CN’s TELLIER SEES U.S., CANADA HEADING TOWARD COMMON CURRENCY

CNÆS TELLIER SEES U.S., CANADA HEADING TOWARD COMMON CURRENCY    Integration of Canadian and U.S. economies into a common currency is 'inevitable' and 'irreversible,' said Paul M. Tellier, president and chief executive officer of Canadian National Railway Co.
   Tellier on Friday called for an open debate on a common currency for the two North American countries, as well as greater synchronization of Canadian and U.S. polices and the adoption of more bilateral agreements to all Canada to address North American issues on a more equal footing with the United States.
   'We have customers in both countries. We have employees in both countries. We pay taxes and report to regulators in both countries,' Tellier said. 'In the end, the value of the Canadian dollar has a big impact on our customers' decisions on where we locate operations.'
   Tellier said economic integration raises questions for Canadians to debate:
   * What national policies and practices should be protected?
   * Which policies should Canada align with American ones?
   * Is the Canadian dollar helping or hurting Canadian sovereignty?
   * Should Canada pursue a common currency with the United States?
   'The integration will continue. It is inevitable. It is irreversible ' The integration of the North American economy is taking place faster than any of us expected,' he said.