Justin Trudeau could not expect such praise.
Joe Biden produced nothing but flowers in his speech to Parliament. Not the slightest trace of a pot.
Amid a 2016 “bromance” with Trudeau, even Barack Obama took the liberty of criticizing the prime minister in his speech to the House of Commons.
Canada must stop being stingy and invest its fair share in defense, Obama said.
Joe Biden played the protective big brother instead. “Canada can always count on the United States of America,” he said. Like the comforting arm of the friend bigger than himself, taking our shoulders.
Politically, this stormy visit was a success.
Justin Trudeau has hit an unexpected win at Roxham Road.
Its closure resolves an immediate political issue with Quebec. But who knows what the next few months at the border will hold for us.
Is it realistic to patrol a 9000km border? The global migration crisis will not end tomorrow morning and Canada remains a desirable country.
Biden is gone now, the real work begins.
Squaring the circle
The Trudeau administration saw this visit as a springboard for the federal budget, which will be presented next Tuesday.
A budget that Treasury Secretary Chrystia Freeland promises to be a little more frugal in the face of inflation.
However, Joe Biden’s visit reminds us that the roadworks are huge… and expensive for liberals.
Ms Freeland has promised to respond to the giant green economy investment plan.
In defense, Justin Trudeau promised his friend Joe to step on the gas pedal to invest in Arctic protection.
Since 2015, Justin Trudeau has been saying that business and the environment go hand in hand. Yesterday he added the word “security” to his formula in connection with the war in Ukraine.
Simple slogan, where will there be money?
The big gap between savings promises and ambition will again be in the foreground next Tuesday when the federal budget is presented.
