Thank you.
The lone abhorrent and still controversial exception has been money donated in the immediate aftermath of the emergency created by Hurricane Katrina, and the sums involved were very small.
So here we have the Government of Canada requiring that Canadian private parties sign over $450 million to an escrow fund slated to be conveyed to the White House. The agreement does not mention Congress, and the Bush administration says Congress will not be involved in any way with this agreement. The Government of Canada is thus making a gift of $450 million to be spent by the President. That was more than a belt buckle, even more than a stetson, on July 6.
There is only one date certain in the deal: the planned expenditure of the $450 million must be determined by September 1. Curiously, that date is traditionally the kickoff for campaigns in the United States in election years. Yes, it's an election year, and the Republican control of Congress is considered to be in trouble. The entire Republican campaign war chest has less than $300 million. Canada will add to it by 150% in funds to be expended for meritorious initiatives. It does not require much imagination to foresee the strategic places where this money will be spent.
This piece on softwood lumber will probably not improve Canada's relations with the United States, because this colossal sum of money is going to the White House, not the U.S. Treasury. When the Democratic Party learns of it and understands it, it's not likely to be pleased, and it's possible that despite the infusion of such money, the Democrats nevertheless will win in November. Canada may then have much improved relations with the Republican Party, but not--