Connect to Canada - information to help strengthen the bond between two friendly neighbours.

This chapter on my website is my humble contribution to the cause.

Connect to Canada - Just Added:

Toronto Star Editorial - The Van Doos' sacrifice

Canada – US Travel Regulations

It must be emphasized that the rules are still a proposal. The U.S. will release the final rules for the land and sea modes at a later date.

Travel to the United States

Canadians travelling to or through the United States by air must carry a valid passport or a NEXUS membership card when used at a NEXUS kiosk.

Canadians are not required to carry a valid passport to travel to the United States by land or sea until the summer of 2008 at the earliest.

It is recommended that Canadians carry government-issued photo identification, such as a driver's licence, together with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, to enter the United States by land and water borders.

Travel to Canada

Entry requirements to Canada have not changed in the context of the WHTI. If you are a Canadian citizen or a citizen of the United States, you do not need a passport to enter Canada; however, you should carry proof of your citizenship such as a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or naturalization or a Certificate of Indian Status, as well as a photo ID.

If you are a permanent resident of the United States, you must bring your permanent resident card (i.e. green card) with you.

Have an interest in our shared border? Visit the new Meet Me at the Border Website

Ontario Rules

Robert Benzie, the Queen’s Park bureau chief for the Toronto Star reports – “As border restrictions loom, the head of the province's largest business organization has a powerful warning for American lawmakers: Ontario is a far larger US. export market than China.

Ontario Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Len Crispinp, in Washington lobbying politicians against further tightening of the border, said some senators and members of Congress are surprised to learn of the province's importance to the U.S. economy.

'We're pointing out that for 36 states, Canada is the number one export market, something that perhaps is not terribly well understood. The U.S. exports to China about $55 billion (in goods annually). We compared it to what the US. exports to Ontario alone — not Canada, but just to Ontario — and it s about $135 billion" (all figures in U.S. dollars).

Research conducted by the chamber has concluded that both countries stand to lose $13.6 billion in lost productivity unless there are border improvements, which could cost 70,000 Canadian jobs and 80,000 American jobs.

Following the death of another Canadian soldier - A Toronto Star editorial re: Canada’s military commitment to the NATO force in Afghanistan – opens new window.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that TransCanada Inc. and Enbridge Energy Inc., both based in Calgary, Alberta, are developing pipelines that would stretch from eastern Alberta to a key oil hub in Southern Illinois. The projects would cost a combined $3 billion and pump more than 800,000 barrels of crude oil to be processed into gasoline and other fuels.

Interesting - England's former Prime Minister Tony Blair's words during a question period when asked by one of his Parliament members why he believes so much in America - ”A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in... And how many want out."

U.S. Report Hails Strategic Importance of Canada to United States

Canada is the most important trading partner to the U.S., states a new study released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

According to the report, U.S. exports of goods and services to Canada in 2004 exceeded combined U.S. exports to Mexico and Japan, the second- and third-largest U.S. export markets.

The report further demonstrates that the relationship with Canada represents 20% of all U.S. trade, and that “knowledge of Canada’s economic structure, trade patterns, and growth prospects is increasingly important in understanding the overall U.S. trade outlook.”

For more information - Click Here.

New new poll suggests only a tiny minority of Americans -- four per cent -- know that Canada is the largest supplier of crude oil to the United States.
The survey also suggests that 88 per cent of Americans have a favourable view of Canada and that 41 per cent would be willing to pay even higher gasoline prices to replace oil from unstable regions.

The Honourable Michael Wilson Canadian Ambassador to the United States of America

Michael Wilson assumed his responsibilities as Ambassador on March 13, 2006, becoming the 22nd representative of Canada to the United States.

Michael Wilson was Chairman of UBS Canada, an operating division of UBS AG one of the world's leading financial institutions. Michael oversaw all UBS operations in Canada, which included the Investment Bank, pension fund management, and Wealth Management businesses.

Prior to joining UBS in July 2001, Michael Wilson was responsible for RBC Financial Group's institutional asset management businesses. Michael also served as a Vice Chairman of RBC Dominion Securities, responsible for senior client relationships and advice to both Canadian and international companies and governments.

In 1979, Michael was elected to the House of Commons. In September 1984, Michael was appointed Minister of Finance and remained in that role until May 1991. He than became Minister of Industry, Science and Technology and Minister for International Trade. During his tenure as as member of the Cabinet, he represented Canada at the IMF, IBRD, OECD, GATT and the G-7 Ministers meetings.

