The same yet different: Continuity and change in the Canada-United States post-9/11 security relationship

The thesis of this work is that the Canada-United States security relationship is the same, yet different, in the post-9/11 period when compared to its previous history. Three common policy threads are identified from the history of the relationship and their influence on the contemporary relationship is documented in the post-9/11 both in their presence and absence from specific events of that period. The first common thread is the policy of accommodation that involves the use of a strategy of "defence against help" and of "quiet diplomacy." The second thread is the continuing reliance upon a rules-based institutional relationship for the management of day to day issues as well the resolution of differences and conflicts. The last common thread is the ongoing need for Canadian governments to walk a political tightrope. This balancing act involves managing a values-based domestic perspective against a pragmatic or interests-based government one that maximizes the benefits to be derived from the relationship without being accused of being "too close" to America and thereby threatening national sovereignty.The complexity of the security relationship is highlighted by the fact that demonstrations of the degree to which the relationship has remained the same are interwoven with the examples of the extent to which it has fundamentally changed. The primary focus of the work is on the Canadian perspectives and issues as they pertain to the evolution of the relationship from a period of unique historical significance (9/11 and its aftermath) towards a test of that relationship that will serve as a bellwether for its future (2010 Olympics) strength and longevity.Yet even as these common threads provide continuity the relationship has been materially changed by the events of 9/11 in three fundamental ways: (1) The relationship has expanded from one focused on military defence to that of security writ large (2) America now requires consistent and unequivocal support for their security agenda at home and of their polices abroad and (3) The nature of Canadian participation in continental security measures has changed such that what used to be discretionary participation has become critical and even mandatory.