Home The Ambassador Canada's chief representatives to the U.S. Michael Kergin Ambassador Kergin's Speeches October 19, 2000

Remarks of the Newly Appointed Ambassador of Canada

Washington, D.C.
19 October 2000

I have the honour to present to you a letter from the Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, accrediting me as Ambassador of Canada to the United States.

It is an extraordinary privilege, Mr. President, to have been asked to serve as Ambassador to Canada's closest ally, largest trading partner and greatest friend. No country is more important to Canada and its citizens.

The cornerstones of the Canada-United States partnership remain firm in an increasingly global and interdependent world. Our relationship is based on a common commitment to a democracy, federalism, a love of freedom, and a shared respect for the rule of law, human rights, tolerance, diversity, and the free flow of ideas.

While we are partners, we have nevertheless followed different paths to nationhood. The U.S. Constitution speaks of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, while the Canadian Constitution speaks of peace, order and good government. Our separate histories and the complexity of our comprehensive relationship occasionally lead to differing approaches to resolving issues of common concern. But when irritants arise between us, our countries have proven that solutions can be found and that compromises can be reached.

Our countries have prospered together. Trade flows between Canada and the United States are the largest in the world. Over one billion U.S. dollars in trade crosses our border each day. Thirty-eight U.S. states have Canada as their largest customer, and cross-border foreign direct investment stands at well over two hundred billion dollars. As such, the benefits of the Canada United States Free Trade Agreement and the North American Free Trade Agreement to our respective countries are abundantly clear.

Canadians and Americans have faced common threats and fostered democracy and peace around the world. We fought side-by-side in both world wars and the Korean war. We have cooperated closely together through NATO to end the Cold War. As partners in NORAD, we ensure the defence of North American airspace. During the past decade we have joined efforts to bring peace and stability by contributing troops to places as diverse as Iraq, Haiti, Bosnia and, most recently, Kosovo and East Timor. We both strive to ensure global stability and encourage open markets, rules-based trading systems, and more democratic governments and societies through multilateral fora such as the United Nations, the G7/8 and the World Trade Organization.

Mutual stewardship of our shared continent and natural resources has been a long-standing tradition. Canadians and Americans enjoy the same water and breathe the same air, and thus share a collective responsibility to safeguard a clean and healthy environment for future generations.

Our two sovereignties meet and work together at our shared border, which serves as a model of bilateral cooperation. The steady flow of people, goods and ideas across it is evidence of the dynamic interaction between our two nations. The Canada-U.S. Partnership (CUSP) which was jointly announced during your visit to Canada in October last year will result in even greater border facilitation while at the same time ensuring the security of our citizens.

The success of our partnership is the product of not only government-to-government interactions, but also of the unequalled daily involvement of so many of our citizens. Relationships between states and provinces are also exceptionally important in sustaining our mutually beneficial relationship. Our premiers and governors meet in a variety of fora to discuss matters of regional interest, and these legislators are critical to the maintenance of the excellent relations between our two countries.

Mr. President, you mentioned in an address at Mont Tremblant in 1999 that "In the United States, we have valued our relationship with a strong and united Canada. We look to you; we learn from you." Let me assure you that we look to you and learn from you as well. And we both have everything to gain by working closely together.

I assume my duties here, Mr. President, with unwavering belief in the values and friendship that form the foundation of a relationship that is without equal in the world. I can assure you, Mr. President, that I will endeavour to ensure that our countries continue to build on our long history of mutual understanding, respect, and friendship.