On new opportunities

There was plenty of talk last week that the U.S. congressional elections could prove harmful for Canada due to a presumption that the Dems would try to shut the U.S.' borders. But CanWest points out that the Dems may instead be willing to help Canada's cause in keeping a relatively open border for ordinary citizens of both countries:

Michael Kergin, who was Canada's ambassador to the United States from 2000-05, says control of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate by the Democrats offers the hope of compromise on the passport issue.

Kergin told the North Atlantic Treaty Organization parliamentary assembly here that Republicans from the U.S. south, unfamiliar with issues affecting people in northern border regions, pushed the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

"Most of them (the new Democratic leadership) are from the north of the United States, states such as Michigan and New York, and are more familiar with Canadian realities," Kergin said.

He said American lawmakers are "very determined," about better policing the border.

But the Democrats could be open to a compromise, such as using drivers' licences for identification at border crossings.

Of course, it would help if Canada's current regime was showing any leadership in highlighting the value of a less restricted flow of people between the two countries. And there's a case to be made that the Cons' lack of interest in defending our interests has spread to some of the public affected by the impending rules.

But there's at least some substantial reason to think that the incoming Congress may be willing to actually seek a solution that works for both countries, not merely delay the U.S.' knee-jerk measures. And the sooner we recognize that opportunity and work to take it, the better off both countries will be.