Your Post 25, posted after mine, so how could I answer it,
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Here’s a thought: Think of what it took for Americas to accept a law like the Patriot Act. Now, what will it take for us to accept the NAU?
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Here is my answer:
Read Canada's War Measures Act.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Measures_Act
http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~sprague/wma.htm
There is no need of a Patriot Act or its equivalent in Canada for the WMA can be invoked simply by an Order in Council by the Governor General, as directed by the P.M. That which you decry ( Patriot Act which you strangely and emotionally equate with the NAU)has existed for the better part of a Century in Canada in much more comprehensive form, as aptly demonstrated by Pierre Trudeau during the LaPorte Affair.
The US and Mexico have nothing quite so comprehensive as Canada's War Measures Act when it comes to the issue you raise, of devolutionary personal freedom. You presume erroniously that it is a strictly American affectation.
Defining the real issue all depends on whether you can face the larger strategic facts or not, and those facts call for a strategic dialog between the 3 leaders, and it has happened, thank God.
Soon the protesters will have the chance to put their money where their mouth is on Sovereignty, by signing up to serve, as will many thousands of Canadian Patriots.
Not that the WMA would be invoked anytime soon, but Canada has had legislation in place since 1914, which pales the Patriot Act, as we speak! *******************************************
Canada: War Measures Act:
War Measures Act, 1914
An Act to confer certain powers upon the Governor in Council in the event of War, Invasion, or Insurrection
Statutes of Canada (1914) Chapter 2.
SHORT TITLE.
1. This Act may be cited as the War Measures Act.
EVIDENCE OF WAR.
2. The issue of a proclamation by His Majesty, or under the authority of the Governor in Council shall be conclusive evidence that war, invasion, or insurrection, real or apprehended, exists and has existed for any period of time therein stated, and of its continuance, until by the issue of a further proclamation it is declared that the war, invasion or insurrection no longer exists.
POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
3. The Governor in Council may do and authorize such acts and things, and make from time to time such orders and regulations, as he may by reason of the existence of real or apprehended war, invasion or insurrection deem necessary or advisable for the security, defence, peace, order and welfare of Canada; and for greater certainty, but not so as to restrict the generality of the foregoing terms, it is hereby declared that the powers of the Governor in Council shall extend to all matters coming within the classes of subjects hereinafter enumerated, that is to say:-
(a) Censorship and the control and suppression of publications, writings, maps, plans, photographs, communications and means of communication;
(b) Arrest,, detention,, exclusion and deportation;
(c) Control of the harbours, ports and territorial waters of Canada and the movements of vessels;
(d) Transportation by land, air, or Water and the control of the transport of persons and things;
(e) Trading, exportation, importation, production and manufacture;
(f) Appropriation, control, forfeiture and disposition of property and of the use thereof.
2. All orders and regulations made under this section shall have the force of law, and shall be enforced in such manner and by such courts, officers and authorities as the Governor in Council may prescribe, and may be varied, extended or revoked by any subsequent order or regulation; but if any order or regulation is varied, extended or revoked, neither the previous operation thereof nor anything duly done thereunder, shall be affected thereby, nor shall any right, privilege, obligation or liability acquired, accrued, accruing or incurred thereunder be affected by such variation, extension or revocation.
4. The Governor in Council may prescribe the penalties that may be imposed for violations of orders and regulations made under this Act, and may also prescribe whether such penalties shall be imposed upon summary conviction or upon indictment, but no such penalty shall exceed a fine of five thousand dollars or imprisonment for any term not exceeding five years, or both fine and imprisonment.
5. No person who is held for deportation under this Act or under any regulation made thereunder, or is under arrest or detention as an alien enemy, or upon suspicion that he is an alien enemy, or to prevent his departure from Canada, shall be released upon bail or otherwise discharged or tried, without the consent of the Minister of Justice.
6. The provisions of the three sections last preceding shall only be in force during war, invasion, or insurrection, real or apprehended.
PROCEDURE.
7. Whenever any property or the use, thereof has been appropriated by His Majesty under the provisions of this Act, or any order in council, order or regulation made thereunder, and compensation is to be made therefor and has not been agreed upon, the claim shall be referred by the Minister of Justice to the Exchequer Court, or to a superior or county court of the province within which the claim arises, or to a judge of any such court.
8. Any ship or vessel used or moved, or any goods,: wares or merchandise dealt with, contrary to any order or regulation made under this Act, may be seized and detained and shall be liable to forfeiture, at the instance of the Minister of Justice, upon proceedings in the Exchequer Court of Canada or in any superior court.
9. Every court mentioned in the two sections last preceding may make rules governing the procedure upon any reference made to, or proceedings taken before, such court or a judge thereof under the said sections.
never mind.
Candor, WMA was replaced by :
The Emergencies Act is an Act of the Government of Canada to authorize the taking of special temporary measures to ensure safety and security during national emergencies and to amend other Acts in consequence there of the Parliament of Canada.
It received Royal Assent on July 21, 1988, replacing the War Measures Act.
The Emergencies Act differs from the War Measures Act in two important ways:
1. A declaration of an emergency by the Cabinet must be reviewed by Parliament
2. Any temporary laws made under the Act are subject to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Thus any attempt by the government to suspend the civil rights of Canadians, even in an emergency, will be subject to the “reasonable and justified” test under section 1 of the Charter.