The 2024 U.S. presidential election is predicted to be some of the essential in fashionable historical past, with outcomes that would transform each the home and worldwide panorama.
American voters' selections in regards to the two main candidates – present Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump – will reverberate all over the world and affect financial coverage, social justice actions and worldwide relations.
As “tradition wars” rage on either side of the border, we spoke to Dr. Terri Givens, professor of political science at UBC (she/her) about how politicians in each international locations outline their variations and what potential influence U.S. coverage might have on Canada.
What challenges do present U.S. politics and economics pose to equality throughout North America?
In each the US and Canada, rising inequality is influencing debates about racial justice, gender equality and minority rights. Left-wing politicians advocate for minority rights, whereas conservatives typically argue that this assist might have a damaging influence on the bulk. Amid these debates, monetary pressures are rising, main firms in each international locations to reduce their range initiatives. Universities are additionally feeling the pressure resulting from lowered state and regional funding and a decline in worldwide pupil enrollment. As their sources shrink, funding for initiatives supporting BIPOC school, college students, and employees could also be lowered.
How may U.S. debates over immigration coverage influence Canada?
Within the US, the main target is on safety. This additionally performed a job within the Canadian authorities's dealing with of relations with China and in supporting U.S. coverage within the Center East. A Trump administration could be hostile to migrants, as Trump has referred to as for large deportations that will decimate many elements of the U.S. economic system, together with agriculture. Though Harris has referred to as for elevated border safety, her administration would doubtless proceed to welcome immigrants and search to ease visa necessities.
Immigration reform and stricter border controls are bipartisan points within the US wherein each events present nice curiosity. It’s doubtless that some type of immigration laws will likely be handed no matter who wins the election. There may be little distinction between the events, though Republicans have been extra vocal.
A Trump administration might have catastrophic penalties, together with stress on Canada to simply accept migrants fleeing deportation in the US. The Canadian authorities will likely be challenged to seek out new methods to cooperate with the US, significantly on safety.
What about indigenous rights and environmental issues?
The Biden administration has taken a number of key actions to indicate assist for indigenous communities, from electing the primary Native American Cupboard secretary, Deb Haaland, to restoring nationwide monuments supposed to guard lands which might be sacred to many indigenous communities is. Given the actions of the primary Trump administration, it isn’t an exaggeration to imagine that indigenous rights will likely be ignored if Trump is re-elected. Trump is keen on releasing up land for oil exploration regardless that the US is already producing massive quantities of oil. These strikes might affect public sentiment in Canada to additionally improve oil manufacturing, which might adversely have an effect on the setting and indigenous rights.
Might Canada be experiencing challenges to girls's well being rights like we see in the US?
The US election may very well be one other blow to girls's rights and bodily autonomy. Not simply if Trump wins, but additionally on the state stage as many state legislatures move restrictive legal guidelines that hurt not solely girls's well being however healthcare generally as docs and nurses select to maneuver to different states throughout Healthcare employees there are briefly provide all over the place.
A Trump victory or a big improve in assist for Republican candidates on the state stage might encourage extra conservative candidates in Canada to take stronger positions which might be extra prone to stoke concern than assist for underrepresented communities. However, we might see a rejection of the politics of concern if Harris is elected and supported by a majority in Congress.
*Dr. Givens is not going to be out there for interviews after October 30th. She is going to participate in a web-based interview Panel dialogue after the election To be offered on November 7 by UBC alumni and the UBC College of Arts.