    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [February 23, 1995]
    [Pages 250-251]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Arrival in Ottawa, Canada
    February 23, 1995

        Governor General and Mrs. LeBlanc, Chief of Protocol Lederman,
    Ambassador and Mrs. Blanchard, Ambassador and Mrs. Chretien, ladies and
    gentlemen: Je salut nos voisins, nos allies, nos amis. I salute our
    neighbors, our allies, our friends.
        I must say that on this beautiful day I can't help recalling the
    wonderful visit that Vice President and Mrs. Gore enjoyed here last
    July. I thank you for the hospitality you showed them. And I also want
    to tell you what I told the Vice President, Governor General: The next
    time, I get July and he gets February.
        I come to Ottawa to celebrate the vital friendship and the
    partnership between Canada and the United States and the work to make it
    even stronger. Our relationship is centered on a shared continent,
    shared values, shared aspirations, and real respect for our differences.
    Its very success makes it easy to take for granted, but we must never
    take it for granted.
        In a world in which too many nations still choose conflict over
    cooperation and erect barriers instead of bridges, our partnership has
    been and must ever be a model for others and the foundation on which to
    build a common future.
        Over the years, our alliance has been enriched by strong leadership
    from Canada, and I have come to appreciate that firsthand. Prime
    Minister Chretien possesses an extraordinary breadth of experience in
    government and a passion for this great nation from Halifax to
    Vancouver. He has forcefully advanced Canada's interests. Fair in
    settling our differences, he has been a true friend in working with me
    on the dozens of concerns our countries share.
        Our nations have forged the most comprehensive ties of any two
    nations on Earth. They bind not only our Governments but also our
    economies, our cultures, and our people. From NORAD to NAFTA, Canadians
    and Americans have seized opportunities to provide for our common
    security and prosperity. We've tackled tough problems from acid rain and
    water pollution to differences over beer and grain in the spirit of
    friendship and in pragmatism.
        We've grown so close that some Americans find it uncomfortable that
    your Blue Jays have won the last two World Series. We hope and we
    believe they will not be the last World Series, and we were grateful for
    a little equal time when our Rangers got bragging rights to the Stanley
    Cup.
        This week we'll focus on commerce between our countries, which last
    year exceeded $270 billion. It is the largest bilateral trading
    relationship in the world. It supports millions of good jobs, and thanks
    to NAFTA, it's growing by more than 10 percent every year. It sends a
    powerful message around the world that open markets can be the key to
    greater prosperity. Now, to take greater advantage of the opportunities
    free trade offers our people, we'll sign a new aviation agreement that
    makes it easier for passengers and cargo to travel between our
    countries.
        The work we're doing to better the lives of people within our
    borders will also benefit from our leadership beyond our borders. From
    making peace in the Middle East to restoring democracy and keeping the
    peace in Haiti, we are working together to spread freedom and tolerance
    and civility. From expanding NATO to revitalizing the G-7, which Canada
    will host in Halifax this June, we are preparing the world's major
    organizations to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

    [[Page 251]]

        At a time when some tell us to retreat from our problems abroad
    rather than to reach out to make the world more peaceful and more
    prosperous, Canada's strong internationalist tradition is an inspiration
    to those of us in America and to countries around the world.
        Addressing your Parliament 50 years ago, President Truman declared
    that the success of the U.S.-Canadian relationship was due to, and I
    quote, ``one part proximity, and nine parts good will and common
    sense.'' Good will and common sense remain the foundation of our
    friendship. This week we will go forward to strengthen it, a friendship
    in which all of us take real and just pride, and from which all of us
    draw strength, and for which all of us, Canadians and Americans, should
    be very, very grateful.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:59 a.m. in Hangar 11 at McDonald-Cartier
    International Airport. In his remarks, he referred to Governor General
    Romeo LeBlanc of Canada, and his wife, Diana Fowler-LeBlanc; Canadian
    Chief of Protocol Lawrence Lederman; U.S. Ambassador to Canada James J.
    Blanchard and his wife, Janet; Canadian Ambassador to the United States
    Raymond Chretien and his wife, Kay; and Prime Minister Jean Chretien of
    Canada.