As prepared for delivery.
As the Chief of Mission, I will be the President’s Representative and senior-most government official in Canada. I will represent all Americans, man and woman, young and old, of all races, religions, sexual preferences and political affiliations.
The relationship the United States has with Canada is indeed special, but also enduring. Regardless of which party leadership occupies Washington or Ottawa, the relationship remains strong. The relationship also transcends individual differences that might exist. Sometimes we don’t agree. But we work together to resolve those differences. In fact, I believe that individual disagreements enhance the enduring strength of this bilateral relationship, as only true friends have the courage and trust to be honest with one another.
There are no two countries in the world that are as close. We share 5500 miles of a border. We have the largest commercial relationship with $2 billion in goods and services crossing our shared border daily. We have a unique military cooperation with NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), and have stood shoulder to shoulder in Afghanistan as NATO allies. We share resources — energy, natural and human capital. The United States and Canada have a superb working relationship at every level of our respective governments.
But there is more we can and will do together. I look forward to working to drive outcomes. I commit to all of you, to all Americans and Canadians, that I will give 100% of myself to enhancing our bilateral relationship…because when America is strong it is good for Canada, and when Canada is strong it is good for America — but we are best when we are strong and standing together.
