Ambassador Jacobson on Trade, Border, Security, IPR, in

C O N F I D E N T I A L TORONTO 000005 SIPDIS AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PASS TO AMCONSUL QUEBEC AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PASS TO APP WINNIPEG E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/02/01 TAGS: ETRD ASEC PGOV CA SUBJECT: Ambassador Jacobson on Trade, Border, Security, IPR, in Toronto January 16-19, 2010 CLASSIFIED BY: Kevin M. Johnson, Consul General, STATE, TORONTO EXEC; REASON: 1.4B, D Ambassador Jacobson on Trade, Border, Security, IPR in Toronto January 16-19, 2010 -------------- Illinois Trade, Canadian Banking -------------- ¶1. (U) Illinois Trade Rep for Canada Jeffrey Johnson briefed the Ambassador January 18 on his state's business promotion plans for 2010, following a strong decline in trade in 2009. The Ambassador raised the idea of featuring Illinois at this year's Independence Day celebration and Johnson reacted enthusiastically. Canadian Bank Association President Nancy Hughes Anthony raised concern over pending U.S. legislation to fight tax evasion (FATCA),saying its reporting requirements would be onerous for Canadian banks and raised tough privacy issues. She also detailed the relative strength of Canada's banking sector. -------------- -------------- Ambassador Doer Strong on Security and IPR -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) Canadian Ambassador Doer told Ambassador privately January 18 that GOC must be stronger and faster in responding to shared border security concerns. He said he was very clear with the PMO that the U.S. was acting decisively and that Canada needed to do likewise. He lamented that the "cabinet is not united on this" but said things would improve since the PM is demanding that. Resources are a serious issue, he admitted, but after the attempted Christmas attack, Canada must understand the urgency felt in the U.S. and act accordingly. He predicted faster action by the GOC going forward. Doer also volunteered that Canada must act on the copyright issue (IPR) and he will tell the PM it must be mentioned in the throne speech. Noting that Ambassador Jacobson always raises IPR, he said he heard from others in DC on "copyright issues" as well. (Note: Doer was unaware of our other IPR enforcement issue, the lack of enforcement and "ex officio" powers, but promised to look into that as well.) ¶3. (C) Doer spoke just as strongly about border security and IPR in his January 19 address to the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE). Lamenting that public debate on security measures in Canada lacked balance, he challenged the business leaders to "not leave the GOC alone" in answering the waves of columns and public statements which exaggerated the risks to privacy and human rights; and told the audience that pubic debate in Canada under-valued security measures needed to keep North America safe and trade flowing to a friend that is rightfully concerned about being targeted. He stressed public reports of intelligence showing that "Americans...and their allies" are specific targets and Canadians must recognize this. He went on to note that progress was being made on Buy America, that the problem continues to be over-stated by commentators, and that Canadians should keep the issue in context. He added that Canada must solve IPR issues which have lingered too long. -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Ambassador Stresses Partnerships on Trade, Energy and Environment, Border, and Afghanistan -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- ¶4. (U) Ambassador Jacobson stressed to the CCCE opportunities for enhanced partnership with Canada on major issues, noting that security and commerce were both key, and that cooperation and creativity could strengthen both. He urged the CEOs to help others see irritants in context, reminding them that the measure is not the existence of disagreements, but our shared commitment to address them together. He cited Buy America as an example of calm determination to address trade irritants constructively. The Ambassador said energy security and environmental concerns were also linked, and integration of our economies was more important than ever; this can cause problems, but they are very "high class problems to have" and must be seen within the context of overall shared success. He praised joint service and sacrifice in Afghanistan. Ambassador Jacobson has cleared this message. JOHNSON