United States | Phone Call to Canada

[Odinson]

Private
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President Gore, members of his senior staff, and some members of the National Security Council watched on a television in the Oval Office as Canadian election results came in. To the relief of everyone in the room, the Conservative Party - one of the traditional governing parties of Canada - managed to get control and it looked like they would be forming a government. After more results came in and the election was called for the Conservatives, President Gore picked up his secure line on top of the Resolute Desk and made a phone call to the new Prime Minister, Peter MacKay.
Alex

 

[Alex]

Office of the Prime Minister
Phone Call to the United States of America

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At the Office of the Prime Minister of the Queen's Privy Council of Parliament Hill, Peter MacKay and his government were still setting in and beginning to reverse the damages of the previous government, mainly the economic situation. When the call from U.S. President Al Gore came through, MacKay dropped everything to take the call, letting Deputy PM Harper handle things until the call was over. Using an encrypted line, MacKay answered the call. "Good day, President Gore. I hope all is well. I suspect you have much to discuss with me. As it would happen, I have much to discuss with you all well."

Odinson

 

[Odinson]

"Prime Minister, on behalf of the American people I congratulate you on your historic win tonight. It is an overwhelming relief for the United States that a sensible, non-radical government has returned to power in Canada. The United States takes its relations with the nations of North America and the Caribbean very serious, which is why I am so relieved that you have been elected the new leader of the Canadian government. You are right, I do have much that I would like to discuss with you - from defense and political matters, to perhaps even trade later if we can get around to it. I am very interested, specifically, in directly discussing the possibility of a mutual alliance between our two countries - one that we can announce to the world," he said.

"But before we can attempt to begin that discussion, I would like to know how things are going in Canada. What exactly is the situation of your government? Is the transition of power going smoothly? Is there anything that we can do to help?" the President asked.
Alex

 

[Alex]

"That's good to hear, I had some very similar things in mind to discuss with you.

The current situation in Canada is... relatively good. Our economic situation is bad, as much of the world at the moment. But it isn't anywhere close to the situation in Russia or India and it is my hopes that within a few quarters we'll have the Canadian treasury back in the positive. Regarding the transition of power, it was democratic in every meaning of the word. Everything is going smoothly, although the remnants of the now banned Maroon Shirts is worrisome, but the RCMP have all of its previous members on watchlists and we'll have them contained one way or another.

The best way to help us at the moment is to push forward our relations to legitimize my government."

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[Odinson]

"Yes, the entire world is trying to handle the economic situation right now, but I'm sure that Canada will come out on top of it. I would be happy for our own relationship to move forward the legitimacy of the new Canadian government," he said.

"I would like to send my chief diplomat, the Secretary of State, to meet with you. A representative from the Defense Department could accompany him. Would you be available to host them right now? We could treat the visit very casually, but the matters discussed would of course be very important. They would of course be happy to discuss anything that you would like to as well... I know that you are probably busy right now, Prime Minister. But I wanted to ask you something directly before I send representatives. This is secret, so please only tell who you need to know on your side, but we are looking into establishing an international political and defensive alliance between the United States and possibly: the United Kingdom, Spain, South Korea, and now Canada. This would be an exclusive alliance, meaning that one could not be a permanent member of another defensive alliance. Do you think the Canadian government would have interest in this?"
Alex

 

[Alex]

"I would be more than honor to host anyone you wish to send to Ottawa here at Parliament Hill, in the Office of the Prime Minister and the Privy Council. I can have Minister of National Defence Gerald Bull and Minister of Finance Joseph Watson join our meeting for whatever we may decide to discuss. I'm available to host to as soon as their convenience allows, Deputy PM Harper will be able to handle everything until the meeting has come to a close." MacKay would pause for a moment, hearing out Al Gore's intentions and thinking on them. "I thank you for entrusting me with this information President Gore, I will not tell anyone. The views of Canadians towards the international stage is a damaged one. Despite the current situation, it was still the international community that attempted to destroy our economy and the way of life of Canadians. The nations that stuck with us thick and thin were the United States, Brazil, Argentina and the United Kingdom. As the leader of my people, I must reflect our beliefs and joining an organization such as the one you are planning of so early after the removal of the last government would prove problematic. Preferably, I would rather a regional alliance, one made up of American states to defend the our continents, values, and economy and keep the peace as best we could." He would pause for a moment, thinking of something else. "However, I would be open to signing non-aggression and mutual defense agreements with the United States. Perhaps also focus on reinstating NORAD or a similar defense agreement?"

