(CNN) –- President Obama will take his first foreign trip as commander in chief to Canada next month, his press secretary announced Wednesday.
“Canada is a vitally important ally and the president looks forward to the opportunity to speak with Prime Minister Harper and visit our neighbor to the north,” White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said during Wednesday’s press briefing.
Obama will head to Canada on February 19. Gibbs did not announce any further details about the president’s itinerary.
Former President Bush took his first international trip to Mexico, but many U.S. presidents have started their terms with a visit to Canada.
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Please stay away.
Bring your coat. It's cold up here. I am gonna go enjoy my free healthcare now.
Welcome to Canada President Obama!
Have a SAFE trip Mr. President.
Thats right try not to follow in the same footsteps as Bush!!!
not that he probably would, but would be cool to see him drop an opening faceoff puck in ottawa. c'est la but
We cannot wait to welcome the new President of the United States of America!!
Blame Canada!
Ian,
What are you like one of the 10% in Canada that doesn't like him? Why would you say that?
Welcome to Canada......maybe some of President Obama's intelligence will rub off on our Prime Minister !!!!!
Shaddup, Ian. Obama can come, and he can stay if he wants.
As opposed to his first non-foreign trip to Canada...
Come and stay a while. We'll gladly send all our politicians to the US for one Barack Obama. We sure could use a person like him in our political arena.
Could Obama see Canada from his house?? Something is always better than nothing....
As opposed to his first non-foreign trip to Canada...
Ian, why would you say that? Many Canadians, like the rest of the world, were rooting for Barack Obama to become President of the U.S.. What's your beef?
Canadians are honoured to have President Obama make his first foreign trip to our country. His greeting will be very warm, even if we cannot guarantee that the temperature will be!
Dear Canada,
Now that the election is over and I have won, America expects more from you too. Just like I recently told Afganistan, the UN and old Europe.
Love your pal,
Obama
"Former President Bush took his first international trip to Mexico, but many U.S. presidents have started their terms with a visit to Canada"
That shows why Bush was only one of his kind. Started with the wrong foot, continued to be wrong, and exited with the lowest approval rating in history.
Hopes he convinces Harper to form a North American Union. That would eliminate hard-core conservatism from North America for good. Or maybe we can make a trade. Want your confederacy? Take it and leave us progressives along with the likes of Sweden, Finland, etc. Real democracies. ....ah wonderful thought
really his "first foreign trip to canada"??? when is he making his domestic trip to canada?
Ian .. You'll be surprised and annoyed by Obama's reception here in in the North ..
Can we keep him....
... and we couldn't be happier to have him up here. Our politicians are so boring and lifeless; our politics are dirty and ineffectual; and our elections are childish mud-slinging contests. Maybe our conservative leadership could learn a thing or two from President Obama.
It's ironic that he's coming to meet a man who is closer to George W. Bush in values and Sarah Palin in demeanor. Why did we elect him again? ... oh right, the corruption.
Obama's election victory and subsequent inauguration were as celebrated and significant up here as they were down there. People will no doubt line the streets to give him a rock-star welcome, unlike when Bush came to visit and was met with protesters and angry mobs.
Trueman, Toronto, Canada
Can't wait for your visit Mr. President – it's about time!!!!