Emerson Goes Against the Tide in Push for Border Reforms

(Barbara Yaffe — Vancouver Sun)

Influential former federal minister and leading business executive David Emerson is calling on Canada to lead a new charge on continental integration.

He calls his idea Project North America.

Says Emerson: “I think the process of integration has to begin with the two leaders, perhaps three,” outlining a joint vision for closer collaboration.

“Probably from there to a high level emissaries model to put meat on the bones.”

Canada’s former international trade and foreign affairs minister in the Harper government, is among a rising tide of voices in recent months expressing concern about a thickening border and growing protectionism in the U.S., despite the smiling face of Barack Obama.

But even as Emerson is urging greater coordination between Canada and the U.S., and secondarily Mexico, the trend line is going in the opposite direction. Read more here.