Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

David Cohen gets to work as U.S. envoy to Canada

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 07 Dec, 2021 03:04 PM
  • David Cohen gets to work as U.S. envoy to Canada

WASHINGTON - David Cohen is finally getting down to business as the newest United States ambassador to Canada — the first to take on the role full-time since 2019.

Cohen, a lawyer, lobbyist and former U.S. tech executive, presented his letters of credence today to Gov. Gen. Mary Simon in a ceremony at Rideau Hall.

In a statement, he says his top priority will be to preserve and to strengthen the special relationship between the two countries.

Cohen, who previously served as a senior adviser and chief diversity officer at U.S. communications giant Comcast, was nominated in July by President Joe Biden.

Observers say he'll be busy: a number of irritants are complicating U.S.-Canada ties under Biden, including a proposed tax credit for electric vehicles that threatens the health of the Canadian auto sector.

Cohen is the first full-time U.S. ambassador in Ottawa since Donald Trump's choice, Kelly Craft, decamped in August 2019 to serve the U.S. envoy to the United Nations.

Despite his business background, Cohen is no stranger to political circles. In addition to serving as Comcast's primary lobbyist, he spent five years as chief of staff to Philadelphia mayor Ed Rendell in the 1990s.

He also hosted the first fundraising event of Biden's successful 2020 presidential election campaign.

"I have known President Biden and his family for three decades, and I was deeply honoured when he asked me to serve as his personal representative in Canada," Cohen said in a statement following the ceremony.

The two countries, he said, are "connected not just by trade or treaties, but by shared values, by enduring friendships between our peoples, and by families on both sides of our border."

Cohen said he'll be focused initially on implementing elements of the so-called "road map" of shared U.S.-Canada priorities the two leaders hashed out in February after Biden was inaugurated.

But that agenda has been largely overtaken by a number of issues, including the EV tax credit, divergent approaches to travel restrictions at the Canada-U.S. border, disagreements over the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement and higher U.S. duties on Canadian softwood lumber.

Cohen's arrival in Ottawa comes less than a month after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spent two days in Washington hoping to convince Biden to reconsider the tax credit plan.

Canadian industry experts say if passed by Congress, the incentives — worth up to US$12,500 to a new-car buyer if the vehicle was built on American soil with union labour — would deal a critical blow to the auto sector north of the border.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Storms bring snow warnings for parts of B.C.

Storms bring snow warnings for parts of B.C.
Snowfall warnings have been issued for parts of central and northern B.C. Environment Canada predicts 15 to 20 centimetres of snow will fall in the northeast, including the Prince George, Williston, McGregor and Peace River areas, intensifying throughout the day and continuing Tuesday night.    

Storms bring snow warnings for parts of B.C.

Vandalism of public washrooms in Surrey parks

Vandalism of public washrooms in Surrey parks
Over the last few months, Surrey RCMP have received multiple calls of vandalism to public washroom facilities, particularly in the Cloverdale area. The damage has included smashed toilets, broken doors, partitions, vents, as well as stolen soap dispensers.

Vandalism of public washrooms in Surrey parks

B.C. man charged in girlfriend's death in 2016

B.C. man charged in girlfriend's death in 2016
A man has been charged with one count of second-degree murder following an investigation into the death of a woman who went missing close to six years ago from Salmon Arm, B.C. The RCMP say Derek Favell has been charged in the death of Ashley Simpson, his girlfriend at the time she disappeared in 2016.    

B.C. man charged in girlfriend's death in 2016

VPD's investigation leads to criminal networks trafficking stolen property in DTES

VPD's investigation leads to criminal networks trafficking stolen property in DTES
VPD’s Anti-Fencing Unit launched an undercover sting in April, sending entrenched officers to the Downtown Eastside to observe and gather evidence about the rampant trafficking of stolen property.

VPD's investigation leads to criminal networks trafficking stolen property in DTES

946 COVID19 cases over 3 days

946 COVID19 cases over 3 days
There are currently 2,876 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 215,190 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 241 individuals are currently in hospital and 89 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

946 COVID19 cases over 3 days

Border officials to offer leniency over ArriveCan

Border officials to offer leniency over ArriveCan
Checking in on the app has become a mandatory part of crossing into Canada, regardless of how long the traveller has been out of the country. It collects information about where the traveller has been, the purpose of their trip, their contact information, vaccination information, pre-travel COVID-19 test results, and their quarantine plan once they are in Canada.

Border officials to offer leniency over ArriveCan