[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.