In some respects we Canadians are obsessed with America. Ninety percent of us live within a hundred miles of the U.S. border-I call it our "sunbelt." As a result we've always been subjected to American influences.

Roy Norton heads the Canadian Consulate General, which promotes Canadian interests such as trade, investment, culture, and academic relations. The office also provides consular, passport, visa and immigration services.

Previously Norton served at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., as Minister of Congressional, Public and Intergovernmental Relations, where he was responsible for the Canadian government's relations with the U.S. Congress.