In a surprising move, newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper told the U.S. to respect the Arctic waters last week.

Despite speculations both within Canada and internationally that Harper would comply with U.S. on affairs ranging from the war in Iraq to drilling for oil in the Arctic, Harper -- before even meeting President Bush -- asserted that giving into the U.S. will not be the case.

Now what does this mean? No more border hopping when you're 18 and want to drink?

It's not that bad ... yet. But if the U.S. ignores the comment, or attempts to control the waters in the Northwest Passage, there could be trouble.

Canada's northern territorial claims became an issue after a U.S. submarine traveled unannounced through Canadian Arctic waters in December.

And according to a Jan. 27 Associated Press article, Harper plans to stand by a campaign promise to increase Canada's military presence in the Arctic by deploying three armed icebreakers and building a $1.7 billion deep-water port and an underwater network of "listening posts."

But given that Canada currently has no military to speak of, how does it plan to enforce these "threats?" One might forget Canada's oil reserves are growing, and by 2015 the country will probably have more oil than Saudi Arabia, according to a Jan. 22 CBS News article.

One might also have forgotten that Canada operates on a budget surplus, has growing purchasing power, is technologically equal with the U.S., has numerous natural resources and even more international support. With these facts in mind, if Canada wanted to, it could build up its military forces.

Does the U.S. want it to come to that?

Canada and the U.S. have never had a conflict. Are the Arctic waters worth ruining a great business relationship? In a time when U.S. allies are seemingly few and far between, the U.S. cannot afford to lose another ally, especially one with which it shares a border spanning thousands of miles.

The U.S. should respect its northern counterpart by asking permission for naval ships travelling through the waters.

Even better yet, perhaps the U.S. should not secretly send nuclear submarines into the passage. It's not really that much to ask, when it really comes down to it.

In hopes of maintaining this mutually beneficial relationship, the U.S. should attempt to withhold its feelings of supremacy and treat Canada like the partner it is by giving a little respect.