doing so "would get rid of the last vestiges of national sovereignty around protection of our energy security and heritage, " said Anil Naidoo, energy campaigner at the Council of Canadians, an Ottawa-based nationalist citizens' watchdog group.

He was responding to a report by the Toronto Star on a suggestion by some Canadian government officials that Canada should take steps to eliminate regulations that would be " impediments" to an integrated North American energy policy.

The suggestion was contained in a confidential document being discussed internally at the Department of Foreign Affairs that advocates further harmonization of the economies of Canada, the United States and Mexico.

The document, entitled "Securing Growth: Beyond the Border Accord," suggests Canada can improve its economic prospects by capitalizing on the increased trade and security cooperation between Ottawa and Washington after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The proposal would extend beyond energy, creating a common North American approach to areas such as health inspections and regulations, training of pilots, truck drivers and ship captains, consumer protections, bilingual labeling, and environmental standards.

On energy, the memo says Canada, the US and Mexico should " examine and address the regulatory environment for trade in oil, natural gas and electricity to eliminate all impediments to North American energy security.