We also pay the penalty inflicted on a captive supplier to a sole market. Dependence on the U.S. market could result in the ‘managed trade' situation endured on softwood lumber until we opened an alternate market with Asia.
Unlike most presidents, Barack Obama seems not to appreciate the strategic importance to the U.S. of Canada.
Since Franklin Roosevelt and Mackenzie King parleyed at Kingston in 1938, the dynamic of Canada-U.S. relations has revolved around our security and economic partnership.
The U.S. wants a reliable security partner.
We upped our game on security after September 11. We spent billions creating a security perimeter. Our collective security credentials are demonstrated in Afghanistan, Libya and now in the Ukrainian crisis.
In return, we expect a reliable economic partner.
Prime Minister Harper's border access initiative has made progress but it lacks the sustained senior-level U.S. commitment demonstrated during the ‘Smart Border' process.
As a teachable moment, Keystone recalls the Carter Administration's failure to ratify the East Coast Fisheries Agreement in 1978.
The lesson then was the necessity to engage Congress directly.
Under Ambassador Allan Gotlieb, we took our case directly to Capitol Hill and into the districts. We would no longer rely on a feckless Administration.
Not traditional diplomacy, it still advances our interests in Washington.
The conditions for ‘getting it done' in Washington have ‘evolved' again.
Politics are polarized making it harder to find compromise. Messaging through social media is instant and driven from every point. The rise of big money, supported by two Supreme Court decisions, increases the power of special interests to the detriment of deliberative, consensus-driven public policy.
We need to recalibrate our game.
For corporations, the lesson is that social engagement - explaining projects to the community - is here to stay.
For government, strengthen our outreach effort to complement the work of Ambassador Gary Doer and our diplomats. Every minister travelling to Washington should call on Congress.
Encourage more congressional outreach by MPs like Rob Merrfield. In June, the interparliamentary caucus , re-energized by co-chairs Janis Johnson and Gord Brown, host their U.S. counterparts in Ottawa. The Halifax International Security Forum agenda always has a place for U.S. senators.
Second, get to know the potential 2016 candidates and their staff so they know more about Canada.
We also need to know more about the United States. It's time for a serious parliamentary study; the last comprehensive report was in 1978.
Third, engage more at the state level - targeting state legislators and, especially governors.
In 2010, the premiers met the governors to smooth the path to procurement reciprocity. Why not another meeting around the logistics of continental supply chains? Or carbon pricing? Or fracking standards?
Cutting our consulates was a mistake. Aim for a presence in every state for the 2016 presidential election.
Keystone is delayed, not doomed. Learn from this episode. Lift our game in the United States.
