The American election results weren’t far from the minds of Conservative Party leadership hopefuls Wednesday.
The leadership candidates were in Saskatoon at a North Saskatoon Business Association luncheon hours before the candidates’ first debate. Much of the conversation had to do with new president-elect Donald Trump’s position on NAFTA.
“I think that it is a very big threat to Canada. To make it very clear, we are a trading nation. NAFTA has been very good,” said Deepak Obhrai, Alberta MP.
Saskatchewan MP Andrew Scheer said he’s worried about Trump’s trade views, and thinks Canada should be creating more deals, not eliminating the ones we already have.
“That should concern every Canadian. We need those borders to remain open. We need our goods and services flowing,” said Scheer.
The other Conservative Party candidate from Saskatchewan offered a different perspective.
“This could be an opportunity for Canada. NAFA’s going to be reopened,” said Brad Trost, Saskatchewan MP. “Instead of worrying about the problems, we could see what we could do to expand trade with the United States.”
Ontario MP Kellie Leitch celebrated the victory.
“One of the things that I have been talking about during the leadership (race) has been screening at the border (and) doing face-to-face interviews for people that are coming to Canada on Canadian values,” said Leitch. “This is an issue and something important to Mr. Trump.”
Several party hopefuls also highlighted Trump’s position on the Keystone XL Pipeline, saying it would help resource-driven provinces like Saskatchewan.
