Presumed U.S. Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush issued a strong call for improved U.S.-Canada relations Wednesday during a speech in New Hampshire.

The Washington Post reports that twice during his speech in Portsmouth, the former Florida governor suggested the U.S. relationship with Canada is in need of serious repair and that is time to "stop insulting our neighbour to the north."

Bush told about 60 supporters that it is hard to imagine how the U.S. could have a bad relationship with Canada, but this (Obama) administration has managed to do it.

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He added that U.S.-Canada friction is not just focused on disagreements over construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline "across the board" but did not elaborate.

The newspaper quoted Bush as saying "our neighbourhood should come first" and the United States needs to establish stronger relations with its largest trading partner, strongest ally and the country the U.S. "can count on to be our partner in establishing a safer world."

Bush also suggested, according to a tweet posted by a Boston Globe reporter, that he wants to see Prime Minister Stephen Harper re-elected.

Asked later what he would do during his first 100 days in the Oval Office, Bush listed several items, including "going to Canada."

Bush has raised concerns with the U.S.-Canadian relationship previously before during a March visit to New Hampshire and during a town hall meeting on energy policy in Denver in April.