The agreement to place the binational planning group at our new Northern Command was also signed in December.

Our ties are deep and long-standing. We are dependent on each other. And no matter what the issue of the day, whether it be softwood lumber, whether it be a war in Iraq, we need to continue to work together.

Yet there is disappointment in Washington and in the United States that Canada is not supporting us fully.

This ability to have reliable sources of energy and a reliable transmission of energy here in North America is critical for both of us and for Mexico as we want to keep our economies growing.

Ironically, the Canadian naval vessels, aircraft and personnel in the Persian Gulf I mentioned earlier who are fighting terrorism will provide more support indirectly to this war in Iraq than most of the 46 countries that are fully supporting our efforts there.

We are also looking to Canada as we continue to integrate the North American energy market.

The agreement to place the binational planning group at our new Northern Command was also signed in December.