Return of the Three Amigos

by Chris Hall (feat. Colin Robertson)

CBC Radio: The House
May 4, 2016

After more than two and a half years, the leaders of Canada, the U.S. and Mexico will convene next month in Ottawa for a summit. 

So what does the return of the Three Amigos mean for the state of the North American relationship?

"It's tremendously significant," says Laura Dawson, director of the Canada Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington. 

"I think this is a new commitment from Canada to the whole North American project."

Former Canadian diplomat Colin Robertson agrees, telling Chris Hall the upcoming summit is a signal that Canada is back in the game in North America.

"We've been a dog in the manger on the North American side — it's been really Mexico and the United States, and we've been sor tof an unwilling partner," Robertson says.

"Certainly the Mexicans see in Mr. Trudeau someone who understands the broad concept of the Americas, but now we have to deliver and that's what [the meeting] is all about."

Both Dawson and Robertson share their insights into the trilateral relationship and their hopes for what the summit will achieve, including a North American climate framework and a boost to Canada-Mexico relations — no matter who occupies the Oval Office after the U.S. presidential election. 

"We need to encourage Canada and Mexico to align together on many, many more issues," Dawson says. "Canada and Mexico have not had a united front. Canadians and Mexicans need to speak much more about what their common objectives are in North America."