The US and Canada are among the 12 founders of the North American Treaty Organization (NATO), one of the most successful military alliances in history.
The Canadian and American governments announce the integration of their air-defence forces under a joint command, creating the North American Air Defense Agreement (NORAD), a shield under which the two countries operate to this day.
Canada and the US sign the Auto Pact, eliminating all tariffs on new cars and automobile parts manufactured in either country. The historic trade treaty will last 36 years and accomplish full integration of the North American automotive industry.
The US and Canada sign the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, which maintains integrity of the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem, with its shores in both nations.
Six American diplomats, who had escaped from the US embassy in Tehran when it was occupied by militant students on November 4, 1979, are spirited out of Iran carrying Canadian passports. They shelter in the Canadian embassy for 12 weeks, while a top-secret exfiltration plan—coined the Canadian Caper—is devised by Washington and Ottawa. Canadian ambassador to Iran Ken Taylor will later be awarded the US Congressional Gold Medal for his courageous role when Americans needed Canada most.
The Canadian American Business Council (CABC) is formed, one year before the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) becomes a central issue in Canada’s 1988 federal election campaign. The treaty becomes law shortly after Brian Mulroney wins re-election, having famously changed his mind and campaigned as a free trader.
US President George W. Bush, Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, and Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari initial the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which expands the original Free Trade Agreement, bringing Mexico into the treaty. It is ratified in all three countries and passed into law a year later.
Canada, the US, and Mexico sign a new pact, the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) for North America. The agreement grew out of the post-9/11 restrictions and is designed to both ensure an unhindered flow of commerce and satisfy new security requirements. The Council was a champion of the agreement and instrumental in its creation.
With urging from the Council and others, Obama and Harper create the United States-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC). The RCC has a mandate to promote trade-enabling regulatory harmonization. The initiative is reaffirmed in subsequent governments and is likely to become even more urgent in the economic recovery following the global pandemic of 2020.
Justin Trudeau makes the first state visit to the White House by a Canadian leader in 19 years, a diplomatic mission made possible by mutual pledges to combat climate change. Trudeau and Obama later announce commitments to reduce planet-warming emissions of methane by 40-45 percent of 2012 levels by 2025. The Council members are invited to the official state welcome on the South Lawn of the White House and the luncheon, hosted by Secretary of State John Kerry in honor of Trudeau. The Council later hosts an after-party following the state dinner.
The Council publishes With Faith and Goodwill, a tribute to 150 years of US-Canada friendship through a collection of speeches, photographs, and essays from prime ministers and presidents throughout history. The Council’s book tour included dialogues between President Bush and Prime Minister Harper, President Carter and Prime Minister Clark, President Clinton and Prime Minister Chretien, and a fireside chat at Chapters Books in Toronto with Heather Reisman, Scott Reid, and Prime Minister Martin.
Following long months of negotiations, President Trump, Prime Minister Trudeau, and President Pena Nieto all sign a new trade agreement—the NAFTA-replacing United States- Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)—during the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires. Businesses with cross-border interests have stable new rules for years to come.
The Council leads a wide-ranging cross-border advocacy effort to ensure that the pandemic response is collaborative between Canada and the US, rather than competitive. This follows the successful effort to exempt Canada and Mexico from the US Defense Production Act invoked by President Trump to commandeer essential goods during the COVID-19 crisis, ensuring both countries receive life-saving equipment, even in the face of manufacturers being required to prioritize US customers.
The US and Canada are among the 12 founders of the North American Treaty Organization (NATO), one of the most successful military alliances in history.
The Canadian and American governments announce the integration of their air-defence forces under a joint command, creating the North American Air Defense Agreement (NORAD), a shield under which the two countries operate to this day.
Canada and the US sign the Auto Pact, eliminating all tariffs on new cars and automobile parts manufactured in either country. The historic trade treaty will last 36 years and accomplish full integration of the North American automotive industry.
The US and Canada sign the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, which maintains integrity of the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem, with its shores in both nations.
Six American diplomats, who had escaped from the US embassy in Tehran when it was occupied by militant students on November 4, 1979, are spirited out of Iran carrying Canadian passports. They shelter in the Canadian embassy for 12 weeks, while a top-secret exfiltration plan—coined the Canadian Caper—is devised by Washington and Ottawa. Canadian ambassador to Iran Ken Taylor will later be awarded the US Congressional Gold Medal for his courageous role when Americans needed Canada most.
The Canadian American Business Council (CABC) is formed, one year before the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) becomes a central issue in Canada’s 1988 federal election campaign. The treaty becomes law shortly after Brian Mulroney wins re-election, having famously changed his mind and campaigned as a free trader.
US President George W. Bush, Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, and Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari initial the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which expands the original Free Trade Agreement, bringing Mexico into the treaty. It is ratified in all three countries and passed into law a year later.
Canada, the US, and Mexico sign a new pact, the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) for North America. The agreement grew out of the post-9/11 restrictions and is designed to both ensure an unhindered flow of commerce and satisfy new security requirements. The Council was a champion of the agreement and instrumental in its creation.
With urging from the Council and others, Obama and Harper create the United States-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC). The RCC has a mandate to promote trade-enabling regulatory harmonization. The initiative is reaffirmed in subsequent governments and is likely to become even more urgent in the economic recovery following the global pandemic of 2020.
Justin Trudeau makes the first state visit to the White House by a Canadian leader in 19 years, a diplomatic mission made possible by mutual pledges to combat climate change. Trudeau and Obama later announce commitments to reduce planet-warming emissions of methane by 40-45 percent of 2012 levels by 2025. The Council members are invited to the official state welcome on the South Lawn of the White House and the luncheon, hosted by Secretary of State John Kerry in honor of Trudeau. The Council later hosts an after-party following the state dinner.
The Council publishes With Faith and Goodwill, a tribute to 150 years of US-Canada friendship through a collection of speeches, photographs, and essays from prime ministers and presidents throughout history. The Council’s book tour included dialogues between President Bush and Prime Minister Harper, President Carter and Prime Minister Clark, President Clinton and Prime Minister Chretien, and a fireside chat at Chapters Books in Toronto with Heather Reisman, Scott Reid, and Prime Minister Martin.
Following long months of negotiations, President Trump, Prime Minister Trudeau, and President Pena Nieto all sign a new trade agreement—the NAFTA-replacing United States- Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)—during the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires. Businesses with cross-border interests have stable new rules for years to come.
The Council leads a wide-ranging cross-border advocacy effort to ensure that the pandemic response is collaborative between Canada and the US, rather than competitive. This follows the successful effort to exempt Canada and Mexico from the US Defense Production Act invoked by President Trump to commandeer essential goods during the COVID-19 crisis, ensuring both countries receive life-saving equipment, even in the face of manufacturers being required to prioritize US customers.
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