As you can see in the attachment below, the Treaty of 1908 was signed by "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM CONCERNING THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE DOMINION OF CANADA FROM THE ATLANTIC OCEAN TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN". A "dominion" is not exactly the same as a "nation," as a dominion specifically refers to a self-governing country within the British Empire, while a nation can refer to any independent country, regardless of its historical ties to the British Empire; essentially, a dominion is a specific type of nation within the context of the British Commonwealth history.
Treaties signed by Great Britain on behalf of a Commonwealth country over a century ago "may" still have relevance, but their legal status and validity depend on a variety of factors, particularly the changes in the relationship between Canada and the United Kingdom over time.
Canada became a self-governing nation within the British Empire through the gradual process of constitutional evolution, culminating in the Statute of Westminster 1931 and the Canada Act (also known as the Constitution Act, 1982), which ended the legal dependency on the British Parliament. Here's how it works in relation to treaties:
Treaties with Indigenous Peoples: Many of the treaties signed by Britain on behalf of Canada pertain to agreements with Indigenous peoples. These treaties are still recognized in Canadian law and have continued validity because they form part of the legal framework regarding Indigenous rights and land claims in Canada.
International Treaties: In terms of international treaties, the situation is more complex. The Statute of Westminster (1931) gave Canada legislative independence, meaning that treaties signed by Britain prior to this date were often considered as Canada's responsibility, though the specific treaty's terms and its relationship with Canadian sovereignty could be in question.
Constitutional Changes: With the passage of the Canada Act (1982), Canada's constitution was repatriated, meaning that Canada no longer needed to ask the UK Parliament for approval to amend its constitution or enact laws. However, this does not automatically invalidate treaties, but it may affect the manner in which they are interpreted or enforced.
Renegotiation or Confirmation: In some cases, Canada has renegotiated or confirmed old treaties to clarify its obligations. Over the years, Canada has sought to assert its sovereignty and ensure that treaties, including those signed on its behalf by Britain, align with current legal frameworks.
The interpretation, application, or enforcement of treaties may be affected by Canada's legal evolution and its current sovereignty. This is what Donald Trump is assessing. Canada, and the USA in this instance, may revisit these treaties to confirm or renegotiate specific terms, particularly in the context of modern legal frameworks and relationships. Did Pierre Trudeau unwittingly open the door to a potential foreign takeover with the passage of the Canada Act?
Pages 12-13 of the Treaty state the following, yet the dispute resolution clause is not "time specific":
If a dispute or difference should arise about the location or demarcation of any portion of the boundary covered by the provisions of this Treaty and an agreement with respect thereto is not reached by the Commissioners charged herein with locating and marking such portion of the line, they shall make a report in writing jointly to both Governments, or severally each to his own Government, setting out fully the questions in dispute and the differences between them, but such Commissioners shall, nevertheless, proceed to carry on and complete as far as possible the work herein assigned to them with respect to the remaining portions of the line. In case of such a disagreement between the Commissioners, the two Governments shall endeavour to agree upon an adjustment of the questions in dispute, and if an agreement is reached between the two Governments it shall be reduced to writing in the form of a protocol and shall be communicated to the said Commissioners who shall proceed to lay down and mark the boundary in accordance therewith, and as herein provided, but without prejudice to the special provisions contained in Articles I and II regarding arbitration.
The Treaty is very specific to "geographic co-ordinates", especially the geographic coordinates of water bodies, yet we know the "axes" of Planet Earth may have shifted for a couple of reasons.
Axial Precession (Wobble): Earth's axis experiences a slow, cyclical wobble known as precession. This causes the direction of Earth's axis to change over a period of about 26,000 years. Precession is caused by the gravitational forces exerted by the Sun and the Moon on Earth, which makes Earth's axis slowly trace a circular path in space. This shift doesn't change the angle of Earth's tilt, but it does alter the orientation of the axis relative to the stars. As a result, the position of the North Star (currently Polaris) will gradually change over thousands of years. For example, in about 12,000 years, Vega will become the North Star instead of Polaris.
