Strains between governments at the top, hands across the border at the base: the role of subnational governments during the Bush-Chretien era and beyond.

I. INTRODUCTION

Although personal relationships between U Presidents and Canadian prime ministers have repeatedly been cordial [e.g. Clinton-Chretien, Carter-Trudeau, GH Bush-Mulroney] and positively affected at least the atmosphere and tone if not always the substance of Canada--U.S. relations, at other times these personal relations at the top have been acrimonious [eg Nixon-Trudeau, Reagan-Trudeau]. (1) Especially since the U decision to go on to war with Iraq, of that kind has been the case between President Bush and Prime Minister Chretien. (2)

The relationship between them began badly when Raymond Chretien, the