The following is an idealized speech that could be delivered by Justin Trudeau, the 23rd Prime Minister of Canada, to commemorate the country’s bilateral relationship with the United States. As is usually the case, between the ideal and real lie much difference.
My Fellow Americans,
That’s an odd way to begin a speech for a Canadian Prime Minister; and yet, it’s most appropriate. For on this eve, gathered at the aptly-named Peach Arch along our shared border, ‘tis only fitting that we pay tribute to the long fellowship between our two nations – to paraphrase Lincoln, both ‘conceived in liberty, and dedicated the proposition that all men, and women, are created equal.’
As I set my eyes East, I look upon the nearly nine thousand kilometres of continent where Canada meets the United States. Far from dividing us, this frontier has long been the firmament of our relationship. Indeed, there is no better, yet more paradoxical metaphor to describe how this relationship has evolved over history to become the strongest in the world. From what this border has seen, there is much to recount from its most-epical journey.
It has witnessed two vast nations grow into maturity, settled by immigrants of similar stock – first from Europe, and then the world over. It has watched them form communities across their lands – rising into a robust middle-class with thriving families, strong values and good-paying jobs; which have formed the backbones of their success. United by shared languages, of which English remains but one, it has enabled our two peoples to meet each other, greet each other and come to know one another over centuries. Simultaneously, it has borne witness – on either side – as our peoples have made peace with the First Peoples of the land they now inhabit – atoning for a long, difficult history; and seeking respect and reconciliation. Indeed, this land is shared not merely by us, but between us and with them.
This border has witnessed our peoples work together to achieve their prosperity, as they’ve erected trillion-dollar economies of commanding might. Across it, their businesses have traded for decades – exchanging the ingredients that have fuelled their ascendance. From Californian fruit and Albertan oil to Michigander cars and Quebecois electricity; our two nations have formed the largest and most comprehensive trading relationship in history – exchanging goods and services from Coast to Coast. Over a long history of bilateral agreements – among them, the Auto Pact, the FTA, NAFTA and now CUSMA – we have solemnized this relationship, each time renewing our vows to bring more growth to our communities: always symmetrical and never unequal. Indeed, this growth has been so symmetrical that Hollywood has often crossed this border to film American shows in Canadian cities – a testament to our likeness, based on and ratified by free markets with free and fair trade.
In that vein, this border has further seen us grow closer together as human partners – ready to tackle our shared challenges and fuse two communities into nearly one. When pollution and acid rain marred our skies, we worked together, in ’91, to limit them – a partnership that stood the test of time to 2015, when we led the world together to save our planet’s climate. When we needed to harness our waters, we cooperated to sustain them – from the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes in the East to the Columbia here West. When our workers and citizens fought racism and inequality, they chose not to stand alone, but stand together – forming international unions and movements, whose local chapters fold into both our national stories.
But most of all, however, this border has borne two allies: whose brave peoples fought together, and died together – defending each other and the universal right. In Flanders’ Fields, on Normandy’s Beaches, through Incheon’s harbours and Kandahar’s mountains, we have bled for the causes of justice, freedom and peace.
And so, our nations have lived and lived – together, as any two ever did. It is this rich journey, across this inexplicable boundary, that today still shapes our bilateral relationship – on the environment, public health, security, trees, trade and other stuff. Like any two peoples, we may often differ, but resolve our differences with speed, amity and peace. We may never agree on who’s better at hockey, but will always agree on the importance of this shared history. To return to the opening analogy, this border, perhaps, does not merely join us – but conjoins Canada and the United States. Like Siamese Twins, of a shared mind and shared body, we advance forth into the world as brethren – aligned on the arc of destiny, and on towards a brighter future.
Thank you very much. Merci beau ‘coup.
May God Save the Queen,
And May God Bless the United States of America.
Editor’s Note: This speech was originally submitted as examination answer pursuant to Arjun’s study of Canada’s post-war bilateral relationship with the United States of America. While the examination’s results weren’t disclosed, Arjun received the letter grade of ‘A’ in the course.
The Writings of Arjun Singh 