Axial Tilt (Obliquity): Earth's axial tilt is the angle between Earth's rotational axis and the plane of its orbit around the Sun. This tilt is currently about 23.5 degrees, and it is responsible for the changing seasons. The tilt does change slightly over time due to gravitational forces from the Sun and other planets, causing it to vary between about 22.1° and 24.5° over a period of about 41,000 years. This is another slow process, but it can influence the severity of seasonal changes over long periods of time.
True Polar Wander: This is a much slower phenomenon where the Earth's rotational axis (not to be confused with the tilt) shifts position relative to the planet's surface. It's caused by redistribution of mass on Earth, such as the movement of tectonic plates, melting ice caps, or changes in sea levels. Over the last century, true polar wander has been observed to shift Earth's poles by a few centimeters each year. While this movement is very gradual, it can influence things like Earth's magnetic field.
Geographic borders can also change due to environmental shifts. These changes are typically slow and often driven by factors like natural events, climate change, or human activity. Here are some of the ways that environmental shifts can influence geographic borders:
Rising Sea Levels
One of the most significant environmental shifts affecting borders today is rising sea levels due to climate change. As global temperatures rise, polar ice caps and glaciers melt, causing sea levels to rise. This can result in:
- Coastal Erosion: As shorelines erode, land that was once considered part of a country's territory may be submerged. In some cases, islands or coastal regions could disappear entirely or become uninhabitable.
- Disputes Over Maritime Boundaries: Many international borders are defined by maritime boundaries, which are often based on territorial waters or exclusive economic zones (EEZs). Rising sea levels or shifts in landmasses can change the location of these boundaries and lead to disputes between countries. For example, the loss of land in low-lying islands or countries could potentially lead to territorial disagreements or the need to redefine borders.
Shifting River Courses
Rivers often serve as natural borders between countries. Environmental changes, such as flooding, sediment deposition, or changes in the climate, can alter the course of rivers over time. This can lead to:
- Boundary Shifts: If a river that serves as a border changes course significantly, the territory on one side of the river might shift to the neighboring country. Historically, this has caused disputes or the need for treaties to redefine borders.
Glacial Retreat and Advance
In some regions, borders are defined by the position of glaciers. As glaciers advance or retreat due to warming or cooling periods, the land area they cover can shift. If borders are defined by geographic features like glacial positions, this could alter those boundaries.
Desertification and Drought
In regions that are already arid, climate change and environmental shifts such as desertification or extended droughts can change the viability of land for human habitation and agriculture.
- Human Movement and Settlement: If large areas become less habitable due to drought or desertification, people may migrate, potentially altering the demographic makeup of border regions. This could lead to shifts in political control or disputes over territory.
Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Other Natural Disasters
Although less common, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions can also shift borders in extreme cases. Natural events that change the landscape dramatically can lead to:
- New Landforms: Earthquakes or volcanic eruptions can create new islands, alter coastlines, or reshape the terrain. This could lead to new land claims or disputes over previously unclaimed land.
Environmental Migration and Population Shifts
Environmental degradation and climate change are already causing migration of populations. In the long term, these shifts in population could lead to changes in borders, either through:
- New Settlements or Territory Claims: In some cases, displaced populations may settle in nearby countries, which could lead to new political borders or require border adjustments to accommodate demographic changes.
- International Agreements: As environmental factors push people across borders, countries might negotiate new agreements or modify existing ones to address population movements, especially in areas where climate refugees or migrants increase tensions.
Environmental shifts can certainly have an impact on geographic borders, either by physically altering land (e.g., through rising sea levels, shifting rivers, or earthquakes) or through more indirect effects (e.g., population migration or economic shifts). While these changes may take time, they can potentially lead to disputes or the need for countries to redefine their boundaries through international treaties or negotiations.
TRUMP is a very smart man.
Thank you,
Joseph Pede
Joseph Pede
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