Posted on 12/13/2005 5:42:26 PM PST by Brilliant
OTTAWA/SURREY, British Columbia (Reuters) - The United States made an unprecedented foray into Canada's election campaign on Tuesday, warning politicians not to bash Washington in their bid to win the January 23 election.
But an unapologetic Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin responded immediately by saying "c'est la vie" -- that's life -- if the United States did not like his remarks, and he would not accept anyone telling him he cannot defend his country.
In a hard-hitting speech in Ottawa, U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins lamented what he called relentless and incessant criticism of his country, which he speculated might begin to sow doubt about the strength of the binational relationship.
"Canada never has to tear the United States down to build itself up," Wilkins said.
"It may be smart election politics to thump your chest and constantly criticize your friend and your No. 1 trading partner. But it's a slippery slope and all of us should hope it doesn't have a long-term impact on our relationship."
Wilkins did not name the prime minister directly, but he specifically targeted a comment made last week at the Montreal climate change conference in which Martin called on the United States to heed a "global conscience" and join efforts to combat global warming.
That remark -- on top of criticism of U.S. policy on lumber, guns, passports and Iraq -- appeared to have riled the White House the most, particularly since Canada has a proportionally worse record than the United States on reining in greenhouse gas emissions.
"I would respectfully submit to you that when it comes to a 'global conscience' the United States is walking the walk," Wilkins said, addressing the Canadian Club of Ottawa.
"And when it comes to climate change, we are making significant progress, greater progress than many of those who have been most critical of the U.S."
In the campaign for the June 2004 election Martin regularly said Canada did not want U.S.-style health care, fiscal deficits, taxes or attack ads.
But in the last several months, particularly in frustration over U.S. refusal to eliminate duties on Canadian softwood, he has made more direct attacks on U.S. policy, and continued to do so during the election campaign.
Martin refused to back down on Tuesday in Surrey, British Columbia.
"That our friends do not like what we say -- well, c'est la vie. I'm going to defend Canada and I'm right on softwood lumber and I'm right on climate change and I won't let anybody tell me that I should not defend my country," he said.
He also dismissed the idea that he was trying to single out Washington as part of his election campaign.
"I have not made the United States or any country a target in this campaign," he said, noting that he had outlined Canada's stand on softwood lumber and climate change long before the election was called.
Martin, whose minority government was brought down on November 28 after an official report detailed Liberal kickbacks which were used in election campaigns, currently leads Conservative leader Stephen Harper in the polls but not by enough to regain a majority in Parliament.
I don't know his politics but he the firebrand that the Conservatives need. No mercy. No quarter given.
The Great Wall of Canada - sounds like it could be a great tourist attraction!
You mean to tell me they run stories other than US bashing???
Damn, Shermy, when I read that I flashed waaayy back to the days of Jean Chretien* together with Vicente Fox having a good laugh about how they were going to have us literally over a barrel. They were enjoying it immensely.
When you look at Hugo Chavez's psychotic rantings about cutting us off from oil to sell it all to the Chicoms, it can be a little alarming.
*Sorry about this spelling--when he was in power, I always just referred to him as Johnny Cretin.
That's a good question. I thihk that he was talking about the timber dispute. Personally, I agree with him on the timber dispute. I don't think it's really a US/Canadian issue. It's more a special interest issue. Most Americans don't want to spend thousands of dollars more for housing because we can't import Canadian timber. But the US timber growers and US timber workers have their hand out, and the politicians naturally react.
That IS how Canada defines itself. "We aren't the USA."
Wilkins did not name the prime minister directly, but he specifically targeted a comment made last week at the Montreal climate change conference in which Martin called on the United States to heed a "global conscience" and join efforts to combat global warming.
Says a country with a population less than California and an Economy 2/3 so.
Canada lecturing the USA on ANYTHING is like a 4-year old child lecturing his parents on how to drive.
If it wasn't for its proximity to the USA, Canada would have the political importance of Luxembourg.
You guys in Western Canada better get yourselves in gear and try to recover your country.
You're out in Vancouver? I would love to go there sometime. I imagine that there are plenty of girls into the 'outdoor scene' too- mtns, skiing, sea kayaking, etc.
When we go down to Canmore, theres plenty and they're all pretty cool. Around campus in Edmonton its a tough scene to try and meet any.
I agree with you - "The Big Lie" has been a tool of the Liberal government for so many years now.
My Mother-in-law is stil at home! No beds available yet. Today her Doctor simply prescribed pain killers for her. I could tell you more stories, but I'm sure you have heard them all.
Well, actually, no. I haven't heard them all before.
I have heard of very long delays for CT Scans that could diagnose cancer earlier but this is the first time I have heard of a patient with the potential of having an acute M.I. just left at home without any intervention whatsoever. Then again, my specialty is not cardiology so I never see those types of patients.
This is "medicine" straight out of the Middle Ages.
My advice would be to get a relative to drive your mother-in-law over the border into the U.S. and have her M.I. ruled out or ruled in and treated appropriately.
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