The usage of jellybeans is a comical reference to
one of the purposes of the SPP:
As currently formulated, the SPP promotes regulatory coordination, not necessarily harmonization. In lieu of a common regulatory system, SPP seeks agreement on basic principles and mutual recognition of standards.
Emphasis theirs. Its not that they want the same standards in each country, they just want to be able to pass whichever country's standards regulations they prefer and then have that product sold somewhere where it wouldn't pass regulations. You are free to change your own regulations, but have no right to refuse products from another nation. You would maintain legislative sovereignty but it is essentially all bark. That is mutual recognition of standards.
Then of course there is the fact that very few Canadians have any idea of what is being talked about in these meetings. Which is why the opposition parties are largely opposed to it. Although, the process was started by Paul Martin. You have to be a fanatic to get to the facts through the highly PR'ed documents they do publish. Most Canadians that are aware about the actual workings of the SPP, the NACC and associated councils are extremely concerned about the lack of respect,
… participants stressed an essential third leg of political support in addition to federal governments and the private sector for a North American agenda: leadership from state/provincial and local leaders.
and transparency in the process. Even though the majority of the few Canadians with knowledge of the workings of the SPP oppose it, the partnership has the moxy to publish:
In this regard, there was widespread support for further institutionalization of SPP.
The SPP is not about dissolving borders and making a North American Union. Its about dissolving borders for corporations.
The challenge for both public and private sector policy leaders in this regard is to identify key regulatory barriers, and seek inter-governmental collaboration through the SPP, a process that will require a great deal of transparency and communication from all parties.
Finally, I would like to apologize for getting so far off the subject of jelly beans...