How will this Trump presidency affect Canadians?

Twenty-five percent tariffs could be on the way, and he’s floated the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state.

Leading scholar on Canada/U.S. relations Dr. Asa McKercher with StFX University says tariffs would be economically devastating.

“We do over 80 percent of our trade with the United States. A huge number of jobs are involved with goods going across the border. Tariffs would be highly damaging.” said Dr. McKercher.

He predicts the Canadian government would put their own tariffs in place, and adds that no one wins in a trade war.

Dr. McKercher says there could also be immigration issues.

“Given his intention to deport huge numbers of illegal immigrants, it seems the flow of people north to our country from the United States is going to increase. People not wanting to be deported back to their home country may try to escape to our border.”

He says it remains to be seen if Trump is serious about Canada joining the U.S.

“There have been tensions before, but nothing like this between the two countries. We haven’t seen an American president go out of their way to pick a fight with Canada in over 100 years.”