Odinson

 

[Odinson]

Private​

"I'm happy to hear that, I'll inform Secretary Fitzgerald that he'll be departing for Ottawa soon... I understand that your government wouldn't want to bring Canada into an alliance too soon, however I can have the representatives explain in more depth what we would like to accomplish. On top of that, though, we would be highly interested in reestablishing NORAD specifically between our two nations. That will be a critical point of discussion; I also would see no problem with signing a defense pact between Canada and the United States in the meantime," he said.

"Well, I will let you get back to your government, Prime Minister. I give my congratulations again, and I look forward to hearing back from Secretary Fitzgerald about what we can accomplish. Feel free to give me a call if you need anything in the meantime," he said. If there was nothing else to discuss, President Gore would end the phone call.

The State Department would quickly and securely contact the appropriate authorities in the Canadian government and inform them that the Secretary of State, Jackson Fitzgerald, as well as Jay Stevens, the Deputy Secretary of Defense. Thirty Secret Service agents would be travelling with them. It would be made explicitly clear that the Secret Service would be armed with 9mm pistols and would not surrender their weapons when in public. However, exceptions could be made such as when they would be on Parliament Hill or other government buildings if the Canadians found that necessary.

Once the Canadians responded, the Secretary of State, Deputy Secretary of Defense, their entourage, plus the agents would fly on a privately chartered American flight to CFB Uplands, or whatever other airport was found to be necessary. The flight would of course take off with the appropriate amount of fuel, at the appropriate speed, and the standard cruising altitude.
Alex

 

[Alex]

"I would be delighted to discuss this potential alliance you have in mind more in-depth with Secretary Fitzgerald. I'll also have various paperwork and talking points regarding a re-formed NORAD and a mutual defense pact. There are also other things that I would like to bring up with Secretary Fitzgerald, though these topics are more of Minister Bull's ideas. Regardless, thank you for your congratulations once again, President Gore." Once the call had ended, Prime Minister Peter MacKay would contact his Minister of National Defence and begin making preparations for the arrival of Secretary Fitzgerald and anyone that may be coming to Ottawa with him.

The Royal Guards of Canada had been notified of the important visit. Security at Parliament Hill had been doubled, guards had been stationed between the airport of arrival and the Hill to assure safe travel, and a number of guards would be accompanying the Prime Minister to welcome the Secretary to Canada. Various other smaller preparations had been taken, the star-spangled banner had been erected alongside the Canadian flag and its eleven-pointed maple leaf at CFB Uplands and Parliament Hill to commemorate the meeting.

CFB Uplands (adjoined to the International Airport of Ottawa) would contact Secretary Fitzgerald and Deputy Secretary Stevens, guiding them to the proper area, runway, and finally the proper hangar. The Canadian Air Force Base Security were patrolling the air base, assuring civilians stayed away and that the area remained safe. A small convoy of G-Wagens and the Prime Minister’s Mercedes-Benz 500E were waiting to escort the politicians through the city of Ottawa. Alongside the vehicles were Peter MacKay and Gerald Bull, waiting patiently as the American plane touched down.

The day was clear, the snow had all but melted, yet the cold remained and a quick wind accompanied it, making it bite much colder. Dressed in an overcoat and leather gloves, Peter MacKay approached the airstair, extending his hand to greet the two Americans. “Welcome to Ottawa, Secretary Fitzgerald,” he shook his hand before shaking Stevens’, “Deputy Secretary Stevens. I hope the trip was a pleasant one.” MacKay would beacon them to the convoy. “We should be on our way, it’s cold out here and the press won’t be held off forever.”

The Prime Minister and Jackson Fitzgerald would ride in the 500E, Gerald Bull and Jay Stevens would ride in one of the G-Wagens. Each of the vehicles would have a Royal Guard as a driver and an empty passenger’s seat for a member of the Secret Service. The remaining G-Wagens would escort the other members of the Secret Service to Parliament Hill. The drive from the airport was short and mostly uneventful, taking the direct route meant that many of the capital’s landmarks could not be seen as they drove by, but if someone paid attention they could spot the Museum of Nature and the World Stock Exchange before being met with the great sight that is the Parliament Hill.

