right now (10:00 am, est), president o is flying to the city of o

from cbc's website:

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Obama's itinerary:

10:30 a.m.

• Arrives at the Ottawa International Airport.
• Greeted by Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean.

11:40 a.m.

• Motorcade arrives on Parliament Hill.
• Short welcoming ceremony at the Centre Block rotunda with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
• Private meeting with Harper and staff.

12:05 p.m.

• Press photo opportunity with Obama and Harper in the prime minister's office.

12:10 p.m.

• Obama meets with Harper and officials.

12:55 p.m.

• Lunch in Senate Speaker's dining room.

2:40 p.m.

• Obama and Harper walk down Parliament's Hall of Honour to the reading room.
• Photo opportunity.

2:45 p.m.

• Joint Obama-Harper news conference; two questions from Canadian reporters (English and French), two questions from American reporters.
• After the news conference, the two leaders walk down the Hall of Honour to view the Library of Parliament.

3:40 p.m.

• Motorcade departs Centre Block for Ottawa International Airport.

4 p.m.

• Obama arrives at the airport.
• Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff to meet with him for about 20 minutes.

4:30 p.m.

• Approximate departure time for Obama aboard Air Force One.

(Source: Prime Minister's Office)

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here are the most recommended comments on this event on cbc by 10:15 AM this morning:

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I think it's fantastic that the new United States President decided to make our country his first international visit, so shortly after being inaugurated.

True, it is costly, but the value of the trade and business that will be possible because of gains we, as a country, will make after this visit far exceed the costs of security, logistics, etc.

I am always surprised at the pettiness of my fellow citizens.

Welcome to Canada, Mr President.

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I honestly don't see what all the hype about this guy is. He's American, we're Canadian.

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How much will this cost us tax payers?????????

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I don’t understand the “cult” mentality of these Obama supporters. It’s amazing to me that they are so in love with someone they don’t know. I mean these people are insane. They can’t think on their own, they don’t have any idea what he stands for, all these robots hear is that he’s “For Change”, what change, change for whom ? change of what? They just don’t know

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I heard it is going to cost about 12 million to have Obama stay for 7 hours. Why don't we send Mr.Harper to Washinton instead... we could use the 12 mill with the recession and all.

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me? i'm totally surprised by how surly and negative canadians are about president o's visit. maybe due to the recession people are in bad moods? i don't know...