Ambassador Wilkins: My trip to Montreal and Quebec City

23-26 January 2008

Late last month, I traveled to Quebec for meetings with business leaders, students and private citizens. I also had the opportunity to meet with U.S. Consulate staff in both Montreal and Quebec City and to present awards to some of our hard-working Canadian and American colleagues.

Ambassador Wilkins presenting America 24/7 to McMUN Secretary General Aashish Kumar, with other Secretariat members.

I spent one afternoon exchanging ideas about the U.S.-Canada relationship and its partnership in the world with the Secretariat and student organizers of McGill University’s 18th Model United Nations Assembly (McMUN). This premier university-level model United Nations simulation brought together over 1200 Canadian and American students this year. McMUN was a wonderful opportunity for these future leaders of North America to interact and engage on issues of importance in our region and the world. I was invited to tape a special message for McMUN's opening plenary session and used the opportunity to describe my recent visit to Afghanistan and to discuss other issues on Canadians’ and Americans’ minds.

Meeting again with Montreal's Law Enforcement community reinforced what I have seen throughout Canada: how fortunate we are to have such a collaborative partnership on issues which impact both sides of the border. I also had an opportunity to thank staff at the St. Justine Children's Hospital and members of the American Women's Club who helped an American family in distress last December. The friendship and support of our Canadian neighbors is always appreciated and deserves to be recognized.

Ambassador Wilkins and Quebec City Consul General, David Fetter, sweeping during a curling game.

In Montreal, I addressed the American Chamber of Commerce. I would like to congratulate the Montreal Chapter and the new Quebec sub-chapter for their increasingly strong membership and for their new interactive website. I continue to encourage any and all businesses and organizations interested in U.S.-Canada trade to seek out the American Chamber of Commerce in your area as a valuable resource. Last but not least in Montreal, I became acquainted with one of Westmount’s longstanding, interesting traditions by participating in the weekly Wednesday Night discussion group or “salon.”

In Quebec City, I participated in the 84th Conference Board of Canada where discussions centered on the economy and trade, and met with our Consulate staff. I also had my first experience curling! As usual, the pros make it look so easy. I had no idea how much coordination, balance and sheer athleticism are required. I came away with real interest in learning more about the sport and trying it again.