Prior to his career in public life, Michael's career was in investment banking with responsibilities in corporate, government and international finance. Michael was Director of a number of companies including BP P.L.C. and Manulife Financial.

Michael is active in a number of professional and community organizations including NeuroScience Canada Partnership, The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships and the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance. Mr. Wilson is an Officer of the Order of Canada, and has honorary degrees from the University of Toronto and York University.

Canada and the United States:
The World’s Largest Bilateral Economic Partnership

The bilateral trading relationship between Canada and the United States is the largest economic relationship in the world, with more than 1.8 billion dollars CAD (1.58 billion USD) in trade crossing the border each day and some 5.2 million American jobs supported by Canada-U.S. trade. Canada represents a larger market for U.S. goods than all 25 countries of the European Union combined.

Latest Figures

The Canada-U.S. trade relationship is growing and new numbers recently published by the Progressive Policy Institute are illuminating:

• the $610 billion in U.S.-Canada goods and services trade exceeds America's trade with all of its 15 other FTA partners put together, and a year's worth of imports from the United States' six CAFTA partners, for example, is the equivalent of a bare three weeks' worth of Canadian imports.
• Canada-U.S. trade is only $150 billion behind American goods and services trade with all 27 EU members combined -- excluding services, Canada-U.S. trade is actually slightly larger than U.S.-EU trade -- and far above the $360 billion in U.S.-China trade.

Key Trade Facts

• Canada is the largest export market for 39 of the 50 U.S. states.
• More than 300,000 people travel between Canada and the U.S. each day
• Canada represents 23.5% of America's exports and 17.4% of its imports
• In 2004, cross-border trade totalled nearly 680 billion dollars (CAD)

Bilateral Investment

In 2004, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the United States was Canada’s largest foreign investor, spending in excess of 228 billion dollars (CAD). The United States is Canada’s number one destination for foreign direct investment. In 2004 Canada was the 7th largest overall investor in the United States, investing nearly 165 billion dollars (CAD).

For the sixth consecutive year, The Competitive Alternatives report, KPMG’s guide to international business costs, rated Canada has the lowest-cost G7 country in which to do business.

Highlights of the Report

Canada was the lowest-cost G7 country in 12 of the 17 industries examined, including important sectors such as aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.

When the results are broken down by municipality, Canadian cities rank higher than many of their international counterparts.

NAFTA Fact

Since the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, two-way trade between the U.S. and Canada has grown by an average of 6 percent a year, with the Canadian market absorbing approximately one-fifth of all U.S. exports.

Canada is a key American ally in the War on Terrorism.

Since 9/11, the Canadian Forces (CF) have deployed some 15,500 personnel and 20 warships to Afghanistan and Southwest Asia. CF personnel have also played key roles in several combat operations in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan

Kabul

You Had To Be There

From a speech given by Former Ambassador Frank McKenna at The Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island September 26, 2005 -

"When we were coming to Prince Edward Island which is just across the Northumberland Strait for me, a friend of mine sent me a little anecdote that he thought might be helpful, particularly in the context of the new responsibilities that I now have. This apparently was the transcript of an actual radio conversation of the United States naval ship with Canadian authorities in the Gulf of St. Lawrence which is where we are right now. This radio conversation was released from classified records by the Director of Naval Operations."

Canadians: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision.
Americans: Recommend that you divert your course 15 degrees to the north.
Canadians: Negative, you will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision.
Americans: This is the Captain of the US Navy Ship, I say again divert your course.
Canadians: No, I say again you divert your course.
Americans: this is the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln, second largest ship in the United States Atlantic fleet, we are accompanied by three destroyers, three cruisers, numerous support vessels, we’re accompanied as well by submarines and I demand that you change your course 15 degrees to the north. I say again that’s one five degrees to the north or countermeasures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of the ship. We’re coming through.
Canadians: Go ahead but we should warn you we’re a lighthouse in Prince Edward Island.

Now for some facts, figures and news clips:

• Similar in purpose to DHS, Canada's Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and its six agencies brings together the core functions of crime prevention, policing & enforcement, security & intelligence, corrections, border services & integrity and emergency management.

• Canada is the leading source of energy imports to the US, including crude oil. Canada has the world's second largest proven oil reserves.

• With $1.2 billion in trade crossing the border every day and 200 million travellers crossing (two-way), trade in goods and services between Canada and the United States surpassed $441.5 billion in 2003. The largest bilateral exchange in the world, this relationship supports 5.2 million US jobs.

