Thursday June 30, 2016
By Marie-Danielle Smith
OTTAWA — During what was almost certainly his last visit to Canada as president of the United States, Barack Obama gave a glowingly-received speech Wednesday urging North American unity amid growing protectionist sentiment and global uncertainty.Obama addressed Canadian parliamentarians, dignitaries and celebrity guests in the House of Commons chamber after a day of photo-ops, awkward handshakes and “dude-plomacy,” as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau put it.
He emphasized the urgency of climate change, the importance of inclusiveness and “inalienable rights,” especially for the LGBTQ community, and the “extraordinary alliance” between Canada and the United States — which he called “as strong as it has ever been.”
Obama lauded the leadership of Trudeau, calling him “outstanding” and thanking him for having brought “new energy” to the relationship.“We meet at a pivotal moment for our nations and for the globe,” Obama said. The international order has enormously benefited the world, he said, but order is “increasingly strained.”
The United Kingdom voted last week to leave the European Union, forcing concerns over unity and the viability of regional integration to permeate the president’s one-day visit.
Obama eased Brexit fears: “the process can be managed in a prudent, orderly way.” But the sentiments behind the U.K. vote can’t be ignored, he said.
“If the benefits of globalization accrue only to those at the very top, if our democracies seem incapable of ensuring broad-based growth and opportunity for everyone, then people will push back out of anger or out of fear,” said Obama.
“And politicians, some sincere and some entirely cynical, will tap that anger.”
It was an obvious reference to the controversial candidacy of Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee seeking election in November.
On Tuesday, Trump slammed the North American Free Trade Agreement, promising either to renegotiate it or scrap it altogether.
But few industries can sever what is now truly a “global supply chain,” Obama responded, offering free trade between Canada and the U.S. as an example.
“The answer is not to try and pull back from our inter-connected role. It is rather to engage with the rest of the world, to shape the rules so they’re good for our world and good for our business.”
Also weighing heavily on hearts and minds were events at Istanbul’s Ataturk airport Tuesday, where a gun and suicide bomb attack killed at least 42 and injured about 240.
Obama promised to “destroy” the terrorist group ISIL and to continue to fight terrorist networks. He received a standing ovation when he mentioned the victims of violent extremism including Canadians Robert Hall and John Ridsdel, who were beheaded by terrorists in the Philippines.
Obama also praised the Canadian Forces and was roundly cheered when he said, “The world needs more Canada.”
Ahead of the NATO summit July 8-9 in Poland, the president called on Canada to help promote global co-operation. “We’ll be more secure when every NATO member, including Canada, contributes its full share to our common security.”
Obama also begged compassion for refugees fleeing terrorism. “The mothers, the fathers, the children we see today, they’re us. We can’t forsake them,” he said.
Obama stressed the “dignity of every human being,” just over two weeks after a deadly attack at a gay nightclub in Orlando. It formed a strong counter to rhetoric from Trump, who has called for a ban on Muslim immigration to the U.S. and has promised to build a wall along the Mexican border.
In his introduction to Obama in the House, Trudeau, too, reaffirmed that “diversity is strength” and said no matter who you are, or who you love, “this is home,” to a standing ovation.
Obama is the eighth American president to have addressed Canadians from the House of Commons chamber, and the first since Bill Clinton in 1995.
Along with party leaders, MPs and Senators, guests included provincial premiers, the chiefs of Canada’s spy agencies, indigenous leaders and such celebrities as Nelly Furtado, two members of The Tragically Hip and Mrs. Universe 2015.