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New U.S. Ambassador speaks to Board of Trade

Monday, November 30, 2009

By Allison Tanner
Venue: Hyatt Regency Vancouver

David Jacobson, United States Ambassador to Canada. Photo: D.Roels

“The U.S. and Canada have, through the years of partnership and effort, created the closest relationship between two sovereign nations in history,” said David Jacobson, United States Ambassador to Canada at a Vancouver Board of Trade event sponsored by Spectra Energy. “We are family.”

Jacobson reflected a few moments, saying, “I want to thank The Vancouver Board of Trade for inviting me here. I am particularly pleased to be here. I heard about your involvement in developing what was originally the PACE program and is now the NEXUS program for people crossing the border. Having spent a lot of time at border crossings over the last couple of months, more than I ever thought I would spend, I really see the value in that. And that is something that this organization should be really very proud of.”

There have been a few bumps along the way between Canada and the U.S., but the two countries have always been there for each other during their greatest hour of need, Jacobson commented. Right now,Canadian troops are fighting alongside Americans against terrorism. “Together, we seek a better, safer world,” he said.

The increasing global dependence on Asia has turned both Canada and the U.S. into “Pacific nations.” China has become an essential player in global economic recovery, and none of the issues in the world today can be resolved without it, said Jacobson. Both Canada and the U.S. are working with China in anticipation of the world’s power base changing.

The U.S. and Canada share the responsibility to protect North America, explained Jacobson. After his recent visit to the White House, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said, “A threat to the U.S. is a threat to Canada.” Jacobson said the opposite is true as well, “A threat to Canada is a threat to the U.S.” The two countries work together through military and government to ensure North America is a safe place to live.

Jacobson has been in Canada for two months and has officially visited each of the ten provinces in Canada. He said he was astounded to discover Canada’s vastness, exclaiming that an inch-and-a-half on his map took him fourteen hours by train. Jacobson added he had wanted to come to Canada and truly experience his northern neighbours. In answering what it was like being ambassador to Canada, he replied: “It is amazing.”

See more event photos, see the US Mission FlickR site
Check out Ambassador Jacobson’s blog describing his experiences across Canada’s 10 provinces

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