• None of the terrorists responsible for 9/11 entered the US from Canada. The millennium bomber was caught as a result of Canadian and US authorities working together.

• As part of the War on Terror, Canada has deployed 18 warships and 12,000 personnel who have served in places including Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf.

• All adult refugee claimants entering Canada are photographed and fingerprinted upon arrival and are screened for security and criminality before a refugee protection hearing. Currently, Canada's refugee acceptance rate is 40% and for the US, 37%.

• In 2003 alone, Canada's Migration Integrity Officers, working overseas in 39 locations, stopped more than 6,400 individuals using improperly issued documents who were attempting to travel to Canada by air.

• The Port of Vancouver, Canada's largest and first to use VACIS mobile gamma ray scanning technology, is working toward its goal of screening for contraband 100% of container traffic leaving Vancouver by rail.

• Canada's financial intelligence unit, called FINTRAC, uncovered financial transactions valued at approximately $345 million suspected to be associated with money laundering and terrorist activity in 2003.

• Canada's detector dogs have assisted customs inspectors in Canada to detect over 500 drug and firearm seizures worth $125 million in 2003 alone. These canines can also detect currency.

• Canada's second busiest airport, Vancouver International is the site of a fingerprint and retina biometric pilot program.

• And ... the Blackberry is a Canadian invention.

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  A personal note:

  In 1973, I was in my second year as Sports Director of Toronto radio station CHUM AM/FM. On June the 5th of that year, prior to my sportscast that followed the noon news, and having written my script early, I was following my usual prebroadcast ritual of sitting in a quiet room listening to Gordon Sinclair’s top rated newscast on our major competitor CFRB.

  Gordon’s news package was made up of an editorial segment – “Let’s Get Personal” at 11.45AM followed by his newscast at 11.50AM. This weekday fifteen minutes on CFRB was, to the best of my knowledge, never topped in the ratings and the competing stations, mine included, tried everything short of kidnapping.

  However, on this day, Gordon wrote and delivered an editorial that was later hailed by Prime Ministers and Presidents.

  Thirty-four years later, Gordon Sinclair’s comments still stand – just update the events Take a moment to read THE AMERICANS, by Gordon Sinclair and the background story by Lyman Potts.

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  Jan Glidewell's column in the St. Petersburg Times - How about a nice trip to explore Canada, Eh?

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  Canada's Joint Task Force Two Members Receive U.S. Presidential Unit Citation

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  Former Ambassador Frank McKenna and Canadian military attaché Rear Admiral Ian Mack led a Canadian military contingent in wreath-laying ceremonies at the graves of nine Canadian-born Medal of Honor Recipients at Arlington National Cemetery.

  The nine Canadian-born American heroes won the US's highest award for bravery in conflicts ranging from the US Civil War to World War 2. July 1st is Canada's national day, which is fitting for the nation of their birth to honour their remarkable service to their adopted homeland.

  Sixty-one Congressional Medals of Honor have been awarded to Canadians since 1862, the last in 1970 during Vietnam (Peter Lemon). Of note, one Montrealer won it twice (Robert Sweeney), two brothers from Nova Scotia each won a Medal of Honor (Harry and Willard Miller), and the Coast Guard's only recipient (Douglas Munroe) was born in Vancouver, BC.

  Americans too have won great honours while serving with Canada. Of the five Americans who have won the Commonwealth's highest honour for bravery, the Victoria Cross, four did so while serving with Canadian units (all in World War One).

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  Fun stuff submitted by Julie W - Tourist questions about Canada. Weird but true.

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  This goes back to the late show with David Letterman, April 9th, 1997 – but still fun stuff

  Top Ten Canadian Complaints About Americans

  10: Won’t acknowledge enormous cultural contribution of Howie Mandel.
  9: We’re pretty sure they’re hold Wayne Gretsky down there against his will.
  8:Every time we mention the city of “Regina” they won’t stop giggling.
  7:Incredibly, they only have one word for “snow”
  6: In American encyclopedias, Canada often is called “North Dakota’s gay neighbour”
  5:They call it American cheese, even though it was invented by Canadian superstar Gordon Lightfoot.
  4: They’ve never even heard of our most popular superhero “Captain Saskatchewan”.
  3:Two Words – “Weird Al”.
  2: Sick of that gap-toothed loser on the Late Show with Paul Shaffer.
  1: Not enough guys named “Gordie”.

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