The Canada-based Fraser Institute says recent trade disputes over lumber and mad cow disease dragged on "primarily because Canada had no political capital with the White House that it could call on to help diffuse the disputes."

Report author Alexander Moens, a senior fellow with the research group, said Fraser Institute, said in a news release Thursday the Canadian government "should be working with the U.S. to reach a comprehensive agreement on security measures and a shared border to ensure we have continued access to the U.S. market."

The report, Canadian American Relations in 2007, said changes in governments on both sides of the border offer an opportunity to revive the bilateral relationship and co-operation that has traditionally existed between Canada and the United States.