Tonight I drank from the Stanley Cup!
Ben Eager of my champion Blackhawks is from Ottawa. It was his day to have the Cup. And I got invited to the party. I must admit I had my doubts about whether I ought to drink. But upon reflection I figured after 49 years it was ok!
Hopefully this will become a tradition.
DJ
The last time I was in Winnipeg was when Julie and I took a train ride with Ambassador Doer and his wife Ginny on his last day in Canada before heading to Washington as the Canadian Ambassador. Then I went to the swearing in of Premier Selinger. Hard to top that. But we tried.
After a breakfast with Hartley Richardson of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, the Principal Officer in Winnipeg, Michelle Jones, and I met with leaders from the Canadian Muslim Leadership Institute. We were joined by the former Lt. Governor of Manitoba, John Harvard. We talked about ways we can work together to overcome suspicion and mistrust between different religious and cultural groups. Interestingly, we discussed our common backgrounds –- our families were all immigrants to North America at various times. The Institute has launched a leadership program to get the various groups talking to each other, whether it’s in person or through “webinars”.
Next we went to meet with Premier Selinger. In addition to catching up on a number of issues, we had a special treat. A copy of the Magna Carta was on display at the Legislature. It’s one of the most beautiful buildings in Canada; the grand entrance is guarded by two ½ ton life-size bison statues, representing the herds that once roamed Manitoba. They were installed by being slid on blocks of ice across the floor to where they stand today.
Seeing the Magna Carta was thrilling, and our Manitoban friends related the story of its arrival: previously on display in New York City, the volcanic ash cloud over Iceland delayed its return home to the UK. The Magna Carta arrived with two couriers and security rivaling that depicted in the film “National Treasure”.
Ambassador Jacobson shakes hands with Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger in front of the Magna Carta
Realizing that the nearly 800-year-old Magna Carta, the document that enshrined human rights, was right in front of me was amazing. It was even more special to see that it was displayed next to a stone from Runnymede, brought by the Queen on her visit to Winnipeg. The stone will be a cornerstone of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, which (like the Canadian Muslim Leadership Institute) promotes tolerance and respect for all.
We hurried over to the Hotel Ft. Garry, a railroad hotel and a local landmark, so that I could give a speech to the Canadian Club of Winnipeg on economic issues confronting the United States and Canada. Next up was Assembly of First Nations where 1,300 aboriginal leaders from across Canada were gathered. It was an honor to appear before them and to deliver the greetings of President Obama.
Later, we met with Manitoba Grand Chief Ron Evans, whom I met on my first trip to Winnipeg. Among other issues, we talked about how the First Nations could expand their trade with the United States.
I’m now on the plane back to Ottawa. It had been a long trip. In fact, since we left for the G8/20 on June 24 we have been on the road almost continuously. So we are kind of weary. But we have had so many wonderful experiences. The Presidential visit. Halifax and the Queen. Canada Day. The 4th of July. A trip to Washington. Bastille Day. Calgary and the Stampede. Winnipeg.
This is a great job.
DJ
On Saturday I started out by attending the Pacific North West Economic Region (PNWER) meeting and hearing Minister Jim Prentice talk about the environmental issues that confront Canada. Then I met with Bruce Carson, the Executive Director of the Canada School of Energy and Environment and Chair of Carbon Management Canada. We discussed ways in which we might be able to help facilitate additional collaboration between U.S. and Canadian researchers focused on developing clean energy technologies. Excellent work is going on both north and south of our border and we can both move ahead faster by sharing our experiences and findings.
After that we had a quiet day until the evening when it was back to the Chuckwagon Races. I didn’t seem to lose my touch in picking the winners. We stayed for the Grandstand show. It was really great. Kind of a cross between a musical, Cirque du Soleil, and motorcycle racing.
At the end there was a there was a video montage with all the emotional scenes of Canadian medal winners at the Olympics. I was watching it with a group of Canadian friends and there wasn’t a dry eye among them.
I was able to keep my composure. That is until they showed that clip of Sidney Crosby’s overtime goal in the gold medal hockey game. At that point I too broke into tears.
On Sunday I had a breakfast meeting with representatives of the Idaho National Labs, a Department of Energy facility, and Dr. Lorne Babiuk, Vice-President of Research at the University of Alberta. Again, the hope is to help solidify ties between Canadian and U.S. researchers working on reducing the impacts of energy production in both our countries.
Later in the day I met with Larry Persily, the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects. I have met with Larry before in Ottawa. His office is responsible for coordinating activities of federal agencies with respect to permitting and regulations that impact the construction of a natural gas pipeline from Alaska’s Arctic to North American consumers.
