Unruly Children of a Common Mother

Sunday night’s Canadian Broadcasting Corporation coverage of the killing of Osama Bin Laden was every bit as fervent as that of networks in the United States, illustrating the complexities of the relationship between our two countries. Depending on the situation, we may stand together as one or squabble like siblings over minor issues.

While most people in our area are vaguely aware of the highlights of the relationship with our neighbor to the north—the longest “unfortified” border in the world, 200,000 crossings every day, billions in annual business back and forth—since 9/11 the local perception of the border among many is that it’s just too much trouble to go to Canada.