Last night I was invited to attend a working session of the Annual Canada-Mexico Inter-Parliamentary Meeting hosted by Speaker Peter Milliken of the House and Speaker Noel Kinsella of the Senate. Each year representatives from the legislative branches of each of the three North American countries assemble at three bi-lateral meetings to discuss issues of common concern and this was the latest Canadian-Mexican gathering. It was interesting to me to be able to hear from my Canadian and Mexican friends about the challenges and opportunities in the Mexico-Canada relationship and how the United States – the country between them – fits in to the equation. As I have said on several occasions, it is important to have tri-lateral discussions of North American issues since so many problems must be addressed on a regional basis.

This morning I met with Defense Minister Peter MacKay. We discussed his recent trip to Afghanistan and the progress he saw on the ground. We also had a chance to talk about the work U.S. and Canadian troops do side-by-side, not only in Afghanistan, but also in NORAD, and at posts around the U.S. and Canada.

To give you some sense of the contrasts in my life these days, after meeting with the Defense Minister, Julie and I went to the Ministry of Transportation at City Hall to get our Ontario driver’s licenses and license plates. (Yes, even an Ambassador drives himself sometimes, and he needs a Canadian driver’s license to do so!) In the U.S. many people dread the prospect of going to obtain a driver’s license because they fear long, slow-moving lines. That certainly was not what happened to us in Ottawa, where customer service appears to enjoy a high priority. The staff couldn’t have been nicer to us. And our experience seemed to be similar to that of everyone else who was there. A first class experience!

Next I am off to Atlantic Canada. I can’t wait for the lobster!