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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Seven hours of Obamamania

President finds popularity translates well in Canada

By: Jennifer Ditchburn and Martin O'Hanlon

Posted: 02/20/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

U.S. President Barack Obama is saluted by Royal Canadian Mounted Police as he arrives in Ottawa. (CHARLES DHARAPAK / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

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OTTAWA -- Barack Obama lapped up the love and gave some back during a whirlwind visit to the nation's capital that saw him promise closer collaboration on the troubled economy and the environment.

Thursday's seven-hour trip was supposed to be an all-work-and-no-play affair, but the U.S. president sprinkled a bit of stardust along the way.

Obama and his 50-car motorcade took over downtown, dazzling swooning well-wishers and making a mess for commuters.

He capped the visit with an unscheduled walkabout in the historic Byward Market, buying gifts for his daughters and a BeaverTail dessert for himself.

It was a celebrity sideshow to the main event -- a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper that yielded agreement to work together to rescue the economy and fight climate change.

Obama and Harper emerged from a series of meetings to announce a "clean-energy dialogue" aimed at reducing greenhouse gases and combatting climate change.

They also pledged to counter the global recession with "mutually beneficial stimulus measures" and by strengthening the international financial system.

And they said they would like to see stimulus money directed at the Canada-U.S. border to improve trade.

Obama made a point of saying he did not ask Harper to extend the Canadian mission to Afghanistan beyond the scheduled pullout date of 2011.

"All I did was to compliment Canada not only on the troops that are there, the 108 that have fallen as a consequence of engagement in Afghanistan, but also the fact that Canada's largest foreign aid recipient is Afghanistan," he told a news conference.

Harper seized the opportunity to send Americans the message that Canada remains a staunch defender of free trade and border security.

Obama took a more populist approach, heaping praise on America's northern neighbour.

"I love this country," he said.

"I came to Canada on my first trip as president to underscore the closeness and the importance of the relationship between our two nations and to reaffirm the commitment of the United States to work with friends and partners to meet the common challenges of our time."

He also reiterated his intention to encourage bilateral trade rather than protectionism. The federal government and Canadian industry have been looking warily at a stimulus package that includes "Buy American" measures.

"I recognize the concerns of Canada given how significant trade with the United States is to the Canadian economy," he said. "I provided Prime Minister Harper an assurance that I want to grow trade and not contract it."

Harper, conscious of the American audience tuned in to the visit, repeated his warning about the dire consequences of trade protectionism, and plead his case on Canadian security to those pushing for a thickening of the border.

"I just want to make this clear and I want to make this clear to our American friends -- not only have we since 9/11 made significant investments in security and security along our border, the view of this government is unequivocal: threats to the United States are threats to Canada."

Obama touched down in Ottawa aboard Air Force One amid light snow and heavy security. He strided down the gangway and was greeted on the tarmac by Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean.

The first black U.S. president enjoyed a chat with the first black Governor General, with Jean clapping a hand on Obama's back and throwing back her head in laughter as they strolled into the airport reception centre.

Obama then headed to Parliament Hill in his limo, a Cadillac with armour, bulletproof glass and sophisticated communications technology.

The president was greeted on Parliament Hill by an adoring crowd of about 2,500 supporters. Obama obliged, waving with Harper to the delighted crowd behind a sheet of protective glass.

Clary Fraser drove from Toronto to take in the moment. He said he was in Birmingham, Ala., during a tragic race bombing in 1963.

"No one, no one in the world would have dreamed, could suggest that there would one day be a black president of the United States," Fraser said. "Obama don't look at colour. There is no black or white, no red or yellow. We're all one."

-- The Canadian Press

What's all the fuss?

Barack Obama visited Ottawa, his first foreign visit since taking over the U.S. presidency on Jan. 20.

What did the visit accomplish?

Obama met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and came to an agreement on rescuing the North American economy and a 'clean-energy dialogue.' The president also complimented Canada on its commitment in Afghanistan.

What did Obama say about us?

'I love this country.'

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 20, 2009 A4

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