Just caught this today.


Deadline looms on continental defence project Martin government faces dilemma over proposal to join forces with U.S. military

By JEFF SALLOT
Wednesday, November 10, 2004

OTTAWA -- The minority Liberal government will have to decide by year's end whether to renew the mandate of a joint Canada-U.S. military planning group, which has been working on an ambitious project that could bring the armies and navies of both countries under a single command for North American defence.

This is an awkward deadline for Prime Minister Paul Martin as he tries to forge a new political relationship with President George W. Bush while coping with a Parliament and a Liberal caucus that are divided on questions of military co-operation with the U.S. administration.

"The military wants to get this deal done under the radar," said Liberal Senator Colin Kenny, chairman of the Senate national security committee and a strong supporter of closer continental defence co-operation between Canada and the United States

(continued) (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20041110/DEFENCE10/TPNational/TopStories)