Speech by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien Welcoming President Bill Clinton

Mr. President, it is an honour to welcome you to Parliament on behalf of all Canadians.

I must say, that before wven speaking a word here in this chamber, you have already given eloquent proof to the friendship between our two nations - by agreeing to visit Ottawa in February!

Mr. President, the cold weather outside may be typical Canadian. But so is the warm welcome for you inside today. It is a warmth that we reserve for only our closest friends.

A great deal has been written and said about the friendship between out two countries. It has not always been an easy friendship - and that is normal considering one friend is a relatively small nation, and the other, the most powerful nation in the world. As one member of this House put it three decades ago, "the Americans are our best friends...whether we like it or not."

But our relationship has grown and evolved through the years. Today, like any mature, healthy friendship, it is a friendship between equals.

As friends and neighbors, we are able to work together, as we always have, toward common goals.

The fact is, Mr. President, that both our administrations were elected on a platform of Jobs and Growth. We have both focused on a Jobs and Growth Agenda in office. And, in each country. our agenda has been working - with strong, steady, lasting economic recoveries in Canada and the US.

Our economies have strong links. More trade goes on between our two nations than any other two nations in the world - almost a billion dollars a day, every day. If one country does well, the other benefits. And if both economies are going strong - there is no stopping us. jobs in British Colombia means jobs in Washington State. Jobs in Ontario mean jobs in Michigan. Jobs in Quebec mean jobs in New York State.

But our shared goals go beyond our immediate relationship. Both our administrations understand that increased and liberalized trade everywhere means jobs and growth in our countries. You and I were together in Jakarta in November, when the Asia Pacific countries committed to a free-trade zone by the year 2010. And at the conference you chaired in Miami in December, where all the countries of the hemisphere agreed on a Free Trade Area of the Americas by the year 2005.

I want to salute you, Mr. President, for the role you have played in realizing this vision. And you have not confined this vision to economic matters. You took decisive action in leading the restoration of democracy in Haiti. And you have played a key role in the remarkable breakthroughs in the peace process in the Middle East.

Mr. President, you have understood the forces shaping the modern global economy. You have worked to ensure a new unity and optimism in the hemisphere. You have worked to bring people and countries together. These are all goals that this House and people all across Canada share with you. We are committed to working with the United States and other nations to achieve them.

My recent travels to Asia and Latin America have reminded me that is more important than ever to have a strong U.S role in the world. The upheavals of the post-Cold War world mean that the United States can and must play a bigger leadership role than ever.

Our own government has outlined our new foreign policy directions. We want to continue Canada's long tradition of promoting global peace and security. We all learned long ago tha isolation is much more costly and dangerous than international cooperation.

Mr. President, you may not know it, but among your predecessors who addressed the Parliament of Canada during your lifetime are Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. And they all have one thing in common...they were all elected for a second term.

Now that might not seem like such a remarkable coincidence. But look at the recent Presidents who have addressed the Canadian Parliament: Geral Ford, Jimmy Carter, and George Bush.

But I will refrain from drawing any conclusions, Mr.President, because as you know, Canada has a strict policy of non-interference.

Anyway you look at it, Mr.President, we are delighted you accepted our invitation.

Mr. Speaker, honoured Members, Senators and dear guests, I give you our friend and neighbor, the President of the United States, Bill Clinton.