Obama to visit Canada Feb. 19, PMO confirms

U.S. President Barack Obama is scheduled to make his first official visit to Canada on Feb. 19. Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Obama will likely discuss cross-border security, trade, the economy and the Afghan mission.

CTV Newsnet: Elizabeth Dauphinee, York University, on what to expect during the visit

U.S. President Barack Obama can expect a very warm welcome in Canada, where many are hoping to see a similar political icon.

CTV Newsnet: Allan Gotlieb, former ambassador, on the importantance the fighting protectionist attitudes

A former Canadian ambassador says the presidential visit is important because U.S. politicians are increasingly developing a protectionist attitude which would be detrimental to Canadian interests.

CTV Newsnet: Robert Fife with details on what Obama will do during his visit to Canada

U.S. President Barack Obama will come to Canada on a working visit for just a day and will not address Parliament. He will however likely meet with the opposition leaders.

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Wed. Jan. 28 2009 7:50 PM ET

Barack Obama will visit Canada on Feb. 19 -- his first foreign trip since taking office on Jan. 20, both the prime minister's office and White House confirmed on Wednesday.

Details of the highly-anticipated visit were not immediately available.

"This is a testament, not just to the size of our trading relationship and the closeness of our alliance, but also the strength of our friendship," Prime Minister Stephen Harper told the House of Commons.

"I look forward to an important and productive working visit."

Harper spoke with Obama over the phone last week and discussed plans for the trip.

"Canada is a vitally important ally," White House spokesperson Robert Gibbs told reporters Wednesday. "The president looks forward to the opportunity to speak with Prime Minister Harper and visit our neighbour to the north."

The House of Commons is not sitting the week of Obama's visit, which would seem to rule out a presidential address to Parliament, Harper aide Dimitri Soudas told reporters Wednesday.

Many had speculated Obama might follow in the footsteps of other world leaders who have addressed joint sittings of Parliament.

Those leaders include: Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Vaclav Havel, Jawarhalal Nehru, Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair and Hamid Karzai, as well as U.S. presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton.

Economy top priority

Canada is the U.S.'s largest trading partner and the largest supplier of foreign energy to the United States. The Harper government is hoping to mesh its environmental policies to those of the new U.S. president.

However, it is the global economic downturn that is expected to be the main topic of discussion between Harper and Obama.

Other topics that are expected to be discussed include: the ailing auto sector, and the mission in Afghanistan.

Obama plans to ramp up U.S. efforts in Afghanistan and Defense Secretary Robert Gates has previously made comments that seemed to suggest the U.S. would like Canada to extend its Afghan mission beyond 2011.

Obama's decision to visit Canada first revives a tradition for U.S. presidents. Obama's predecessor, president George Bush, made his first foreign visit to Mexico.

There is no word if Michelle Obama will make the trip with the U.S. president. Former U.S. first lady Barbara Bush made the trip with her husband, former president George H.W. Bush, when he visited Canada.

It appears that the trip will only be one day, which would put a damper on the possibility of a state dinner or any public events.

The PMO said details of the visit would be made available later.

With files from The Canadian Press

Comments are now closed for this story

PROUD CONSERVATIVE
said

It is good to see that Obama wants to vist Canada first. Bush didn't do it when the Liberals were in. I guess he thought ABC (ANYBODY BUT CANADA) LOL

Connie Missipi
said

Connie Missipi from Toronto

Me... is President Obama going to meet. However, I'll be in US.

K_W_
said

Obama coming is really great. Won't change anything in our government but it's a good thing. I love how exciting everyone is that Obama is coming, why can't we get excited about our own PM? thats right he's a mini Bush!

Patti N.
said

We are not worthy.

Jay
said

giovanni
Its way way to soon to say he could be leaster b type president.As well sure he could be good for the world but give it time.He should not be judged on one week in office.

Alex (Toronto)
said

Obama has to visit Canada for reasons of protocol, but there's no reason for him to establish a relationship with Harper. Canada's right-wing government still supports the Republican policies that led to the global economic crisis, and Harper himself is less popular than John McCain in the US. Canada will follow America back to the political centre soon. Then we'll get a proper state visit and a new North American relationship.

