How Donald Trump’s Proposed Economic Policies and Populist Rhetoric Could Affect the Economy and Immigration in Canada

Uncertain times lie ahead for both Americans and Canadians now that Donald Trump has been elected President of the United States. Trump has promised drastic changes to both the economic and social systems in the United States.

While some applaud his approach to economics and immigration, many others are terrified of what these changes could bring. Many Canadians are anxiously waiting to see what Trump will do as president, because the changes he brings to economic and social policies will both directly and indirectly affect Canada.

As the neighbours to the north of the U.S., we will wait to see what happens. At this point, we can only hope that our country will stay in good hands and that Canada’s immigration laws won’t be negatively influenced by Trump’s anti-immigration policies.

A recent article from The Argus, a Lakehead University newspaper, discusses what Trump’s presidency could mean for Canada. According to an interview with Dr. Syed Islam, the former chair of Lakehead University’s Political Science Department, Canada’s outlook is undetermined.

Trump’s announcement that he will withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership may not be a bad thing for Canada’s economy. However, Trump’s threat to repeal the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is almost guaranteed to harm us from an economic perspective.

Dr. Islam also mentions that Trump’s populist rhetoric is unlikely to have the same effect in Canada as it has in the U.S. since we are a much smaller population with better economic and social systems. Although some Canadians may share the same negative sentiments as those who voted for Trump, our employment rates are higher, so our population does not hold as much resentment towards outsourcing blue collar jobs.

If Trump follows through with his anti-immigrant policies, then we will see an influx of immigration to Canada, since many Americans, especially visible minorities and recent immigrants, may no longer feel welcome in the U.S. Canadians may even have difficulties visiting the U.S. if Trump tightens border policies.

However, as long as we have a socially progressive leader in Canada, we have less to worry about concerning Trump’s immigration policies and its impact in Canada. Our country has distinguished itself, particularly in the past year, in embracing refugees and contributing to overcome the global refugee crisis. We need to maintain that perspective and continue working on ways to strengthen diversity and accept all immigrants into our country, which in turn has a positive impact on Canada’s immigration system and enhances future immigration to Canada.