Canada is Obama's first stop

Labourers are working full tilt outside the White House setting up for president-elect Barack Obama's inauguration January 20th in Washington DC. Photo by Kate Adams.

Following presidential tradition Canada will be the first official international trip Barack Obama will make as US President.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office confirmed Saturday that Obama has accepted the invitation to come to Canada after his swearing in, but the dates and itinerary details are not available at this time.

Four of the last seven U.S. presidents have chosen Canada for their first international trip, however, George W. Bush didn't instead he headed to Mexico instead of Canada for his first international visit in 2001. Many Canadians viewed Bush's trip to Mexico as a snub because Canada is America's biggest trading partner.

Obama’s visit will help define the Canada-U.S. relationship during his years in the White House.

Below is the news release from the Prime Minister's Office confirming the visit:

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Obama visit to Canada

OTTAWA - We have been in close contact with president-elect Obama’s transition team.

We can confirm that the president-elect has accepted the prime minister’s invitation to visit Canada soon after he is inaugurated.

This will be President Obama’s first foreign visit.

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