We had dinner at the Consul General’s home where Laura and I heard about western Canadian economic development from Roger Gibbins, President and CEO of Canada West Foundation. I learned more about the recently established New West Partnership. This is an agreement between Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan that aims to lower barriers to interprovincial trade and investment. The goal is to take better advantage of opportunities through joining forces in a combined market of nine million people and over $550 billion in GDP.
This morning it was my turn to give a speech at PNWER. I talked about the border and how we did not have to choose between security and efficiency. If we were smart we could have both. I also talked about how the United States and Canada could coordinate our energy policies.
Immediately after the speech, we left for Lethbridge which is about two hours south of Calgary. The ride was just spectacular. To the west were the Canadian Rockies. And I had my first view of canola in flower. If you’ve never seen this before you have missed something. It is a brilliant golden yellow. There are miles and miles of the stuff against the backdrop of the mountains. It is quite a sight.
Canola fields
I loved Lethbridge. It’s the largest city in southern Alberta and is home to the highest and longest steel trestle bridge in the world. Very impressive. In Lethbridge, I had lunch at the Galt Museum with members of the Lethbridge town council, Senator Joyce Fairbairn, local MP Rick Casson and other members of the city’s business, academic and cultural sectors to learn about issues facing their community.
After Lethbridge we travelled to Magrath to tour a wind power project jointly operated by Suncor Energy and Enbridge. Grant Arnold. Suncor’s director of wind project and development operations, gave me an introduction to Suncor’s efforts, which are a key component of the company’s climate change action plan. Suncor is using revenues from oil sands development to invest in this alternative source of power. It was impressive to see the massive wind turbines up close and see them in operation.
Canola fields and wind turbines at the Magrath wind power project
Then we took the three hour drive back to Calgary and I got on a plane to Winnipeg. A very long – but very rewarding day.
DJ
We started very early. At 6:30 I had an interview on Calgary’s CityTV breakfast show. I arrived in my western wear. By now I have come to understand that EVERYONE in Calgary dresses this way during the Stampede. In the CTV studio I met Fast Freddie Whitfield, a professional calf roper from Hockley, Texas, who is legendary on the rodeo circuit and felt right at home. Even so, I wasn’t sure if I should wear my hat during the interview. At the last minute, I decided what the heck and put it on. I’m not sure if it was the right call but at the end of the interview host Jill Belland asked me to give the audience a “yahoo.” I’m sure it went over well in Calgary (actually a couple of people stopped me on the streets and told me they loved it) but I’m not so sure it will be quite the hit in Washington or Chicago. But when in Rome ….
The big question I was asked during this interview – and most everywhere else in Calgary – was what I thought of the billboards and You Tube videos that were posted by a group in the United States arguing that people should not come to Alberta because of the oil sands. My answer was that I was there, so I guess I didn’t agree with the argument. I think it makes about as much sense as arguing that people shouldn’t come to my home state of Illinois because we have coal.
The oil sands are a very complicated issue. I’ve traveled to Ft. McMurray and seen the oil sands up close. I understand their importance to Canada and to the United States. I am also well aware of the significant steps that have been taken by the industry to reduce the effect of the oil sands operations on land, water, and air.
But I don’t think I’m alone in saying: more must be done. Industry leaders have to do everything they can – more than just what governments mandate – to reduce the carbon footprint of the oil sands. They need to do more to demonstrate how they are meeting the challenges of providing energy security while meeting the obligations of environmental stewardship.
I’m not sure this balance can be properly struck on a billboard.
Interview with Calgary's Breakfast Television
After the interview I had a series of business meetings and then it was off to the Stampede. We spent most of the day with Lee Richardson, the Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre and a member of the Stampede Board. First we went to the rodeo. It was wild. At one point I got to go down to the chutes during the bull riding. I must say that’s one sport I don’t intend to take up. When you are up close you see that these guys are sitting on 2,000 pound fierce animals. They start out in a steel cage. If the bull slides over, they crush their legs. If they get through that part the give their backs and necks quite a beating. And then land on their rears to get off. Sounds like fun. Huh.
I did learn one very interesting rule of rodeo. You can’t go into the infield unless you are properly dressed. Boots, jeans, hat, and a shirt with a collar. Luckily I was all decked out.
After the rodeo we had dinner and then it was off to the highlight of the Stampede. The Chuckwagon Races. Or as those in the know say “the Chucks.” It is totally wild. Whoever thought up the rules had some kind of an imagination. But I will say I seem to have developed quite a talent at picking the winners. And who would have thought that chuckwagon driver Kelly Sutherland, someone I never heard of yesterday, would become such a hero to me.
