In Harpers Magazine: The Battle for the Melting North
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 08.27.07
The Russians placing a flag on the bottom at the north pole is not the big deal; the real battle for the resources of the north may well be between the United States and Canada. Mackenzie Funk writes a long and thoughtful article about oil in the Arctic in the September issue of Harpers Magazine.
Most think there is not going to be much of a fight; Canadians are a practical people that roll over pretty consistently in the face of American interests. (not joining the “coalition of the willing” was a rare exception.) Because of NAFTA Canadians can't decide to keep our oil for ourselves, but are obligated to sell as much as America wants. Canada is the biggest supplier of oil and pipes in 85% of natural gas burned in the States. Yet Americans just don't think that much about Canada and Canadians don't give it much reason to; Funk quotes a contest to find Canada's version of the expression “As American as apple pie”- the winner was “As Canadian as possible under the circumstances”.
But there is concern. While some support greater integration with the States, thinking Canada will become the next California, others say America would never give Canadians the vote- “they don't want thirty million more Democrats.”
Funk travels with the Canadian Forces to temporary bases on the Northwest Passage and learns about Canadian attitudes and concerns, and American worries about the rights of free passage through international waters. The Canadians are sanguine about what they could do; one soldier says “the Americans, jeez, I can't count how many ships they have. They have 60,000 people working in Norfolk alone. That's as many as we have in our entire armed forces.”
So what will happen? Who knows. But there is estimated to be 175 billion barrels of oil and gas up there under that melting ice, and something will. Not online at ::Harpers
NAFTA is the worst piece of crap ever signed by Canadian Politicians.
whenever USA think it's not good for them they drag us in front of a commercial jury. Whenever we think it's not good for us, canadians, we drag them in fron of the very same jury and win.... then they don't give a F about it.
so in simple words, if US want our oil they will take it. they don't want our lumber so they block it; shutting down saw mills... then buying them back at low price.
"Because of NAFTA Canadians can't decide to keep our oil for ourselves, but are obligated to sell as much as America wants"
That statement shows a complete lack of understanding of economics. As a global commodity it does not matter where a specific barrel of oil is used, it will affect the supply and demand in the same way. Use it in Canada, or use it somewhere else, the net effect to the world oil supply it the same.
LA: that is true, but if Canadians decide that they want to keep some in the ground or keep it for home use only because we are running out, they cannot.
"so in simple words, if US want our oil they will take it"
Rest assured, my Canadian friend, that if my country decides to take your oil by force I will be fighting on behalf of Canada.
when it comes down to it we will just have to hope a rich business man purely interested in keeping his and his friends rich and powerful is not sitting in the oval office at the time. So hopefully this issue doesn't come to arms in the next 1.5 years ;)
Something like this though would never come to blows, I dont think the american army or its people would be willing to attack canada over oil considering how bad iraq is going. This kind of a thing would be handled with back room meatings, deals or threats, possible cia assassinations, with placing a prime minister in office that would bow down gracefully. That would be my greatest fear.