Denis Stevens, consul general of Canada, spoke to both the Idaho House and Senate today, and touted the strong relationship between his nation and the United States – and the state of Idaho. “We’ve created what may be the most successful bilateral relationship in history,” Stevens said. “Canada is this state’s No. 1 trading partner, your No. 1 export destination, as well as No. 1 for the United States as a whole.”
He added, “Canada is your largest supplier of all forms of imported energy,” saying, “Even with all of the energy development under way and anticipated in your country, U.S. energy self-sufficiency is likely a long way off.” He called Canada’s oil sands, the world’s third-largest oil reserve, “a major resource for our shared North American energy security.”
And in the House, Stevens drew applause when he spoke out in favor of the Keystone XL Pipeline. He said it “would allow you to free yourself completely from oil imports from Venezuela,” and said, “We will build it together.” The consul general is Canada’s senior representative in the Pacific Northwest, which includes Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. This evening, the government of Canada will host a reception for all Idaho lawmakers at the Boise Depot.
Betsy Z. Russell covers Idaho news from The Spokesman-Review's bureau in Boise.
Named best state-based political blog in Idaho for 2013 by The Fix
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