The University of Western Ontario launched the new Canada-U.S. Institute this week with a detailed study of what Canadians and Americans think about one of the world’s most important and enduring relationships.
Study co-author Laura Stephenson and Canada U.S. Institute Director Don Abelson share their thoughts on the launch of the new institute held Tuesday in Washington, D.C. Photos courtesy of David Hawxhurst/Wilson Center.
Study co-authors Cameron Anderson and Laura Stephenson, faculty members in the Department of Political Science, presented survey results and expert analysis that included a few surprises.
For example, American respondents expressed a positive view of the Canadian government and noted they expect it to have an important influence on US policy direction. And Canadian respondents heavily endorsed closer relations and free trade, a once-divisive topic over which one federal election was fought.
“Overwhelmingly, however, there seems to be an expectation on both sides of the border that the close relationship should continue in the future,” states the study, noting “increased integration over the past 20 years has not led to convergence in the two societies.”
The job of the institute – unveiled Tuesday in Washington, D.C. at the Canada Institute at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars – will be to take the pulse of that relationship and present policy options for leaders on both sides of the border.
A good place to start, suggested Anderson and Stephenson, would be to provide “greater communication with the public about the size, extent and nature of the relationship between the United States and Canada.”
Joining Anderson and Stephenson from Western were political science Chair Don Abelson, director of the Institute, and President Amit Chakma. Joining them were John Dickson, director for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs of the U.S. Department of State (Western Hemisphere), and Roy Norton, Minister of Congressional/Public & Intergovernmental Relations at the Canadian Embassy.
Also making the trip from Western were Ted Hewitt, vice-president (Research); Chi Carmody, Canada U.S. Law Institute; Ian Holloway, dean, Law; Dianne Cunningham, Lawrence National Centre for Policy and Development; Julie McMullin, acting dean, Social Science, Monda Halpern, History professor; and Bryce Traister, English professor.
Chakma says the university has made the U.S.-Canada relationship a major thrust for the university’s future as it begins to stake out important leadership and influence roles.
“This discussion has helped us write the first page of a new chapter … in trying to understand the U.S.-Canada relationship,” says Chakma, adding the launch was made possible by the breadth and strength of researchers in several faculties studying various aspects of this longstanding relationship.
The ultimate goal will be to generate timely and policy-relevant research on a wide range of domestic and foreign policy issues.
“We believe this to be a one-of-a-kind institute,” says Chakma.
“Certainly it will emerge, in my mind, as a leading think tank in our country. Today is but a taste of Western’s ability to study cross border issues from virtually any angle.”
During a panel discussion, Stephenson noted Canadians expect more from their government.
“The simple fact that Canadians are more comfortable with government intervention than Americans are feeds into a lot of what Canadians expect government to do. Similarly, when we think about the Canada-U.S relationship, I’ve heard all sorts of interesting metaphors – from little brother to poor relations – and part of that comes out in that the importance of the relationship, or perceptions of the relationship, to Canadians is very different than Americans.”
Abelson says the study speaks to how Canadians and Americans feel about how effectively their leaders are coping with pressing domestic and foreign policy matters.
“This report helps further our understanding of the various factors that shape one of the world’s most important and enduring economic and political relationships,” says Abelson. “In doing so, the authors have laid the foundation for additional studies intended to explore the complex nature of Canada-U.S. relations.”
Some survey findings
Similarities
Friends, but not close – yes response from 64 per cent of Canadians and 61 per cent of Americans
More should be done for the American economy – yes response from 80 per cent of Americans and 83 per cent of Canadians
Border security is the most important issue in the relationship – yes response from 25 per cent of Americans and Canadians Differences
We are best of friends – yes response from 15 per cent of Canadians and 28 per cent of Americans
The future of the Canada-U.S. relationship – 10 per cent of Canadians feel it will worsen in the next five years, compared to three per cent of Americans.
The complete study, “Moving Closer or Drifting Apart? Assessing the State of Public Opinion on the U.S.-Canada Relationship,” can be found at https://uwo.ca/local_files/downloads/20100413-can-us-study.pdf