OTTAWA - In a speech to Canada’s House of Commons Wednesday, President Barack Obama called on Canada to do more for NATO and seemed to suggest Canada should spend more on defence.

The speech was an honour accorded the soon-to-retire U.S. president by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“I could not be more honoured to join you in this historic hall, this cathedral of freedom,” Obama said as he began a 45-minute speech.

Obama was the first U.S. president to speak to the House of Commons since Bill Clinton in 1995 and just the 8th U.S. president in history to do so.

And while Obama had many glowing things to say about Trudeau and the Canada-United States relationship, it was his remarks on defence that stood out for he was, in essence, calling out both Trudeau’s government and its predecessor, the Harper government, for failing to live up to its NATO commitments on defence spending.

“As your ally and as your friend, we’ll be more secure when every NATO member, including Canada, contributes its full share to our common security,” Obama said.

“The Canadian Armed Forces are really good and if I can borrow a phrase, the world needs more Canada. NATO needs more Canada. We need you.”

Trudeau will meet with NATO allies later this month in Poland.

Obama also singled out Alberta Premier Rachel Notley by name for her province’s work to fight climate change.

Notley, one of five premiers present in the House of Commons for the speech, was clearly moved to hear Obama’s praise. She smiled broadly, gave him a thumbs up and was given a standing ovation by all present.

And though he did not mention Stephen Harper by name, Obama praised the former prime minister’s government for “its indispensable role” in hosting American’s negotiations with Cuba.

Harper was not in the House of Commons to hear the speech but it was packed with just about every other MP, many senators, and even some celebrities like members of the Tragically Hip, Nelly Furtado and actress Megan Follows.

The main theme of Obama’s speech was a defence of open borders and free trade, a theme that seemed to be addressed as much to a European audience and its post-Brexit future or to an American electorate who might be considering to vote for Donald Trump for president.

Trump is campaigning to kill NAFTA if elected President, building a wall to keep Mexicans out and, while he changed his mind this week, spoke for a time of banning Muslims from America.

Obama praised Canada’s “values of pluralism and decency”, gave a passionate defence of free trade ,and said “the world has been inspired by Canadians” for their generosity towards Syrian refugees.

“The partnership between the U.S. and Canada shows us the path we need to travel.”