Kathryn Vancouver
said

It's great that Obama is reviving the tradition of visiting Canada first! Maybe we will get some publicity in the world-just hope there isn't a big snowstorm.
I want to see all the young people cheering for a man that favours same-sex unions, not "marriage", limits on late term abortion, and chose to stand up in church and declare "Jesus died for me" and chose pastor Rick Warren to be part of his inauguration. Don't judge him just because he's a smoker!

Cathy - Maple, ON
said

So my son's Grad trip to Ottawa Feb 17-20th is supposed to include a trip to Parliament Hill on Feb 19th - If Parliament is not sitting that week maybe Obama could have lunch or skate on the canal with the Grad's of Holy Jubilee of Maple, ON.

Raymond
said

JP in BC writes:
"Mr Harper - PLEASE
DO NOT make a fool of yourself as you have do in the past"

When was this JP?
Every time Harper appears on the international stage, he serves Canadians VERY well...regardless of their political leanings.

Your comments have absolutely zero cred, dude...none.

L.A.
said

What is with the Obama mania? Just because he's a democrat? Three months down the road Americans will be praying for George W. Bush to come back. I am disgusted with Canadians who fall all over themselves for Liberals and Democrats. Where are they now when Obama said God bless America?

giovanni
said

We are so lucky to have Barak and Michelle Obama visit our country! We should give them a very warm welcome. What a nice change this is from Bush. Just today, I read that Obama gave his first interview to an Arabic news organization. He is reaching out to the people in the Middle East. He really wants to use diplomacy to solve problems. He has begun to enter into a dialogue with them. That is how you should solve problems. You talk. You avoid violence at all costs. This is what he is doing. I think that he is going to be a Lester Pearson type of president. He is going to do the world a lot of good.

Hannah
said

Ok, Obama is a POLITICIAN, not a pop star! Most of you are acting like a bunch of little girls at a Hannah Montana concert! You're just so caught up in the brainwashing Obama cult phase that you are blind to the fact that our Prime Minister is a far better leader than Obama will ever be. Get your head in the game and open your eyes! Obama is most likely going to mess up the US in these next 4 years, and you'll be singing a new tune to I'm glad he's not our "president." But I guess for now, ignorance is bliss.

Derek
said

The perfect gift from Canada to President Obama on Feb. 19th would be an OC Transpo bus.

Sylvia
said

Canada should gift Mr. Obama with one of our buses to take home. The government has declared OC Transpo as being non-essential so why would we need buses?

Obama is coming up here to beg for handout.
said

Harper will be too busy bowing and scraping.

Cassidy Kanata
said

Congratulations Mr.President and I hope you do well in all your endeavors. The visit with the Prime Minister of Canada, that being of course the correct one, Prime Minister S.Harper should be interesting and hopefully amicable. I can just see the other prime minister wannabees in a circle of hostile chatter.

Will Ignatieff and Harper present themselves
said

as a couple?

lynne in biggar
said

Now would be the time for Mr Harper and Mr Obama to actually join forces and make it better for canadian families to cross the border by talking about a pass other than our passports somewhat like a national identity card that would be accepted by both countries, and make border crossing much easier for those of us who are interested in visiting for a weekend to our relatives. Also now would be the best time to talk about tighening our east and west borders, and working on our immigration system a little bit better... Congrats to Mr Harper and Mr Obama.

Helen From Pickering
said

@ JENNIFER:
NOT ONLY MR> HARPER BUT ALL THE PM"S CAN LEARN FROM HIM OF HOW THEY CAN MAKE PEOPLE LOVE OUR PMS AND BE PROUD OF THEM AND BRING THE COUNTRY TOGETHER

Helen from Pickering

BIG-Jim
said

Well that would be one politician I would be happy to shake hands with!
Mr Obama Vancouver BC is north of Washington state and west of Ottawa by the Pacific Ocean over the Rockies! LOL

Donna
said

Welcome President Obama!

Denise
said

Good for you "Ex-Canadian" !!

I second the motion but I doubt the pompous Liberals will remain silent. They still don't realize that they are NOT the party running the country (as you can see by the hilarious Liberal comments in today's budget article).

