Now that Gary Doer’s reign as Manitoba’s premier has come to an end, he can focus on his new gig — Canadian ambassador to the United States. Don’t think this is Doer’s way to settle into retirement, he’ll have to advance this country’s interests in a place that’s more focused on difficult domestic issues and wars abroad, than what its northern neighbours have to say.  In this exclusive Q&A interview with Canadian Business Online, Doer talks about the Buy American clause, climate change and what he’ll miss most about Manitoba.

One of the most important cross-border issues facing Canadian businesses right now is the Buy American clause. How are you going to deal with that provision?

I’m only the designate — I’m not in the job yet. But what to I bring to the job in this respect? I have been engaged in this with all the premiers. I was with the prime minister in Quebec City with Premier Charest and Governor Jim Douglas a few months ago. We discussed this issue and the premiers got an agreement — we all came to the table on issue of principal reciprocity with U.S. states. But the prime minister raised the issue again with the president (recently). As ambassador I’ll be able to continue on the message as it’s given by the prime minister, the minister of trade and the minister of foreign affairs. It’s the job of ambassador to make sure the message is repeated and mutual opportunities continue to be repeated over and over again.

You have been outspoken about U.S.-Canada trade in the past.

I’ve always believed in lowering barriers for trade whether in Canada or with US. But, I know this from my experience as premier, you have to do what’s best in the mutual interest of both U.S. and Canada. You can’t ask for something that does not have a positive benefit for Americans as well.

How are you going to get your message across, considering how busy American politicians are with domestic affairs right now?

I start with some knowledge of the players. I’ll have relationships with all the people on the Hill — the primary relationship with the president is with the prime minister — but certainly our cabinet ministers will meet with cabinet ministers from the U.S. And I know some of them from my previous work as premier. I know most of the governors and I know business representatives from American and I certainly know some of the labour reps.

And while some of the work has to take place on behalf of Canada in Washington, some of it also has to happen where the senators and congressional representatives come from. Most of the politicians go home on a Thursday night, back to the people that sent them there. So part of the work is not glamour work, it’s the roll up your sleeves meet them where they live, where they’re elected and make sure we have a message that’s relevant to people from where they come from. That’s what I want to do. I might be spending less time in a cocktail party on Saturday night and more time in St. Louis, Missouri.

Will your previous relationships help fuse some of the gaps between Canadian and American business?

I think business in Canada and US is together, but I don’t know whether the labour community is. We have to work on some of the employee issues across the States and Canada. But in November there will be a meeting of the Canadian and American Chamber of Commerce. So far, the correspondence I’ve read from the Chamber of Commerce has been pretty supportive of keeping trade open.

Wherever the prime minister goes he talks up Canada’s financial stability. What will you say to people about how this country has handled the global economic crisis?

Our story is a good one. Canada’s stimulus package is much smaller on a per capita basis than the U.S., and the debt level is more manageable in the short term. We have a regulated banking industry. We come in with a system that provides a floor for consumers and a sky for capital. I think that’s an important model and we have an important message. (I’ll say) that we’re the most reliable, accessible and affordable energy supplier to the States versus other counties that may have greater risks. We’re not Venezuela.

Speaking of energy, right now there’s a climate change tariff in the Waxman-Markey bill — or the American Clean Energy and Security Act — that could affect Canada.

It’s not the final bill. That’s something the American administration and the Senate are dealing with. Minister Prentice is dealing with U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu on that issue as part of clean energy dialogue. I met secretary Chu when I was premier and I’ve met Minister Prentice so it’s useful we’re working together on these issues of energy efficiency, energy reliability, energy renewability and reduction of climate emissions in a sensible way. If we use science to proceed we’ll not only make a difference for the earth but for business as well.

Will it be difficult to transition from someone who sets the agenda to a person who has to do what someone else says?

Well, I’m a Canadian and Manitoba has always had a pan-Canadian view of challenges. So I have no difficulty in being a team member. I won’t be setting policies as ambassador, but will be implementing them as vigorously as I can.

What if you disagree with one of Harper’s policies — you’re an NDPer after all.

There’s no equivocation. Canadian policy is set through elections. My boss is the Canadian people.

Let’s shift to your current job. Why has Manitoba seen growth this year when most provinces are looking at negative numbers?

A lot of our companies, with the rise of the dollar, in particular in the manufacturing sector, have worked to reduce costs through lean manufacturing. We’ve had clean energy strategies and low emissions strategies well before it became fashionable. And we understand there’s a connection between investing in knowledge and skills and the ability for companies to compete.

It must have helped that you didn’t have to worry about energy prices like in Alberta or a crumbling auto sector as Ontario did.

Well, we do have bus manufacturing here. We’re the largest bus manufacturing province or state in North America. When the industry was facing difficulties five years ago we restructured them — the province was involved — and one of the basic agreements we had was to go to low emission busses that are now consistent and compliant with the California tailpipe emissions standards. Now the order book is full.

Our bus companies are doing much better than the auto industry because we, being the companies and the government, said the future is low emissions and composite parts that are lighter. Because of that we haven’t had the kind of situation you see in the auto sector.

And what are you doing to maintain a strong position post-recession?

We’re lowering taxes, but not running a deficit. We’re eliminating the small business tax, which was 9% when I came into off            ice and now it’s going down to zero. We have the lowest small business tax in Canada. We’re also investing in skills — four thousand apprenticeship spots. We’re investing in Universities in terms of nutraceuticals and we’re trying to target areas of growth for bio foods, biomedicine and bio terror.

Finally, what are you going to miss most about being premier of Manitoba?

The four seasons. I like Nordic skiing and I enjoy Canadian lakes. There’s nothing like being on a lake in the Canadian Shield.

Appeared on Canadian Business Online on October 29, 2009.

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