The positions of Canadian political elites towards process of the North American integration (late 1980-s – middle 1990-s)

The article touches upon the causes and prerequisites for signing of CanadaUnited States Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between Canada, the United States and Mexico which are examined through the prism of the positions of the political elites of Canada regarding integration processes on the North American continent. It is noted that for Canada, the integration problem has not only been economic, but also political and cultural, taking into account the danger of the possible presence in the wake of a more powerful neighbor – the United States. It is shown that back in the time proposed, the controversial landscape around the problem was formed by two ideological approaches that had their own economic and political arguments. This discussion may be described as a debate of positions which in Canada are called continentalism and economic nationalism. It is pointed out that under pressure of economic needs of Canada, the position of the so-called «second alternative» or continentalism, which had focused on strengthening cooperation with the United States and represented by Canadian conservatives, has succeeded to prevail. Instead, economic nationalists, represented by Canadian liberals, have failed. It was revealed that the signing of free trade agreements had had positive consequences for the further economic development of Canada