Georgina · East Gwillimbury · King  .
 
Bradford West Gwillimbury · Innisfil  .

My trip with the Prime Minister to the North American Leaders' Summit got off to a great start.  "Do you want to sit in the cockpit for the take-off?" asked the Canadian Forces member.  Of course, I seized the opportunity.

We were leaving Ottawa, headed for Guadalajara Mexico, for the annual summit of the three leaders from Canada, the USA, and Mexico.  I was asked to join the Prime Minister, as a major focus of the meetings was to be security, and the fight against organized crime.

During the flight down, the Prime Minister invited me to join him as he made a special phone call using the technology available on the plane.  The fiftieth birthday party of Innisfil resident Ken Simpson (also my campaign manager) was underway - only to be interrupted by a Prime Ministerial phone call extending best wishes!

Back on the ground, the Summit meetings took place in a one-time monastery and orphanage, now converted to a cultural centre, in Mexico's second-largest City.

Upon our arrival, the first item of business was a bi-lateral meeting with the host Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his delegation.  The principal topic was combating organized crime.

The Mexican Government is currently engaged in a serious and courageous effort to take on the Drug Trade and associated organized criminal cartels.  Their success will be good news for Canada too.  Many of the drugs on our streets originate in, or travel through Mexico.  Most of the illegal hand guns in Canada arrive here as part of the drug trade.

We discussed ways to help the Mexicans.  We committed to having the RCMP assist with significant training of Mexico's emerging Federal Police force.

Our Government also has a Bill in Parliament to establish mandatory prison sentences for major drug production or importing crimes.   But the Mexicans were surprised to learn that the Liberals in Canada's Senate had voted to block our drug crime bill from becoming law.  All Mexican political parties are united in the fight against organized crime and drug gangs, we were told.

Next, came a dinner opportunity to further our discussions.  I was seated with my counterparts; Janet Napolitano, the US Homeland Security Secretary, and Mexican Interior Minister Gomez-Mont.  The relationships among the three of us are very strong and positive - which is good for all our countries.

The next day featured the main event.  For the tri-lateral meeting, I sat on one side of the triangular table with Stephen Harper.  Directly across the table from me was President Barack Obama, joined by his National Security Advisor Jim Jones.  The two Mexicans sat to my left.

The meeting, which took place in private, focused on the economy and security issues, including fighting crime.

I had often heard reports of our Prime Minister's commanding and authoritative presence at such meetings of world leaders.  I confess that I used to think it was typical "hype" designed to make us feel good.

However, now that I have been there at the table - I can report to you that we have a lot to be proud of in our Prime Minister.  Stephen Harper's command of the issues, his policy analysis, and his leadership take charge of the room. 

"I agree with Stephen," is perhaps the phrase most frequently repeated. His ability to steer principled and thoughtful consensus is also clearly a function of the respect other leaders have for our Prime Minister.  Sitting at his side, I was proud to be a Canadian, and part of our Government.

President Obama was very much as he comes across on television.  He is charming, pleasant to work with, and clearly aware of the special responsibility of leading what is still the world's only real superpower.  While sensitive to his neighbours, he maintains a strong focus on advancing his country's national interest.

The Mexicans clearly treasured the opportunity to host the meeting, and to advance their major priorities of fighting drug gangs and crime.

It is a concern among some world leaders that there are perhaps too many summit meetings happening these days - and that folks hardly have time to run their own countries!  But all agree that the most productive and valuable meetings are the small ones, where exchanges are most genuine and real work can be done.  That describes the North American Leaders' Summit.

Most of all, we could see how our efforts to strengthen the economy and fight crime are the things that actually matter to real people.  We were working on real issues, to improve the lives of the citizens of our three countries.  We were delivering change for the better!

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