Me
said

Well we knew it was coming and I for one am happy to see it. It would be nice if the GG is on hand to provide a bit of class !!

Jon
said

Obama better shut up and let Harper do the talking. Harper is far more experienced than the no-track-record, cart-before-the-horse Obama whose only real accomplishment is swindling an entire nation into voting for him.

His will be an historic presidency for sure, just for the wrong reasons.

K Rob
said

I hope President Obama is able to remind our Prime Minster that Canada is not his "personal property" to do with as he pleases. He was elected by some Canadians but by no means the majority of Canadians. He has proven on many occasions that he is not trustworthy and has no integrity. Folks keep making comments that the opposition parties slag off the Conservatives. Did you all not see the ridiculous ads prior to the last election with the Prime Minster slagging off Dion (that is called personal attacks and they are childish) ... the opposition parties did not have such ads running ... did you not hear him promise to not call an election before a certain date and then he does and as well the whole thing with income trusts for which he lied again and then using his bulling tactics that resulted in the whole coalition concept forming and then proroguing parliament. Stephen Harper causes each and every mess he finds himself in. He has shown his true colous and I hope President Obama enjoys his time in Canda despite the company he will be forced to keep. I don't get the impression he has much use for liars either.

Bob B
said

Yes and when they say Santa Claus is coming. It is what santa leaves behind that really matters. With President Obama it is the same

Greig
said

Prime Minister Harper is extremely well respected by International leaders and handles himself honorably on the world stage. Lefty naysayers relax - yes, his Government has put forth an extremely Liberal budget but that is not a reason to worry that he will act like a Liberal PM in front of President Obama and embarrass us. We have two wing-nuts and a separatist for that.

Jennifer
said

Explain, please, just exactly what Mr. Harper has to learn from Mr. Obama. ???

Gord
said

This guy's for real in my opinion. Not at all like a certain recently retired Texan with his swagger, "bring 'em on" and "I want him dead or alive" or other such unbecoming, bullyboy, insensitive and inarticulate pronouncements that set American diplomacy back 50 years. That night at a reception I felt America would never again elect a president who had never visited a library and boasted he never read anything.
I was at my Florida condo last Tuesday Jan 20 when Mr. Obama's inauguration took place and later at a reception with a roomful of approximately 100 Americans and was very happy for our cousins and main trading partner and their pride in their nation, their great democracy and willingness to make necessary changes.

Without exception, they were bursting with pride and so was I for them.

Mr. and Mrs. Obama will do their nation proud. Both are telegenic, well educated, articulate, informed and eager to repair damages done to the US reputation abroad and repair their domestic economy. [and ours along with it] One slip I got a chuckle over was Mr. Obama's slip when he referred to the "president" of Canada.

I hope our famous anti americanism is put away for the day when Mr. Obama visits. This guy's an internationalist and understands the US is not alone on the planet. Also thus guy's no bumbling swaggering know nothing blowhard windbag. He's intelligent and well informed and willing to continue a tradition of the first US presidential visit is to Canada.

We have an opportunity during his upcoming visit to establish warm relations with him and welcome him to our magnificent Canada.

Steve in Ottawa
said

President Obama has had a huge impact on the City of Ottawa already. For those of you outside of Ottawa, the City has been paralyzed by a bus strike. Workers control their own schedules and have been manipulating them so they get lots of overtime. The top paid driver made over $150K but he had to work 195 days straight to do it. The Mayor and Council want schedule control back so the average wage of $55K a year is paid to drivers for a normal work week. We have had a lot of bus accidents since this scheduling went into place. The Feds have categorically refused to enter the negotiations. They have offered to mediate and have even sent a mediator to try, but to no avail. The latest Federal ruling was that the bus service was not essential. Now, all of a sudden, President Obama is coming to town and within a couple of hours of this announcement, the Feds have decided to legislate the drivers back to work. There is not a single parking spot left in downtown Ottawa after 7:15 am and traffic is in gridlock. With the world media descending, they have a short time to act to get the transportation system working again to make the City look normal and not attract a whole lot of negative attention to Canada. So, President Obama has already had a dramatic effect on the silly unions in the Ottawa public service. I never thought I would say this, but....Thank you President Obama and welcome to Ottawa!!!!

