Newmarket resident Laura Bradford said the U.S. election can be emotional, even for those in Canada.
Watching the results roll in from Wild Wing on Leslie Street in Newmarket, Bradford said people share anxiety and excitement.
But for Bradford and many watching together that night, the U.S. election did not have the result they had hoped for, with Republican Donald Trump winning the presidency.
“All of us have watched Trump over the years. Almost like watching a car accident, and I think we’re really nervous about the impact (on) Canada,” Bradford said. “I’m worried about a Trump presidency and what that means internationally.”
Newmarkets gathered for an informal watch party held by Newmarket-Aurora Liberal candidate Jennifer McLachlan Nov. 5. Locals there and beyond watched the results unfold, with Trump taking an early lead and maintaining it for a sweeping victory.
Elizabeth Sabille said she is very interested in the election and has been following it closely.
“I see it as being important to Canada, as well, depending on who becomes president tonight,” Sabille said, adding she was supporting Kamala Harris. “If Trump gets in, then they’ll (Canadians) have a lot of problems with tariffs and relationships between the two countries.”
Trump has proposed to put tariffs on all imported goods, which could have significant ramifications for Canada, with the two countries having billions in trade between each other.
York University school of public policy and administration professor Thomas Klassen said like many Canadians, the election result was not one he hoped for. But he said Canada has some added readiness for another Trump administration.
"The good news is that Trump’s been in office before, so we as Canadians, have some sense what to expect," Klassen said, adding Trump also has not made any promises to upend free trade agreements.
Regarding tariffs, Klassen said there could be more trade battles. Canada could try to respond in kind, but it is ultimately a smaller partner, he said.
"Canada’s trade with the U.S. is actually crucial for our economy. Anything that is going to reduce trade or make Canadian products more expensive in the U.S. is bad for Canada," Klassen said, but added there would be lobbying prior to proposed changes. "We'll see how that turns out."
A Trump presidency could also turn out better for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's electoral fortunes in some ways, Klassen said. He said if there is instability, voters could be less willing to make change, and Trudeau could potentially run on having dealt with Trump before.
Regardless, Klassen said the world has had some preparation for this outcome.
“The world and Canada, we survived the first Trump administration and that makes us collectively better prepared for the second one,” Klassen said, adding Trump has not targeted Canada in the way he has countries like China. “I would say I’m optimistic.”
Newmarket resident Gaelen Brockington watched the election unfold at Wild Wing.
He said the media can build up U.S. politics to be very scary, but it can be broken down into simpler policies.
“You’re just happy that you’re Canadian and you can just kind of complain about it in the morning with no repercussions,” Brockington said.
He added it does stand to impact Canada and trade relationships, but probably not to a job-ending extent.
“The media builds it up…Are we all going to lose our jobs? " Klassen said. "Or is it just going to be a bit of negotiation like when he was in office last time, and everyone still had their job."
