Moose Jaw -
One thing that is very prevalent in politics, anywhere in the world, is symbolism.
And there are few gestures as symbolic as the one that is on display today.
As most Canadians know, U.S. President Barack Obama has made his way to Ottawa to sit down and break bread with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
This visit is all about symbolism over substance.
By making his first visit outside of the U.S. to Canada, Obama is signalling that he understands Canada's importance to the U.S. It is also an indicator of his willingness to work, at least on the surface, with Canada.
For the Canadian government, it uses this positive affirmation from one of the most globally popular politicians as a boost both nationally and worldwide.
It also shows both the people in the U.S. and people worldwide, that Canada is an important and respected ally of the U.S., something many people outside of this country forget.
When former U.S. president George W. Bush chose to make his first foreign visit to Mexico, instead of Canada as is tradition, he signalled to Canada and the world that we were just not that important to the U.S. anymore. And that is an attitude that stuck with this administration and most of the U.S. right wing through Bush's eight years.
However, symbolism is the most important thing to come out of today's meeting.
The meeting with Harper is around three hours and then Obama has a quick meeting with Liberal boss Michael Ignatieff and then it's back onto one of the best perks of the job - Air Force One - and back to Washington, before most people have noticed he's even gone.
With all of the issues on the table between these two countries, especially in the area of trade, there is very little that can be accomplished in three hours.
In fact, most of the conversation will likely be rhetoric and platitudes. There are probably no promises that come out of this that have not already been made over the phone or between staff members.
If there is anything accomplished today, 99 per cent of the work on the issue has already been hashed out between staff and today is just for crossing some Ts and dotting some Is.
Everybody needs to view today's event for what it is - a powerful indicator that this president understands Canada's importance to the U.S. - and not expect much else out of it.
Jason Small can be reached at 691-1255.