Mark in Ottawa
said

I hope Barack Obama has a lot of patience. It will take him 2 hours to get through the excesive traffic downtown due to the transit strike. An embarrassment to all Canadians if he sees that.

WestofTheRockies
said

Mr. Harper is going to embarass us!!!??

Sure. Kinda doubtful when you consider the alternatives, the coalition of losers or our leader over most of the past couple of decades. Now that's embarrassing!

Helen Pataki
said

YES WE CAN RECEIVE THE PRESIDENT,I HOPE THAT OUR P.M. TAKE A LESSON FROM HIM.
PLEASE TELL HIM TO COME TO TORONTO TOO, I AM TOO OLD TO GO TO OTTAWA.
COME ON WE SHOULD BE PROUND FOR OUR COUNTRY,WE CAN DO IT TOO,WE CANADIANS ARE TOUGH WE KNEEL BUT WE GET UP
LETS ALL DO SOMETHING AND SHOW HIM THAT HE IS WELCOME TO CANADA AND IF HE GETS FED UP WITH HIS COUNTRY THERE IS A LOT OF ROOM FOR HIM IN CANADA "MR.PRESIDENT WELCOME"
HELEN FROM PICKERING

I like It
said

Good News for sure but consider the awesome historical value - The Prime Minister together with the President and BOTH speak English and this is probably a first whereby the Democrat/Liberal President is more right wing than the Conservative/Republican Prime Minister.

big_papi
said

what are the chances that we can get OBAMA to stay here and run things for us canadians..... it would be pretty great..

Ronald in Toronto
said

Both of these guys - the PM and The Prez - are on the same page and singing in the same choir.

They'll get along famously. The President will give the PM an elbow and Harper can offer up a well disguised hook.

They'll be great.

James in Calgary
said

Sean (Eastern Ont.)- Right on!
No doubt Mr. Obama has been briefed and I'm sure he'll hope that the "children" have been sent to their room before he visits the Prime Minister. I worry those coalition clowns may do something to embarass us more when he visits! Is there a "Lock up the Opposition for the night" clause in the Constitution?

Paul
said

Welcome

Crad
said

Exciting news! Maybe we can make a trade and get Obama. We can give them Harper, and throw in Layton for good measure.

LEAVE...Just leave
said

Good Lord, I am so sick and tired of those saying we didn't democratically elect Harper because HIS name wasn't on the ballot.
WE are based upon British rule, if you don't like it, feel free to obtain a green card and get your butt down to the USA.

john
said

It came to my attention that the house of commons has only worked 14 days since last summer...hard to believe....I think it is great that President Obama is visiting Ottawa! ...I hope something great will happen to greet him!

Stranded Student
said

obama is going to blow much more of the tax payers money, and give it to the corporate loser... at least Harper is doing something to help the middle class (EI, universities, etc) and using up much less (40 bill)... I say Obama has more to learn from Harper...
Obama hasnt done anything to convince me he's not just another bush

Ed
said

Bryan,

Of course Haprer did not get a literal majority. Given the distratiing BQ, the irrevelant Jack-Pack, and the Grren party no one will ever get a 50% plus 1. But, NOTICE, not one of the other parties came even close to getting the vote or seat total of the Conservatives. Yes, Bryan, THAT is democracy. Live with it. Obama is.

Toronto Aerospace Museum
said

He's invited to come by the Toronto Aerospace Museum in Downsview Park ... We're having a fun filled weekend here celebrating the 100th anniversary of powered flight!

Wayne
said

I kind of feel sorry for all those out there who wrote Harper off just a few months ago. The frustrated left wing nuts out there are much like a suitor showing up for a spring dance only to have their date walk in with another person. Here we will have Harper and Obama who incidentally are going to get along marvellously and over in the shadows poor frustrated left wing nuts looking for anyone that will take their picture. Only in Canada!

Retired soldier in Kingston, ON
said

To Karyn: I read your comments - "ex-canadian" could also learn from President Obama!!.

