Essay about Brian Mulroney tied Canada closer to the...

Steven. Shi Mr. E Vanee Social Studies 11 18 July 2014 Brian Mulroney tied Canada closer to the United States On September 17th, 1984 Martin Brian Mulroney became the 18th Prime Minister of Canada (see fig1). Fig. 1. Brian Mulroney’s first year in office (1984), he led the first conservative majority government in 26 years.1 As the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada, he developed a close relationship with U.S President Ronald Regan; both men shared a similar conservative philosophy. As Canada’s Prime Minister, Mulroney sought closer ties with the United States, on issues such as trade policies and North American Aerospace Defence Command system (NORAD). During the Mulroney era, Canada saw drastic†¦show more content†¦As Mulroney came to office in 1985, he dismantled the FIRA and replaced it with Investment Canada, a new system which he believed would encourage suitable foreign investment. FIRA was criticized by those who concerned about American economic influence, since it almost approved every application it received. At the time, in some industries, such as the petroleum and rubber products industries, foreign control exceeded ninety per cent. Over three-fourths of this control was held by United Sates investors.6 These new and old policies brought better and hig her rate of business income between Canada and the United Sates, which resulted in closer ties between the two countries. In 1987, Mulroney opened up negotiations that would eventually lead to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Canada and United States. The FTA was signed on October 4th, 1987 in hopes of improving trade transactions between the two countries (see fig2). Fig. 2. President Ronald Reagan (left) signing the FTA with Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney (right)7 In the FTA, all tariffs on goods crossing the border were removed, and at the same time, opened Canada to U.S investment and vice versa. As suspected, the free trade issue was highly controversial among Canadians. Some Canadian businesses could not compete against U.S corporations, for these corporations were able to floodShow MoreRelatedThe Free Trade Debate On Canada924 Words   |  4 PagesProspects of Canada recommended that Canada establish a free trade agreement with the United States (Quinlan, 318). Brian Mulroney took the advice and set foot to establish such an agreement. This lead to the creation of the Free Trade Agreement through the process of the Free Trade Debate. The Free Trade Debate has strengthened our economy and has reinforced our relationships with neighbouring countries. Therefore, the Free Trade Debate has positively impacted Canada into making Canada what it isRead MoreCanada And The United States1926 Words   |  8 PagesCanada and the United States have b een perceived as the world s â€Å"longest undefended border† throughout history. As John F. Kennedy stated, â€Å"[Geography has made us neighbours, history has made us friends, economics has made us partners and necessity has made us allies]†(Leskun, 4), this relationship reveals to be the one that signals Canada’s most significant foreign policy. Pulled with ups and downs, the relation tests Canada’s identity as an independent nation. Though we share the same language