OTTAWA, ONTARIO - The report on Canada-U.S. relations, tabled this morning by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, represents one more step in the direction of a full assimilation with the United States.

The report suggests that Canada should boost military spending, create closer security, military and economic ties with our southern neighbour and study the possibility of a customs union and the adoption of the American dollar, although it doesn't make a recommendation on these last two points. It also asks for superficial changes in the NAFTA investor-state dispute mechanism. Despite the Committee members' claims that such integration is necessary and "with Canadian interests paramount", the Council of Canadians sees them as detrimental for Canadian sovereignty and independence and undermines Canada's ability to dissent from American policies.

"It is truly unconscionable that the Committee would suggest more continental integration," says Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council.

"We now send over 85% of our exports to the U.S., having neglected our links with the others regions of the globe; we have amended our immigration legislation to conform to U.S. legislation; we have dismantled our social safety net, to the point where we spend less in proportion of our GDP on social programs than the U.S… And this Committee suggests we should have even more integration, and that we should study the feasibility of a customs union?"

A customs union would constitute the last significant step to complete assimilation within the United States that would make Canada the virtual 51st state.

"When given the opportunity to list their priorities, Canadians have repeatedly placed military spending at the bottom of the list, preferring that governments invest in health care and education," says David Robbins, trade campaigner at the Council. "Whether the American ambassador in Canada wants us to spend more to fund the industrial military complex is irrelevant.

"There is a need to have a good relationship with the United States. This doesn't mean that we should kneel down and abandon our independence and sovereignty," concludes Robbins.

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