You and the other 65% of Canadians who voted for the Opposition are being heard. Look whats in the Governments budget; its actually a Liberal document!!

Simply by having conservative voters like me respond to your blog should make you realize that we do care, that there is hope for a better country and that we are'nt all ignorant rubes.

God bless - Pro Patria..... ( Latin "For country"!!)

JP in BC
said

Welcome to Canada President OBAMA

Mr Harper - PLEASE
DO NOT make a fool of yoruself as you have do in the past.
Mr Harper- if you meet and greet him - it will be an
embarassment to the people of Canada. You definatley are NOT a leader in his class of leaders-
He gets a A+
Mr Harper you rate a D-

Let The GG meet and greet him-

Helen
said

Well I have read some very interesting coments, but for the rest of you??? Who took a bite out of your butt? Lets have some faith in our leader!!

LH
said

Forget NAFTA, he's coming to ask us to join the U.S. of A!! (wishful thinking?) and, no I don't want to be an American but a trustworthy leader in Canada would be nice. Just think, we could then share the bailouts and stimulus packages on both sides of the border

Shirley
said

I really hope that all of the members of our governments watch and learn from a man who is comitted to working with all parties in order to better their country in these hard times. We the voters will not easily forget those who were merely spewing political rederic and those who were willing to work with everyone, to do everything possible for us when we need them!

albertaboy111
said

Craig in Kelowna are you serious? Obama has been president for a couple weeks and has begun closing guantanamo, begun pushing his stimulus package through which I might add has billions allocated to sustainable renewable clean energy(Something every country should be doing), Spoken directly to the Muslim world in an attempt at peace, gotten his generals to start planning their withdrawl from Iraq, Two more battalions are going to be in Afganistan by the spring, Tightened rules on lobbiests making democracy more about the people, and has begun setting up a website telling people exactly where there money is spent. Thats more good than bush did in his entire eight years. So thats not to bad after being presidetn for "three seconds"

Doug BC
said

I'm glad they're meeting.I think we do need to get along.I also think the USA might want to take a few pages home from Canada as much as the reverse.Like how to make sure your banks have a chance to remain solvent.
I have some bad news for "Diana from Victoria" thoough.If Obama had run up here,he would have LOST in a really big way.
If Harper is called a Conservative here,Obama would be the real "neo-con" that Goodale keeps seeing behing every rock.
I expect the main gist of the discussions to be quite interesting.How will the adoring hoards of Obama worshippers,or,for that matter,Ignatieff respond when Obama asks for more help in Afghanistan,or for more debt to stimulate the economy.Or if Obama points out that the USA will have no need for cars,oil,or lumber from Canada for a very long time.Just try to stimulate an economy after that.
No.I'm not worried that Obama will drag Harper one way or another.I'm worried that Harper will drag Obama even further to the left than this week's budget and the coalition did.
Obama was a Liberal only long enough to get Clinton out of the way.The political centre in the USA is far to right wing,even for people like Manning and Harper.

Steve in Fredericton
said

Are we sure the PM is allowed to receive visitors. Afterall, he is on "probation".

Kila
said

Welcome Mr. President!!!

We love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

dudeg35
said

ah nothing like the preseason warmup coming to canada...stephen this isnt pre-season for you..get parliament in session and dont embarrass us

Karyn
said

To Ex- Canadian,

Remember that the duly elected PM got in by the skin of his nose and that MORE people voted against him than for him. Those representing 65% of the population have every right to have their voices heard.

I can't wait for Harper to embarrass us again if the topic turns to the environment. Obama is a very bright man while Harper is the equivalent of a Bushie that is blinded by ideology.

mont*royal2
said

Iggy should be meeting with Obama, not our joke of a PM.
Good for Iggy for shutting Jack and Jill out.

Where's the bus?
said

I hope the transit strike is over by the time Prez Obama comes to town, otherwise he has to walk from the airport to Parliament :)

Dave
said

Part of Obama's primary race was to bash NAFTA when he was campaigning in the northern states. How is this gonna go well for anyone, unless lo and behold a man tells the people what they wanted to hear in order to get into power and is full of hot air.

