ambassador Frank McKenna lived up to his reputation as the outspoken politician, eager to debunk Canadian myths, while strengthening Canada’s relations with the U.S. on Tuesday. at a luncheon, in New York City, part of a joint effort between the Canadian Consulate General and the Canadian association of New York, an upbeat, McKenna, praised Canada and the U.S.’s "unusual friendship where we've had a virtually undefended border."
"These are two countries that have never exchanged a shot in anger and have stood side by side in so many places around the world in the cause of peace," said Canada's 20th ambassador to the United States, "in the cause of bringing democracy to the world."
For Canadians this relationship is "even more precious" because for Canada the United States "is the only neighbour that we have."
also in attendance was Consul General of Canada Pamela Wallin. She applauded ambassador McKenna for "serving his country at a most important post in Washington at a most important time, when this relationship is in need of his pragmatism, his legal mind, his entrepreneurial approach." President Bush accepted McKenna’s credentials on March 8th.
McKenna commended Prime Minister Martin, specifically for his role in creating the "cabinet committee on U.S. Canada relations." and thinks "americans would benefit from seeing our Prime Minister, he’s not only a gifted politician but a great business leader and he really speaks a direct language that americans understand. So we'd love to be seeing more of him down here and once the current volatility is worked through undoubtedly we'll have a chance to see."
The current volatility of course is Prime Minister Martin's future.
Washington is "aware" of the "volatile period" of Canadian politics and according to McKenna, Washington is "watching it closely." "The government could fall if there was a vote of non-confidence which could precipitate an election." But McKenna seems confident that Canada like the United States "works because it's a mature democracy with robust institutions." "Institutions work and allow life to go on without any interruption," added McKenna "in spite of the current patch of political volatility."
On the tragedy of September 11, 2001, McKenna told the audience, "We grieved with you then and we care for you now as you go through the aftermath of this horrible time."
On boarder security, McKenna said, Canada "would have been crazy not to have taken similar measures to the United States to protect our national security and we did."
"We passed tough new legislation, the anti-terrorism act and the public safety act. These two laws are similar to [U.S.] patriot act."
Canada has a group of enforcers called "migration control officers" working outside of North america, explained McKenna, "In the last six years these migration control officers have intercepted 40,000 people before they ever left their country, keeping Canada safer and by extension keeping the United States of america safer."
On immigration, McKenna said, Canada accepts "roughly a quarter of a million immigrants per year, the United States accepts about a million a year. and while there are roughly 60,000 undocumented individuals in Canada," in the United States it's "closer to 12 million."
On trade McKenna said, Canada is a "bigger market for [american] goods, than the entire European economic union put together. We have a bigger trading relationship on one border entrance alone, the ambassador Bridge between Windsor and Detroit then the United States does with the entire country of Japan."
Canada does "more business with Home Depot in atlanta" then it does "with the entire country of France," he said, with a wink, "just a little fact I thought knowing your affection for France I thought that would interest you here."
Poking fun for occasionally getting "off the leash," McKenna assured the crowd "generally speaking" he'll try to "stay on it."
"I used to go off the cuff and say outrageous things. Now I’m a diplomat. So if I say anything outrageous it's a mistake, I misread my notes."
Marinka Peschmann is a freelance writer whose first book collaboration, the best-selling The Kid Stays In The Picture; was made into a documentary. She's contributed to several books and stories ranging from showbiz and celebrities to true crime and politics.
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