Open Canada: A Global Positioning Strategy for a Networked Age has done an incredible job of exploring many issues facing Canada on the world stage, while offering a starting point for a new dialogue regarding the future of Canada. The position was taken that for Canada to become a stronger world player, it must become more open to the world. Open Canada discussed many ways in which Canada can emerge as an influential power, with an emphasis placed on the economy, trade, and building new relations. Security and defence were placed at lower levels of importance. There is no doubt the economy, trade and alliances are vital to Canada's ability to contend as a world player, but at what cost to national security - especially in the long term?

Uni-polarism is out and multilateralism is in according to Open Canada. This is a practice Europe has been following for some time, and Asia recently followed suit as these markets are moving closer and closer to economic integration. It seems reasonable North America would follow suit as NAFTA has been working successfully (although some might disagree) since 1994 and Canada's economy is already intertwined with the United States. Furthermore, Open Canada noted that closures at the border can potentially cost the Canadian economy up to 20% annually in addition to countless job losses. However, multilateralism, in the sense of open and free-flowing borders with the U.S., for economic purposes might come at a cost to the national security of Canada.

Open Canada further claims that the United States is the only market where Canada is a major player and to keep the border from hardening any further, we must remain "America's indispensible ally." (p. 20). The paper also states the United States is doing what it can to maintain a certain level of protection by maintaining a hard border and utilizing departments like that of Homeland Security to secure the country. The two have different agendas; Canada's is the economy and the United States' is security. Which begs the question, will multilateralism with the United States ever be truly possible? If Canada strives for a free flow of goods across the border, it must woo the United States, and the way to do so is through border security.

The importance of the border and security are not going to be agreed upon by everyone 100%. Naturally, policies and priorities change as new issues emerge, such as the global economic crisis, prompting the need for continuous discussions. Currently, the perceived security threat to Canada is not high, which has encouraged the Canadian government to focus on other events. However, it is when a nation becomes complacent that it is at its weakest. If Canada is trying to position itself as a global powerhouse, it must decide if border security is a cost we are willing to pay.

Karen Everett, has a Master's degree in Immigration and Settlement Studies from Ryerson University.