Embassy/Consulates Closure Notice
The US Embassy Ottawa and all US Consulates in Canada will be closed on Friday July 3, to observe Independence Day.

President Obama's 4th of July Message
Today, we are called upon to remember not only the day our country was born, but also the indomitable spirit of the first American citizens who made that day possible. We are called to remember how unlikely it was that our American experiment would succeed at all; that a small band of patriots would declare independence from a powerful empire; and that they would form, in the new world, what the old world had never known - a government of, by, and for the people. [more]

13 June 09
Remarks at the 100th Anniversary of the Boundary Waters Treaty - Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State
Good morning. What a glorious day, and it’s an absolute delight for me to be here on this occasion. I take any excuse I can to get back to come back to New York, and to celebrate this commemoration with all of you and to have an opportunity to spend time with my Canadian counterpart, Minister Cannon, is indeed a privilege. I just want to recognize the significance of this extraordinary moment in time. The friendship between the people of the United States and Canada is the strongest in the world. There is no border that is longer and more peaceful; there is no greater trade between two nations. There are so many values that we share in common, and today we celebrate a treaty that helped to make this friendship possible 100 years ago. [more] [FlickR Photos].
Related: Press Conference - Remarks With Canadian Foreign Minister Cannon.

12 June 09
Secretary Clinton Travel to Canada
Boundary Waters Treaty Centennial Celebration Fact Sheet
On June 13, 2009, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will join Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon on the Rainbow Bridge connecting Niagara Falls, New York to Ontario, Canada to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Boundary Waters Treaty.

The Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 created the independent International Joint Commission (IJC) to prevent and resolve boundary waters disputes between Canada and the United States. The IJC makes decisions on applications for projects such as dams in boundary waters and regulates the operations of many of those projects. The IJC also has a permanent reference under the 1972 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement to help the two national governments restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of those waters. [more]

11 June 09
Secretary Clinton Travel to Canada
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will travel to Niagara Falls, New York, and Niagara Falls, Ontario, on Saturday, June 13, 2009, to participate in the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Canada-U.S. Boundary Waters Treaty. Secretary Clinton will meet with Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon following the centennial celebration. Secretary Clinton and Foreign Minister Cannon will then hold a joint press availability. [more]

04 June 09
A New Beginning - Engaging the Muslim World President Obama's June 4 Speech in Cairo, Egypt
I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning, and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt’s advancement. Together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I am grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. I am also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: assalaamu alaykum. [more] [fact sheet]

H1N1 Influenza (Flu)
The United States, Canada and Mexico continue to work together with international organizations in actively monitoring the H1N1 flu outbreak. For additional and latest information, please see the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: www.cdc.gov [travel alerts][President Obama's remarks]

6 May 09
C-TPAT Announces First Annual Northern Border Highway Carrier Conference in Buffalo, NY The registration for this event will begin in late May 2009 and this will serve as a preliminary announcement for all those highway carriers who may be interested in attending.

17-19 April 09
The Fifth Summit of the Americas was held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on April 17-19, 2009.
The theme of the Fifth Summit of the Americas, "Securing Our Citizens' Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability" was developed in close consultation with member countries and partner institutions of the Summit Process.

Remarks by Secretary Clinton at Digital Town Hall of the Americas - View Video / Read Transcript

Obama Praises Constructive Talks at Summit of the Americas
Washington — President Obama said the United States entered the fifth Summit of the Americas in equal partnership with the nations of the Western Hemisphere based on mutual respect, common interests and shared values, and leaves after three days of constructive talks with what he called a good first step. [more]

[5th Summit website] [townhall.america.gov]

27 March 09
Summit of the Americas
Jeffrey Davidow, White House Advisor on the Summit of the Americas, was formerly U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela and Mexico. He discusses the U.S. agenda for the Fifth Summit of the Americas, to take place in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, April 17-19. [more].

