

Currently released so far... 12900 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AE
ASEC
AS
AR
AMGT
AFIN
AORC
AU
AG
AF
APER
ABLD
ADCO
ABUD
AM
AID
AJ
AEMR
AMED
AL
ASUP
AN
AIT
ACOA
ANET
ASIG
AA
AGMT
AINF
AFFAIRS
ADANA
AY
AADP
ARF
ACS
AGR
AMCHAMS
AECL
AUC
APEC
APECO
AFGHANISTAN
ACAO
ASEAN
ADM
AGAO
AND
ADPM
ATRN
ALOW
AROC
APCS
AORG
AO
AODE
ACABQ
AX
AMEX
AZ
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
ASCH
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORL
BR
BO
BA
BM
BL
BH
BK
BEXP
BILAT
BTIO
BF
BU
BD
BY
BE
BG
BB
BBSR
BT
BRUSSELS
BP
BX
BC
BIDEN
BMGT
BWC
BN
BTIU
CA
CS
CO
CD
CR
CPAS
CDG
CI
CDC
CBW
CU
CVIS
CE
CONS
CH
CMGT
CASC
CY
CW
CG
CJAN
CIDA
CODEL
CWC
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CFED
CLINTON
CAC
CL
CACS
CIC
CHR
CAPC
CM
CT
CTR
COM
CROS
CN
COPUOS
CV
CF
CARSON
CONDOLEEZZA
CICTE
CYPRUS
COUNTER
COUNTRY
CBE
CKGR
CVR
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CLEARANCE
COE
CARICOM
CB
CSW
CITT
CACM
CDB
CJUS
CTM
CAN
CLMT
CBC
CNARC
CIS
EFIN
ECON
ETRD
EAID
EC
EU
EUN
EINV
EG
ETTC
EIND
ELAB
EAGR
ECIN
EINT
ENRG
EFIS
ELTN
EAIR
EPET
EZ
ET
ENERG
ECPS
EWWT
EI
ETRN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ER
ES
EN
EMIN
ESENV
ENNP
ENGR
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENVI
ECINECONCS
ELN
EFTA
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EXTERNAL
ENIV
ESA
EPA
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
EUR
ECUN
EXIM
EK
EUREM
ECONOMY
EUMEM
ERNG
EFINECONCS
EAIDS
ECA
ETRC
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
EINN
ECONOMIC
EXBS
ENGY
ECONOMICS
EIAR
EINDETRD
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EREL
EINVETC
ECONCS
ETRA
EAIG
EUC
ERD
IQ
IR
IS
IN
IA
IC
IZ
ICRC
ID
IDA
IT
IO
IAEA
ICJ
ICAO
IV
IBRD
IMF
IAHRC
IWC
ILO
ISLAMISTS
IGAD
ILC
ITU
ITF
INRA
INRO
ICTY
INRB
ITALY
IBET
IL
INTELSAT
ISRAELI
IMO
IDP
ICTR
ITRA
IRC
IRAQI
IEFIN
IPR
IIP
INMARSAT
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
INTERNAL
IRS
INTERPOL
IEA
INR
ISRAEL
IZPREL
IRAJ
IF
ITPHUM
IACI
INDO
KPAO
KMDR
KCOR
KNNP
KJUS
KCRM
KDEM
KVPR
KTFN
KPRP
KTIP
KSCA
KSUM
KTEX
KIDE
KIRF
KV
KTIA
KN
KG
KFRD
KWMN
KUNR
KISL
KU
KGHG
KPKO
KOMS
KPAL
KIPR
KMCA
KOMC
KRVC
KSEP
KAWC
KOLY
KWBG
KACT
KFLO
KHIV
KZ
KGIC
KBCT
KDRG
KBTR
KCFE
KE
KHLS
KMPI
KAWK
KPWR
KIRC
KRAD
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFLU
KPLS
KRIM
KSTH
KDDG
KPRV
KICC
KS
KSAF
KBIO
KREC
KCGC
KCIP
KTDB
KWAC
KPAI
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFSC
KSTC
KMFO
KID
KNAR
KMIG
KVRP
KNEI
KGIT
KNSD
KHDP
KSAC
KWMM
KR
KCOM
KAID
KENV
KVIR
KHSA
KO
KCRS
KPOA
KTER
KFIN
KSPR
KTBT
KX
KCMR
KMOC
KCRCM
KBTS
KSEO
KOCI
KNUP
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KSCI
KTLA
KCSY
KTRD
KMRS
KNPP
KJUST
KRCM
KCFC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
KLIG
KDEMAF
KGCC
KICA
KHUM
KSEC
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KPIR
KWWMN
KOM
KWNM
KRFD
KRGY
KIFR
KWMNCS
KPAK
MARR
MOPS
MUCN
MCAP
MNUC
MEPP
MTCRE
MASS
MO
MIL
MX
MAS
MEDIA
MAR
MI
MQADHAFI
