The latest developments on U.S. President Joe Biden’s visit to Ottawa
The Ukrainian ambassador to Canada, as well as ambassadors from the European Union and other G7 countries are also on the guest list for the address – as are a Ukrainian immigrant to Canada and workers from several Canadian companies, including steel giant Dofasco and rare earth mining company Cheetah Resources.
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10:05 a.m
Two Virginia university students jogging in front of the State Houses had no idea their President was in town and were unfazed by the heavy police presence.
The two men were more interested in taking photos of the architecture than catching a glimpse of their president.
They declined to give their names but expressed anger that the security detail prompted them to change their scenic running route.
An hour before the President is due to arrive on Parliament Hill, the area remains deserted.
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9:48 a.m
Karla Marcel is visiting Ottawa from the Czech Republic, and while her trip coincides with the President’s visit, she has another man on her mind: her son.
Even though Biden is right around the corner from her, Karla says she’s here to see her son Marcel Marcel play hockey.
She says she has no plans to catch a glimpse of Biden as her country’s president is much younger. She adds that it feels like any other “normal” day.
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9:35 a.m
Sparks Street, the pedestrian walkway that runs parallel to Wellington Street and Parliament Hill, was quiet this morning ahead of US President Joe Biden’s arrival.
Some shops along the tourist-frequented street have chosen not to open pending their street closure later in the day
An Ottawa Bike Cafe employee says it’s “not really” exciting to work today, despite the pomp and circumstance surrounding Biden’s visit.
She says it feels like any other day: a slow start for morning clients.
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9:30 am
Canada and the United States have already agreed in principle to tighten immigration rules, which have led to a surge in the number of people slipping across their shared border to seek asylum in Canada.
The rules currently allow any country to reject asylum seekers from outside the US or Canada who attempt to apply at an official entry point.
The changes would also extend these rules to unofficial crossings.
A draft regulation published today in the US Federal Register detailing the proposed “supplement” to the existing Safe Third Country Agreement, as it is known, said it would come into effect on Saturday.
This amendment, known as the “2022 Supplemental Protocol,” would “extend the application of the STCA … to persons transiting between the official (points of entry) along the common U.S.-Canada border, including certain bodies of water.” “
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9:05 a.m
A strong security presence is stationed around Parliament Hill, including the Mounties, Parliamentary Protection Service and local police ahead of US President Joe Biden’s visit.
Dozens of officers line Wellington Street in front of Parliament Hill, which has been closed to most vehicles since last winter’s Freedom Convoy protests, and nearby intersections.
Members of the public wishing to enter Parliament Hill and visit the Centennial Flame will be directed to a security tent prior to entry.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on March 24, 2023.
The Canadian Press