Ready for a thaw (US canada relations)

The Economist ^ | 3/1/06 | The Economist

[voletti]

Canada's new government hopes to repair relations with the United States

FEW Canadian ambassadors have headed to Washington under quite such a weight of expectations. Michael Wilson, a silver-haired investment banker and former politician, takes up his new job in the American capital in mid-March. He has been entrusted by Stephen Harper, Canada's newly elected Conservative prime minister, with a delicate mission. His task is to rescue a bilateral relationship that has gone sour, without for a moment giving Canadians back home the impression that their new government is in any way kowtowing to the superpower.

Over the course of a dozen years of Liberal government north of the 49th parallel, Canada's access to the highest levels in Washington has been steadily eroded. Under Jean Chrétien, Canada chose not to join America's war in Iraq. Under Paul Martin, Canada decided not to participate in America's plans for missile defence. Some Canadian diplomats fret in private that Australia nowadays gets a much warmer reception in the State Department. The deteriorating relationship may not much trouble Americans, but it spells problems for Canada. The United States buys about 85% of Canadian exports and provides some 60% of its imports. In theory, a change of government in Ottawa presents a chance to mend some fences.

[An Old Marine]

The deteriorating relationship may not much trouble Americans, but it spells problems for Canada

To me Canada is another estwhile ally that deserted the US in time of need. They have announced to the world that they "hate the bastards [Americans]".

Lets see some further proof of friendship before we let down our guard.

[yeetch!]

We begin. As a long-time Canada lover, I find myself with mixed emotions even as things get better. Liberal governments have forever tainted my trust of the average Canadian. I suppose it is because they continuously elected the clowns that disrupted our friendship so I hold them responsible. Don't you think they will do it again in the next election or the next?

[hawkaw]

You can be pi$$ed at the feds for not fully sending troops into the Iraq war eventhough they did flight support to direct your bombers and did naval support. They also allowed 34 Canadian soldiers on exchange with the American military to actually fight in the war and were labelled hypocrits for doing it. And let's not forget they did send troops to Halfganistan during the Iraq war to patrol and stablize Kabol. Let's not forget Canada is over in Jordan training Iraqi police and has spent a lot of money for Iraqi aid.

Today we have just sent some 2,200 soldiers in Halfganistan and they are fighting in Kandahar. They have taken IEDs and yes there have been injuries and death. Do you think that is being an ally? What more proof do you want?

[NorthOf45]

The statement you mention was uttered by one liberal politician who is hated by many up here. It does not represent the Canadian mindset. Yes, there is a liberal haze up here that has to be cleared. However, I am confident that things will get better.

True Canadians didn't desert you in a time of need. Even under a liberal government who has systematically decimated our military, we were the first coalition force to enter the theatre after 9/11. Iraq aside, we've been in the WOT since day one. Yes, we should be doing more ...

Should you let down your guard? No ... one should never let down their guard. For every negative eminating from Canada, there is a positive. I see it as being relatively balanced. With the Conservatives in power now, the balance will tip in favour of Canada/US relations.

[doc30]

My personal opinion is that Afghanistan stretched the Canadian military and there really weren't the resources available to fight in the invasion of Iraq. Paul Martin just spun it to be his brand of anti-Americanism politics.

[An Old Marine]

The facts are these America for at least 4 generations has defended Western civilization at a huge cost in both lives and wealth while those allies sat back and watched from the sidelines. Canada, among many other allies, now feels safe and I along with many Americans perceive that Canada felt safe and turned their backs on us when times got tough.

I'm not saying that I'm hostile to Canada but I am saying the relationship will be what Canada chooses to make of it at this point.

[XJarhead]

Fair points, but the rhetoric coming out of much of Canada and your opinion polls suggest that a great many Canadians seem to have a pretty low opinion of us.

We invoked NATO after 9/11, so that's why other members of NATO, including Canada, chipped in. It was a treaty obligation.

I know there are a lot of Canadians who are good friends of the U.S., and the Canadian military is very professional, if horribly underfunded. It just seems to us like the Canadians who feel that way are a decided minority.

[An Old Marine]

I suppose it is because they continuously elected the clowns that disrupted our friendship so I hold them responsible.

My point exactly. Canada is like the ex-girlfriend you broke up with - can you ever really trust that person again?

I'm prepared to have an open mind but also intend to be cautious in how much trust I'm prepared to invest in voters who repeatedly returned such looney Liberals to office.

[fanfan]

I'm prepared to have an open mind but also intend to be cautious in how much trust I'm prepared to invest in voters who repeatedly returned such looney Liberals to office.

From your home page.......

I'm one of those rarest of critters.... a conservative, DAMNed patriotic, New Yorker.

LOL!

:-D

[monkeywrench]

Thank you, Canada! You conservatives are wonderful people, and I won't mistake you for your lefties, as some seem to do. :)