INTERVIEW-Canada sees common ground with Obama on environment
By Randall Palmer
OTTAWA, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Canada's Conservative government said on Wednesday that an Obama presidency in the United States could pave the way for a common North American approach to environmental issues, and that any differences on trade could be worked out.
Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon told Reuters in an interview that the Canadian government would begin working President-elect Barack Obama's staff quickly on the key issues of the environment and cross-border trade.
"It gives us the opportunity to pursue our files. We will be pursuing those files actively, whether they be in the environment sector, whether they be in our border issues, we will be in close contact with the transition team."
Both Canada and the United States have walked away from the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, saying it took too great a toll on the economy.
But both the Canadian government and Obama promise cuts in carbon emissions nonetheless, and Cannon minimized the differences in goals and policies.
"On the environment issue, I'm pleased to see a similar approach between Canada and the United States, and that probably augurs well for a common North American approach to the environment," he said.
The two nations were recently ranked among the worst polluters in the industrialized world by the Conference Board of Canada, an independent research group, in part because of their weak stance on climate change.
The biggest potential for disagreement is in Obama's stated desire to reopen the North American Free Trade Agreement to strengthen labor and environmental protections.
Canada has warned that if NAFTA negotiations are reopened, its government will push for numerous other items.
"NAFTA has been beneficial to both Canada and the United States since its inception. Of course, we acknowledge there are irritants. These irritants are worked out as good neighbors work things out," he said.
"Look at the softwood lumber issue. I think we were able to deal with that in a very expedited fashion," he said, referring to a dispute with the United States over Canadian lumber exports.
Cannon said Obama's election does not change Canada's commitment to pulling its 2,500 troops from Afghanistan in 2011.
"Despite an increased focus on Afghanistan, it's not going to change our position, adopted by the Parliament of Canada, to withdraw our troops in 2011," he said.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement after Obama's election victory saying he looked forward to working with the new administration.
"I look forward to meeting with the President-elect so that we can continue to strengthen the special bond that exists between Canada and the United States," he said.
(Editing by Richard Valdmanis)
OTTAWA, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Canada's Conservative government said on Wednesday that an Obama presidency in the United States could pave the way for a common North American approach to environmental issues, and that any differences on trade could be worked out.
Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon told Reuters in an interview that the Canadian government would begin working President-elect Barack Obama's staff quickly on the key issues of the environment and cross-border trade.
"It gives us the opportunity to pursue our files. We will be pursuing those files actively, whether they be in the environment sector, whether they be in our border issues, we will be in close contact with the transition team."
Both Canada and the United States have walked away from the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, saying it took too great a toll on the economy.
But both the Canadian government and Obama promise cuts in carbon emissions nonetheless, and Cannon minimized the differences in goals and policies.
"On the environment issue, I'm pleased to see a similar approach between Canada and the United States, and that probably augurs well for a common North American approach to the environment," he said.
The two nations were recently ranked among the worst polluters in the industrialized world by the Conference Board of Canada, an independent research group, in part because of their weak stance on climate change.
The biggest potential for disagreement is in Obama's stated desire to reopen the North American Free Trade Agreement to strengthen labor and environmental protections.
Canada has warned that if NAFTA negotiations are reopened, its government will push for numerous other items.
"NAFTA has been beneficial to both Canada and the United States since its inception. Of course, we acknowledge there are irritants. These irritants are worked out as good neighbors work things out," he said.
"Look at the softwood lumber issue. I think we were able to deal with that in a very expedited fashion," he said, referring to a dispute with the United States over Canadian lumber exports.
Cannon said Obama's election does not change Canada's commitment to pulling its 2,500 troops from Afghanistan in 2011.
"Despite an increased focus on Afghanistan, it's not going to change our position, adopted by the Parliament of Canada, to withdraw our troops in 2011," he said.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement after Obama's election victory saying he looked forward to working with the new administration.
"I look forward to meeting with the President-elect so that we can continue to strengthen the special bond that exists between Canada and the United States," he said.
(Editing by Richard Valdmanis)
© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved
Mini-dress drama in Brazil