Event Summary:
His Excellency David Wilkins
United States Ambassador to Canada
Royal York Hotel, Toronto
15 December, 2005
Summary by: Olla Shahin, student at York University
On Thursday, December 15, 2005 a room filled with academics, corporate seniors and a few students from an all-girls’ school gathered in the Royal York’s Imperial dining room to listen to the U.S ambassador to Canada briefly lecture on US-Canadian relations.
Smothered with Southern humour, his Excellency David Wilkins started off this luncheon speech by reminiscing about his travels around Canada which included skiing, sight seeing and eating good seafood. He referenced the remarks that he made a few days prior, stating that his comments could have been taken the wrong way and under no circumstances did he mean to belittle the U.S.-Canadian relationship when addressing Canada’s winter elections. His Excellency emphasized that Canada and the United States have the best trade relationship among all states with at least $1.5 billion dollars in trade and commerce flowing between the two nations each day.
While reinforcing our strong relationship with our Southern neighbors, Wilkins also commented that the relationship went beyond trade and business. It was cooperation between the two country’s justice system and military that helped both nations to advance security in Sudan, Haiti, and recently, Afghanistan. A thank-you to Canada’s cooperation with the United States during Hurricane Katrina was made by Wilkins on behalf of all Americans.
Wilkins reinforced his theme of solid US-Canadian relations by discussing several key issues, starting with border control. The United States was happy to know that Canada is trying to address homeland security concerns as much as possible; everyday, the Ambassador said, U.S. homeland security officials were also trying to make it easier for Canadians and Americans to move freely across boarders. U.S. officials are aware of Canadian concerns that further restrictions on movement can hinder trade as well as travel; however, Ambassador Wilkins said that in the upcoming months this will be addressed with a systematic approach that increases homeland security while decreasing the hassle for travelers and business transactions.
The Ambassador also commented on the role of the U.S. towards climate change. From 1990 to 2003 the United States and Canada had seen an increase of 13% in climate control. The U.S. specifically has shown a record of results, while Canada has invested 20 billion dollars on climate change research and missions – an example of both countries making significant progress together.
On a more local note, Wilkins discussed the issue of gun control and whether guns in Toronto were coming from the United States. The assumption by most Canadians, he said, is that 50% of guns come from the U.S. However, where guns come from is not the problem, Wilkins stated, noting that what needs to be appreciated is that the United States is strongly committed towards contributing to solutions on this problem for Torontonians and all other Canadians. The United States is engaged in 40 gun investigations with Canadian officials, and is sharing state-of-the-art technology, credible information and various forms of manpower. Canadians and Americans see this as a shared responsibility and the United States is devoted to helping safeguard Canadian cities against crime.
Poking fun at the controversy around the issue of softwood lumber, Ambassador Wilkins noted that in November 2005, the U.S. department of Commerce complied with the NAFTA panel and what resulted was an on-going process to eliminate subsidized tariffs on lumber. The United States has also slashed tariffs in half on lumber, which was done out of good faith of the U.S. - Canadian relations. After the January 23 elections Wilkins confirmed that we will go back to the negotiating table. “Friends do this…[they] work things out – they talk.”
David Wilkins also stated that the United States is deeply committed to the mission of democratization and stability in Iraq. Iraq, he noted, is now voting, and Wilkins urged all to look at the progress that has been made over the past two years and the freedoms that Iraqis will enjoy after their liberation from an infamous tyrant.
To end his speech, the ambassador underlined that the Canadian-U.S. relationship is bigger than any controversial issue or misunderstanding that could occur. We all need, he said, to commit to a relationship that helps foster trade, security and the safety of all citizens on both sides. We also need, he added, to help improve the systems of law enforcement and homeland security initiatives. David Wilkins closed his speech by asking Canadians to take another look at the relationship that has been so strong for decades, and to appreciate the growth and the solitude of the U.S. - Canadian alliance.
View the event flyer: Flyer.
Pre Event Photos:
Prior to the event, select members of the audience had the chance to meet the Ambassador at the Royal York’s Newfoundland Room.
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CIIA (Toronto Branch) President Keith Martin at the Pre Event Reception
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General Electric executive Bob Weese at the Pre Event Reception
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David Wilkins with Kevin Reed, CEO of Grey Horse Capital and a sponsor of the event
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University of Toronto Professor Stephen Clarkson with Carlos Pujalte, Consul General of Mexico to Toronto
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Event Photos:
U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins with President and CEO of General Electric Canada, Elyse Allan
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Members of the Head Table listen to comments by U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins
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Members of the Head Table listen to comments by U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins
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Elyse Allan and Keith Martin confer with David Wilkins
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Keith Martin introduces U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins
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Keith Martin introduces U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins
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U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins:
Q&A Period:
A member of the audience prepares to ask the Ambassador a question
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Ambassador Wilkins responds to a question
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A prominent journalist at the event, Libby Znaimer, asks the U.S. Ambassador a question
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Audience Memebers:
Audience members enjoy the David Wilkins luncheon event.
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Havergal Girl’s School were special guests at the event
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Havergal Students:
After the event, students from Havergal’s Girls School met the Ambassador and asked him some questions
Head Table Guests:
Head Table Guests at the Event included representatives of the events sponsors.
President of the CIIA:
Keith Martin, President of the CIIA (Toronto)
Media Scrum:
After the event, the sizeable media presence including print and television journalists scrummed with David Wilkins.
Les Belles Classiques:
The Canadian and U.S. National Anthems, and seasonal songs, were sung at the event by the very talented Les Belles Classiques, an accomplished choir at Cawthra Park Secondary School.
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