MPOS
MTCR
MK
MG
MA
MY
MU
ML
MPS
MW
MD
MARAD
MC
MR
MT
MTRE
MASC
MRCRE
MAPP
MZ
MP
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPN
MEPI
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MCC
MIK
MAPS
MV
MILITARY
MDC
MASSMNUC
NI
NZ
NL
NO
NPT
NATO
NS
NU
NP
NPA
NSFO
NDP
NT
NW
NASA
NSG
NE
NORAD
NAFTA
NG
NATIONAL
NSSP
NV
NSF
NK
NA
NEW
NPG
NR
NGO
NIPP
NZUS
NH
NC
NRR
NAR
NATOPREL
NSC
OIIP
OPRC
OTRA
OEXC
OREP
OSCE
OVIP
OPAD
OBSP
OECD
OFFICIALS
OAS
OPDC
ODIP
OPCW
OES
OFDP
OPIC
OCS
OIC
OHUM
OSCI
OVP
ODC
OIE
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFDA
ON
OCII
PREL
PINR
PGOV
PARM
PE
PTER
PHUM
PO
PINS
PREF
PK
PM
POL
PBTS
PNAT
PHSA
PAS
PA
PL
PGIV
PHUMPREL
POGOV
PAK
PEL
PROP
PP
PINL
PBT
PTBS
PG
PINF
PRL
PALESTINIAN
PSEPC
POSTS
PAHO
PHUMPGOV
PGOC
PNR
PREFA
PMIL
POLITICS
POLICY
PROV
PBIO
PREO
PAO
PDOV
PGOF
POV
PCI
PRAM
PSI
POLITICAL
PAIGH
PJUS
PARMS
PROG
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PNG
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
POLINT
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PY
PLN
PHUH
PF
PHUS
PU
PARTIES
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
RU
RS
REGION
REACTION
REPORT
RO
RW
RCMP
RSO
RP
RM
ROOD
RFE
RICE
ROBERT
RSP
RF
RELATIONS
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
RUPREL
SENV
SY
SNAR
SCUL
SP
SF
SW
SOCI
SU
SMIG
SO
SA
SR
SZ
SI
SC
SEVN
SN
STEINBERG
SK
SH
SNARCS
SPCE
SARS
SNARN
SG
SL
SYRIA
SIPRS
SAARC
SNARIZ
SWE
SYR
SEN
SCRS
SAN
ST
SIPDIS
SSA
SPCVIS
SOFA
SENVKGHG
SANC
SHI
SHUM
TU
TSPA
TBIO
TS
TRGY
TINT
TPHY
TN
TW
TH
TZ
TSPL
TP
TBID
TI
TF
TD
TT
TNGD
TL
TC
THPY
TIP
TX
TV
TK
TERRORISM
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TFIN
TAGS
TR
UK
UNSC
UNGA
UNESCO
UNHRC
UP
UN
USTR
US
UNDC
UY
UNICEF
UNDP
UNMIK
UNAUS
UNCHC
UNCSD
USOAS
UNFCYP
UG
UNIDROIT
UNO
UV
UNHCR
UNEP
USEU
UZ
UNCND
USUN
UNCHR
USNC
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNDESCO
UNC
UNPUOS
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 05OTTAWA2107, FY 2005 IVLP EVALUATION: KERRY MCQUARRIE SMITH; JANUARY
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #05OTTAWA2107.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
05OTTAWA2107 | 2005-07-12 19:12 | 2011-04-28 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Ottawa |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 OTTAWA 002107
SIPDIS
STATE FOR ECA/PE/V/R/W - EWILKES-SCOTT
STATE FOR WHA/PDA - JANE CARPENTER-ROCK
STATE FOR WHA/CAN - TERRY BREESE
STATE ALSO FOR H
STATE PASS EPA FOR PETE CHRISTICH
STATE PASS INTERIOR FOR ERIC WILSON
USDA FOR PAULINE SIMMONS AND PRISCILLA JOSEPH
APP WINNIPEG MESSAGE 2005/07
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OEXC PREL CA IV
SUBJECT: FY 2005 IVLP EVALUATION: KERRY MCQUARRIE SMITH; JANUARY
18 - FEBRUARY 4, 2005; STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Ref: [A] STATE 187945, [B] OTTAWA 2291
¶1. Summary: Program evaluation for International Visitor
Leadership Program grantee Kerry McQuarrie Smith. End summary.