DANIEL H
said

This is a real laugh. All comments seem to indicate concerns about what our government and the opposition will do or say to make them look foolish. We should be taking an example from the USA because the population is accepting what needs to be done to get their country back on track.

Retired soldier in Kingston, ON
said

President Barrack Obama is the right man in the right job at the right time.

At his inauguration, 2 million of his fellow countrymen and visitors from around the world arrived to honour him and listen to his inaugural speech. I saw grown African-American women weep upon witnessing this historic event.....

Canadian politicians and the electorate could learn from this man. He has tremendous character traits, refrains from slagging his political opponents ( is the Opposition listening??!!), honours his history and is the poster child for decency and honesty.

He is a great hope for peace and justice in a troubled world.

Heres hoping Canadians everywhere greet him in resounding numbers during his first visit to our country and show their appreciation loudly!!

Meantime, lets give our Prime Minister our full support and refrain from unhelpful and demeaning comments regarding our Governments motives in presenting the current budget.

And lets all try to get along regardless of our ploitical affiliations!!

Pro Patria!!

Tim
said

Don't rule out Obama ...and don't compare to past Presidents... he gets information first...then reacts unlike other's in the US and Canada ....

Pinhas from the Okanagan
said

I'll give the new President credit for one thing. I don't think any American president visited us so quickly. Most of them only hear of Canada once our cows go crazy or we flood them with our cheap lumber. Perhaps President Obama is going to request to move the Guantanano "prisoners" to a half-way house up here in the ever so willing North.

p

Obama is going to be soooo bored....
said

Obama is going to make our milquetoast Legoman-haircut-sporting stuffed shirt of a leader look like the schmuck that he is.

We might as well just have Obama meet up with a bowl of lukewarm porridge called "Steve".

bill
said

actually, here in the states we're hoping obama collects some real leftiness from our liberal friends to the north and brings it back home to our democrats. they need a good infusion of soul... and quite a few spines.

Marcel
said

This is great news. As long as Harper, Cannon,Flaherty and the rest of the government does not embarrass the Canadian public in front of President Obama. Welcome to Ottawa Mr. President.

Cambob
said

Obama had better not say anything provocative... Our Prime Minister is on "probation".

bunny
said

I look forward to his vist, our PM will still be Mr Harper, and as they have spoken before, I am sure they will get along.

Jay Jay 11
said

Harper is just hoping Obama doesn't realize that he is talking to an idiot.
Harper has a lot to learn from Obama.
So Harper listen up and learn.

paul
said

To the ex-canadian...Harper was not democratically elected like Obama. Unlike the US, we do not elect our leader, we elect by party and the party with the most elected members is asked by the GG to form the government of the day. So much for democratically electing a leader.

draven
said

I hope he gets turned away at the border like his good terrorist friend Bill Ayers.

Christina
said

This is the first coming, not the second.

Socialism is killing us
said

So the hype comes north for a day. Who cares!!!!!

Matthew
said

Hopefully Obama will give Steve-O a bit of a personality lesson. Also hope that his green initiatives will wear off on Harper too.

I used to feel bad for American's because they had such an aweful president...now I feel bad for Canadians.

the coalation is dead.......
said

You guys who are still hung up over the coalation.... Did you not hear Layton, the coalation id dead because Iggy did not want to share his toys in the sandbox.
Give it some time and let the Pm have his 15 minutes of fame with the Obamanator. Iggy will have his time too.

Sarcastica
said

OMG, OMG, OMG - close all the schools, give everyone the day off work, declare a national holiday, Obama's comin' to town.

Bryan
said

For all the people on here who keep boo-hooing about Harper being democratically elected...more Canadians voted against Harper then voted for Harper. Quit cryin' about the coalition. If Harper has lost confidence, the gvt should be brought down. That's the way the system was built. Deal with it.

Diana from Victoria
said

Great news.

I only wish I could be back there to welcome him.

I hope someone tells me how much he would have won by if he ran up here. Surely in his diverse family there is some Canuckian blood? :-)

Craig, Kelowna BC
said

Obama has done nothing so far. How did he become the "Saviour"? He has no track record and he has been President for 3 minutes. I hope he's as good as he's made out to be, but I would like to see him actually do something before I start singing his praises.

