Michael Flaherty, Consulate General of Canada in Atlanta, spoke to University of Tennessee at Martin students last week on Canada-U.S. relationships. His lecture was sponsored by the UTM Center for Global Studies and International Education. The lecture was part of a series that will focus on Canada to generate interest in the new Canadian studies minor.

Flaherty’s lecture focused on Canada’s “Enhanced Representation Initiative,” which was created to increase Canada’s presence in the US. Its objectives are to create an understanding about the Canada/US relationship, to demonstrate that Canada is a trusted security partner and to advance Canadian interests on key issues through continued and sustained discussion.

Border and management security is one of the key issues in Canada/US relationships. “Secure and efficient border crossings are the lifeline of our mutual economic growth and prosperity,” said Flaherty. “Approximately $1.2 billion (USD) in goods and services cross over the border every day of the year.”

Defense and security partnerships is another issue. Canada and the US are partners in defending the shared continent through NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command). “Since WWII, we have shared resources and expertise to create an integrated defense industrial base to sustain our armed forces,” said Flaherty.

“Fighting terrorism is a top priority for both Canada and the US.” “The US and Canada are part of an integrated economic market,” said Flaherty. “Our annual two-way trade of $441 billion (USD) is a vital component of the economic security of both countries. Canada is the leading market for goods for 37 US states, including Tenn.” He also noted that the US was Canada’s largest source of foreign direct investment, at 65.1 percent and that Canada is the US’s largest source of foreign investment at 43.6 percent.

“Canada has a strong fiscal framework,” said Flaherty. “The last time the federal government had a deficit budget was in the 1996-97 fiscal year. Balanced budgets or better are expected for 2005-06 and the next five years.”

“Canada is the US’s biggest supplier of energy. In 2004, Canada’s energy exports to the US were valued at $65 billion (USD),” said Flaherty. “Canada supplies 88 percent of US natural gas imports and 17 percent of crude and refined oil products. This is more than any other country, including Venezuela and Saudi Arabia.”

Flaherty also discussed issues on softwood lumber, agriculture and the joint stewardship of the environment.