Given recent news in Canada-US relations, here is a timely piece making the email rounds. Courtesy of Rick Mercer Colin Mochrie in character as Anthony St. George from This Hour Has 22 Minutes on CBC Television, here is a public apology to the United States on behalf of all Canadians:

On behalf of Canadians everywhere I’d like to offer an apology to the United States of America. We haven’t been getting along very well recently and for that, I am truly sorry.

I’m sorry we called George Bush a moron. He is a moron but it wasn’t nice of us to point it out. If it’s any consolation, the fact that he’s a moron shouldn’t reflect poorly on the people of America. After all it’s not like you actually elected him.

I’m sorry about our softwood lumber. Just because we have more trees than you doesn’t give us the right to sell you lumber that’s cheaper and better than your own.

I’m sorry we beat you in Olympic hockey. In our defence I guess our excuse would be that our team was much, much, much, much better than yours.

I’m sorry we burnt down your white house during the war of 1812. I notice you’ve rebuilt it! It’s Very Nice.

I’m sorry about your beer. I know we had nothing to do with your beer but we Feel your Pain.

I’m sorry about our waffling on Iraq. I mean, when you’re going up against a crazed dictator, you wanna have your friends by your side. I realize it took more than two years before you guys pitched in against Hitler, but that was different. Everyone knew he had weapons.

And finally on behalf of all Canadians, I’m sorry that we’re constantly apologizing for things in a passive-aggressive way, which is really a thinly veiled criticism. I sincerely hope that you’re not upset over this.

We’ve seen what you do to countries you get upset with.

Thank you.

Rick Mercer

For 22 Minutes, I’m Anthony St. George, and I’m sorry.

Update: I have since corrected the above, which was in reality delivered by Colin Mochrie. I have not added in the missing pieces of the apology, but you can view them on Snopes.com (via Boost Ventilator). Alternatively, you can view the RealVideo video.