International+agreement

International Agreement- The signing of an international agreement between two or more nations that involves the rendering of rights to the control of resources by the nation in which they are located, as well as setting protection and usage standarts for any resource named in the agreement.

Agreements between nations cover a wide range of issues in which signatories agree to surrender a degree of their sovereignty for the greater good of all. Examples include: According to the International Panel on Climate Change, global warming is a serious threat to the environment and human welfare. Recognizing that developed countries were largely responsible for the current high levels of greenhouse gases (GHG), in 1997 Canada became a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol. By 2005 it was apparent that Canada was not going to honor its GHG reduction commitments. Instead of reducing GHG output, Canadian CO2 emissions had increased 30% (with the greatest increases in oil producing Alberta and Saskatchewan).
 * trade and commerce,
 * arms control,
 * frontier and border disputes,
 * resource allocation, and
 * the environment.

Much of this has to do with rapid Tar Sands development (oil extraction from bitumen is energy intensive). While many nations have expressed dismay with Canada's foot dragging, lack of penalty or sanction gives little incentive for this country to change current resource policy. The federal government's failure to honor its international obligations is the result of domestic political machinations ( political pressure exerted from the Western provinces and civil society's business community), and economic considerations (tar sands development is now a major component of the Canadian economy).