Arrival of the President 

[PoliticsWatch Updated 10:15 a.m. December 1, 2004]

U.S. President George W. Bush at an Ottawa Press conference on Nov. 30.  (Photo courtesy Jake Wright: www.jakewright.ca)

U.S. President George W. Bush is nearing the end of a two-day visit to Canada.  

While not a state event, it is his first official visit to the Canadian capital since becoming president four years ago. 

PoliticsWatch presents a guide to the president's visit -- the schedule, the reaction, the protests and other facts. 

> Latest News
> President's Schedule
> Protests
> PoliticsWatch Stories

Latest News

Bush-Martin talk trade and co-operation (Updated 10:00 a.m., December 1)

Prime Minister Paul Martin said he liked having press conferences with George Bush because he doesn't have to answer any questions. Bush said he liked Canadians who waved to him with all five fingers. Read the full transcript of the Bush-Martin press conference from the Pearson Building.

Transcript of Bush-Martin news conference

Bush won't speak to Parliament (Updated 2:15 p.m., November 25)

The White House has confirmed that the president will not address Parliament. Sources say U.S. officials cited fears of a heckling incident that would overshadow any goodwill achieved during the visit. Bush will visit Halifax in his second day in Canada to thank those who took in stranded airline passengers who were diverted to Canada when U.S. airspace was restricted on 9/11.  

Meanwhile, the Toronto Star reports there is chaos in Ottawa as the government prepares for the trip with the PM, foreign affairs minister and trade minister all out of the country.

Transport Canada announces Air Restrictions

Air traffic will be restricted when the president is in Ottawa and Halifax. Transport Canada announced the restrictions will affect aircraft movements within a 12-nautical mile radius centred on Parliament Hill. There are also restrictions within a 30-nautical mile radius centred on the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport. Take-offs and landings will be prohibited at the airport 20 minutes prior to President Bush's arrival and 20 minutes after his departure from the airport.

In Halifax, the restrictions will affect aircraft movements within a 12-nautical mile radius around the Halifax International Airport and within a 12-nautical mile radius of Pier 21. Take-offs and landings will be prohibited at the airport 20 minutes prior to President Bush's arrival and 20 minutes after his departure from the airport.

City of Ottawa warns of unscheduled road closures during Bush visit

The City of Ottawa is warning residents to expect major traffic disruptions and unscheduled road closures while Bush is in Ottawa.

U.S. President Bush's Visit (City of Ottawa press release)

 Click here for the latest news updates on the Bush visit

President's Schedule

The Prime Minister's Office has released a formal schedule for Bush's tour.

Tuesday

> 10:20 a.m. Bush, the First Lady and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of State Colin Powell arrive at the MacDonald-Cartier International Airport.

> 10:25 a.m. Bush meets Governor General Adrienne Clarkson and John Ralston Saul at the airport.

> 11:05 a.m. Bush and the First Lady meet the prime minister and Mrs. Martin at a welcoming ceremony in the Centre Block Rotunda.

> 11:15 a.m. Meeting with Prime Minister Paul Martin on Parliament Hill

> 12:15 p.m. Working lunch with Prime Minister Paul Martin, Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew and Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan at the Lester B. Pearson Building. 

> 1:15 p.m. Another meeting with the prime minister at the Pearson Building to review the day's work and decide on objectives and timelines for future bilateral cooperation.

> 2:15 p.m. Joint press conference Pearson Building 

> 2:55 p.m. The president will visit the National Archives Gatineau Preservation Centre.

> 3:55 p.m. The president will have a meeting with Conservative Leader Stephen Harper at the Government Conference Centre.

> 6:30 p.m. Gala dinner with the premiers and other leaders at the Museum of Civilization in the evening.

Wednesday

> 7:55 a.m. The president departs MacDonald-Cartier Airport for Halifax

> 10:00 a.m. PM arrives at the Halifax International Airport

> 10:35 a.m. President arrives at Halifax International Airport

> 11:15 a.m. Addresses by PM and President at Heritage Hall Pier 21. Bush is scheduled to deliver a speech thanking Atlantic Canadians for taking in grounded U.S. air traffic on September 11. He will also discuss foreign affairs.

> 12:45 p.m. The president leaves Halifax International Airport

Protests

Ottawa: The anti-war organization No War is organizing a mass demonstration  in Ottawa on Parliament at 5 p.m. for Tuesday. Government officials expect tens of thousands to attend the rally. NDP Leader Jack Layton and Independent MP Carolyn Parrish are among those who speak at the rally.

Earlier in the day, the No to Bush committee will hold a rally at Ottawa City Hall at noon. 

Students Against Bush plan a rally at the University of Ottawa at 11 a.m.

There is also a pro-Bush rally being organized by the conservative Web site Free Dominion. Those supportive of the U.S. and Bush are being asked to attend the rally at the South Keys mall parking lot beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday. The rally is being held away from the downtown corridor at the request of the RCMP, who are concerned about possible altercations with other protests.

Halifax: The Halifax Peace Coalition will hold a mock trial of Bush for war crimes under Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act on Tuesday evening at 5:00 p.m. in Victoria Park. A rally is also planned for Bush's Wednesday visit to the city, but details are not complete.

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> Bush could be in Ottawa before Christmas
> MP defends her characterization of Bush as war-like man
> American Bush refugees won't get special status: PM
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