U.S. Ambassador Wilkins talks turkey about Canada
Bruce Report: Mr. Ambassador, I believe you were briefed not too long ago about the Atlantica concept, which promotes greater economic coherence between New England and the Atlantic Provinces. I am curious to know your impressions about this movement.
Wilkins: I was in Saint John to deliver a speech to the Atlantic timber association, where I had an opportunity to meet with the head of the Atlantic Provinces Chamber of Commerce and a couple of board members. They did brief me on what they were about. They told me about the meeting they were hosting in Saint John about a week later (June 7-11, 2006), about the number of people who were going to be there and what they were going to be discussing, and about the involvement of the New England states in their efforts. It was very informative. It’s fair to say that I am certainly not the expert on what all the objectives are, but from what I’ve heard, it certainly appears to me that it’s all about economic development, increasing trade between the Atlantic Provinces and New England – the U.S. in general, but particularly New England. And it deals with such things as how to bolster trade between the provinces and the U.S., and how to make trade flow more easily. It seems to me to be very pro-business, pro-economic development.
Bruce Report: The Atlantica agenda is focused on improving economic prospects for both countries in the eastern cross-border region, a part of the continent that suffers many common problems: outmigration of people and capital, comparatively weak productivity and innovation capacity, underdeveloped transportation infrastructure, among others. Do you believe, as a point of principle, that shared problems like these can be solved by shared solutions, notwithstanding the international border?
Wilkins: Why sure. I think that’s one of the strengths of our relationship: neighbour to neighbour, business partner to business partner, sometimes family member to family member working together. You know, I think that is the underlying strength of the Canada-U.S. relationship. It’s those personal relationships. Atlantica is a good example of those business contacts that members of this organization make and develop and the friendships they develop.Obviously, the tone at the top is important. The decisions made by governments are important. But, in my opinion, just as important are the individual relationships and the individual efforts made provincial and state governments, or by businesses, or by people working together.
Bruce Report: Well, just following up on that point, where does Atlantica fall on the U.S. administration’s radar? For example, are improved transportation links a priority?
Wilkins: I would defer to the administration on specifics about that, obviously. But I do know that money has been appropriated for a new bridge between Calais and St. Stephen. One can draw from that that obviously transportation is important in the free flow of goods in trade, which is obviously very important to both countries. This will be one of the first new bridges between the two countries in quite some time, and that represents a commitment by both governments that we have proper flow of trade and people.
Bruce Report: Shifting gears just a little, you’ve been on the job as the U.S. Ambassador to Canada for about a year now. With this time under your belt, what progress do you see as having been made in relations between the two countries?
Wilkins: As far that’s concerned, I think we’ve seen great progress in a year. We have entered an era of cooperation between the United States and Canada. In dealing with problems, there’s more of a shared responsibility. We are resolved to work together to solve a problem or deal with a situation. It’s more about fixing the problem, rather than fixing the blame. Again, I think that the tone at the top matters. And think that trickles all the way down. We now have good, strong relationships being developed between the president and the prime minister, and between cabinet ministers and members of the administration. I mean, we have great meetings between Minister MacKay (Hon. Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) and Secretary Rice (Condoleeza Rice, U.S. Secretary of State). In just a few days, Minister Lunn (Hon. Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources) will be meeting with Secretary Bodeman (Samuel Bodeman, U.S. Secretary of Energy), where they will be touring the oil sands in Alberta. I think the relationship is, hopefully, better now than it was and will continue to get better. I think it’s positive for both countries. It’s more about how we help each other, rather than blame each other. I mean we have, as you know, the largest trading relationship the world has ever known. And we have a relationship that is peaceful and prosperous and one that is the envy of the world.
Bruce Report: Still, there are some here in Canada who believe that this country is poorly understood by the Americans. I am wondering if the reverse is also true. And if this is the case, how can we fix it?
Wilkins: Let me say it this way. I think you work on that by having the dialogue of top officials, and that filters on down to the individuals and the business associates. I think communication is the key. And what I’ve seen in the last six months has been a real upward move – a real increase in the number of official visits, the number of dialogues, the amount of communications between elected officials. There’s been a real effort to get to know each other and work together. So, there is a better understanding already. And I take that as more to my responsibilities. It is to increase the awareness of the importance of Canada, not only to the United States, but in the world. When I go to Washington, I talk about things like that. When I go back to my home state, I talk about the fact that Canada is the number one supplier of energy to the U.S. And I think as we increase the awareness of each other, we increase the appreciation of each other.
