Found this article in The Australian newspaper today:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,18717562%255E1702,00.html
Canada seeks better US ties
April 05, 2006
"CANADA'S new Conservative government wants to strengthen its military and diplomacy and will begin by improving its relations with the United States, Governor-General Michaelle Jean said in a key note speech Tuesday.
The governor-general, in the so-called Throne speech, laid out the government's legislative agenda for the new session of Parliament which opened Monday.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper's new right-wing minority government, which swept to power in a January 23 election after 12 years of Liberal rule, signaled in the address to both chambers of Parliament it would work with its international allies to "advance common values and interests."
"(Canada) will build stronger multilateral and bilateral relationships, starting with Canada's relationship with the United States, our best friend and largest trading partner," the governor-general said.
Relations between the two neighbors have been strained in recent years over trade disputes, security, and diverging foreign policies.
Two former Liberal prime ministers refused to back the US-led invasion of Iraq or support a US missile defense shield program.
And a long-standing softwood lumber trade dispute with Washington that has cost Canadian forestry companies billions of dollars since 2001 remains unresolved despite countless legal and diplomatic efforts.
Harper's government also plans to build "a more robust diplomatic role for Canada, a stronger military and a more effective use of Canadian aid dollars" to support freedom, democracy, the rule of law and human rights around the world, Jean said.
"Canada's voice in the world must be supported by action," she said on behalf of Harper's government.
Canada deployed 2,300 troops in Kandahar, Afghanistan, last month and took command of coalition forces in the province hunting down Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants.
The troops were singled out for praise in the speech in a likely effort to boost sagging support for Canada's new combat role abroad as casualties mount.
A dozen Canadian soldiers have died since the force arrived in 2001 after the United States ousted the hardline Taliban regime for refusing to surrender Osama bin Laden for plotting terror attacks against the United States.
Opposition parties have asked for a debate in Parliament about the mission, but Harper, whose first trip abroad was to Afghanistan to show support for the troops, has refused."
Welcome back to the conservative side, Canada. Hopefully New Zealand will be next.
Cheers, |