Ontario Premier Says Canada Shares U.S. Outrage Over Iran

"Canadians share your outrage and shock over events in Iran and are utterly opposed to the occupation of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union," the Hon. William G. Davis, premier of Ontario, told an audience of 300 at the Kennedy School Forum yesterday afternoon.

Canada supports American plans to boycott the Olympics and contain Soviet expansionism, the long-time Conservative premier of Canada's largest province said, adding that "Canadians and Americans stand together in their rejection of international lawlessness and the trampling of individual and collective freedom."

Davis cited Canadian success in securing the release of six Americans stranded in Tehran as an example of "the common decency we share as civilized nations."

Davis, touring several American cities, then endorsed Canadian Prime Minister Joe Clark, a fellow Conservative running for re-election in the national election on February 18.

He said he refuses to negotiate with the Quebec government, which is seeking a mandate from Quebecois to negotiate political independence, and regrets that Quebec sees independence as the sole means to safeguard its unique French culture.

Davis said he expects new stresses on the Canadian federation as the resource-rich Western provinces experience increased economic prosperity.

Davis shifted his comments to the inequities in the Canadian-U.S. relations, criticizing the 'Buy American' policy because it prevents Canadian companies from competing with American companies.

American tax policy discourages American institutions from holding their conventions in Canada, which Davis said places artificial barriers on the natural growth of tourism.

The mutual interests of Canada and the U.S. should not be hampered by economic or non-economic barriers. Davis said.