Bruce Report: Now, you wanted the Canadian posting. Is that right?
Wilkins: Oh, very definitely.
Bruce Report: Why was that?
Wilkins: So I could talk to people like you! No, but I really did. When I was told that I was being considered for an ambassadorship, I made it very clear that Canada was where I wanted to go. There were a lot of reasons for that. Number one was the fact that you are our number one trading partner, and I knew there were a lot of issues to deal with and I wanted a challenge. I wanted to keep very busy, and I certainly am. And then there was the wonderful relationship we enjoy with Canada, the close proximities of the capitals. There were just a number of reasons, including the quality of life. Certainly I had not traveled extensively (in Canada) before then, but I had met Canadians from time to time in the States, and I liked the ones I met. So it felt good. It was a good fit for me. I am very blessed that I was given the opportunity to come here. I feel like it is the privilege of a lifetime to be able to serve my country and your country.
Bruce Report: Has anything surprised you about Canada?
Wilkins: Well, now, I don’t think you can’t help but be impressed with the vastness of the country. I’ve now traveled well over 100,000 miles in the air. I’ve visited every province, every territory. The beauty and the massiveness of the country are very impressive. I’ve also been impressed by the warmth and friendship of the Canadian people coast to coast.
Bruce Report: As you look forward, what would be the biggest opportunity or opportunities that could be achieved by the two nations working more closely together?
Wilkins: I don’t know that I have one specific thing. But it is to continue working according to the pattern that we’ve established. It is to be consistent in working together to solve problems as they come up. That’s what we do now, because that’s what friends do, and above all else we are friends. But whether it’s the passport issue – to resolve that and still achieve the security that is needed – or whether it’s the softwood lumber issue – it actually looks like we have resolved that irritant – or the BSE issue, whatever the case may be, as long as we continue to increase the dialogue as these issues crop up, we have a better environment in which to progress. I think that is what we ought to strive for. We should put ourselves in an environment where we can have a dialogue when we have a disagreement and ultimately resolve it. My goal in Canada is quite simplistic, but when I leave I want to feel like the relationship is stronger than when I found it. So I strive every day to try to achieve that, and I accentuate the positive, and I make sure Washington knows what’s going on up here, and what is important to Canadians.
Bruce Report: Related to this, a recent survey of Atlantic Canadian companies indicated that improved relations with the United States should be a major priority for our federal government. What can the private sector and provincial governments do to work more effectively with their U.S. counterparts? Is it just about dialogue?
Wilkins: I think they should continue to foster their business relationships. I mean, that is so important. And I think they need to make their concerns clear to their elected officials. I mean that’s how things get done in our two countries.
Bruce Report: You are something of an expert on economic development in the U.S. south, where you spent your career prior to government as a lawyer. . .
Wilkins: Well, you are kind to say that. I’m not sure I am an expert on anything. But I served 25 years in the state legislature in South Carolina, and 11 years as Speaker. A lot of the issues that we were involved in dealt with economic development. I have some experience in that.
Bruce Report: Can you think of a breakout success story, in terms of economic development, for the U.S. south?
Wilkins: We were involved in a number of things that tried to create an environment for business growth and job creation. In particular, we had a number of pro-economic development incentives – tax credits, endowed chairs when we put money into research, encouraging public-private partnerships. We passed tort reform bills, medical malpractice bills. It was all designed to bolster the economy and create jobs. That was really what we were all about
Bruce Report: Is there anything that you learned during your legal and political careers in South Carolina that might be relevant to developing a more prosperous cross-border region in the Atlantic Provinces and New England?
Wilkins: I think there are skills that you learn being an attorney and being in the legislature dealing with the press, and business leaders, and elected officials that, hopefully, you can transfer to a job in the diplomatic world. Fundamentally, though, building prosperous economies between trading partners is about keeping the lines of communication open. It’s about dialogue, solving shared problems together, and making positive change collaboratively with elected officials.
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