President Joe Biden reveled in his love for Canada on Friday night, joking he doesn’t want to return to the US after his warm welcome to the cool North.
“You all keep it up, I’m not going to want to go home,” Biden said after receiving a warm round of applause at a gala dinner hosted by Justin and Sophie Trudeau.
The President had a packed day on Friday, with a press conference, a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister and an address to Parliament, where he received a standing ovation.
Love from Canada contrasts with the problems he faces in the US: Republicans in Congress are investigating him and his family and he faces a tough re-election campaign. Biden has not officially announced himself for a second term, but said he intends to run.
President Joe Biden and Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudea toast during a gala dinner at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa
However, Biden’s focus at the dinner was on the friendship between the US and Canada.
“We stand together as friends and as family,” he said in his toast.
“That’s a damn good thing – a toast with water. By the way, my grandfather would say if you’re toasting with anything other than alcohol, you’ve got to have your left hand involved,” he noted. Biden doesn’t drink alcohol.
The gala was held at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum. The President and Prime Minister Trudeau walked down the red carpet side by side. Vintage airplanes were on display around them and Canadian Mounties ushered them into the event.
Jill Biden and Sophie Gregoire Trudeau walked behind them. Jill Biden wore a white pants suit. Sophie Trudeau wore a white skirt suit.
Trudeau noted that he chose the museum as the dinner location because a Canadian astronaut will be part of the international crew on Artemis II, the first manned mission to the moon since 1972.
“We will certainly highlight the fact that a Canadian will be going to the moon as part of the Artemis Two mission, and I look forward to that presentation,” he said in his welcome remarks.
US President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau arrive for the gala dinner
Canadian Mounties lead President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum
Trudeau toasted “the shared hope of shared prosperity and shared peace and security that binds Canada and the United States as allies, as neighbors, and above all as true friends.”
A host of Canadian officials and stars attended the gala including Hayden Christensen, Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara.
Also present were Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, dubbed “the Michaels” by the Canadian press.
The two men were released in September after more than 1,000 days in Chinese detention after the US effectively dropped charges against Huawei heiress Meng Wanzhou.
The Michaels were arrested in China in December 2018, shortly after Canada arrested Meng on a US extradition request. Many countries have labeled China’s actions as “hostage policies.”
China released the Michaels shortly after Meng, Huawei’s chief finance officer and daughter of the company’s founder, reached a settlement with the US Department of Justice over fraud allegations and flew from Canada to China.
The dinner included performances by the Metis Jiggers, Inuit throat singers, an Algonquin drum group called Eagle River and musician Tyler Shaw.
Gala dinner menu
Local food was served at the gala dinner for President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau hosted the event at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum.
Here is the evening menu:
First course
— East Coast rare seared yellowfin tuna crusted with cedar salt and seaweed
– Hummus made with white beans, cucumber, pickled radish and bitter greens
— Flaxseed crackers and lemon parsley emulsion
main course
— Alberta Beef Braised Short Rib
— Butternut squash puree and Yukon Gold potato wedges
— Carrots roasted with wildflower honey and fine green beans
— Cabernet Sauvignon from Pelee Island Jus
Dessert
– Wild blueberry and Quebec maple mousse cake
— Screech Rum Caramel and Sweetgrass Meringue
— Fresh berries
It was Biden’s first trip to Canada as President, and its primary purpose was to reassure America’s longtime ally of his importance.
He and Trudeau also emphasized their personal friendship, exchanging warm words, eating “friend chip” ice cream and getting private time.
The visit began informally when Justin and Sophie Trudeau hosted Joe and Jill Biden for a private meeting at their home Thursday night.
The President kissed Gregoire Trudeau on the cheek while the Prime Minister did the same for the First Lady as the first couple arrived at Rideau Cottage.
President Biden, who doesn’t drink alcohol, toasts with water
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomes guests to dinner at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on Thursday night posted a picture of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden meeting the Trudeau family – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and children Xavier, Ella-Grace and Hadrien
The Bidens met the Trudeaus’ three children.
And Trudeau served the President’s favorite dessert: ice cream. It was the “Friend Chip” ice cream from a local store: maple flavored with chocolate chips and marshmallows.
Biden’s journey lasted about 24 hours. After the gala dinner, he and Jill Biden head to Wilmington, Delaware for the weekend.