Communication between two neighbours isn’t going very well.
A new Ispo-Reid poll shows that the feeling Canadians and Americans are friends is continuing to erode. The relationship between politicans is believed to be a factor. I also believe media plays into this.

The war in Iraq is one of the prime reasons as well as disagreements on missle defense, and softwood lumber duties.

However, citizens of both countries are closer in shared values.

Fifty-seven per cent of Americans and 59 per cent of Canadians disagreed with the statement that a conviction for possession always should result in a criminal record.

Similarly, a nearly identical proportion in both populations — 40 per cent of Americans and 41 per cent of Canadians — think the expansion of police powers to fight terrorism has gone too far, and threatens the “fundamental civil rights of all citizens.”

Overwhelming majorities in both countries — 78 per cent of Americans and 87 per cent of Canadians — agree that the government “has a responsibility to protect the poor.”

And 88 per cent of Americans and 93 per cent of Canadians believe caring for the elderly is a government duty.

Canada’s new ambassador the the US, Frank McKenna says both countries face similar social problems - multi ethnic populations, aging populations and rising health care costs.

And according to the poll a Canadian myth about tolerance has been shattered.

Asked whether people from different ethnic backgrounds “would be better off if they became like the majority,” nearly half of Canadians — 44 per cent — said yes. But only 37 per cent of Americans agreed.

Views on the environment are stronger in the US.

Likewise, similar proportions of Americans and Canadians — 64 per cent and 57 per cent, respectively — say they don’t want economic growth to take priority over the environment.

Faith and political choices also aren’t that far apart either.

And although more Americans than Canadians agree that their faith determines which political candidate they vote for, a solid majority in both countries — 76 per cent of Canadians and 62 per cent of Americans — disagree.