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Nixon is happy to be in Canada

He is the most important leader in the world. And even though the country may not always like what they hear, when the president of the United States comes to Ottawa, Canada listens. From Franklin Roosevelt to Bill Clinton, U.S. presidents have been given the honour of addressing Canada's Parliament. Sometimes their speeches draw warm ovations; others are met by catcalls and anger. But over time, each presidential message has been an important indicator of the goodwill — and the problems — facing these neighbours.

U.S. President Richard Nixon smiles and looks jovial as he stands before the microphone, hands behind his back, leaning in to speak to a large group of politicians. He begins with a joke about Ottawa's weather. In this address recorded by CBC Television, the president praises Canada for being a good neighbour. Nixon juxtaposes the unguarded Canadian border with the Berlin Wall, the Iron Curtain and the Great Wall of China.

The Berlin and Chinese walls do not represent the "open world" order America wishes to achieve. To President Nixon, "The Canadian-American example is an example for all the world to see."
. President Nixon travelled with his wife Patricia and adviser Henry Kissinger. The president was between historic trips - he had just come from Peking and was on his way to Moscow.
. In his speech to the House of Commons, President Nixon mentioned his travels and stressed the importance of maintaining good friendships during a time when America was redefining relations with its adversaries.
. During his visit to Canada, President Nixon was met by protests.

. In a CBC Television report, protesters can be heard chanting, "Nixon, go home!" The demonstration drew Canadians and Americans opposed to the Great Lakes Treaty being signed by President Nixon and Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
. This wasn't the president's first visit to Canada. At a dinner after the speech, President Nixon told a story about his 1957 visit to Picton, Ont. While leaving a local pub, he overheard a bartender say, "He don't look near as bad as he does in pictures."

. Richard Nixon was the 37th U.S. president from 1969 to 1974. Facing impeachment for the Watergate scandal, he resigned during his second term in office.
Medium: Television
Program: CBC Television News
Broadcast Date: April 13, 1972
Guest(s): Richard Nixon
Duration: 6:22

Last updated: January 3, 2013

Page consulted on March 25, 2013

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