Any lingering trade irritants or negative feelings over the U.S.-led war in Iraq were left on the sidewalk Friday as the American ambassador to Canada was greeted by an enthusiastic Calgary business crowd.

As protesters chanted in a cold rain outside the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Paul Cellucci received a warm ovation inside – as well as glowing accolades from Premier Ralph Klein – as he addressed the state of relations between Canada and the U.S.

“When we think of our relationships around the world, and how any one of them impacts the day-to-day lives of our citizens, there is no question that our relationship with Canada is the most important we have in the world,” Cellucci told the sold-out crowd of more than 300. “Despite some recent strains, this relationship is in very good shape.”

Cellucci noted the progress both countries have made in border security, transportation and energy issues, but added more work is needed to harmonize a regulatory climate that encourages investment in energy sources and transmission.

Larry MacDougal, Business Edge
U.S. ambassador Paul Cellucci is ‘white-hatted’ by Mayor Dave Bronconnier.

It is “no minor matter” that the U.S. Department of Energy has started to count northern Alberta’s oilsands among Canada’s estimated energy reserves, he said.

“The proven reserves here in Canada now are shown at 180 billion instead of five billion barrels, which puts Canada second only to Saudi Arabia and well ahead of Iraq and other countries.”

“But you can have all the energy in the world, but if you can’t get it to where it’s needed, it doesn’t do any good . . . we need to find a way to have some national regulatory body with input from the (U.S.) states, so we can encourage the kind of investment that will allow us to get this energy to market.”

Cellucci later told reporters that joint U.S.-Canada regulations also could be applied to food, health and safety standards.

He said the market should be able to support both proposed MacKenzie Delta and Alaskan natural gas pipeline routes.

“We don’t really think there’s a debate there,” he said. “We think we’re going to need both MacKenzie gas and Alaskan gas. We think the MacKenzie gas will probably go first, but it’s pretty clear to us we’re going to need gas from both areas. We think the sooner the permitting process can be concluded, it would be a good thing.”

Klein wasn’t able to stay for Cellucci’s speech, but in a short greeting beforehand, he lauded the U.S. ambassador as a good friend to Canada and Alberta. Cellucci has criticized Canada for not supporting the U.S. attack on Iraq.

“Paul knows that here in Alberta, we feel a very close kinship with our American neighbours. They are our friends, our economic partners, and above all, our allies in mutual and deeply held values such as freedom, peace and individual liberty,” Klein said to thunderous applause.

The premier expressed the support of “many Albertans” for the recent U.S. war on Iraq, praising America’s “restraint and respect” for Iraqi civilians.

Cellucci noted later that his family is forging even closer ties with Alberta, as his daughter will be marrying a Calgarian this summer.

There was a standing-room only reception for Cellucci outside the chamber as well. About 30 protesters, waving signs that read “Stop the U.S. global slaughter,”and “Yankee Go Home,” gathered on the sidewalk to castigate the U.S. for everything from its invasion of Iraq to U.S.-Canada trade disputes.

However, the ambassador was whisked in a back door and likely never saw or heard the demonstrators.

“There are a number of issues here,” said Calgary District and Labour Council spokesman Gord Christie. “We’re opposed to the illegal and immoral war that the U.S. started in the attack on Iraq, but we’re also here as Canadians, believing in our own sovereignty – and we don’t think it’s right that the provincial and federal governments are giving away our resources through alleged trade agreements, that have very little to do about trade and more to do about the Americanization of Canada.”

Several members of the Communication, Energy and Paperworkers Union (CEP) joined the demonstration to voice their concerns over softwood lumber negotiations.

Meanwhile, Canada Customs and Revenue Agency and the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection have announced the expansion of the “Free and Secure Trade” (FAST) program at Alberta’s main border crossing.

FAST will give qualified, pre-registered importers expedited clearance of their shipments at the Coutts-Sweetgrass border crossing.

“What used to to take minutes at the border when these tractor-trailers pull up, is being reduced to seconds,” Cellucci told the Chamber.

The FAST lane will be open by December.