November 28, 2004
Ottawa, Ontario

NEWS RELEASE

Prime Minister Paul Martin today announced that George W. Bush, President of the United States, will undertake a working visit to Canada from November 30th to December 1st. President Bush will be accompanied by First Lady Laura Bush, as well as outgoing Secretary of State Colin Powell, and National Security Advisor and Secretary of State-Designate Dr. Condoleezza Rice.

This will be the sixth face to face meeting between Prime Minister Martin and President Bush, following their meeting at the APEC Leader’s Summit in Santiago, Chile, on November 20.

“I am pleased to welcome the President to Canada so soon after his re-election,” said the Prime Minister. “This meeting will be an opportunity to work as partners, to create a solid foundation for future Canada-US cooperation in areas of vital importance to Canadians - affecting our security, prosperity and quality of life. I also look forward to discussions on pressing bilateral issues such as BSE and global issues such as the Middle East, Haiti and Sudan.”

In Ottawa on November 30, the President will pay a brief courtesy call on the Governor General. The Prime Minister will then be joined by members of Cabinet - including the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministers of Foreign Affairs and others- in a working session and luncheon with the President and his delegation. Finally, the President and Prime Minister will meet privately to review the day’s work and decide on objectives and timelines for future bilateral cooperation.

That afternoon, the President is also expected to meet with the Honourable Stephen Harper, Leader of the Official Opposition, and tour the National Archives. Finally, the President will be the guest of honour that evening at a private reception and official dinner hosted by the Prime Minister.

The following day, the Prime Minister and President will each travel to Halifax, Nova Scotia, to pay tribute to Atlantic Canadians who opened their homes and hearts to stranded air passengers immediately following the 9/11 attacks and the closure of North American airspace. More than 224 diverted aircraft, carrying more than 33,000 passengers landed at 17 airports across the country. More than half of these aircraft landed in Atlantic Canadian communities such as Halifax, Gander, St. John's, Moncton, Stephenville and Goose Bay. The two leaders will also hail ongoing Canada-U.S. cooperation in the international campaign against terrorism.

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