Headlines Archive

This is a page with archived web resources and articles - US Embassy Ottawa is not responsible for any external link changes - external links may change over time.

Quick Reference: 2007 | 2008

2009

21 August 09
Ramadan Kareem
As the new crescent moon ushers in Ramadan, the President extends his best wishes to Muslim communities in the United States and around the world.

Each Ramadan, the ninth month on the lunar calendar, Muslims fast daily from dawn to sunset for 29 or 30 days. Fasting is a tradition in many religious faiths and is meant to increase spirituality, discipline, thankfulness, and consciousness of God's mercy. Ramadan is also a time of giving and reaching out to those less fortunate, and this summer, American Muslims have joined their fellow citizens in serving communities across the country. Over the course of the month, we will highlight the perspectives of various faiths on fasting and profile faith-based organizations making real impacts in American cities and towns. [more/video].

Just in time for Ramadan, the “Islam Around the World” flickr group has been launched!
flickr.com - The group asks you to share your images or create new ones that complete the phrase, “Islam is…” Tell us what Islam means to you in your life, your city, your country. Please add your photographs to our group and describe in the caption box what your image is about. We’d like to share as many of these images as possible on our blog, our website and our Facebook page. If you’d like us to include your photos among those we share elsewhere, please remove any copyright restrictions and let us know how you’d like to be credited.

Join the group and upload your photos or simply send your photos in an email to: state61per@photos.flickr.com. Include in the email: the title in the subject line, the description in the body and the photo attached. Please Tag the photos #Islam. You can do that by putting “tags: #Islam” in the body of your email.

North American Leaders Summit Guadalajara August 9-10, 2009
August 10 - Joint Statement by North American Leaders
We, the leaders of North America, have come together in Guadalajara to promote the global competitiveness of our region, foster the well-being of our citizens, and make our countries more secure. We build our collaboration on the understanding that our deepening ties are a source of strength and that challenges and opportunities in one North American country can and do affect us all. North American cooperation is rooted in shared values, complementary strengths, and the dynamism of our peoples. We are confident that working together we can help our societies thrive in the challenging, competitive, and promising century ahead.[more]

North American Leaders Summit: Energy Deliverables
Energy and climate change will be an important element of the trilateral discussions at the North American Leaders Summit, to be held in Guadalajara, Mexico, on August 9-10, 2009. Building on the work of the North American Energy Working Group, established in 2001 by the Energy Secretaries and Minister of the United States, Mexico and Canada, deliverables to announce at the Leaders Summit will include...[more]
Related:
- August 10 - Press Conference By President Obama, President Calderón of Mexico, and Prime Minister Harper of Canada.
- August 10 - North American Leaders’ Declaration on Climate Change and Clean Energy.
- August 10 - North American Leaders’ Declaration on H1N1.
- August 10 - North American Leaders Discuss Trade, H1N1 Flu, Climate Change
- August 7 - Press Briefing on the Presidents Upcoming Trip to Guadalajara.
- Obama, Calderón and Harper to Stress North American Cooperation.
- North American Leaders to Meet August 9–10.
- Audio: North America Leaders' Summit - A Panel Discussion
- The Americas: Partnering for peace and prosperity.

07 August 09
Statement by the Press Secretary on the visit of Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada to the White House
President Obama will meet with Prime Minister Harper at the White House on Wednesday, September 16. Canada is a close ally and partner of the United States, and the President looks forward to discussing a broad range of bilateral, hemispheric, and global issues, including cooperation on economic recovery and trade, the upcoming G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh; climate change and energy, December’s UN Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen; and security cooperation, including in Afghanistan. http://www.pc.gc.ca/.

U.S.-Canadian Cooperation in the Arctic: 2009 U.S.-Canada Arctic Continental Shelf Survey
The 2009 U.S.-Canada Arctic Continental Shelf Survey runs from August 7 through September 16. This is the latest mission in the Extended Continental Shelf Project.

We invite your comments on this mission in this discussion space! A blogger will be embedded with the mission and we look forward to sharing her insights here.

