WASHINGTON - Full-page ads highlighting the importance of the Canada-U.S. trade relationship will appear in major American publications next week in advance of President Barack Obama's visit to Ottawa.
The eye-catching advertisement, from the Canadian American Business Council, comes on the heels of a poll conducted by The Canadian Press Harris-Decima Research that suggests 61 per cent of Canadians are nervous that an era of protectionism is looming in the United States.
That's in stark contrast to the situation south of the border, where Canada barely registers on the radar screen. The business council ad is aimed, in fact, at educating Americans about the world's largest trading partnership.
It will run in publications that include the New York Times, the Washington Post and the National Journal.
"Through our U.S. advertising, the CABC is pleased to use the opportunity to remind Americans about how important Canada is and how intertwined our interests have become," council chairwoman Karen Phillips said in a news release.
The ad features a famous utterance made by John F. Kennedy during his visit to Canada in 1961 -- like Obama's, his first foreign trip as president.
"Geography has made us neighbours ... economics has made us partners," reads the ad, quoting from Kennedy's address to Parliament.
Obama heads to Canada on Thursday for a day trip to discuss bilateral issues with Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Ottawa.
It will be an all-business affair that's short on pomp and circumstance because the president is mindful of the economic crisis gripping Americans back home, sources involved in organizing the trip have told The Canadian Press.
Obama will visit Parliament Hill amid an apparently fretful mood in Canada about the "Buy American" provision contained in the massive economic stimulus package he's expected to sign into law on Monday.
While a caveat was added to the provision to clarify "Buy American" must not violate international trade agreements, some had hoped it might be removed entirely from the bill.
The Canadian Press Harris-Decima Research poll released Friday suggests that older Canadians and those living in the West are particularly concerned that protectionism is on the rise in the U.S. as a result of "Buy American."
There was a split response about the idea of a retaliatory "Buy Canadian" policy, with 49 per cent supportive and 36 per cent opposed.
Trade is certain to be a top item of discussion between Harper and Obama on Thursday.
Energy policy and climate change are also high on the agenda. Canada's environment minister, Jim Prentice, said Thursday that the Conservative government hopes to reach a climate change deal with the U.S. under Obama.
Environmental groups accused Harper earlier this week of planning to use the visit to sell Obama on a North American climate pact that gives special treatment to the tar sands in Alberta. They urged the president to remain true to his green commitments and reject Harper's pitch.
Obama derided the U.S. dependence on "dirty oil" during his campaign for the presidency in remarks that caused a stir in Alberta.
Alberta's oil sands industry has been under attack by U.S. environmentalists for years because the production of its heavy oil emits more greenhouse gases than conventional oil.
Next week's full-page ad from the business council, with members that include Exxon Mobil and Shell Oil, outlines the close energy relationship between Canada and the U.S. -- and offers some assurances to environmentalists.
"The countries share the largest energy trade relationship in the world, with Canada supplying more oil and natural gas to the U.S. than any other foreign supplier," the ad reads.
"Second only to Saudi Arabia in proven petroleum reserves, Canada is poised to securely supply even more oil and natural gas to the U.S., while industries on both sides of the border innovate and invest in technologies to enhance environmental responsibility."
The council was established in 1987 to raise private sector awareness about the Canada-U.S. trade relationship. In addition to oil companies, other members include Campbell Soup, Wal-Mart, Bombardier, TransCanada and Alcan.
Michael Wilson, the Canadian ambassador to the United States, is the chairman of the organization's advisory board.
