As Canadian ambassador to the United States, Michael Wilson spoke via satellite to a room full of scholars, business leaders and politicians Wednesday morning in the Communication Arts and Sciences Building. He advocated for strong Canada-U.S. relations, especially for border states such as Michigan.
During the video conference, which was hosted by MSU’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, or IPPSR, Wilson spoke about the financial crisis, border security, energy and Canadian military presence in Afghanistan.
He said Canada-U.S. relations run deep and keeping the ties strong should be a priority for both countries.
“It’s one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive trade partnerships,” he said. “No two countries operate as closely as our two.”
Canada is the United States’ largest export market, supporting almost seven million jobs in the U.S. The U.S. conducts almost $1.5 billion in trade with Canada daily, with almost $600 billion being exchanged in 2006 between the two countries. Canada also is the leading foreign supplier of energy to the U.S., including oil, natural gas, electricity and uranium.
In light of the countries’ strong economic relationship, Wilson said a key to getting out of the financial slump is to work together.
“The path for economic growth relies on an integrated supply chain market,” he said. “We need to make things together.”
A third of U.S. trade with Canada is between companies owned by the same entity, but Wilson said the countries can do more to create a greater economic impact.
Wilson spent much of the conference addressing how to improve border crossings from Ontario to Michigan, a concern stemming from the heavy daily traffic through the area, said Tim Hoeffner, administrator of the intermodal policy division at the Michigan Department of Transportation.
“With how much trade goes back and forth between Michigan and Canada, it’s a very important issue,” he said.
Wilson said by 2015 the number of vehicles crossing the Ambassador Bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, could exceed infrastructure abilities. An additional bridge could bring added jobs and economy to both sides, he said.
Lawmakers have proposed adding on to the Ambassador Bridge or building another bridge somewhere else along the Detroit River. Wilson said if he had the option, he would build another bridge downstream from the Ambassador Bridge.
“A second bridge is more favorable because of security reasons and traffic congestion in downtown Windsor,” he said.
Although Wilson addressed many aspects of Michigan’s relationship with Canada, it only skims the tip of the iceberg, said AnnMarie Schneider, director of Program Planning and Policy Education for IPPSR.
“We have people so well-versed in the subject that can help improve both countries,” she said.
“These things really only touch the importance of U.S.-Canada relations.”
Support student media!
Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
Discussion
Share and discuss “Ambassador stresses U.S.-Canada relations” on social media.
