Canadian politicians, VIPs gather in Washington to mark Trump inauguration

Canadian politicians will be in Washington Friday for the inauguration of president-elect Donald Trump and hob nob at an exclusive bash to celebrate Canada-U.S relations.

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr and Andrew Leslie, the new parliamentary secretary to the minister of foreign affairs, will attend events at the Canadian Embassy and around Washington.

The embassy is hosting an invitation-only inauguration tailgate and parade-viewing event with about 1,800 guests from diplomatic, political, government and business circles.

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Canada has a prime spot for the action, having the only embassy between Capitol Hill and the White House, and the only one located on the presidential inaugural parade route along Pennsylvania Avenue.

A brunch hosted by Canada's Ambassador to the U.S. David MacNaughton will follow on the sixth floor of the embassy.

The Canadian Embassy has hosted an inauguration event for every incoming president since 1989, and this year's will also be an opportunity to showcase 150 years of collaboration and friendship between the two countries, according to information provided by Global Affairs Canada.

Poutine, tourtière, Tim Hortons on menu

Guests will be treated to Canadian cuisine, including poutine, British Columbia salmon, Canadian sirloin, and tourtière. BeaverTails and beverages from Tim Hortons and Molson will also be served. 

A Jumbotron and several screens will allow guests to watch the day's events and news coverage unfold. There will also be a photo booth and a media video wall for guests.

The RCMP confirmed officers in red serge will also be at the embassy event.

A news release from Global Affairs Canada called it "an important occasion on which to build ties and reaffirm these shared interests."

"The United States has no closer friend, partner and ally than Canada, and we look forward to working closely with the new U.S. administration and with the U.S. Congress," reads a statement from Freeland.

"Our two countries enjoy a historic, time-tested and close friendship, whether on trade or security co-operation. Our integrated economies will continue to provide the basis for shared prosperity, driving middle-class growth on both sides of the border."

Speaking on CBC News Network's Power & Politics, MacNaughton said trade is the number 1 issue on the agenda for bilateral relations. He recently met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to discuss a range of issues, including NAFTA, harmonizing regulations, joint border infrastructure initiatives and cyber security.

"When you've got an $800-billion economic relationship, there's lots of good things to talk about," he told host Rosemary Barton.

Conservatives attend events

Interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose is also in Washington this week, meeting with congressional leaders, MacNaughton and others. She will also attend the embassy event.

Randy Hoback, the critic for Canada-U.S. relations, and Pierre Paul-Hus, vice-chair of the NATO Parliamentary Association have also joined Ambrose in Washington.

No NDP MPs are in D.C. for the events, but party president Marit Stiles is in the capital to take part in the Women's March on Washington that will take place Saturday, the day after the inauguration.

"This is a march about issues important to women and men on both sides of the border," she said. "It's important to stand up for rights and respect no matter who the president is, but especially with this president."

Stiles, whose parents left the U.S. for Newfoundland during the Vietnam war, has many family members still living south of the border.