I have a lot of American friends, and as such I hear a lot of Canadian jokes. Most of them I just laugh off…and seriously, there’s enough American jokes that I throw back as well…its all good natured.
But Americans don’t make jokes about Australians, or the British, or even Mexico like they do with Canada. Why is that? Part of it, I believe, is that Canada isn’t really taken seriously by America. And unfortunately that sentiment isn’t just held in pockets of everyday Americans…it can be found at the highest levels of government.
Take for instance the recent nomination hearing of David Jacobson, the new US ambassador to Canada. Canada, remember, is the largest trading partner with the US, not just in exports but in imports of US products as well. Our countries are intertwined, we share a symbiotic economical relationship. In the grand scheme of the US economy, we matter! Yet for Mr. Jacobson’s nomination hearing only one person showed up to ask questions about his new role out of a potential twenty one.
According to an article from The Star, former US ambassador to Canada Gordon Giffin offered this explanation:
“…David Jacobson is a very solid guy with not a hint of controversy surrounding his nomination. Second, senators are consumed with some rather large issues in finance and environment. And finally, everyone is rushing to get out of town because the summer recess is imminent. Add that up and this is just a formality, really.”
Yet I wonder if things would have been different with any other country…say the ambassador to China, Britain, Germany, or Mexico? Would all 21 have ensured they showed up? Giffin’s logic is a little troubling as well. He suggests that senators are busy with larger issues, but also want to get out of town because of the summer recess…so which is it: are they dealing with big problems, or just trying to get to the cottage faster?
Regardless, this does leave a bad taste in Canadian’s mouths. It has nothing to do with whether this nomination was simply a “formality”. What matters is that the US shows respect for a country that has bent over backwards to be a great neighbour and trading partner.
Of course, many US politicians probably don’t think there is anything really pressing with Canada since even their president downplays Canada’s concerns over protectionist policies:
“I do think it's important to keep this in perspective. This in no way has endangered the billions of dollars of trade taking place between our two countries,”
“I want to assure you your Prime Minister raises this with me every time we see each other. [But] I think it's also important to keep it in perspective, that in fact we have not seen some sweeping steps toward protectionism,”
President Obama
And yet we continue to hear stories about Canadian companies losing money because they’re shut out of bidding for jobs in the US while US companies have no such limitations in bidding on Canadian jobs.
As Canadians we need to continue being vocal, continue raising awareness of these issues with our governments and those across the border. We need to keep pushing for NAFTA reform, not just because its outdated in the types of jobs that are covered by it but to ensure we preserve our natural resources for our future generations.
We’ve already looked at other free trade agreements with other countries, and we should continue to do that. We should not continue to accept our role as a friend to the United States only when it serves their purposes. We are the true north strong and free, we should be proud of our country and our heritage, and we should rail against anyone who attempts to take advantage of us and our people.
Canada needs to stop being do damn polite and start asserting ourselves as the global player we truly are.
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