Public Safety Minister Vic Toews speaks during a press conference on border security in Winnipeg. (Brian Donogh/QMI Agency)

OTTAWA - It's business as usual for Canada, even as the U.S. looks to its closest ally for help "to counter Iran's growing hostile presence and activity in the Western Hemisphere."

U.S. President Barack Obama recently signed a bill that calls on American officials to get Canadian and Mexican input over the next six months to help assess Iran's growing terrorist, criminal and diplomatic presence in Central and South America, and develop a plan to counter it.

A spokeswoman for Public Safety Minister Vic Toews says Canada was helping the U.S. on these issues even before Obama signed the new bill.

"Canada's position on the regime in Iran is well-known," Julie Carmichael wrote in an e-mail to QMI Agency.