¶2. MPP Theme Addressed: Open Markets, Mutual understanding.
Strategic Goal: Economic Prosperity.
¶3. Post Objectives: Learning about the U.S. federal system of
government - overview of federalism; the relationship of states
to the federal government; state-to-state relations; Canada-U.S.
relations
-- Developing an understanding of the roles and responsibilities
of the federal and state governments in areas of shared
jurisdiction including healthcare, energy, and agriculture.
-- Aboriginal self-government (aboriginal groups and their
relationships to other local governments)
-- Understanding the federal-state relationship on environmental
issues - specifically how environmental policy is developed and
enforced in the context of Manitoba's ongoing disputes with North
Dakota over water issues (Devils Lake and the Northwest Area
Water Supply initiative). Specific topics might include water
quality, the interbasin transfer of invasive species and foreign
biota
¶4. Results: McQuarrie Smith found the program very useful both
in terms of her professional development, and her understanding
of U.S. federalism and the decision-making process in the United
States. In particular, McQuarrie Smith said her IVLP gave her a
much better understanding "where the U.S. is coming from" in
developing policy, and how the dynamics within the U.S. federal
system that shape U.S. policy differ from those in Canada. Her
understanding of U.S. federalism was enhanced by a better
understanding of the internal dynamics of the U.S. system and by
seeing the number of different and overlapping levels of
jurisdictional authority (e.g. City, County, regional government,
etc.). Because Canadians are exposed to U.S. culture from a very
early age, many assume they know everything they need to know
about the country. When they spend an extended period of time in
the United States - away from tourist attractions and other
Canadians - they see that the United States does not fit into
their preconceived notions. Post noted that McQuarrie Smith's
understanding of the country and its people has been
significantly altered and enhanced as a result, making her more
closely attuned to the "real" America. We believe the program
has had a profound impact on her views of the United States, and
will make her more sensitive to U.S. interests and concerns as
she begins her ascent through a very promising career in the
Manitoba Government. Although the 3 weeks involved in the IVLP
was a huge time commitment for a busy professional with a young
family, she thoroughly appreciated the experience and said that
she found it to be very useful in her professional development.
McQuarrie Smith complimented organizers on a visit that was
generally well organized, with high-level and useful meetings
with people who were of interest professionally. She also
enjoyed the discussions she had with Americans outside of the
official program that had nothing to do with work. Whether
spending time with her hosts in several of the cities who spoke
frankly about life in the United States, or talking to ordinary
Americans she met in hotels or on the subway, she was surprised
at how willing Americans are to enter into candid discussions
about politics with somebody they barely know. Her travels gave
her the opportunity to meet many people in different walks of
life and she found the experience extremely useful in developing
a better understanding of the American people and the things that
motivate them.
McQuarrie Smith found programming uneven between cities. Her
program in Washington was busy, possibly due to losing a day's
worth of programming time because of the Martin Luther King
holiday - but there were sometimes long gaps between meetings in
the other cities. She would have preferred a busier schedule and
meeting with more people to enhance and maximize her opportunity
to learn about the United States. She also said that she would
have found it useful to do more of the programming in groups, or
as joint sessions with other IVs on Individual programs who
happened to be in the same cities at the same time. She found a
joint session with other IVs in Washington (on U.S. federalism)
very useful, and she believed it would be even more useful for
IVs who are less familiar or comfortable in the United States to
be paired up with others. After the briefing, she enjoyed the
chance to speak with the other participants to compare notes and
talk about their programs. McQuarrie Smith cited this example
from Denver: In her hotel, she met up with an Italian IV and her
ELO. Both McQuarrie Smith and the Italian participant had
requested meetings with the Western Governor's Association, but
only the Italian was successful in getting an appointment. She
certainly understands that the WGA would find it repetitive to do
separate briefing for two IVLPers on the same day, but perhaps
they would have considered doing one joint session with both
participants? Post endorses McQuarrie Smith's call to look at
doing joint programming where possible to reduce the number of
requests we make of busy interlocutors and to enhance the
experience of participants.
McQuarrie Smith noted that she did not meet one person during her
trip who admitted to being a Republican. She found it unusual,
especially since she visited several "red states" and another
(Wisconsin), which is very competitive. She would have found it
useful to get the perspective of those millions of Americans who
identify with the Republican Party.
