Canada, U.S. agree to share troops in civil emergencies - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

worth · 03-12-2008, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Canada and the U.S. have signed an agreement that paves the way for the militaries from either nation to send troops across each other's borders during an emergency, but some are questioning why the Harper government has kept silent on the deal.
Neither the Canadian government nor the Canadian Forces announced the new agreement, which was signed Feb. 14 in Texas.
The U.S. military's Northern Command, however, publicized the agreement with a statement outlining how its top officer, Gen. Gene Renuart, and Canadian Lt.-Gen. Marc Dumais, head of Canada Command, signed the plan, which allows the military from one nation to support the armed forces of the other nation during a civil emergency.

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/can...html?id=327869

Opinions?

I don't like it. The thought of having foreign troops on Canadian soil doesn't sit well with me no matter what the situation. I know this is kind of "preliminary", however I don't really want to think about the day I see American troops walking down the street.

Gozer · 03-12-2008, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by worth

I don't really want to think about the day I see American troops walking down the street.

If they're carrying children away from a disaster, I'll get over it.

If America wanted to invade us, they would.

4X4 · 03-12-2008, 02:28 PM

I don't know why, but this reminds me of a story I heard (I'm in storytelling mode). I can't remember who told me this, but basically, the person told me that he was at a comedy club one night and the American comedian noticed that the canadian crowd had a fellow that was wearing his canadian army uniform. I guess the comedian made some joke to him along the lines of "Thanks for all your help in WWI and WWII. Thanks for the sandwiches".

So the canadian guy just took the comedian to town and set him straight about Canadian contribution to "the good side" of those wars.
Apparently the comedian was booed off the stage.

worth · 03-12-2008, 02:29 PM

We should be able to sustain a force in which Canadian troops are the ones carrying children away from a disaster I guess is what i'm saying.

Anyway, I guess i'd hate the day I see any troops dispatched for civil duty. Rather have the police handle things if at all possible.

Thunderball · 03-12-2008, 02:30 PM

Mutually beneficial deal between allies. Good enough.

Like Gozer said, I don't care if its a soldier with a maple leaf or some stars and stripes building dams, rescuing children or airlifting survivors.

HotHotHeat · 03-12-2008, 02:39 PM

The building blocks for a North American Union.

How do you define 'civil emergency' anyways?

Good point raised by a quote in the news story, why was this kept a secret?

Ozy_Flame · 03-12-2008, 02:40 PM

I'm pretty sure this relates to emergency natural disaster relief, or something of the like. Canada and the US already have an existing defense protection act, so this should be seen more as a "National Guard" type deployment rather than a full-on military call-to-duty.

T@T · 03-12-2008, 02:46 PM

In other words Canadian solders will be cleaning up the hurrican mess that FEMA always seems to screw up

Tyler · 03-12-2008, 02:49 PM

Can't help but roll my eyes at the NAU comments and people opposed to this.

Let's hope there's never another Katrina-esque event that threatens Canada, but you're damn right I'd want as many people (Canadians or Americans) coming to help.

Ozy_Flame · 03-12-2008, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler

Let's hope there's never another Katrina-esque event that threatens Canada, but you're damn right I'd want as many people (Canadians or Americans) coming to help.

Was there not Americans in Canada helping out during the '98 Ice Storm? Something is biting into my memory that makes me think this...

HotHotHeat · 03-12-2008, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler

Can't help but roll my eyes at the NAU comments and people opposed to this.

Let's hope there's never another Katrina-esque event that threatens Canada, but you're damn right I'd want as many people (Canadians or Americans) coming to help.

Well, if it helps you cope, by all means roll away.

Temporary_User · 03-12-2008, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by worth

I don't like it. The thought of having foreign troops on Canadian soil doesn't sit well with me no matter what the situation. I know this is kind of "preliminary", however I don't really want to think about the day I see American troops walking down the street.

God forbid people try to help you...

Lanny_MacDonald · 03-12-2008, 03:09 PM

Holy crap! Another step closer to the North American Union?

flip · 03-12-2008, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4X4

I don't know why, but this reminds me of a story I heard (I'm in storytelling mode). I can't remember who told me this, but basically, the person told me that he was at a comedy club one night and the American comedian noticed that the canadian crowd had a fellow that was wearing his canadian army uniform. I guess the comedian made some joke to him along the lines of "Thanks for all your help in WWI and WWII. Thanks for the sandwiches".

So the canadian guy just took the comedian to town and set him straight about Canadian contribution to "the good side" of those wars.
Apparently the comedian was booed off the stage.

This isn't the first time I've heard this story. I may have even previously read it here if this isn't the first time you've mentioned it on this board...Then again maybe you are a story stealer.

Bring_Back_Shantz · 03-12-2008, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by worth

We should be able to sustain a force in which Canadian troops are the ones carrying children away from a disaster I guess is what i'm saying.

Anyway, I guess i'd hate the day I see any troops dispatched for civil duty. Rather have the police handle things if at all possible.

Really?
You hate it when troops are deployed to help with things like icestorms, earthquakes, mudslides, or any other number of things that the military has been called on to deal with on a pretty regular basis? Or do you just not understand what the intent of the deal is?

Azure · 03-12-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by worth

We should be able to sustain a force in which Canadian troops are the ones carrying children away from a disaster I guess is what i'm saying.

Anyway, I guess i'd hate the day I see any troops dispatched for civil duty. Rather have the police handle things if at all possible.

I'm sure all of us would 'hate' that day too.....but when Canadian soldiers are no longer able to help....or they're undersized...I'd be more than willing to let the Americans help us.

Its not like they're going to invade us and take over under the pretense of an 'emergency'....which is EXACTLY what some people will think.

If there is anyone that I would want helping me....should our military not be able too....its the US Military.

Azure · 03-12-2008, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

I'm pretty sure this relates to emergency natural disaster relief, or something of the like. Canada and the US already have an existing defense protection act, so this should be seen more as a "National Guard" type deployment rather than a full-on military call-to-duty.

Good call.

We're allies....we SHOULD be willing to help each other.

Azure · 03-12-2008, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

Well, if it helps you cope, by all means roll away.

No it means that if a severe natural disaster hit Calgary I'm pretty sure you along with everyone else would be glad if the US sent troops up from Fort Lewis to help us.

Just like we sent troops down to New Orleans to help them after Hurricane Katrina....or did everyone forget about that?

Blaster86 · 03-12-2008, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure

Just like we sent troops down to New Orleans to help them after Hurricane Katrina....or did everyone forget about that?

Which is most likely what this is a reaction too.

HotHotHeat · 03-12-2008, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure

No it means that if a severe natural disaster hit Calgary I'm pretty sure you along with everyone else would be glad if the US sent troops up from Fort Lewis to help us.

Just like we sent troops down to New Orleans to help them after Hurricane Katrina....or did everyone forget about that?

This response doesn't make sense...Maybe that's my fault for not stating how I feel about it.

I personally don't have a problem with US aid if a situation ever arose where we couldn't help ourselves. That's the basic purpose of allies...

I'm simply stating that it's another move in a long list of efforts aimed at bringing out nations closer together. Is that a horrible thing? No. Am I worried about what it may eventually lead to? Yes.