Boise State University ~ Communications and Marketing: March 24, 2009: Boise State's 8th Annual Canada Week Explores Idaho, U.S. Relationship with Northern Neighbor

News Release

DEPARTMENT NEWS RELEASE / March 24, 2009

Boise State's 8th Annual Canada Week Explores Idaho, U.S. Relationship with Northern Neighbor

Canada’s posture toward the Obama administration, the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C., North America’s evolving energy needs and cross-border crime and security trends are among the topics to be discussed at the 8th annual Canada Week symposium at Boise State University April 6-9.

Hosted by Boise State’s Canadian Studies Program and Department of Political Science, Canada Week is a celebration of Idaho’s relationship with its northern neighbor in a series of business, cultural, educational, political and social events.

Officials and academics from both sides of the border will gather on the Boise State campus for the four-day conference to discuss a wide range of issues that affect the relationship between the United States and its largest trading partner. The program is part of Boise State’s internationalization initiative.

“A truck goes across the U.S.-Canada border every two seconds as $1.6 billion in trade takes place every day,” said Lori Hausegger, Boise State political science professor and co-director of Canada Week. “Canada Week is an opportunity to explore some of the issues important to both countries and to examine the similarities and differences that impact the relationship, while underlining its importance for our students and the community.”

All events are free and the public is invited to attend:

Monday, April 6

Canadian Pancake Breakfast – 7:45-9:45 a.m., Quad, Boise State campus. Enjoy a Canadian pancake breakfast complete with Canadian maple syrup.

Fun Facts about Canada Challenge! – 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Marketing Booth, first floor, Boise State Student Union Building. Win Canadian prizes from the Consulate and local restaurant gift certificates.

Meeting North America’s Evolving Energy Needs: Integrating Climate and Clean Energy Interests – 7-8:30 p.m., Bishop Barnwell Room, Boise State Student Union Building. A panel presentation by Andy Ridge, Alberta Environment; Sandra Locke, Alberta Energy; Travis McLing, Idaho National Laboratory. Canada is a major energy supplier to the United States. This presentation will address some of the clean energy initiatives that are being undertaken to provide for North America’s energy needs.

Tuesday, April 7

O’ Canada: Books By and About Canadians – Come to the Albertsons Library to enjoy a display of books and images about Canada. The display will be located on the second floor in the Special Collections display windows.

An Emerging Portrait: The Role of French Speaking Quebec in the Demographic Transformation of Canada – 3-4:30 p.m., Bishop Barnwell Room. Presentation by Andre Senecal, professor of French and Quebec Studies, University of Vermont. This presentation will center on the changing demographics of Quebec and Canada and the efforts to protect French culture and language.

Wednesday, April 8

Examining Canadian Foreign Policy: Canada’s Approach to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the New Obama Administration – 10-11:30 a.m., Bishop Barnwell Room. Presentation by Ross Burkhart, Boise State political science professor. The talk will focus on principles of Canadian foreign policy and how they are applied to Iraq, Afghanistan and Canadian-U.S. relations.

Legislative Power and Responsibilities in the U.S. and Canada: Comparing Possible Actions in a Time of Economic Crisis – 7-8:30 p.m. Bishop Barnwell Room. Idaho Senator Kate Kelly, Idaho representatives Brent Crane and Max Black and Alberta legislator Alana DeLong. The panel, moderated by BSU Director of Government Relations and former Idaho Speaker of the House Bruce Newcomb, will compare the two systems of state and provincial government and their different powers and responsibilities in this time of economic crisis.

Thursday, April 9

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games: Creating Lasting Legacies from Hosting the World – 2:30-4 p.m. Bishop Barnwell Room. This will feature a presentation by Ray LeBlond, director of Corporate Development and Communications, Tourism B.C. LeBlond will give a comprehensive update on the 2010 Olympics, including the importance of the Games and their lasting impact on Vancouver and the Northwest more generally.

The Canadian-US Border: Trends in Cross-Border Crime and the Growing Integration of Security – 7-8:30 p.m., Bishop Barnwell Room, Boise State Student Union Building. This will feature presentations by members of the Integrated Border Enforcement Team: Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sergeant Ralph Ehlebracht, and Larry Shields of the U.S. Border Patrol.

For more information about Canada Week or Boise State’s Canadian Studies program go to http://polisci.boisestate.edu/Canadian/events.shtml

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Media Contact: Mike Journee, University Communications, (208) 426-1517, mikejournee@boisestate.edu

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Last reviewed on Wednesday, March 25, 2009