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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eye On Boise

Canadian ambassador: ‘Canada is your biggest customer’

Gary Doer, Canadian ambassador to the United States, speaks in Coeur d'Alene on Thursday (Betsy Russell)
Gary Doer, Canadian ambassador to the United States, speaks in Coeur d'Alene on Thursday (Betsy Russell)

Gary Doer, Canadian ambassador to the United States, told the Western Governors Association today that western premiers and governors "share a vision" of land management. "Our wildlife does not require 'Real ID' to get across our border," he said to chuckles. "You know that Canada is your biggest customer. We buy more goods and services from the United States than the whole European Union put together." He added, "You probably know that we've got lots of tourists visiting you all the time." In a country of 35 million people, 25 million visit the United States, he said. "We love to travel to the United States."

Doer also touched on cooperation between Canada and the United States on international issues, including Libya, Afghanistan and Iran, and trade and energy issues. "We are with the U.S. and with Israel on not allowing or accepting unilateral declarations of countries that do not believe in the right of Israel to exist," he declared. Doer also got a round of applause when he said, "I also want to congratulate the United States for that great and successful Navy Seals mission in Pakistan." He said, "We really appreciate that skill, and our soldiers and military wanted me to pass that on to you and to the American people here today."



Betsy Z. Russell
Betsy Z. Russell joined The Spokesman-Review in 1991. She currently is a reporter in the Boise Bureau covering Idaho state government and politics, and other news from Idaho's state capital.

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