The public opinion environment for Canadian-American relations

I would like the American population generally to know more about Canada. On the other hand, I wonder if effective advertising would cause Americans to be more aware of Canada to positively affect our bottom line if that is the object of the exercise. The big guy (the big country) or the guy several grades ahead in school is not likely to be too aware of the smaller guy (the smaller country) or the kids in the lower grades in school.

One route to assist Americans to be more aware of Canada is through effective NATIONAL advertising over the US regarding tourism in Canada. Good marketing would always allow Canadian advertising to carry a subtle message of Canada's economic importance to the US and vice versa. Individual provinces have worked at this but it takes a federal presence with a country wide view---or is this too optimistic ??

In conjunction with the tourist thrust, there could be a long list of DVDs / films easily available to US educational institutions and TV outlets highlighting thousands of factual economic and cultural aspects that make up Canada. I believe it pays to blow your own horn when we are courting the informed opinion of our neighbour.

I chuckle when the US is of the opinion that National Security with Canada is high on their agenda. I believe this is a "trust" question----do you trust Canucks ? ? ? I think of the hundreds of Chinese illegal immigrants who arrived on the BC coast under the watchful eye of the Canadian Immigration and "evaporated". I wonder if the same thing may happen with the current shipload of Sri Lankan economic immigrants currently enjoying Canadian hospitality in BC.

If we wish Americans to be more aware of the Great White North, we have to have a long term strategy of exporting sensible and digestible knowledge of our country----something, I suggest, that has been very poorly handled at the federal level so far in modern times.

[updated Thu Nov 19 05:48:14 EST 2009]

Hey, Bloggers---to comment on this poll, enter the address for Nik on the Numbers ( www.nikonthenumbers.com) into your favourites then use that route to open this poll for comment.

[updated Thu Nov 19 16:22:55 EST 2009]

I feel on shaky ground dealing with this topic. Unlike the other issues where I know I'm right :-)
I really don't give it serious thought. I'm convinced that Canada with all its resources and our educated and industrious people are or can be self reliant.If all the landmass outside Canada suddenly disappeared we could still survive quite comfortably. So I don't see why there would be need for conflict vis a vis other countries.
I have no concern re other countries operating in the best interests of their own people and we do the same. That doesn't mean we shouldn't cooperate where there's a benefit to both parties. I don't understand why there has to be conflict.

Now to answer the questions:
1. I agree
2. I agree
3 US and China
4 Canada and Japan
5 US and China
6 China and Mexico

I would want to maintain separate security policies and priorities.
Americans choose closer cooperation because of their size and power. They have nothing to fear, smaller countries have.
I would not be interested in any integrated policy with the US, we would always be at a disadvantage. I can see why the Americans would be interested.

I would not wish to see our autonomy or sovereignty jeopardized in any way. Dealing with an equally size partner may not be a problem but with one that's many times larger it certainly could become so and I wouldn't want to take the chance.

[updated Sat Nov 21 09:26:19 EST 2009]

Cooperation Without Integration.

Some of you will be aware that Canada and the United States have tried many things in the past to smooth out the rough edges in our trading and security relationship. At one point, we even had a common building housing both countries' customs agents at a particular border point.

Those of you who are familiar with exporting to the United States have my deepest sympathy...the border has indeed "thickened": we've seen many examples of this from Canadian technicians turned away at the border "for taking American jobs", to French-speaking truck drivers denied admittance into the U.S., to same being refused access onto U.S. federal government property to unload their shipments for "national security" reasons.

Other fun in the sun: ridiculous request for various types of forms on items not covered by that particular stipulation -- ditto for North American Free Trade Agreement Certificates on merchandise that is Duty Rated at ZERO...

Fortress America is alive and well along the Canadian border. Doing things the American way is not the answer. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has its view of the world. So does Canada Border Services Agency. What we need more of is a shared view of the trade world; common objectives, common interpretative models and common streamlining procedures.

