War of 1812 All Over Again

Several items in the news caught my attention this week. This morning CBC radio (french language version which I have adopted in my non-tv phase at the cottage) reports that the longest undefended border in the world, Canada with the USA, now is armed on one side for the first time since the War of 1812. Apparently the USA has established free fire zones in several sectors of the Great Lakes and has armed its Coast Guard vessels. In theory innocent boaters setting off from Canadian ports (remember I now have responsibility to speak to issues regarding Georgian Bay Islands National Park, with Lake Huron on the albeit distant horizon) may stray into the line of fire. Ouch! Reports also suggest, on a different front this time, that Canada's position of preeminence in terms of trade relations in the world (Canada USA trade being the largest between any two countries) has now taken a back seat to the China USA relationship which last month jumped into top spot. Nothing is sacrasanct it would seem. Also this week, our Minister of the Environment Rona Ambrose, Ron as her name was misspelled on several management memos this week, has announced a government crack down on air emissions from the oil and gas industry. Hope all the toxic clouds over the Great Lakes respect borders or they may get fired upon, no matter which country they are headed for! China this month is apparently exhibiting Chinese built cars at western auto shows. Are we on the cusp of the modern day version of the Japanese invasion? Great Wall, Geely and Chery may be replacing Honda and Toyota before you know it.