[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 49 (Monday, December 6, 2004)]
[Pages 2885-2886]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a Dinner Hosted by Prime Minister Paul Martin of Canada in 
Gatineau, Canada

November 30, 2004

    Thank you all. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you all very 
much. Thank you. The Prime Minister just said, ``It's good to be home.'' 
I'm here to tell you, it's good to be in Canada. I want to thank you for 
the warm reception, and I was pleased to see when I opened up the menu 
that we'll be eating Alberta beef.
    Mr. Prime Minister, Madam First Lady, former Prime Ministers, 
distinguished leaders of Canada, distinguished guests, and ladies and 
gentlemen, Laura and I are really honored to be here in this great 
nation. Canada is an old friend. Canada is an honored ally of America.
    On this magnificent museum's coat of arms is a motto: Many cultures 
in one country. In your nation and in mine, people of many cultures, 
races, and religions embrace a set of ideals that proclaim the liberty 
and equality of all. These principles are the source of great unity in 
our diverse lands, and they are the foundation of a close and warm 
friendship between our two nations.
    Our common bond of values and mutual respect have created an 
alliance that is unsurpassed in strength and depth and potential. Ours 
is one of the largest trading relationships in the world. We depend on 
each other to secure the energy resources that help our economies 
expand. We work together to protect the land and waters of our beautiful 
continent. Most importantly, our nations work together to protect our 
people from harm.
    For nearly 50 years, the military personnel of your nation and mine 
have worked together as a single unit at NORAD to monitor the air 
approaches to North America and to protect us from attack. On September 
the 11th, it was a Canadian general, holding the chair at NORAD, who 
gave the order to initiate our defenses. In an era of new threats, 
American and Canadian law enforcement and intelligence agencies are 
working more closely than ever before, and our peoples are more secure 
because of it.

[[Page 2886]]

    We also share the mission of spreading the blessings of liberty 
around the world. In October of this year, millions of Afghans, 
including millions of women, voted peacefully to elect a leader of 
moderation. We're working together for stability and prosperity in Haiti 
and the Sudan. With Canada's generous contribution, the reconstruction 
of Iraq will help that nation become a peaceful democracy.
    Our efforts in these troubled regions are driven by our faith, faith 
in the ability of liberty to unite different cultures, races, and 
religions and faith in the ability of liberty to lift up people, to 
offer an alternative to hate and violence, and to change the world for 
the better.
    And so, Mr. Prime Minister, in admiration for all you've done to 
create a world governed by liberty and justice and friendship, I offer a 
toast to you, to the people of Canada, and to the friendship of our two 
peoples.

Note: The President spoke at 7:15 p.m. at the Canadian Museum of 
Civilization. In his remarks, he referred to Sheila Martin, wife of 
Prime Minister Martin; former Prime Ministers Jean Chretien and John 
Napier Turner of Canada; Lt. Gen. E.A. Findley, Canadian Forces, deputy 
commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command; and President Hamid 
Karzai of Afghanistan. The Canadian Museum of Civilization is located 
across the Ottawa River from Ottawa, Ontario. The transcript released by 
the Office of the Press Secretary also included the remarks of Prime 
Minister Martin.