Recently U.S. Ambassador to Canada, David Wilkens, criticized Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin for dragging U.S. - Canada relations into the current Canadian election campaign. Mr. Wilkens questioned whether it was a good idea to constantly criticize your friend and number one trading partner and hoped that this would not have a long term impact on cross-border relations.
I agree that Canada should not take part in bashing the U.S. as part of an election campaign. The anti-U.S. card should not be pulled simply as an election gimmick. However, there does need to be serious discussions and debate on what each of the candidates position is and what their future plans are for U.S. - Canada cross border relations. Crossborder issues must be a discussion on the campaign trail. Like it or not, Canada is affected by what happens in and with the U.S and Canadians need to now what their leaders plan for the future of cross border relations is with the U.S. Canadian leaders must be careful what is said on the campaign trail. Will the Prime Minister be able to accomplish anything in cross border issues if they were constantly bashing the U.S. during elections? It would probably undermine future negotiations.
Sometimes the U.S. is an easy target to criticize, and many times it needs to be criticized. But it must be done in the correct context, at the right time, and in the appropriate format. During this election campaign I would like to hear serious debate on cross border issues for the candidates.
