>>When it first happened, our PM Paul Martin got on the phone with Dubya, and offered whatever help he needed. George thanked Martin and said they didn't need any help yet.
>
>>Still in St. Bernard parish outside of New Orleans, a Canadian relief team showed up in 4 days.
>"If you can get a Canadian team here in four days, U.S. teams should be here faster than that," Stone said. Stone is the fire chief in the area.
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>So you're saying that US refused Canadian's offer of help, but the Canadians showed up anyway.... Both of those events don't sound right. Can a country show up without the permission of the host country?

The government's offer of help was refused. Individuals and independent relief outfits don't necessarily ask for government sanction. They just go where they feel there is a need unless somebody actively stops them.

I doubt John Harvey called Dubya and asked if it was ok for him to get a group together and go down to New Orleans. I could be wrong, and if I am, I imagine John will correct me.