Terrorists To the North: Regime Change In Canada

Here we have the single best, most productive and peaceful relationship in the world and who would know that by following your election campaign or reading the press? …the last time I checked, the United States was not on your ballot. …I haven’t gone native on you. I am and remain a proud American but I am Canada's biggest fan. …What if one of your best friends criticized you directly and indirectly almost relentlessly? What if that friend’s agenda was to highlight your perceived flaws while avoiding mentioning your successes? Wouldn't that begin to sow the seeds of doubt in your mind about the strength of your friendship? … Canada NEVER has to tear US down to build itself up. …we have a better performance with regard to greenhouse gas emissions than many of the countries that ratified the Kyoto Protocol -- including Canada. …Fact: Between 1990 and 2003, emissions in the U.S. have increased by 13.3 percent but over that same time period Canada increased its emissions by 24.2 percent! …I would respectfully submit to you that when it comes to a "global conscience" the U.S. is walking the walk. …bottom line is Canada should understand 9-11 forever changed my country. …At the end of November we had a decision by the US Dept of Commerce to strictly comply with NAFTA panel. …It really hit home with me yesterday when I met with the Iraq Ambassador who put in real life terms. He said, ‘We are now trying to establish in Iraq the same values that are taken for granted in the U.S. and Canada.’” …There are 27 million Iraqis wanting freedom and 10,000 terrorists who know their despicable agenda will be thwarted once Iraq is completely free. And so they carry on but they WILL NOT prevail. Freedom is on the march.

David H. Wilkins, U.S. Ambassador to Canada.

“Beyond the Blame Game: Reevaluating and Reassessing the U.S.-Canada Relationship,” Speech by U.S. Ambassador to Canada, the Canadian Club, Ottawa, 12/13/05.

“Everybody and his brother knows that U.S. [sic] is trying to sabotage [the Kyoto Protocol].” “The White House has made a decision to intervene. It should help Mr. Martin, just because the Bush people are so unpopular here.”

Stephen Clarkson, political science professor, University of Toronto.

Scott Deveau, “U.S. Ambassador rips Martin over Kyoto,” Globe and Mail, 12/13/05.

“[Ambassador Wilkins] was speaking as a representative of the U.S. government in Canada. I think that his remarks were -- they were frank, they were open and certainly offered in the best traditions of the U.S.-Canadian neighbourly relations. …any decisions about Canada's electoral future and who they choose to elect are going to be decisions solely and only for the Canadian people."

Sean McCormack, State Department spokesman.

Alan Freeman, “White House likely behind ambassador’s outburst,” Globe and Mail, 12/15/05, A1.

57% of Candians favor Canada taking a more independent approach from the U.S., up from 43% two years ago. …The new poll finds Candians holding increasingly negative views of both the U.S. and the American people. …

How Western Publics View Americans. [Canadian views of Americans/U.S. Policy in percentages]: Greedy (62); Hardworking (77); Honest (42); Immoral (39); Inventive (76); Rude (53); Violent (64); Confidence in Western Leaders, George W. Bush (40); What’s the Problem With the U.S.?, Mostly Bush (54); Favorable view of U.S. (59); favorable view of Americans (66); U.S decision on war in Iraq, right decision NOT to use force (80); Is the world safer without Saddam, safer place (37); Favor of the U.S.-led war on terrorism (45); Influence of Iraqi elections on U.S. image , more favorable (44); Influence on calls for Mideast democracy on U.S. image, more favorable (52); U.S-European Alliance, more independent (57); Better if another rivaled U.S. military power (38); Who do you trust to stop genocide, U.S. (39), other country (44); Who do you trust to protect the global environment, U.S. (16), other country (63); Think the U.S. takes Canadian interests into account (19); Who influences American foreign policy, business corporations (33); Want U.S./Canadian relationship to stay as close as in past (41); Feel less favorably toward the U.S. because of Bush’s re-elections (75).

“U.S. Image Up Slightly, But Still Negative: American Character Gets Mixed Reviews.” Pew Research Center, 6/23/05.