President Barack Obama's close friendship with the incoming U.S. ambassador to Canada has Canadian politicians optimistic that the appointment will improve American-Canadian relations.
The White House gave David Jacobson, a Chicago lawyer and close adviser to President Barack Obama, the new post on Thursday after weeks of speculation.
The Prime Minister's Office is looking forward to working with Jacobson once his appointment has been confirmed, said Kory Teneycke, spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
"It's always positive to have an ambassador who has a strong relationship with the president and certainly that would seem to be the case," he told The Canadian Press. "So we're pleased and we're looking forward to working together."
Bob Rae, the Liberal foreign affairs critic, agreed.
"His close relationship with the president will ensure a good and active dialogue on the key issues that face us both."
The 57-year-old is currently working as a special assistant in the Office of Presidential Personnel, where he's helping Obama fill dozens of vacant administration posts.
As many senior Obama cabinet appointees have had to step aside because of past tax issues, the administration has been careful to do extensive vetting of its would-be ambassadors to avoid any further embarrassments.
Obama announced his pick for Canada along with other appointments for Mexico, Saudi Arabia and South Africa on Thursday.
"I am grateful that these individuals will help represent our nation abroad during this important time for our country and the world," Obama, who was in Egypt on Thursday to deliver a speech, said in a statement.
"They bring a depth of experience and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come."
The appointment still needs to be approved by the U.S. Senate, but there is little indication they will reject Jacobson.
The ambassador's office has been empty since David Wilkins, a close ally of George W. Bush, left the posting only hours before Obama was inaugurated in January.
Jacobson has also served as the deputy finance chairman for Obama's run for the White House.
According to the White House website, Jacobson has 30 years experience in areas of commercial, class action, securities, insurance and business law.
Jacobson lobbied for the job and considers it to be a "plum" posting, according to a source close to the Obama administration who spoke to The Canadian Press.
Jacobson's appointment is good news for Canada and will serve the office well because he has a close working relationship with Obama, according to Fen Hampson, an international affairs expert at Carlton University.
Obama has appointed someone who has worked together with him on a day-to-day basis and who he's very close with, Hampson told CTV's Power Play from Ottawa.
"That's exactly what you want in an ambassadorial appointment: someone who has the president's ear, and is going to be able to take his message to Washington."
With the wide range of complex trade and border issues shared by the two nations, Hampson said the position is a critical diplomatic post.
Relations have been strained recently between the U.S. and Canada because of the so-called Buy American provisions contained in the president's economic stimulus package.
Industry Minister Tony Clement was in Washington recently to complain that the provision is increasing the amount of Canadian firms being shut out of the U.S. marketplace.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper aims re-negotiate NAFTA in order to remove protectionist policies adopted by some state governments -- an effort that will be helped by a well-connected ambassador to Washington.
"Having someone who can get the attention of the White House -- because you need the White House as your principal ally -- dealing with that 800-pound gorilla, the American Congress . . . is a terrific appointment," said Hampson.
