The border issue has been, obviously, a very important one for our department and other departments throughout the Government of Canada. We've been working very closely with DHS and other interlocutors in the U.S.
In terms of commenting on the change between the previous and the present administrations, I think it's still very much early days, but I'm sure you're aware that when President Obama was here, he made the comment about his own concern about the border, about the importance of a smart border, and of ensuring we have a border that allows security to be well addressed but not impeding trade. So I think that was very positive to hear.
Secondly, with regard to Mr. Brison's comments about the northern border and the new secretary for DHS, Janet Napolitano, what we're hearing from her--in the discussions that some of our senior people have had--is that she's very interested in understanding the northern border. She's very sensitive to the issue of trade. This, as you all know, is the former Arizona governor. She's very sensitive to Canadians. In fact, she visited here over a year ago and met with then Minister of Trade Emerson, and spoke at that time about the importance of ensuring we have a border that works well for the business community, for the free movement of people and goods.
You'll recall, I'm sure, that she has asked for a briefing on the northern border. I think when it appeared, there was some concern about that, that perhaps she was attempting to make great announcements about the northern border. She clarified very quickly that this was simply meant to be a briefing to bring her up to date. She set in place a 30-minute press conference with Canadian media to explain her situation and the fact that she was trying to better understand the northern border.
Again, I think some of these are indications that we do have an administration, as I would say we had with the previous administration, that wants to try to work with Canada, its most important partner in trade, on making sure the border works in a way that provides the protection that's necessary in terms of whatever the issues may be with regard to immigration or trafficking or what have you, but also ensures that we continue with the very strong trade relationship.
We're obviously very concerned about how we proceed with regard to the Olympics in 2010, but there again, we're working very closely with our interlocutors in the U.S.
As I said, it's early days in the administration, but I think we were very pleased with the President's comments, and Secretary Napolitano, I am sure, will be engaging with our senior people once she has completed her briefings.