Comments by Thomas d’Aquino on the Meeting Between Prime Minister Paul Martin and United States President George W. Bush

January 13, 2004

The following are comments by Thomas d’Aquino, President and Chief Executive of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE), after this morning’s meeting between Prime Minister Paul Martin and United States President George W. Bush:

On rebuilding Iraq:

“What is most important is to restore essential services, get the country’s economy moving again and improve the quality of life of Iraqi citizens as quickly as possible. As a general rule, more competition for contracts means that the job will get done better and faster.”

“Canadian companies have a great deal of expertise to offer in areas such as energy, transportation, water treatment and the design and construction of major infrastructure projects, and I think it is great that Canadians will have more opportunities to participate in the important work that needs to be done in Iraq.”

On Canada-U.S. relations:

“The Council took close to 100 Canadian CEOs to Washington last spring in the middle of the military campaign in Iraq and just weeks after Canada’s decision not to participate. The clear message we heard from Americans then was that they fully respected Canada’s right to make its own choices, but resented the way in which our government delivered its message.”

“Building a more cordial relationship at the top does not mean Canada is abandoning its right to make independent choices. Canada and the United States are always going to have disagreements, so it is important for the leaders of our countries to respect and trust each other.”

“Prime Minister Martin has made it clear that he wants to put the Canada – United States relationship on a stronger footing, and I think the agreement by the United States to give Canada an opportunity to intervene any time it detains a Canadian is a sign of the kind of progress that can be made when there is that mutual trust and respect at the top.”