Both Canada and the White House are dismissing the suggestion by a U.S. Republican presidential candidate that building a security wall along the lengthy U.S.-Canadian border ought to be considered.
With Republican presidential contenders calling for tough measures against illegal immigrants crossing the 3,200-kilometer southern U.S. border with Mexico, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker said Sunday that a northern wall on the U.S.-Canadian border is a "legitimate issue for us to look at."
But Canadian Defense Minister Jason Kenney said the relatively open 8,900-kilometer border, the world's longest between two countries, is key for extensive U.S.-Canada trade deals. He said Canada would "vigorously oppose any thickening of the border."
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said, "The U.S. has a very strong national security relationship with Canada." He said the two countries "cooperate on a wide variety of issues. There are actually Canadian military personnel involved inside Iraq with our effort there."
Earnest added, "That cooperation also extends to border security."