The Parliament Buildings were three edifices arranged around three sides of Parliament Hill's central lawn. The East Block was an asymmetrical structure built in the Victorian High Gothic style, with load bearing masonry walls, nearly three feet thick at the ground level, expanding to seven feet thick at the base of the main tower. These were all clad in a rustic Nepean sandstone exterior and dressed stone trim around windows and other edges. They displayed a multitude of stone carvings, including gargoyles, grotesques, and friezes, keeping with the style of the rest of the parliamentary complex. The West Block was nearly identical, its tower simply being more prominent. The Centre Block was the most important and the most distinct. Its walls were faced with more than fifty-thousand blocks of over twenty-four different types of stone, and stood six stories tall. The roof was of reinforced concrete covered with copper, and dotted with windows. The Peace Tower was its most iconic detail, standing over three hundred feet tall and marking the main entrance.

However, the convoy would not enter Parliament Hill, instead they would turn right and stop across the street in front of the Langevin Block - the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council. An American and a Canadian flag hung on each side of the main entrance and the diplomats were rushed inside. The Secret Service members were allowed to keep their firearms as long as they were visually hidden from sight. Peter MacKay led them all through the building and up to the fourth floor where they finally reached his new office, a place which he was still getting used to.

Secret Service and the Royal Guards were not permitted to enter the office.

The room itself was large, perhaps even slightly larger than the Oval Office. Its walls were white, adorned with thick dark wood wainscoting that matched the office’s floor. The Prime Minister’s footsteps echoed until they were muffled once he stepped unto the rug in the center. In front of him was his desk, simple but elegant. Behind it two flags; Canadian and American, and behind them were styled windows that looked out onto Parliament Hill. All along the office’s walls hung portraits of the Fathers of the Confederation.

Instead of sitting at his desk, however, Peter MacKay sat down on one of the two couches within the office. Gerald Bull took a seat beside him and MacKay offered the other couch to the Americans, separated by a table to offer them room for documents among other things. Ahead of time, drinks and small snacks had been arranged on the table - water, gummy candies, peanuts, and Nanaimo bars. Perhaps not the most serious of foods, but it would keep them appeased throughout the meeting, MacKay was sure.

“Is there any topic you wished to begin with, gentlemen?” MacKay would ask them.

Odinson

 

[Odinson]

The Secret Service would maintain of the two American representatives up until the last possible second. The American Embassy in Ottawa was also securely informed that two VIPs would be visiting the new Prime Minister, and to possibly expect a visit from them later. Meanwhile, Fitzgerald and Stevens took in the sites of driving to the meeting location. Fitzgerald quietly contemplated how his previous meeting with Canadian leaders went - that it was capped at the knees before it even took off. He had high hopes for this new, democratic government, and was happy to see that democracy was standing the test of time in Canada.

Secretary Fitzgerald and Deputy Secretary Stevens both shook the hand of the Canadian leader. Both of the men took the seats that they were offered. Fitzgerald took a water while the two Americans listened to MacKay.

"Thank you very much for having us, Prime Minister," Fitzgerald said. "I would be happy to begin with your government - are things going well? I understand that a new Governor General is being selected - has the Crown offered any resistance?" he asked.
Alex

 

[Alex]

"I don't believe the Crown has the option to show resistance in Canada," MacKay admitted, "had it not been for John Turner, the previous government would still be in power. If that was the case then they would have continued their anti-monarchical crusade across Canada. Even with them gone, anti-monarchism is still a strong movement across the nation. It's an issue which John Turner and I have discussed about thoroughly, an issue that we hope to resolve soon with a more... domesticated monarchy. But nothing is set-in-stone at the moment, so only time will be able to tell what comes next for the Crown of Canada." The Prime Minister would take a small sip of water. "Currently we're focusing on reentering the international stage and beginning diplomacy with other nations. We've, of course, began with the United States. We've also contacted Argentina, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. We plan on contacting the Empire of Brazil and the Kingdom of Sweden has also began a call with our Minister of Global Affairs... though Sweden has recently became quiet when we stated Canada does not support the Nordic Council.

