As the reality of a Donald Trump presidency starts to set in, many Canadians seem relieved that they are merely watching American politics from north of the border. But a Trump presidency, like all American presidencies, will have far-reaching effects on us, and Canadians should be aware of that.
Our relationship with America is vital to both the Canadian economy and the well-being of the Canadian people. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will have to deal with potentially re-negotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement soon, along with a slew of other policies. Trudeau has been criticized for responding to Trump’s victory diplomatically, but it’s important to remember that he needs to ensure the Canadian-American relationship stays strong.
Moreover, Trump’s views are not isolated, and they are not exclusive to the United States—the rise of anti-Semitic graffiti in Ottawa alone since the election can prove that. By minimizing his impact, we risk a similar situation happening in our country. Already, politicians like Conservative leadership candidate Kellie Leitch have praised Trump’s win, and suggested something similar needs to occur in Canada, too.
The time for joking about Trump is over. We need to widen our perspectives, figure out how to deal with a Trump presidency, and look at what we can do to ensure something similar doesn’t happen again—or in Canada.
