Remarks by the governor general of Canada on the 40th anniversary of the Canada-United States Law Institute.

• Author: Johnston, David
• Position: 40th Anniversary Conference on Cooperation and Conflict: International Trade, Investment, & Cross Border Disputes

Forty years ago, when I was a young law dean at Western University, I was privileged to be part of something very special: the birth of the Canada-United States Law Institute. This important collaboration between Western University in London, Ontario and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio grew out of some enlightened thinking at both institutions which recognized the need for a binational association to study legal issues from the perspectives of both nations. Then as now, the Institute, along with the student-run Canada-United States Law Journal, provides an important forum for exploring a wide range of legal issues arising in the Canada-U.S. context. And then as now, this work is helping to build understanding and is strengthening the relationship between Canada and the United States.

The Canada-United States Law Institute is a wonderful example of the deep and enduring ties that exist between Canadians and Americans. This relationship forms part of what I would suggest is among the friendliest and most mutually beneficial relationships between two nations in history. Canada has been greatly strengthened by its ties to the United States; indeed, my own family is an example of that. My mother was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, just across the river from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, where I grew up. Years later, I had the privilege of spending some wonderful years studying at Harvard University. Several of my daughters have studied, lived and worked in the United States. And just recently, I returned from my fifth visit to the United States as Governor General, where I was visiting Washington, D.C. with a view to strengthening research and innovative collaboration between our two countries.

Despite all that has changed in...