OTTAWA, Ont. — Alliance Leader Stephen Harper says the federal Liberals should follow the example set by former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.

Harper contends the boy from Baie-Comeau always seemed to have Washington’s ear when it came to matters of Free Trade.

“Under Mr. Mulroney, Canada-U.S. relations were infinitely better than they are now. He understood that … the United States is our closest neighbor, our best ally, our biggest customer and our most consistent friend.”

Harper’s remarks were made in the House of Commons just hours after Prime Minister Jean Chretien admitted he had failed to get assurances from U.S. President George W. Bush in their meeting addressing American protectionist policies including the re-introduction of crippling softwood lumber tariffs.

Chretien says he was “very forceful” with Bush who, in turn, blamed Congress for the logjam.