By necessity, each country must remain master of its own political sovereignty. That means a big no to formal customs integration. Our top priority has to be to get goods moving across the border as quickly as possible. Moving away from paper is a good step in the right direction. Electronic advance notice is another improvement. But much work still remains to be done to securitize the smaller carriers in the minds of customs on both sides of the border.

As far as inspection of containers and other shipments is concerned, the emphasis is increasingly placed on shipments coming from specific problem areas or individual nations. Naturally, it's not in either country's interest to release that information publicly but those in the business have a pretty good idea. Another area of interest is first-time exporters or importers with monitoring taking place both at the border and inland.

But the fact is that we have a trade off. We can continue to inspect up to five percent of shipments but neither country has the resources to move much beyond that. Open access is critical for Canada and that is why prior requirements continue to be tightened in order to attain that objective with as large a measure of security as can be imposed without paralyzing commercial shipments.

FULL DISCLOSURE: Our family business is in this area.

[updated Sat Nov 21 15:25:01 EST 2009]

Like Richard Nixon, It Seems We'll Very Soon Be Learning The Lesson The "HARD" Way.

In the words of the man himself:

"It's not the act that kills you. It's the cover-up; it's the lie."

[updated Sat Nov 21 17:21:57 EST 2009]

Rick mercer`s talking to Americans should be a required reading for individuals who are commenting on Canadian and American relationships as although the piece deals with the "average American" on the street, they complete lack of understanding of Canada has not changed in decades and extends to the highest levels of the American Government.

http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=-7111005509913775935#

This is not an attempt to undermine the importance of this file, but an attempt to show that regarding of how well educated and informed Canadians may be on this file, the Americans are not.

[updated Sun Nov 22 09:56:47 EST 2009]

The Political Constants In My Universe.

As some of you know, I'm into my third political incarnation -- having gone from Progressive Conservative to Conservative and now, a member of the Liberal Party.

It seems self-evident to me that certain common threads have to be carried forward as one goes with the flow and dodges political punches along the way.

My top political constant has always been the same: the party comes first. The party, its traditions, its proud heritage and legacy to the nation has to take precedence over everything else. No person is above the party. Even the leader is its dutiful servant.

My second political constant deals with the fundamental principle that ideas are the life-blood of politics. We have no greater responsibility than to put forward what we believe and to show the Canadian people how we plan to work on their behalf. Voters need to see the template not only to determine whether they happen to agree with it but also for a much more crucial reason -- to know that the party stands strongly for something. Canadians have waited a long time, far too long, to find out exactly what we're made of.

Finally, the third political constant concerns the utmost importance that must be given to those who take the time to volunteer for the party. More often than not, these people are taken for granted in our political system. Volunteers are driven by their passion and love for the party. No one loves their party more. In fact, I would go so far as to say that one volunteer in particular strikes me as the conscience of the party. His unending selfless dedication to the party has gone beyond the call of duty and has led to many sacrifices, both personal and professional. As Liberals, we need to recall his invaluable contribution and that of countless others as we move toward an exciting future.

In politics, those who happen to be elected along with their paid staffs are one thing. Volunteers are quite another. Without them, we are all nothing. We need to always remember that.

[updated Sun Nov 22 12:41:21 EST 2009]

Before I call it a night, one more kick at the Liberal can, Ipos Reid, November 21, 2009

Liberals Drop to New Low (24%) under Ignatieff as NDP (19%) in the Hunt for Grit Votes

Rally in Ontario (21%, +8) Fuels NDP to within 5 Points of Liberals Nationally

"Toronto, ON – After taking repeated hits from the right flank by the Harper Conservatives, it now appears that the NDP are moving in to attack Michael Ignatieff’s Liberals on the left flank, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Canwest News Service and Global Television."

"In a political pincer attack, the NDP have charged ahead to 19% support nationally while the Liberals have retreated to 24% support, a new low for the Grits under Michael Ignatieff."

No Conservative number, but I rather imagine that it is better than Mr. Ignatieff.

[updated Tue Nov 24 00:00:31 EST 2009]