Free Republic

U.S. President Barack Obama will visit Canada on Feb. 19 in his first official trip abroad, the White House announced Wednesday. No details of the trip, including what city he would visit, were announced, but CBC News has learned that his destination will be Ottawa. Although Parliament will not be sitting that week, it may be recalled so Obama can address a joint sitting, CBC's Paul Hunter reported. "This is a testament, not just to the size of our trading relationship and the closeness of our alliance, but also the strength of our friendship," Prime Minister Stephen Harper told the...

Barack Obama will make Canada his first official foreign visit soon after he becomes U.S. President, Canadian officials say. The high-profile visit with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, confirmed today, sends an important signal about the state of Canada-U.S. relations. "We have been in close contact with President-elect Obama's transition team," Harper spokesperson Dimitri Soudas said today. "We can confirm that the President-elect has accepted the Prime Minister's invitation to visit Canada soon after he is inaugurated," he said in an email. It will be Obama's first foreign visit as president. Details such as dates or destinations were not announced. "This...