An expert on Canadian/American relations views the presidential visit to Canada as an opportunity for both sides.
The Director of the Centre for American Studies at the University of Western Ontario Don Abelson says it’s very important for President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Stephen Harper to get to know each other.
Abelson says this first meeting will help set the tone of the working relationship over the next several years.
He feels the two leaders will discuss the issues in a broad general sense, setting the scene for advisors to schedule further meetings to work out details of any differences and subsequent solutions.
Abelson says Canada is playing host to conceivably the most popular celebrity in the world and today’s meetings represent potential change in the next several years.
Abelson also says the visit plays into President Obama’s hands as well.
He points out that the president wants to restore America’s image abroad and Canada is a very important part of that puzzle.
Abelson says Obama respects Canada and Canadian politicians need to use that as an opportunity to make sure that we have his “ear” when it comes to very important policy issues.