Canada, U.S. agree to use each other's troops in civil emergencies

With all the attack ads calling Iggy Am-Mar-ickan, I can see why Harper doesnt want people to see him in collaboration with the dirty yanks.

US troops....on Canadian streets.....with guns......

Kinda catchy for an attack ad but I'm thinking I've heard something like it before.

Funny, I'm not sure I like the idea of American soldiers on Canadian soil, under any circumstances.

Besides, who decides what's a civil emergency ?

A couple points:

- Canadian soldiers don't carry weapons during disaster assistance operations.
- US troops have served under foreign command.

This would have made things easier for folks in the Emerson MB/Pembina ND region during flood times.

I sure it would have to be a request of the host nation, I think this is a good thing. Canadian the effectiveness to disasters in the country can be pretty bad. Just look at what happened when the military was sent out to Newfoundland.

Canadian troops were among the first responders in New Orleans after Katrina. So while I am wary of this agreement especially with the timing so soon after the upset started in the ME the agreement more or less codifies something that's already going on.

That's all it is really. Saves from re-inventing the wheel everytime.

Hell we have been sending Canadian Soldiers to the states for training, and vice versa, for decades now. Didnt we also have a similar arrangement in Afghanistan last year when an American company was under Canadian tactical command?

Yep, amongst others. Hel,l the US 1st Army was under FM Montgomery's command for while in Dec 44...

Canadian troops were among the first responders in New Orleans after Katrina. So while I am wary of this agreement especially with the timing so soon after the upset started in the ME the agreement more or less codifies something that's already going on.[/quote

Yes, If there was a disaster in either one of the country I would expect that the other would help. If there was a disaster where I live I wouldn't it would appreciate help from the Canadian Military. I don't see what the big deal is.

There have been cross border arrangements with US and Ontario police agencies for some time now. During the Caledonia debacle , US police and Feds were popping across routinely. I think our wings are better?

Yep - I see CF convoys on Interstate 5 in Sacramento rather frequently. It surprises some people down here when they find out the CF is in town. Me, I just wave at the kids and honk the horn!

I see no issue with this, just a bunch of people making a big deal out of nothing.

Uh-oh, more ammunition for the tin-foilers in the US who worry about UN troops and black helicopters!