In December 2011, President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper released the Beyond the Border Action Plan. The plan—part of the Beyond the Border strategy announced earlier that year—offers a cooperative strategy and joint vision intended to boost security and facilitate the flow of goods and people between the two nations. With the economies,…
China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) this week offered to buy Canada’s Nexen, Inc., for $15 billion. Nexen’s board is recommending the bid to shareholders. If completed, this would be the single largest acquisition that Chinese companies have made in the outward investment splurge that started in 2005. It raises a series of issues for American policymakers to…
The Arctic region is becoming increasingly important for a number of geostrategic reasons. Thawing ice allows lucrative shipping lanes to open and increases the possibility of natural resource exploration. Since four of the five Arctic littoral countries, in addition to Iceland, are also members of NATO, the alliance cannot afford to ignore the Arctic. The U.S.…
On December 7, President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper released the “Beyond the Border Action Plan.” Following on a declaration issued by both nations’ leaders in February, the action plan lays out a joint vision to enhance security and accelerate the flow of people and goods between the two nations. Already, the United States and Canada cooperate…
Abstract: Eight countries hold vast territories in the Arctic: the United States, Canada, Russia, Norway, Denmark (via Greenland), Finland, Sweden, and Iceland. All eight countries are positioning themselves to protect their sovereignty, defend their competing territorial claims, and develop significant natural resources. Future disputes could involve shipping routes,…
Must it always be opposite day in Washington? Petroleum and gasoline prices are surging while the Obama Administration and its allies seem intent on making things worse. Instead of taking actions to increase supplies of petroleum and gasoline, the Administration pursues policies to restrict U.S. access to its own petroleum, ban imports of vast quantities of Canadian oil,…
Abstract: In Canada, the province of Alberta has long encouraged school choice. Historically, Alberta has had two school systems between which parents may choose: the “public” system and a “separate” system. Other Alberta choices include charter, private, and French-language schools. Homeschooling is encouraged and supported by the provincial government, and “blended”…
Abstract: The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has repeatedly adapted to meet a range of national security concerns. First created to confront the growing Soviet bomber threat, NORAD’s mission has been expanded to provide aerospace and maritime warning for North America. However, U.S. and Canadian security interests do not end at the U.S.–Mexico border. To…
Bob Moffit commenting on the global status of U.S. healthcare.…
Terry Miller discusses the why Canada is more free than the United States according to the 2010 Index of Economic Freedom on Fox Business.…
On May 27, the U.S and Canada made the Integrated Maritime Security Operation pilot program--better known as "Shiprider"--permanent. This program is an example of the extensive and well-integrated marine defense relationship between the two countries. Extending the program will provide for a more efficient system of managing the shared U.S.-Canadian marine…
America’s response thus far to the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12 has been far too mute, creating an unexpected vacuum of leadership in a critical region. Haiti is the most impoverished nation of the Americas. The government under President Réne Préval is weak and literally now in shambles. Cuba and Venezuela, already intent on minimizing U.S.…
WASHINGTON, JAN. 20, 2010--North America is the world leader in economic freedom, with two of its three countries listed among the 10 freest in the 2010 "Index of Economic Freedom," published annually by The Wall Street Journal and The Heritage Foundation. Canada enjoyed the highest ranking within the region and finished seventh in the world, while the United States…
Before the Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security of the United States House of Representatives Delivered July 15, 2009 Introduction My name is David Muhlhausen. I am Senior Policy Analyst in the Center for Data Analysis at The Heritage Foundation. I thank Chairman Bobby Scott, Ranking Member Louie Gohmert, and the…
The Arctic is quickly reemerging as a strategic area where vital U.S. interests are at stake. The geopolitical and geo-economic importance of the Arctic region is rising rapidly, and its mineral wealth will likely transform the region into a booming economic frontier in the 21st century. The coasts and continental shelf of the Arctic Ocean are estimated to hold large…
This report is currently available only in PDF format.…
Unions strongly support President Obama's health care reform, which includes a plan for a government-run "public option" that would crowd out private health insurance. Labor publicly argues that the current health care system serves Americans poorly. However, unions also have self-interested motives for promoting government-run health care: The legislation…
Last week, the House of Representatives passed the Northern Route Approval Act, introduced by Representative Lee Terry...…
Canadian police announced on Monday that they had arrested two foreign men plotting to derail a passenger train and...…
The recently launched “Americas Barometer,” by Vanderbilt University’s Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP),...…
Two days ago, the 18th United Nations conference on climate change wrapped up. As they did at the previous 17...…
Congressional lawmakers met last week to try to hammer out a deal to avert the fiscal cliff. Democrats insist on revenue...…
The national average of gasoline is $3.78 per gallon, with some drivers experiencing a price of more than $4 per...…
A recent Canadian study examining average household wealth in Canada and the U.S. reported something quite shocking....…
On April 13–15, President Obama participated in what will likely be the last Summit of the Americas in Cartagena,...…
Details of a large non-profit’s plans to combat the Keystone XL pipeline have surfaced, and offer some insight into...…
Heritage and the Wall Street Journal released the 2012 Index of Economic Freedom on Thursday, ranking 179 countries on...…