Canada-U.S. relations are at their worst since the early 1960s, perhaps ever. One need only look quickly at the raft of concerns that have caused friction in the past five years to see the pattern - missile defence, softwood lumber, border security, beef, Iraq..... need I go on?
Now, Prime Minister Paul Martin has inserted U.S. environmental policy squarely in the middle of a Canadian election. This is coupled with his predecessor's clearly expressed preference for the Democratic alternative in a U.S. election, references by a Member of Parliament (albeit a radical one) to Americans as "those bastards," threats by some members of the government to cut off or reduce oil supplies to the U.S., and almost daily browbeating of U.S. policy in most of the Canadian media. On the American side we have had refusal to comply with NAFTA decisions, postponements of visits by the President and the Secretary of State as a means of expressing displeasure, regular speeches from U.S. ambassadors decrying Canadian government attitudes and policies, a high priority for security post 9-11 and, most recently, a Canadian ambassador called in for "discussions."
This is not a litany of success for either side. In fact, it is a clear downward slope toward a deep freeze in relations that even now is setting in. Paul Martin promised to stop this trend but he has only delayed it briefly and, now, he is feeding its acceleration.
It scarcely needs repeating that the economic relationship between these two nations is the largest in the world, and that they are friends with many common interests. Yet, there seems to be a serious disjunction between these platitudes and the course of events over much of the past decade or more. What is the problem? Why can't two similar countries with many common interests and values get along?
The answer is not an economic one, it is social and cultural; the two countries are moving further apart. On almost every important social issue you can think of the U.S as a nation (not just its government) is, or has moved, to the right while Canada has not. Regional differences matter, but on major social issues the U.S is a more conservative, southern country than ever before. It is also taking a view of its role in the world that is both narrower (for us or against us) and broader (democratic evangelism) at the same time.
The result of this disconnect is a much stronger distrust on both sides of the border. More Canadians regard the U.S. as the home of rabid fanatics and more Americans regard Canada as host to virtual pacifist socialism. This distrust has led to animosity in Canada against any intimation of American dominance or leadership and a knee-jerk anti-Americanism. It has also led to an increasing isolation of Canada in the corridors of power in Washington and a concomitant diminution of influence.
The problem of distrust and ignorance is spreading its tentacles into every aspect of the relationship. The most obvious examples are economic, but the reason the Prime Minister feels it is good politics to America-bash is because it is. It speaks to a significant stream in Canada's national consciousness. This stream is soon to become a dangerous whitewater rafting destination unless it is diverted and emptied, not by passive acquiescence but by a new commitment to reality on both sides.
In both countries a sort of national myth has set in. Canadians still think America can be understood through the potted history of high school, an occasional trip across the border and the slick glitz of Hollywood. Americans think that Canadians think basically much like them, unless they are awakened by a visit or direct contact. Left unchecked, these stereotypes will have caused a yawning gulf in another generation or less.
Steps to narrow this knowledge and understanding gap must begin now. It is no longer safe or smart to rely on historical friendship and common roots. We have relied on that for a century and more, and the well has gone dry. In life, the friendships of childhood either mature into adult relationships based on facts and recognition of weaknesses and strengths, as well as an appreciation of differences, or they wither and die.
Canada and the U.S. need to throw out the hoary stereotypes and develop a new relationship based on a shared understanding of what each is today. Both sides need to challenge their assumptions about the other and look beyond the past. A binational dialogue and increases in exchanges would be a start. This new relationship may not be warm and fuzzy, but it will certainly be more realistic and productive. After the initial shock wears off, we might actually like each other.
Brian Russell teaches in the area of international political economy at Georgetown University in Washington D.C.
