THE 49 PARALLEL DIVIDE IS WIDENING

It has in the past sometimes been difficult to cite what makes
Canadians and Americans, outside of our southern neighbours apparent
indifference to hockey that we in Canada follow with an unmatched
national passion.

But a new Ipsos-Reid poll conducted from Nov. 10 to 22 which
interviewed 1,000 Canadians and 1,000 Americans, offers some insight
that our differences are beginning to widen.

The contentious issue focused on in the poll concerned marijuana use.
Among Canadians asked, 51 per cent agreed with Canada's plan to
eliminate criminal penalties for possession of marijuana. In the
United States, 36 per cent said the plan was a sound idea, while 39
per cent said it was not. Whether the marijuana question is the
gateway to an expanding separation on social issues remains to be seen
as U.S. President George W. Bush carries out his second and final term
in the White House.

Bush has successfully introduced religion along with conservative
values into into the morals and ethics debate among Americans, with an
apparent majority who vote rallying behind his message.

But as Bush is likely to hear when he visits Canada next week, he will
see that Canadians are losing their 'warm and fuzzy feeling' for his
country, largely because of the moral and ethical direction the
president and his advisors are taking it.

Should Bush attempt to use the big U.S. superpower footprint in
evidence outside of North America these days to impose his country's
desires, that will only further poison the existing trade and
environment-related disagreements already now in play between our two
countries. If not, the philosophical and political divide along the
49th parallel is likely to expand if Bush is content to continue as
one of the most unpopular presidents ever in the world.