Opinion: Canada deserves President Bush's respect
Renee Nadeau
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President Bush's visit to Ottawa, Ontario, was long over due. Not only was Mr. Bush late in addressing issues of great importance to our northern neighbors, he was late in showing the country due respect.
Mr. Bush visited Canada only twice during his last term, both times for large summits. November 2 was his first one-on-one meeting with the Canadian prime minister since taking office four years ago.
The major issue discussed by Mr. Bush and Prime Minister Paul Martin was trade restrictions between the United States and Canada. A U.S. ban on importing beef and cattle from Canada has been in effect since a single Alberta cow was found to have mad cow disease in May, 2003.
Although some of the restrictions were lifted in August, 2003, the ban has drained the Canadian economy of an estimated $5 billion. The two leaders agreed that this issue should be resolved quickly, but Mr. Bush refused to give a definite answer on when the ban would finally be lifted.
Other trade restrictions on softwood lumber have put thousands of Canadian jobs as well as nearly $10 billion in lumber sales on the line.
No wonder Canadians gave Mr. Bush such an unfriendly reception when he arrived in Ottawa. Most Canadians, like the rest of the world, do not see eye to eye with U.S. foreign policy, particularly the invasion of Iraq. The president, however, does not seem to care much about the public opinion in Canada, as Canadians were not responsible for his re-election.
It is this attitude that has landed Mr. Bush in his current situation. He must attempt to improve the United States' relations with Canada. It should be a flashing neon sign to Mr. Bush that he has screwed up international relations when he is faced with the wrath of the otherwise mild-mannered Canadians.
Despite the pummeling Canada takes in U.S. pop culture, it should not receive the same treatment by the U.S. government.
Canada may not be the most powerful ally of the United States, but it is an important ally just the same. Canada needs to be treated with more respect by Mr. Bush and his administration.