Canada is a good neighbor
February 7, 2011
"Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners. And necessity has made us allies. Those whom nature hath so joined together, let no man put asunder. What unites us is far greater than what divides us." - President John F. Kennedy, to Canadian Parliament, 1961
The United States and Canada have a long and storied relationship, but Kennedy’s quote nearly 50 years ago, sums up the state of relations between the two countries. Ironically, however, Canada has roughly one-tenth the population of the United States. This solid relationship has helped both nations economically, particularly in recent years as trade has grown. And this relationship can aid Nebraskans as we aim to acquire cheaper energy from friendlier sources.
Canada is the second largest country by land mass in the world. Its border with the United States is the longest border in the world. This border has been almost entirely peaceful for nearly 200 years, since the end of the War of 1812. Even since the September 11 attacks in 2001, border relations have remained strong. In fact, there has been a greater sharing of intelligence between the two countries to combat terrorism here and abroad.
The United States and Canada are each other’s chief economic partners. Both nations benefit from large volumes of tourism and migration. The North American Free Trade Agreement signed in 1994 has merged the two economies and has greatly benefited their mutual relations. Furthermore, a 2007 study commissioned by the Canadian Embassy, determined that Nebraska has 49,750 jobs as a result of friendly relations with its neighbor to the north.
Canada supplies the United States with more oil than any other nation. It’s possible for the United States to acquire even more energy from Canada with greater development of the Canadian oil sands in Alberta. This development could translate to lower gas and energy prices for farmers and other agricultural workers, meaning greater profits in the pockets of all Nebraskans.
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