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8- The Oakville Beaver, Friday September 26, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Canada posting memorable for American ambassador By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF He may be a proud American, but he has become Canada's biggest fan. This was the sentiment expressed by outgoing U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins, Tuesday night, as he addressed a crowd of Oakville's business, social service and political leaders at the Oakville Chamber of Commerce's 54th Annual President's Dinner. Wilkins, whose appointment as America's ambassador to Canada comes to an end in January 2009, spent the evening reliving all that he had seen and done since receiving his ambassadorship in 2005. "I've travelled extensively to every province and every territory many times over. I've seen much more of Canada than I have my own country," said Wilkins. "I've travelled over 300,000 miles in the air and everywhere Susan and I go we are blessed to be met with friendship and warmth from Canadians of all walks of life." U.S. ambassador David Wilkins The South Carolina native said he has listened to Canadians and learned things not only about Canada, but about his own country, as well. The trust and friendship that exist between Canada and the U.S. cannot only be seen in the largest trade relationship the world has ever known, he said, but in the way Canadians held a memorial service in the days following the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and in the way Canadian sailors journeyed to the Gulf Coast to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The way Americans aided Canadians during devastating ice storms and the way the people of Boston took in orphans from the 1917 Halifax disaster is further proof of this friendship, which Canadians and Americans have cultivated over decades, noted Wilkins. "When you get right down to it, there are precious few issues that divide us. That doesn't mean we aren't different or unique or sovereign. It does mean that we are truly blessed to be neighbours," he said. "I can tell you this, that there is no other country on earth my country would rather share its border with and I would like to believe the vast majority of Canadians feel the same." Wilkins then pointed to the elections taking place in both Canada and the U.S. as an example of one way the two countries are the same "When you get right down to it, there are precious few issues that divide us. That doesn't mean we aren't different or unique or sovereign. It does mean that we are truly blessed to be neighbours." U. S. ambassador David Wilkins and yet different. He pointed out how the U.S. election had been going on for quite some time and still had a ways to go while the Canadian election had just begun and would soon be over. The amount of money each country spends on its elections was another key difference, but whatever the difference each election still represented democracy at its best, he said. 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"Your prime minister, particularly in a majority government, has much more concentration of power in that one position than our president," said Wilkins. "We have checks and balances, separation of power while you have more concentration, appoint members of the senate, cabinet members and members of the judiciary without confirmation. Can you imagine if the president could appoint members of the senate? It would change everything overnight that way." On the issue of Afghanistan, Wilkins noted that victory was essential and likened the mission there to a marathon as opposed to a sprint. Wilkins has seen the work Canadian soldiers are doing in Afghanistan during a visit he made to Kandahar last Christmas and said they are making a difference there. "I went over there for the sole purpose of meeting Canadian soldiers and saying thank you for your service to your country," he said. "That was probably the most humbling experience of my life. I wish everyone could see what I've seen. It makes you appreciate what we have here in North America." Wilkins said America appreciates the sacrifice and heavy lifting Canadians are doing in Afghanistan. He also understands only the Canadian government can decide when Canada's mission there is done. "We do congratulate and commend the vote in Parliament, just a couple months ago, to extend the mission through 2011 based on certain conditions of additional troops and helicopter capabilities being met," said Wilkins. "We have every reason to believe these conditions will be met and are being met." On the economy, Wilkins defended President George Bush's decision to bail out Wall Street noting the president said it best when he stated, `America's economy is facing unprecedented challenges and we're responding with unprecedented action.' 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