Canusa Street - Intersecting the Canada U.S. Relationship – Details, episodes & analysis

Following a challenging couple of weeks in the bi-lateral relationship, Chris and Beth check in with an old friend, both to them and to the United States. A discussion with Ambassador Raymond Chretien, who served as Ambassador to the US, France, Mexico and others. 

Beth and Chris take in the view from British Columbia, and a look at how Canada's economy and resources have it poised to thrive in the 21st Century. And that there is further opportunities to grow with the world and with the United States.

On a solo mission today, host Beth Burke talks with Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli, along with Ontario's newly minted representative in Washington, David Paterson. These two friends of Canusa Street truly understand the bilateral relationship and they take a deep look at the many connections between Ontario and the US, from energy, to trade, to critical minerals and more.

The US border is still closed to vaccinated Canadians. A key leader in the US Congress, Representative Suzan DelBene, shares her thoughts about the “incredibly difficult situation for our border communities” including places like Point Roberts, Washington, as well as USTR Ambassador Katherine Tai’s recent visit with DelBene and what the path forward is for Canada/US trade challenges in dairy and wine. What are the metrics needed to re-open the land border with Canada? Canusa Street hosts Chris Sands and Scotty Greenwood have a candid conversation with the Vice Chair of the Ways & Means Committee and a true Congressional champion for the bilateral relationship.

In this episode, Beth and Chris chat with Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, who was in Washington to talk up the energy, critical minerals, tourism experiences, and love for the United States that his province have to offer to the United States. Along the way, we talked about Premier Furey's volunteer work as a trauma surgeon in places like Haiti and Bangladesh, and his time on Fellowship in orthopedic trauma at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at University of Maryland in Baltimore, just one of his personal connections to the American side of Canusa Street.

Canada and the United States produce a lot of energy but getting it to customers can be a challenge. In this episode, Beth and Chris talk to Gitane De Silva, former CEO of the Canada Energy Regulator and a diplomat who has represented Alberta in Washington and Canada in Chicago. The conversation runs from Canadian federalism to energy infrastructure, the role indigenous communities in Canada and the changing but still challenging experiences of women in business and government. Then there was something about racing pigs at the Wisconsin State Fair – tune in to find out why!

Brian Mulroney, who served as Canada's Prime Minister from 1984 until 1993, passed away on February 29, 2024. Tributes from world leaders have been numerous and heartfelt, especially from Americans who hailed Mulroney for his bold efforts to improve Canada's relations with the United States. In this episode, Beth and Chris speak with former Quebec Premier Jean Charest who was elected to Parliament in 1984 along with Mulroney, and named to Cabinet in 1984, Canada's youngest cabinet minister at 28, and became a lifelong friend. In this very special episode, Charest shares stories and speaks to the continued relevance of the shared values that Mulroney made the foundation of Canada's relationship with the United States.

This is a very special episode where we welcome back original cohost Scotty Greenwood and talk with former Canadian Cabinet Minister Peter McKay. Chris and Scotty go around the world with Peter looking at how Canada fits into many of the global challenges we are seeing today.

It's an anniversary bash along Canusa Street. In this episode, Beth and Chris chat with Wilson Center Mexico Institute director Andrew Rudman about the celebration of eighty years of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Canada. 

We've been hearing a lot about India and Canada lately. With so much going on in South Asia in 2024, Beth and Chris talk to Michael Kugelman of the Wilson Center to get a bird's eye view of what is going on and what to expect.