U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will be in Ottawa for an official visit on Thursday and Friday. The vice president will meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as well as the provincial premiers.
“I look forward to meeting with Vice President Biden and discussing the strength of our two countries’ relationship. Canada has no closer friend, partner, and ally than the U.S., and our relationship with our neighbour to the south is critical to citizens on both sides of the border,” said Trudeau in a press release.
U.S. Ambassador to Canada Bruce A. Heyman noted in a statement that Biden would meet with the premiers "on a range of bilateral and global issues.” The meeting with the premiers will be on Friday.
The prime minister will also host a dinner in honour of Biden.
Biden's last Canadian trip was for the FIFA Women's World Cup final in Vancouver. Biden told reporters during that visit that Canada was the "most reliably certain and consequential ally we have." "You're not supposed to say that, but Canada is an incredible, incredible ally."
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Elephant in the room
The timing is intriguing, no matter how the U.S. election had gone. For all we know, this may be the last visit from the executive branch to Canada for some time. Having the sitting vice president travel to Canada is always a good thing, especially to keep the dialogue going.
Softwood lumber isn't likely to come up in terms of an agreement.
Trade, border security, Keystone XL, TPP, NAFTA: these are significant issues of concern between the two countries. Though I consider myself an expert on U.S. politics and Canadian politics, I simply don't know what will happen, what to make of anything.
Justin Trudeau will need to be a strong leader, not just in terms of Canada but for progressive leadership on countries working together.
The tradition of a U.S. president to make the first foreign visit to Canada has been thwarted once recently out of spite. In a person filled with spite with a hair-trigger response, the future is truly unknown.
My best advice is welcome Vice President Joe Biden, treat him well, ask any advice you can, and prepare scenarios if NAFTA is reopened.
photo credit: Don MacKinnon/The Canadian Press
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