McQuarrie Smith found the Washington program the busiest and best
organized of the visit. She found the Inauguration and Inaugural
events interesting and useful in understanding the importance of
the presidency in American life, although she said she would like
to visit Washington again sometime when it's not Inauguration
week to get a better sense of how the city normally functions.
She found the security overwhelming, especially at federal
government buildings, but it gave her a better understanding of
Americans' concerns about security post-9/11. She enjoyed
visiting the Smithsonian in her free time, and she identified the
Kermit the Frog exhibit as her favorite.
In Atlanta, McQuarrie Smith found the meetings interesting and
useful, but the schedule was light. She said it was as if they
only had enough programming for one day, but had to stretch it to
cover two. The highlight of Atlanta was her meeting with Kathie
Robichaud at the Research Alliance. McQuarrie Smith appreciated
learning about Georgia's confident approach to the
commercialization of biotechnology which McQuarrie Smith
affectionately referred to as the "build it and they will come"
approach.
McQuarrie Smith found the Denver visit to be the least useful of
her visit. One meeting she identified as being with "an NGO that
distributes needles to the third world" and was not really
applicable to her area of interest, and another with a city
councilor was not particularly useful. She also suffered from a
stomach flu, which limited her involvement in the Ski Day with
her Denver hosts that she was really looking forward to. She
really appreciated the home hospitality she received in Denver,
and said that her hosts and local organizers were all very
gracious.
Upon arrival in Sacramento, McQuarrie Smith learned that the
Executive Director of the local council for International
Visitors had recently resigned, leaving the Intern to set up her
program. Considering the adjustments the Intern had to make at
the last moment to accommodate, McQuarrie Smith was very
impressed with the arrangements that awaited her. The logistical
arrangements in particular were detailed, correct, and useful.
She described the appointments themselves as "up and down". The
meeting with the energy utility turned out not to be that useful,
although she found the meeting with the energy commission to be
quite interesting and helpful in understanding California's
recent history with deregulation. She found some direct
parallels with the discussion over deregulation in Manitoba and
Canada, and learned many lessons from California's experience
that can be applied in the Canadian context. Her meeting with
Governor Schwarzenegger's staff was good - but brief - and she
developed a contact she intends to use in future contact with the
state.
Madison was McQuarrie Smith's favorite city on the visit. Among
the highlights in Madison was her meeting with Professor Richard
Monette at the University of Wisconsin Law School. In what she
identified as the best meeting of her program and the most
applicable to the work she is doing at this point in her career,
McQuarrie Smith had a long and thorough visit with Monette on a
vast array of issues including Native American issues, and the
position of a small Midwestern state in the U.S. federalist
system. They found they shared many common experiences from
their Midwestern backgrounds. McQuarrie Smith also found the
meeting with the State Senator especially useful in understanding
state politics and Wisconsin's involvement in the Midwestern
Legislative Conference, which Manitoba has recently joined.
Although she found the meetings interesting and useful, her
schedule again was somewhat light.
Among the things McQuarrie Smith discovered on her IVLP, she was
surprised to learn that State legislators in Colorado serve part-
time and are paid only $30,000 per year. She contrasts that with
Manitoba where legislators work full-time on behalf of their
constituents, and she was left wondering who represents
Coloradoans the rest of the time. She noted that it limits the
number of people who can afford the time and cost of running for
- and serving in - elected office. Also the role of lobbyists in
policy research and developing position papers differs greatly
from Canada. McQuarrie Smith is a little introverted and
expected to enjoy the issues and learning of the program the
most. She was surprised to discover that the interpersonal part
of the program - both on and off program - gave her the most
pleasure and the most long-lasting and positive memories of her
visit.
McQuarrie Smith developed 6-7 good contacts on her IVLP that she
will keep in touch with; some of whom she has already contacted
and others that she will put in touch with their counterparts in
the Manitoba Government so they can talk directly. Several of
the people she met expressed an interest in visiting Winnipeg,
and she will encourage them to come. She found it useful for her
job to meet so many people and develop a better understanding of
who to talk to in each state to set things up for future visits
by legislators or government officials.
The transportation and logistics for the visit were very good.
With the exception of the domestic flight arrangements - her name
was misspelled on all of them so she had to call program
organizers to get it fixed - the flights, taxis, metro
arrangements all worked out perfectly. She said the hotels were
fine: they were clean and safe, although the renovations at the
hotel in Madison were somewhat inconvenient.
McQuarrie Smith does not really have the type of position where
she can make a public statement about her IVLP. She does plan,
however, to write a full report on her visit and share it with
Manitoba Government officials and she has already shared contact
and other information with colleagues.
¶5. APP WINNIPEG SENDS.