On Thursday, February 19th, 2009, US President Barack Obama made his first foreign visit. His visit to meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada extended over a six hour day and drew Obama fans from across Ottawa, the nation’s capital.
Obama Meets With Governor General
Obama also held meetings with the Canadian Governor General, Michaelle Jean. Jean hails from Haiti, and the two spent a short time discussing the commonality of their backgrounds. The planned airport meeting took longer than originally intended, as Obama spent time in an energetic discussion with the representative of the British Crown in Canada.
Thousands of Fans Line Streets to See Obama
In Ottawa, thousands of Obama fans braved the falling snow and high security to catch a glimpse of the new President of the United States. According to CBC radio reports from Ottawa, some fans lined up in the wee hours of the morning to get the best spot to see Obama. Writing in The Daily Gleaner, Sue Bailey describes how kiosks in the local Byward Market sported Obama Beavertails, a fried dough dessert. A local coffeehouse created a Presidential Blend.
Discussion Topics Included Energy, the Economy, and Afghanistan
Discussion topics included a clean energy policy, with discussion of the Alberta oil sands. The two leaders agreed on a plan to move forward with a working relationship to develop technologies for clean energy and reduce the carbon footprint of the two countries.
The economy and the global recession were key points in the discussion between Harper and Obama. The most challenging issue on the agenda was likely Obama’s focus American economic security and the new Buy American plan. Canadians are concerned about American economic protectionism. While countries are allowed to place some focus on domestic priorities to some degree as part of the North American Free Trade Agreement, CNN reports of February 19th state that Obama stressed the leadership and a growth in trade is important to the United States.
The two leaders also discussed the conflict in Afghanistan, though Obama stopped short of asking for a new commitment of troops from Canada.
The Relationship Between Leaders is Key for Canada and the United States
After lunch in the Senate dining room, the two leaders addressed the media. In the Canadian press, much has been made of the need for Obama and Harper to develop a good personal relationship, one that will solidify the relationship between the two countries.
Barack Obama has visited Canada before. In an article entitled Obama, Jean share animated airport encounter, Star reporter Stephen Thorne reports that the Obama family made a trip the Burlington, Ontario and Niagara Falls on a trip to a family wedding in 2004.
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