One of the most divisive U.S. elections in recent memory, Americans head to the polls in a presidential race that with ripple effects worldwide, including in Canada.
Unlike Canadians, Americans vote directly for their resident, this year choosing between Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, Republican Donald Trump, or a third-party candidate.
The candidates spent the last days of the campaign giving their final pitches to voters in battleground states. Trump hosted rallies in Raleigh, N.C., Reading and Pittsburgh, Pa., on Monday, before heading to Grand Rapids, Mich., for his final campaign event. Harris also spent election eve in Pennsylvania, hosting campaign events in Allentown, Pittsburgh and finally, Philadelphia to close out the night.
A Leger poll revealed that 64 per cent of Canadians would choose Harris over Trump if they had the opportunity to vote in the 2024 U.S. election.
This preference reflects Canadians’ belief that Harris is better equipped to address critical issues such as climate change, trade relations, immigration, and the economy.
The term historic has been synonymous with the U.S. election this year, and here’s why.
Harris could become the first woman U.S. President and the first President of South Asian descent, while Trump could be only the second to win non-consecutive terms and the first elected after a criminal conviction.
Another historic first if Harris wins, Doug Emhoff could become the country’s first “First Gentleman” and the first Jewish spouse of a president, according to a report published by ABC News.
This year’s U.S. election could also result in several historic firsts in the Senate and House of Representatives, particularly in areas of equality and 2SLGBTQ+ rights.
The divisive U.S. election race has given the spotlight to two candidates on opposite ends of the spectrum, whose political views could impact the future of Canada.
Experts speaking to Yahoo Canada expect another Trump presidency to spark “potentially seismic” shifts in the relationship between the countries, impacting the collective social fabric of Canada’s policy, as well as potentially sparking a recession.
A potential Harris presidency isn’t expected to inspire the same tumult, though experts believe it won’t be a “free ride,” with pushback in Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) negotiations, as well as an urgency to improve defence spending.
A Harris win could also put pressure on Canada’s Liberals to freshen their image, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s popularity sinks.
Canada’s shared history and 8,891-kilometre border with the U.S. won’t shield it from the election’s impact. While both candidates have proposed protectionist policies, experts warn that if the Republican leader wins, relations between the neighbouring countries could become significantly more challenging.