It was a day to remember.
DJ
This morning Julie, my daughter Wynne, and I flew to Calgary for the Stampede. It’s one of the things on my “Bucket List.” We are all very excited.
Today was a “work” day, however. Our first stop was at the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre to congratulate the community on the Centennial of Calgary’s Chinatown. I was a little uncomfortable on the way over. Julie and I were wearing our western wear. Boots, Hats, Jeans. I kept calling it “cowboy clothes.” But my Special Assistant, Kyle, who is from Oklahoma and who is well versed in these matters kept correcting me. In any event, I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to show up in western wear (per Kyle’s advice) at the Chinese Cultural Centre. That was until I arrived.
The Ambassador and Mrs. Jacobson visit the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre
Next we went to meet with our old friend, Mayor Dave Bronconnier. I came to the Stampede because I promised the Mayor when he White Hatted Julie and me that I would be here. So I thought it was appropriate that we pay our respects. Mayor Dave surprised us by White Hatting Wynne and giving me and Julie Calgary Stampede belt buckles. One the way out we went to the local western wear store, Lammle’s, and bought belts to go with the buckles. I may start wearing it with my suits in Ottawa.
After a meeting with the staff at the United States Consulate in Calgary, the Consul General, Laura Lochman, and I went to a dinner with the board of AmCham West, the American Chamber of Commerce in Calgary. We had an opportunity to exchange views on expanding trade between the U.S. and Canada. And at the end I got a real compliment. One of the board members said he didn’t expect the dinner to be so much fun. I view that as a huge success.
Tomorrow we go to the Rodeo!
DJ
To tell you the truth, I tried mightily last summer to advance my Senate confirmation so I could be here in Ottawa by July 4. I had been told our party on the lawn of the Ambassador’s Residence is the largest 4th of July party in the world outside of the United States. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. But today definitely made up for it!
Four thousand friends joined Julie, our children Wynne and Jeremy, and me for the celebration of the 234th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America. It was kind of special to be able to say to those assembled: “On behalf of President Barack Obama, I want to wish each of you a happy 4th of July!”
Ambassador Jacobson delivers remarks with family at the 4th of July
The party was a celebration of the home state of President Obama and his family and me and my family – Illinois. Since we couldn’t be in Chicago, we brought Chicago to Ottawa. Among the invitees were all the foods you would get at an Illinois 4th of July party: deep dish pizza, Italian beef, Polish sausage, Eli’s cheese cake, beer, etc……
Cupcakes in the shape of an American flag
The Governor General’s Band of the Ceremonial Guard played American patriotic songs – their repertoire is multi–national — as guests arrived and Julie and I shook MANY hands. O Canada and the Star Spangled Banner were sung by John McDermott, whose rendition has, with good cause, become a tradition at our celebration. And my friends from Chicago, blues greats, Lynne Jordan and the Shivers, thrilled the crowd with their set. At one point several of the guests were dancing up on the stage with them!
The Marine Corps Color Guard present the colors during the national anthem
The 4th of July is an opportunity for Americans to give thanks to those whose foresight and determination shaped the course of our nation’s history. An opportunity to give thanks to those who defined freedom as a virtue and equality as a goal.
But those values have not come without enormous cost. And so it is also a day to give thanks to the men and women in our armed forces around the world whose service and sacrifice has protected those values that were enshrined in the Declaration of Independence 234 years ago.
It was also a chance for Julie and me to express our gratitude to the Canadian people for the grace, the kindness, and the hospitality they have shown us since we arrived as guests in your country nine months ago. From the first day, when we presented our credentials to the Governor General, through our travels across your vast and beautiful country, to those glorious Olympic Games. (Though I will say you weren’t quite as gracious as I might have liked during that hockey overtime.)
For your warmth and your friendship Julie and I will be eternally grateful.
DJ
Julie and I were fortunate enough to have great seats to watch the celebration of Canada Day on Parliament Hill. The whole thing was exciting. The huge crowd. The music (love the Barenaked Ladies).
Canada Day on Parliament Hill
The fly-overs. The Ceremonial Guard. But without question, the highlight was when the band played “God Save the Queen” with the Queen in attendance. I must say it takes on a whole new meaning. No longer just a tune you learn in nursery school.
The Queen in Ottawa for Canaday Day celebrations
We went to celebrations for our wonderful host country all day long. And I loved those fireworks!
DJ
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