Barack Obama welcomed Canada’s youthful Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s “quite good-looking Canadian delegation” to the White House yesterday for a pomp-filled visit created to rejuvenate US-Canada ties.
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau brought “Trudeaumania” to America on Thursday and the verdict from official Washington was a resounding thumbs-up.
Not since April 1997, when then-President Bill Clinton hosted Jean Chretien, have an American president and Canadian prime minister clinked champagne flutes at the White House.
Among the stars spotted at the gala were Michael J. Fox, Mike Myers, longtime Saturday Night Live producer Lorne Michaels, Nepean’s own Sandra Oh, and Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds, along with his wife, Blake Lively.
Thursday’s dinner is the first by the White House in almost 20 years for America’s northern neighbour. Green is a favorite color of Trudeau’s wife, Sophie Gregoire, who is accompanying him.
Mr. Trudeau’s speech also included references to trade, Syrian refugees and his mother, Margaret, whose last state dinner was in 1977.
“Justin’s talent and concern for the Canadian people, and his appreciation of the vital role that Canada can play in the larger world is self-apparent”. Romanian-Canadian designer Lucian Matis designed the dress, which featured cap sleeves and a short train.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, retired NBA star Grant Hill and his Canadian singer-songwriter wife, Tamia Hill were also on the guest list.
Leahy and a few other Democratic senators were joined by Republicans Susan Collins of ME and Orrin Hatch of Utah.
The menu was also designed with spring in mind – halibut casserole with spring vegetables; salad with apricots roasted in ginger, cardamom and White House honey; and herb-crusted Colorado lamb drizzled with a Canadian whiskey sauce.
Guests also chose from an assortment of petite pastries with American and Canadian influences as part of a hand-crafted sugar sculpture that was inspired by the Rocky Mountains, a range that extends some 4,825 kilometres between New Mexico and Canada.
Sara Bareilles, known for her hit “Love Song”, is providing the entertainment.
Brian Tham, another Canadian expat, was wearing a Team Canada hockey jersey.
“Is it in my hometown with the Chicago Blackhawks?”.
In Ottawa, Conservative Party foreign affairs spokesman Tony Clement said Trudeau’s visit had little deeper meaning, given that Obama would out of office in January 2017.
“Whether we’re charting a course for environmental protection, making key investments to grow our middle class or defending the rights of oppressed peoples overseas, Canada and the United States will always collaborate in partnership and good faith”.
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After a midday news conference, Trudeau goes for lunch at the State Department.