With that said, I believe it would be fitting if we discussed their Council. Alongside a re-formed and modernized NORAD and the planned alliance that President Gore mentioned to me on the phone, no?"

Gerald Bull would speak next. "With NORAD potentially reforming and Canada being interested in the United States' alliance, I think it's also fitting that we discuss military equipment. It's no secret that the Royal Armed Forces are the largest they've ever been since the Second World War following Wright's mass militarization. We plan on continuing this militarization and wished to discuss with you the acquisition of American equipment, we are looking towards acquiring a large amount of equipment and understand that it may be impossible to acquire most of them. However, I'm hoping that we would be able to discuss domestic production and maintenance licenses for the following: Boeing Super Hornets, F-14 Tomcats, RQ-11 Raven UAVs, RQ-7 Shadow UAVs, M9 ACE Earthmovers, M113 APCs and all of its variants, Humvess and all of its variants, FMTV and HEMTT trucks and their variants, the M1117, MIM-23 Hawks, the FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS, the Patriot missile system, the Knox-class frigates, and lastly the Spruance-class destroyers. Alongside this, the RAF were hoping to acquire a limited production license for twelve RQ-4B Global Hawk UAVs and three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers of Flight IIA. Lastly, regarding the ICV Stryker: while Canada owns rights to the vehicle, we first wished to have your approval before producing them for the Canadian Army as America are the primary operators."

Odinson

 

[Odinson]

"First off," he said, "we have no issue with Canada producing the ICV Stryker for domestic use, as you lined out. That is entirely fine. In regards to the other equipment you mentioned..." Secretary Fitzgerald said as he looked over to his counterpart from the Department of Defense for further clarification. Deputy Secretary of Defense Jay Stevens thought over carefully about the equipment that the Canadians mentioned.

"For now, we're not authorized to discuss Arleigh Burke-class destroyers or any UAVs. That's something we'd need to get direct permission from the top to even discuss," he said. "However," he continued, "most of the other items you listed could be open to negotiation. That is, Canada could obtain Limited Production Licenses, or LPLs, for most of them. Though, a strong formal alliance between our two countries would be required first for most of those products. For now, we could greenlight the following: F-14 Tomcats, the M9 ACE Earthmovers, M113 APCs and variants, Humvees, FMTV and HEMTT trucks, the M1117, the MIM-23 Hawks, the FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS, and the Patriot Missile System. The frigates and destroyers would also require direct approval from the White House... But as far as the other items go, I encourage your government to make fill out the paperwork with ADS... and if they already have, I'll be sure it's addressed ASAP.

"Now," said Secretary Fitzgerald, "I'd like to hear what your idea is for a re-formed and modernized NORAD?"
Alex

 

[Alex]

"Our only issue with receiving limited production licenses from American Defense Sales is that they're quite expensive and we can't fully afford 100% mark-ups right now. If we would be able to negotiate that mark-up to let's say... a quarter of that, then that would be far more affordable for the large order that we have planned. I expect that such a negotiation is not out of the question with a potential alliance between our two nations?" With that Gerald Bull was finished and would let Peter MacKay speak.

The Prime Minister would grab the file that was laying on the table. The man opened it and pulled out a piece of laminated paper, revealing a detailed map of Canada with many dots all across the country. "For our planned re-formed and modernized NORAD... there are a total of three-hundred-and-six locations from the previous NORAD that we can refurbish for our purposes once again. It's our plan that the majority of these locations will be equipped with a 3D AN/FPS-117 radar while the rest will be equipped with much cheaper AN/FPS-124 gap filler radars. We also plan to build three new locations across Canada for AN/FPS-115 Pave Paws radars, directed west, east, and north. Additionally, we wish to outfit our armed forces with long-range, medium-range, and short-range missile systems to offer three-layered protection against any air attack that may be sent unto our country. As of right now we have Russian equipment from the previous Wright government: S300s, Buks, and Pechora-2s. However, we do plan on replacing these with Patriot or THAAD long-range systems, Avenger short-range systems, and continuing to purchase Buk systems for our medium-range purposes. Lastly, defense against ballistic missiles would require Patriot PAC-2 long-range missile systems.

The refurbishment of the Canadian NORAD bases, we're looking at 2,500,000,000.00$ alone. With all of these missile systems and radars... that price may likely rise far over 30,000,000,000.00$."

Odinson