Debate continues to swirl in Ottawa over George W. Bush's upcoming visit to Canada -- about where he will speak, what kind of visit it will be, and how he'll be received here.

The newly re-elected President will visit Ottawa on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

Bush has visited Canada before -- twice during his first term, but the trips were during summits in Quebec and Alberta and were not state visits.

Speaking to CTV's Question Period from the APEC summit in Santiago, Chile, CTV reporter Rosemary Thompson said deliberate diplomatic distinctions are being made about the nature and category of Bush's visit.

"This is not going to be a state visit," Thompson said. "This is going to be a working visit."

Thompson said Prime Minister Paul Martin, who is also attending the APEC summit, said he wanted a working visit "so he could get down to business."

The most pressing issues for Canada are ending the U.S. ban on Canadian beef and resolving the lingering dispute over softwood lumber. Another major issue is Canada-U.S. relations.

Commons appearance up in the air

Bush's visit could see him speaking to the House of Commons, but that has not been decided, yet.

"Part of a working visit can include an address to Parliament," Thompson noted, although she added that "President Bush seems to be reluctant."

"He hasn't said no yet, but there may be a fear he will be heckled. Ronald Reagan was when he came to Canada long ago, Thompson said.

As a result, Bush may opt for a different venue, with a more controlled and, almost certainly, a more receptive audience, Thompson says.

"Perhaps he'll give a speech to business leaders. That's exactly what he did here in Santiago over the weekend."

Conservative House Leader, John Reynolds, told Question Period he hopes Bush will come to Parliament Hill.

"He'll get a good reception there, a respectful one from those who don't agree with him, and a standing ovation -- probably -- from those who do."

Human Resources Minister Joe Volpe said he was not troubled by the idea of Bush giving his key address away from the Commons.

"I think that the President of the United States wants to deliver a very important message -- one that goes beyond the chamber and partisanship," Volpe said.

"There's probably no better group than a business group to do that."

Ed Broadbent, an Ottawa NDP MP, said he saw no compelling argument to keep Bush away from the possible cut and thrust of the Commons.

"There's no rational reason," for Bush not to speak in Parliament, Broadbent said.

Reynolds said that "Parliament is the one that makes the laws in this country" so that's where Bush should appear.

'Invite top People'

Reynolds suggested if there are any concerns about Bush getting an unfavorable reception, then the Martin government should take steps to avoid that happening.

He suggested getting "hundreds of people on the floor in the House of Commons and up in the galleries. You could invite all the top people from across Canada. Let's get them there,"
he said.

There is also considerable talk in Ottawa about former Liberal MP, Carolyn Parrish and how she might behave during a Bush appearance before MPs.

Martin kicked Parrish out of the Liberal caucus last week after she made repeated headlines against Bush and Americans, and against Martin and his leadership.

When asked on Question Period about how she will conduct herself during a Bush visit, Parrish said she won't be the one making headlines.

"I will be respectful of the chamber. It's a sacred place," she said.

"You won't even get a peep out of me."

Volpe said he hoped, if Bush does come to Parliament, that things will go smoothly.

"Whenever we have a dignitary come forward, there might be differences of opinion but, by and large, everyone is respectful," he said.

"After all you're inviting someone into your house -- no pun intended."

Bush had been scheduled to come to Canada in the spring of 2003. But that visit was cancelled with the official reason being the war in Iraq. However, some suggested it also had to do with Canada's decision not to send troops to the war.

A month later, in June 2003, CTV News said it was possible Bush would not visit Canada at all until Prime Minister Jean Chretien was out of office.

The move stemmed from controversial remarks Chretien made while traveling to a G-8 Summit in Europe, sources told CTV News.

Chretien talked about Bush's fiscal management and also highlighted significant differences between himself and Bush.

"We don't think alike on many issues," Chretien said at the time.

"On social issues, he is a conservative. I am for free choice on abortion. He is not. He is against gun control. I am for it. He is for capital punishment. I am against it. I am a Liberal," he said.

Chretien refused to apologize for the comments.