NB
said

I hope our Canadian politicians do not embarrass us! I have a piece of advice for Stephen Harper: "Let Obama do ALL the talking. Shut up and listen!".

Jim B
said

CK, check your facts.

Obama is poised to introduce broad-based, middle-class tax cuts that will result in a $3,700 tax cut for a married couple earning $75,000 with two children, far higher tax cuts than the ones introduced in Canada yesterday. Obama supports the 2nd amendment right to bear arms, is AGAINST gay marriage, is against socialized medicine, and supports the death penalty in certain cases.

W.H.BELL
said

W.H.BELL
Are you kidding me. Likely one of the most important visits of a foreign dignitary and parliament won't be sitting ! Tell them to get their sorry butts back to Ottawa and earn their pay. What an insult

CK
said

To King of Kensington: You are right, approving abortion funding, supporting fetal stem cell research and supporting sam sex marraige are all extermely right wing ideas.

Not.

anne ott
said

to Michelle, ha I had a good laugh at that. yes, perhaps Obama could weave some magic and sit down with those ATU bozos to end this strike, and convince them that there is a recession: I wonder if they could learn from that to lessen their demands. they just seem to keep em comin'

sarah ott
said

at least Obama has his priorities straight, being with his wife for Valentines day. as to who will be in charge, oh come on, Harper lives, coalition, kaput.

Steve the Pundit
said

Could you imagine if Dion had somehow weaseled the coaltion into office and Obama came to town? Would Obama need to meet and greet both Dion AND his co-Prime Minister Layton? With Duceppe skulking in the background saying he should get invited to the dinner, too?

International embarassment averted!

Mark in Calgary
said

Lets not mix up our Canadian superheros. There's only one Iggy in Canada, he plays for the Flames and he's consistantly one of the finest genteleman and results oriented team players in Canada. The Iggy brand has been earned.

nik
said

Oh man oh man. I think I'm gonna blow off school and drive up to Ottawa. But ONLY for Obama. The rest of those crazy pols are uninteresting and ineffective.

ex-Canadian
said

So the democratically-elected president of the US is coming to visit the democratically-elected Prime Minister of Canada. I hope the "opposition" and the irrelevant NDP and Bloc remember that simple fact and keep their stupid mouths shut.

Marty
said

I can't believe he's coming so early! I can't believe it... I can't believe it. I live in Ottawa too. What a day that's going to be!!!

Ken
said

Let's just hope that if Harper is at the meeting that he does not embarrass Canada by talking about outdated policies and the brilliant idea of doing nothing...

Sean in Eastern Ont
said

What an embarassment it will be when he comes, thanks to the coalition. I'm sure he'll shake his head at the coalition.

Martin.NS
said

President Obama is practically a rock-star now, everyone wants him to come to their city.

Michelle
said

Perhaps we can ask him to help settle the bus strike in Ottawa. That is something completely above the capabilities of our politicians.

Len Curle
said

God Bless Stephen Harper and Barack Obama, they are going to get on just fine and looking forward to the many goals they will accomplish. That is a positive statement not like most in Canada who are very negative minded these days regarding our current great government in power right now in Canada.

King of Kensington
said

Obama's democrats are still to the right of our Conservative party. I hope Harper learns more about how to operate a true right-wing oriented government from the Prez.

Bleater
said

Kinda like a pregame skate!!!

(Will Iggy and the Cocos be in the corner of the room making sure Steve stays on topic?)

RRL
said

So... who is President Obama going to meet?
Harper? Iggy? Coalition? Separatists? By then - who knows...

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This short piece illustrates perfectly the problem with the adversarial legal system, where the idea of actual guilt is irrelevant to all participants in the pantomime. I support the vigorous defence of a person's rights, but also grasp why lawyers come across slimy. It's hard to look crystal clear and clean when you provide your services on a foundation of one set of acceptable lies against another.

Frank Buchan

Skurka's Spin: Lawyer's job is to act as client's advocate

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