5-6 March 09
Black History and Civil Rights Speaker Dr. William McClain
Dr. William McClain, a contemporary of Dr. Martin Luther King and committed civil rights activist, as well as a professor theology at Wesley Theological Seminary participated in several events in Toronto to mark Black History Month in the United States. He addressed faculty and administrators from the Harriet Tubman Centre of York University, speaking about his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement and the role of religion in the Black community. [photo] [listen here].

January 09
Sister Constance Murphy on the occasion of her 105th birthday receives a congratulatory certificate from Consul General John R. Nay, honoring her as the oldest American in Canada. [more].

22 January 09
United States Consul General of Toronto John R. Nay visited the City of Barrie
United States Consul General of Toronto John R. Nay visited the City of Barrie for a briefing about the current initiatives of the U. S. mission in Canada, border security, NAFTA and the effect of U. S./Canadian relations in the future. He was guest speaker at a breakfast briefing organized by the American Chamber of Commerce's Ontario chapter and the U. S. Commercial Service in Barrie, Ontario, on Thursday, January 22. [Slideshow].

December 2008

10 December 08
Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas Initiative
On September 24, 2008, leaders from Canada and other countries in the Western Hemisphere that have signed free trade agreements with the U.S. met in New York to announce the launch of the Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas initiative. Pathways will deepen existing partnerships and cooperation to ensure that the benefits of free trade and open investment are broadly shared throughout our societies. Ministers from the Pathways countries held a follow-up meeting on December 10, 2008, hosted by the Government of Panama. [more].

December 08
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Deadline Approaches
The Department of State recommends that travelers apply now for travel documents that will be required at all land or sea border entry points as of June 1, 2009. On that date, under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) U.S. citizens will be required to present a government-approved document that denotes both citizenship and identity when entering the United States. [more].

See the Consul General's biography and public remarks

.

On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security.

Canadians: www.knowyourborder.gov
Americans: www.getyouhome.gov/

Effective June 1, 2008 all applicants for U.S. Passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad will be seen by appointment only. More details

Department of Homeland Security
Traveler Redress Inquiry Program
Travelers can now resolve possible watch list misidentification and travel screening problems with any of the department’s component agencies with DHS TRIP, an easy to use web site.


U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) jointly operate the NEXUS trusted traveler program. To learn more about NEXUS, enroll in the program online or renew an expiring NEXUS card, click here.

< Border Wait Times >


The Official Travel & Tourism Website of the United States, Discover America is the best online resource for planning a vacation to the United States.

EducationUSA centers actively promote United States higher education around the world by offering accurate, comprehensive, objective and timely information about educational opportunities in the United States and guidance to qualified individuals on how best to access those opportunities.

The Canada - U.S. Fulbright Program is a bi-national educational exchange program supported by the Governments of the United States and Canada. [for more information].

2009 marks the Centennial of the Boundary Waters Treaty: The links provides information on all activities that mark the Boundary Waters Treaty Centennial this year, as well as details on the major event being organized to celebrate the anniversary in the Niagara Falls Region.

Security Notice to all Consular Visitors.

Are you an American citizen travelling or residing in Canada? Please register
Employment and Student Internship Opportunities at the U.S. Consulate Toronto


Travel Alert - Worldwide Caution
This Worldwide Caution updates information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests throughout the world. American citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. [Full text.]

Indigenous People. An eJournal from the Department of State, June 2009.
The June 2009 edition of eJournal USA provides insight into Native Americans and other indigenous peoples. Articles provide historical background and look at issues surrounding their languages and culture, their legal status, and how they are networking around the world.
Click here for earlier editions of eJournal.

E-ALERTS is a public awareness service that provides key information on U.S. foreign and domestic public policies, topics include Canada-U.S. Relations, Environment, Trade, U.S. Politics and Global Issues. You will automatically receive, via e-mail, links to selected documents and publications from official U.S. Government sources and other reputable non-governmental organizations. Subscribe.

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