For more information, visit: http://continentalshelf.gov/missions.html

President Obama's 4th of July Message
Today, we are called upon to remember not only the day our country was born, but also the indomitable spirit of the first American citizens who made that day possible. We are called to remember how unlikely it was that our American experiment would succeed at all; that a small band of patriots would declare independence from a powerful empire; and that they would form, in the new world, what the old world had never known - a government of, by, and for the people. [more]

04 June 09
A New Beginning - Engaging the Muslim World President Obama's June 4 Speech in Cairo, Egypt
I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning, and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt’s advancement. Together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I am grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. I am also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: assalaamu alaykum. [more] [fact sheet]

H1N1 Influenza (Flu)
The United States, Canada and Mexico continue to work together with international organizations in actively monitoring the H1N1 flu outbreak. For additional and latest information, please see the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: www.cdc.gov [travel alerts][President Obama's remarks]

U.S.-Canadian Cooperation in the Arctic: 2009 U.S.-Canada Arctic Continental Shelf Survey
The 2009 U.S.-Canada Arctic Continental Shelf Survey runs from August 7 through September 16. This is the latest mission in the Extended Continental Shelf Project.

We invite your comments on this mission in this discussion space! A blogger will be embedded with the mission and we look forward to sharing her insights here.

For more information, visit: http://continentalshelf.gov/missions.html

President Obama's 4th of July Message
Today, we are called upon to remember not only the day our country was born, but also the indomitable spirit of the first American citizens who made that day possible. We are called to remember how unlikely it was that our American experiment would succeed at all; that a small band of patriots would declare independence from a powerful empire; and that they would form, in the new world, what the old world had never known - a government of, by, and for the people. [more]

04 June 09
A New Beginning - Engaging the Muslim World President Obama's June 4 Speech in Cairo, Egypt
I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning, and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt’s advancement. Together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I am grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. I am also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: assalaamu alaykum. [more] [fact sheet]

H1N1 Influenza (Flu)
The United States, Canada and Mexico continue to work together with international organizations in actively monitoring the H1N1 flu outbreak. For additional and latest information, please see the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: www.cdc.gov [travel alerts][President Obama's remarks]

27 May 09
Joint Statement by Secretary Napolitano and Canadian Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan on the U.S.-Canada Border
Ottawa—The Honorable Janet Napolitano, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Honorable Peter Van Loan, Canadian Minister of Public Safety, recognize the unique nature of the U.S.-Canada border and share a determination to tackle common threats that we face, including terrorism and organized crime.
“We are working in partnership to ensure we manage the border in a way that contributes to the well-being of our two countries and recognize that we can enhance our security without compromising trade. [more]
Related:
- Readout of Secretary Napolitano’s Meeting with Canadian Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney
- Statement by Secretary Napolitano on the Appointment of Jeff Neal as Chief Human Capital Officer

26 May 09
United States and Canada Act Jointly to Combat Cross-Border Crime
Detroit—The Honorable Janet Napolitano, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Honorable Peter Van Loan, Canadian Minister of Public Safety, toured port operations today on both sides of the shared United States/Canada border and signed an agreement to make Shiprider—joint law enforcement teams stationed along the international maritime border—permanent. [more]

22 May 09
Canadians and Americans reminded of June 1 deadline for new passport rules to enter the U.S.
Winnipeg, Manitoba – The United States Consulate in Winnipeg reminds Manitobans that, starting June 1, all Canadians and Americans will be required to present a passport or other document approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security when entering the United States at land or water border crossings.
The new document requirements are part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), a U.S. law that requires all travelers – including Canadian and American citizens – to present a valid passport or other acceptable ID when entering the United States by land or sea from within the Western Hemisphere. This requirement is already in effect for air travelers. [more]
Related: Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Information

2008

05 November 08
Barack Obama Elected 44th President of United States
Barack Obama, unknown to most Americans just four years ago, will become the 44th president and the first African-American president of the United States. Obama, a senator from Illinois, and his running mate Joe Biden will take the oath of office on January 20, 2009. [more] [america.gov blog].

