Catch him if you can

When it was announced earlier this month that President Obama had chosen Canada as his first visit abroad as President, hotel rooms in Ottawa were quickly booked as individuals and organizations like Canadians for Obama were planning pilgrimages to the capital for the February 19th arrival.

The man who inspired millions, within and outside the United States to cheer – “Yes we can!” – is not getting the full state-visit-treatment. A state dinner was held for George W. Bush. Mulroney sang with Reagan. And John F. Kennedy planted a tree. But when President Obama arrives on Thursday, you won’t see him – other than on the evening news.

The City of Ottawa has posted a Q&A for events, traffic and protests (none scheduled) on the day of the visit:

Q: Where can I see President Obama
A: President Obama is in Ottawa on a working visit and may not be speaking to the public or attending public events.

Although Ottawa is also celebrating its final weekend of Winterlude, with only lunch in the Senate dining hall and a press conference scheduled during the 7-hour agenda, there’s no chance we’ll see President Obama sampling a Beavertail on the canal.

So line-up in the projected rain and snow on Parliament Hill…and maybe, just maybe, you’ll see the President exit his Cadillac One.

MPs were also calling for the House to be called back into session in order for President Obama to make an address, such as his Excellency Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations did in 2004.

Why does Prime Minister Harper want to keep President Obama all to himself?

We should be applauding. Only bureaucrats know the true cost of a presidential visit and why spend Canadian tax dollars on dinners and photo-ops during this economic downturn. This will just be the first of many visits Obama may make during his term.

Only weeks ago, the US government’s economic stimulus bill was calling for a “Buy American” provision. The wording has now been modified (thank you, NAFTA).

Our economies are linked and let’s be thankful there’s a U.S. President who is popular enough people want to see him rather than protest him. Let’s also be thankful he’s a President who wants to work with other foreign leaders and Harper, though not a majority favourite, is a Prime Minister who would also rather get to the business at hand.