Oil Sands Truth: Shut Down the Tar Sands

"Obama's win signals a larger role for Canada in managing North America"

Warning: Barbara Yaffe is the author.
--M

Obama's win signals a larger role for Canada in managing North America
Barbara Yaffe, Vancouver Sun
Published: Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Tuesday's historic changing of the guard in Washington D.C., sets the stage for a realignment of the world's closest bilateral relationship.

During his campaign, Barack Obama pledged to lead a more diplomatic and multilateralist U.S. Which suggests Americans may consult Canada more often on foreign and continental policy.

The Bush administration has been a fairly remote partner, going all the way back to a decision by a newly elected George W. in 2001 to visit Mexico before venturing northward.

Post 9/11, Bush neglected to thank Canadians for their help and never once invited a Canadian leader to his Texas ranch. He had no more than a cordial relationship with either Jean Chretien or "Steve" Harper.

An Obama presidency -- which Canadians overwhelmingly supported over a John McCain win -- affords a fresh opportunity for leaders of the two nations to connect.

Of course, links north and south of the 49th are inextricable and fundamental, nurtured by bureaucrats who preside well beyond presidential and prime ministerial terms.

But the Reagan-Mulroney and Clinton-Chretien eras demonstrated how harmonious ties can be between Canada and the U.S. when the leaders become engaged.

Obama, 47, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, 49, are of the same era, well-educated and raised by ordinary middle-class families, the Harpers and Obama's Hawaiian grandparents. While their political philosophies differ, they'll have enough in common to forge common perspectives on many issues.

And, with a popular president in Washington, Harper won't have to work so hard to distance himself from all things American.

One area where the new president might make a real difference to Canada is the environment.

It goes without saying that Obama will be preoccupied by the current economic maelstrom in his country. But he has made commitments in exchange for support of green voters which he'll have to honour.

It's almost certain Obama will endorse the Kyoto protocol and develop strategy to address greenhouse gas emissions. The Americans could adopt a cap-and-trade scheme or carbon tax.

A U.S. green plan may well be embraced by Canada, to avoid the impact of any Congressional plan that would penalize imports from environmental laggard nations.

At present, Canada's greenhouse gas strategy is "a chaotic mess," according to Tom D'Aquino, head of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives. Different provinces are pursuing different strategies. Under a new president, Canada and the U.S. would have a chance to construct a single continent-wide greenhouse-gas strategy.

The U.S. change at the top also gives new hope to Canadians that border policy will shift. The Bush administration highlighted Americans' security fears which resulted in a thickening of the border. In tougher economic times, Obama may adopt a different approach.

This would give Canada an opening to suggest ideas to ease border movement with a focus on commercial and trade interests.

On trade, some worry an Obama-led U.S. would place restrictions on the import of dirty tar sands oil. And it's not known whether Obama will carry through on threats to reopen NAFTA. But a Democratic majority in Congress could bring a wave of protectionism.

The Security and Prosperity Partnership, which aims to streamline Canada-U.S. regulations to assist trade, is likely to continue. But the business-driven scheme, unpopular among those fearing a demonic plan to unite the two countries, might be overhauled in some way.

The inauguration of a new president affords an opportunity for, at the very least, a name change to give the SPP a new lease on life.

byaffe@vancouversun.com
© The Vancouver Sun 2008

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/story.html?id=8a355b61-a985-4edd-bb6a...

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