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"Who's the dirtiest of them all?" by Todd Hirsch [summary not available] "The PM and the President, in their own words" by Stephen Harper and Barack Obama At the conclusion of President Obama’s working visit to Ottawa on February 19, he and Prime Minister Harper held a joint news conference that was remarkable not only for their command of their briefs, but for their grasp of the mutual interests between Canada and the United States and their determination to be on the same page. "Obama and Harper: a new beginning?" by John Manley “We sometimes forget that most of the world envies our proximity to and relationship with the United States,” writes former foreign affairs minister John Manley. He says: “Generally, Washington decision-makers regard Canada benignly,” if not always according us the same importance we attach to Canada-US relations. With Barack Obama succeeding George W. Bush in the White House, he notes, for “the first time in eight years, the Prime Minister does not risk expending political capital at home by being seen to be friendly with the US president.” "Engaging Obama" by Derek H. Burney A former Canadian ambassador to the United States, Derek Burney sees the arrival of Barack Obama as an opportunity to renew Canada-US relations, starting at the top. “The key question that now confronts Canada’s government,” he writes, “is this: What does Canada want out of the US-Canada relationship — a relationship that is the lifeblood of the Canadian economy and the foundation of Canada’s security — and how forcefully are we prepared to press for change” — on recovery from the recession, trade, energy, the environment, managing the border and mutual security. "Obama and the North American family" by Jeremy Kinsman Ronald Reagan often spoke of Canada-US relations in terms of the North American ”family.” What are the prospects for harmonious relations in the family in the new era ushered in by the arrival of Barack Obama? Contributing Writer Jeremy Kinsman, one of Canada’s most experienced foreign policy hands, observes that Canadians will recognize much of their own style of multilateralism in Obama, who is reaching out to America’s friends and foes alike, a refreshing change from the unilateralism of the Bush years. This bodes well for Canada in the North American family and beyond. "Canada's economic relationship with the United States" by Earl H. Fry The Canada-US economic relationship is in a period of upheaval. The United States is mired in its longest and most disruptive recession since the Great Depression. Because of its deep and expansive economic ties to the United States, Canada is now experiencing the full force of the US downturn. In this time of turmoil, President Barack Obama envisions the greatest restructuring of American society since the New Deal. In order to win key allies on Capitol Hill for his ambitious agenda, Obama may be tempted to enact some protectionist measures that would be injurious to Canadian businesses and workers. "Building the Canadian brand in the US" by Robin V. Sears Canada and the United States conduct the world’s largest trading relationship in an increasingly integrated economy, are huge partners in services and investments, and share the North American continent with Mexico. Yet, as Robin Sears observes, “We do a poor job of promoting ourselves and our vision of the relationship.” He offers a marketing plan for building the Canadian brand in the US. "The age of Obama: Canada and the US" by David T. Jones Barack Obama came to Ottawa, packed a lot into seven hours on the ground in Canada and was home at the White House in time for dinner. But his visit, quick as it was, was a point of departure, a turning of a new page in the relationship between Canada and the United States. The priorities: recession and recovery, the environment and energy, Afghanistan and global security. From Washington, former diplomat David Jones shares a US perspective on the visit and a look ahead to the Obama years between our two countries. "Smart partnership: building on the Obama visit" by Colin Robertson Crisis creates opportunity. Geographic propinquity and a global network reflecting our pluralism give us a unique sensibility and sensitivity. No other country can play the American game as well as Canadians, but then no other country has the American interests of Canadians. Barack Obama has opened a door that Canadians can turn into a “smart partnership,” taking our relationship with the United States to a new, rewarding level. It means a “permanent campaign,” but with national leadership the stars are aligned: Obama’s popularity within Canada; a pragmatic Pearsonian leading the opposition; engagement amongst the provinces. Canadians can join the Americans as architects and engineers of revitalized bilateral and global institutions. "The environment and energy security: Obama and Harper have different takes" by Gordon McBean The environmental is closely linked to the economy and global security, the two other main items on the Canada-US agenda, argues Gordon McBean, one of Canada’s eminent authorities on climate change. While President Obama proposes a cap-and-trade system to reduce GHG emissions, Prime Minister Harper is focused on clean energy technology. Obama has also put together a very high-powered team, and prioritized climate change in his budget. Canada risks being left behind by the United States. "Canadians agree, we're America's best friend; they're less sure a threat to the US also threatens Canada" by Nik Nanos [summary not available] "Not for the faint-hearted: mapping Canada's Arctic continental shelf" by Elizabeth Riddell-Dixon In spite of ice, fog and cold, Canadian scientists are successfully mapping the Arctic seabed beyond 200 nautical miles. This article examines what are they doing and how are they doing it. The coastal state is responsible for defining its continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles. Canada must submit its scientific data and analysis to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf by the end of 2013. The progress being made by Canadian scientists, both independently and in cooperation with scientists from Denmark, the United State and Russia, bodes well for a successful submission. "The Arctic vacuum in Canada's foreign policy" by Terry Fenge and Tony Penikett Asserting sovereignty and jurisdiction in the Arctic is a recurring theme in Canadian history, and Stephen Harper has repeatedly and unequivocally shown his commitment to assert Canada’s full jurisdiction over the Northwest Passage since he became Prime minister. Notwithstanding, say Terry Fenge and Tony Penikett, “the northern foreign policy vacuum suggests that Canada is neither fully prepared or well equipped to influence and shape international debate on the future of the region.” In this article, they examine the international environmental, political and economic developments that require the adoption of a coherent Northern policy framework. In bringing “Arctic issues, concerns and perspectives into the heart of Canada’s foreign policy,” they conclude, Canada would gain significant leverage, “the holy grail of foreign policy.” "Building bridges (and boats) where there once was ice: adopting a circumpolar approach in the Arctic" by Jessica Shadian The prospect of a more temperate Arctic, writes Jessica Shadian, turned “a once peripheral piece of the global map into a centre for maritime trade and development.” As a consequence, interest in this region has risen dramatically and the debate over the future of Arctic security and development is now global. But according to her, “the best option for the Arctic would be the adoption of a comprehensive and legal management plan led by the Arctic players themselves, who have the most to gain and lose from the surge of attention.” She reviews the set of issues and options facing the Arctic, and concludes that “the Arctic Council is a competent space in which to manage a comprehensive Arctic ecosystem management plan.” "À qui la faute ?" by Alain Noël [summary not available] |