08 July 08
Independence Day, Winnipeg 2008
On July 4th Consul Mary Speer joined invited guests to celebrate the 232nd birthday of the United States of America. MC for the night, Jon Ljungberg, (in the photo at left) talks to the guests in his “Uncle Sam” suit at the July 4 celebrations hosted by the Consulate in Winnipeg.

For more photos of the night please - Photo Slideshow.

30 May 08
NORAD 50th Anniversary – Winnipeg - Remarks by Ambassador David H. Wilkins.

12 May 08
Remarks by Ambassador David H. Wilkins on the NORAD 50th Anniversary.

12 May 08
NORAD celebrates 50th anniversary - May 12
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — North American Aerospace Defense Command is celebrating a milestone this year, 50 years of a rich and colorful history between two countries that formally acknowledged a mutual commitment to defend their citizens from air attacks.

Although NORAD originally stood up at Ent Air Force Base, Colo., on Sept 12, 1957, the official agreement between the Canadian and U.S. governments that created the command was signed on May 12, 1958. [More].

06 May 08
Remarks by Ambassador David H. Wilkins at the NORAD 50th Anniversary Reception, Ottawa, May 5, 2008.
[Photo Slideshow].

24 April 08
Joint Statement by President Bush, President Calderon, Prime Minister Harper
As continental neighbors and partners committed to democratic government, the rule of law and respect for individual rights and freedoms, Canada, Mexico and the United States have shared interests in keeping North America secure, prosperous, and competitive in today's global environment. We met in New Orleans to discuss how we might collaborate further to achieve these goals, as well as to discuss our hemispheric and global interests and concerns.

The Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP), based on the principle that security and prosperity depend on each other, is a useful mechanism that helps us to identify and pursue practical solutions to shared challenges in North America in a way that respects our individual and sovereign interests. We each remain open and accountable to our own people. [More] [The Latest on the New Orleans SPP].

24 April 08
North American Leaders Defend Free Trade Pact
Washington - Since the United States, Canada and Mexico established the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994, trade has tripled, laying a firm foundation for expanded regional cooperation among three countries united by geography and a shared belief in democracy, President Bush says.

“Now is the time to make it work better for all our people, and now is the time to reduce trade barriers worldwide,” Bush said April 22 following talks with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mexican President Felipe Calderón in New Orleans at the fourth meeting of the Security and Prosperity Partnership. [More].

17 January 2008
The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa would like to remind travelers that beginning January 31, 2008, individuals crossing the border will be asked to present documents denoting citizenship and identity when entering the United States through land and sea ports of entry. This change primarily affects American and Canadian citizens, who have previously been permitted entry by oral declaration alone, and marks the transition toward standard and consistent documents for all travelers entering the United States. [More] [What documents are needed?] [FAQs]

11 September 2007
U.S. Consul Mary Speer was Master of Ceremonies for a commemorative ceremony at the International Peace Garden, which was organized by the Manitoba Government. Manitoba Premier Gary Doer and North Dakota Governor John Hoeven were the featured speakers. Consul General Kim Perry Butler, from the Canadian Consulate General in Minneapolis and many local mayors and officials were guests of honor. The ceremony was attended by approximately 400 Canadians and Americans, including firefighters and other first responders from both sides of the border, RCMP officers, ND State Police and a number of veterans. This was the 6th consecutive year the Manitoba Government has held a 9/11 commemorative ceremony at the International Peace Garden.

2007

14 December 2007
On December 14, U.S. Ambassador to Canada David H. Wilkins answered questions during a one-hour live web chat on Canada - U.S. Relations. [View Transcript]

06 December 2007
UN Convention on Climate Change - Preview of the U.S. Position at the December 2007 Bali Meeting on the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change

30 November 2007
Statement by U.S. Ambassador David H. Wilkins on the Safe Third Country Agreeement.

Current Canada-U.S. Water Issues

Avian Influenza

Softwood Lumber