The comments were made in an interview Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano gave to CBC (Canadian Broadcast Corporation) Journalist Neil Macdonald. They were in response to Macdonald’s request for clarification on previous remarks made regarding her country’s northern, and southern borders.
Napolitano’s Comments, Canadian Responses
According to cbc.ca the exact comments by Ms. Napolitano were: “Yes Canada is not Mexico. It does not have a drug war going on; it didn’t have 6,000 homicides that were drug related last year. Nonetheless, to the extent that terrorists have come into our country or suspected or known terrorists have entered our country across a border, it’s been across the Canadian border. There are real issues there.” The terrorists mentioned were those involved in the September 11th attacks.
Immigration Minister Jason Kenney responded in remarks published on ctv.ca defending Canada’s record on national security, and its cooperation with the USA: “That’s absolutely wrong. Ever since 9-11, and before 9-11 Canada has co-operated with the USA on issues of Continental Security as it relates to immigration.”
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff visiting Washington for a conference added that he thought she was ill informed as it comes to matters concerning the Canadian border. Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) John Mackay criticized the Secretary for failing to visit the border within 90 days of taking office.
In remarks published on ctv.ca Canada's Ambassador to the United States Michael Wilson added his regret that such urban myths still exist: “Unfortunately misconceptions arise on something as fundamental as where the 9-11 terrorists came from.”
It’s a well documented fact the terrorists involved in the 9-11 terror attacks entered the US from outside North America.
Napolitano’s Apology, Calls For Her Resignation
The controversy over her remarks caused her to issue an apology. According to ctv.ca she issued a statement admitting her mistake: “I know the September 11th hijackers did not come through Canada to the United States.” Her office’s stand is she merely made a mistake.
This mistake isn’t her first. Her office recently released a report saying American War veterans were vulnerable to recruitment by extremists. She immediately regretted it, but it isn’t stopping some in the House of Representatives from calling for her resignation. According to Fox News, one representative from Texas is urging the President to fire her: “Mr. President fire that woman.”
During President Obama’s recent visit, Prime Minister Harper emphasized Canada’s serious attitude towards national security. Canada and the United States share the world’s longest undefended land border.
