Canada-U.S. relations on road back to the future
Sore spots remain, but things finally seem to be returning to some kind of order
In the “before” times, Canadians seemed to like the president more than Americans, and picnicking in Peace Arch Park was a choice rather than the only chance to visit with family and friends from across the border.
In those “before” times, an invitation to the U.S. consul general's July 4 party in Vancouver was a sought-after thing, even with hotdogs on the menu. The consul general also was a frequent speaker on the rubber-chicken circuit.
Now, with vaccines and a new president, it seems we are on the road back to the future — albeit a future where repairing and restoring the Canada-U. S. bilateral relationship, as well as the multilateral ones trashed by the former president, is going to require some work.
The work began last week when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Joe Biden met virtually, while a long lineup of cabinet ministers and senior officials held virtual meetings of their own.
This is not to say that it's all sunshine and roses. Biden did cancel the Keystone XL pipeline without giving Trudeau a headsup. And Biden's government has flat-out refused to share the COVID-19 vaccine with Canada and Mexico, even if it might result in a faster reopening of borders.
The “Buy American” program raises legitimate concerns. And then there is the vague existential worry about the president's ability to reunite a country that witnessed a coup attempt a week before his inauguration.
Vancouver's consul general reached out after the TrudeauBiden meeting to reinforce the messages that emerged and introduce himself.
A career diplomat with an impressive resume, Brent Hardt arrived here in August as the pandemic was rampaging across America, the presidential incumbent was waging an incendiary and desperate campaign, and the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa had been without an ambassador since February 2019. (A new ambassador has yet to be appointed.)
During our brief conversation, Hardt underscored the old-butnew-again messages about our deep ties, the world's longest unprotected border (well, except for those public health orders), rules-based trade, and mutual commitments to multilateral organizations.
We talked about some potential irritants to the relationship that have special resonance here, including Chinese executive Meng Wanzhou's arrest as a result of an American request for her extradition.
Emphasizing that it would be improper to comment on the case, Hardt expressed confidence in Canadian courts to review the evidence and make a decision based on the facts and the law.
He noted that Meng is charged in the U.S. with a wide range of offences, including bank and wire fraud, racketeering and a conspiracy to steal trade secrets, before shifting focus to the “Two Michaels” detained in China almost immediately after Meng's arrest.
“The Canadians — Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig — have been arbitrarily detained, imprisoned under the most challenging conditions with really no access to their families,” he said. “And I can assure you and your readers that the Biden administration will continue to do everything that it can to secure their release.”
The U.S. government is in “absolute solidarity with Canada in insisting on the Michaels' immediate and unconditional release” and fully supports the Canadian initiative inspired to get other countries to stand together against “this kind of arbitrary detention of individuals for foreign policy issues.”
Closer to home, Hardt said that cruise ships and the ferries that ply the waters between B.C. and the U.S. are all part of the conversation about the reopening of the border.
As to decisions about when land, sea and air routes will reopen, whether proof of vaccination will be needed, or what level of transmission might be deemed low enough to have that happen, Hardt said that will depend on the science and recommendations of public health officials in both countries.
As for the unique circumstances of Point Roberts residents, the consul general said both national governments continue to monitor the impacts of COVID restrictions on orphaned and isolated communities all along the border and are doing what they can to make essential travel as easy as possible.
Despite being overdue for another virtual meeting, Hardt took time to talk a bit about the Arctic and the two leaders' commitment to modernize the North American Aerospace Defense Command (Norad) and establish a continuing forum for discussions and actions on Arctic security, economic and social development.
The region has become increasingly important as all polar countries, including China and Russia, eye the economic opportunities emerging due to diminishing sea ice and melting permafrost.
“We recognize it as a unique and vital region where we have both opportunities and responsibilities,” said Hardt, whose previous postings have included several related directly to NATO, security and defence policy.
He said the Biden administration, like Canada, wants sustainable economic development that supports local Indigenous communities, good governance and transparency, and the continuation of a “rules-based order” with governments “operating according to standards and norms” as the Arctic Council's eight member states and Indigenous representatives have since 1996.
It all sounds so familiar, even retro. A slightly embarrassing budding bromance. Policy development. Multilateralism. Co-operation.
Yet, after four chaotic years, Trudeau and his team are probably not the only Canadians channelling Sally Field (from 1985) and silently squealing, “They like us (again). They really like us (again).”