Continental Union

Abstract

The Conservative years under Prime Minister Brain Mulroney, 1984-93, marked a watershed in the history of Canada-U.S. relations. During this period, Canada dismantled its long-standing pillars of nationalism and openly embraced continentalist economic policies. The country's two solitudes, Quebec and English Canada, had always been vigilant in securing their identities. Quebec feared assimilation by English Canada, and English Canada, by the United States. While Quebec kept up the fight through the 1980s, upping the ante on nationalism, English Canada drew down its protectionist curtain. Thus one solitude's identity is secured; the other's, more vulnerable than ever before. As evidenced by support for free trade in the 1988 election and the absence of opposition to new levels of Americanization since that time, English Canadians appear more and more willing to embrace the American way and, perhaps, an American destiny. With the turn south in the Mulroney years secured by landmark treaties, treaties that the new Liberal government has ratified, a de facto economic union is being formed. Economic unions, by definition, argue for joint political management. Canada's borderline will increasingly become a formality. The country, should member parts not seek American annexation in the meantime, will eventually find membership in a North American federation of some kind.