(image credit - Canadian Press)

By Michael Reeve

CANADA VOTES 2025

Election Issues 2025: Canada, USA relations

Apr 23, 2025 | 4:24 PM

KAMLOOPS — When the writ was first dropped four weeks ago, one topic was dominating the race: U.S tariffs and a burgeoning trade war with Canada’s closest ally.

The threat seemingly spring boarded the Liberals back atop the polls, a position they have yet to surrender with the election less than a week away.

Kamloops riding candidates were asked — “What is your leader’s plan to deal with the U.S president?”

After the early writ period domination, it’s been all quiet on the southern flank. Nonetheless, voters are headed to the polls with Donald Trump’s threats firmly in their minds.

“Right now, we have an opportunity to go Canadian and part of going Canadian we have the ability to developing regional manufacturing, or regional business. And then really as your MP, I would be advocating for local manufacturing in whatever way that we can fill this need here. And then increased infrastructure for transfer of good across Canada,” Miguel Godau, NDP candidate in Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola says.

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The People’s Party of Canada (PPC) stands out from the rest on the U.S file, more willing to negotiate with Trump and put everything on the table than their counterparts.

“We would like free trade, plain and simple. I don’t think we can win a trade war with the U.S. They are just such large economic entity, so we would be long to negotiate right from the get go,” Michael Henry, PCC candidate in Kamloops-Shuswap-Central Rockies says.

‘A nice lady, who I wouldn’t mess around with,’ is how leader Elizabeth May was described as the Kamloops Green Party outlined their plans for U.S relations.

“We are going to be strong in our approach and build a nation around projects,” Owen Madden, Kamloops-Shuswap-Central Rockies Green candidate says. “We would argue projects based on electrons, not fossil fuels, like a power grid right from west to east in the country. How about some high-speed rail in the country. There are some lovely nation-building projects that we can engage in, and I have to thank the Trump administration for bringing that drive to this country. It was a wakeup call.”

The Conservatives believe the U.S administration wants to push economic havoc on Canadians, saying they will respond with counter tariffs, while increasing natural resource exports.

“Because where are those places getting their energy from, Qatar and Russia, places that don’t respect the rule of law… that don’t respect human rights and places that aren’t using Canadian products,” Frank Caputo, Conservative incumbent in Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola says. “So by unleashing our natural resources we will wean ourselves off dependency to the United States and focus on what we can do here. I believe it’s a prudent plan, it’s a well thought out plan and it’s one I believe in.”

The Liberals meanwhile are campaigning on Trump’s easing of negative rhetoric towards the nation, crediting Mark Carney in calming the waters.

“Canada will take that lead when it comes to not just dealing locally here in North America, but globally as well. (Carney) already went to Europe in regards to our old alliances, but we need to establish new trade routes within Asia of course, so that we can get our good products out,” Ken Robertson, Liberal candidate in Kamloops-Shuswap-Central Rockies says.

Election day is Monday April 28.

More election issues will be discussed this week, and tomorrow candidates will be asked about their party’s plan for the environment file.

Monday’s topic was affordability, and Tuesday’s story was on housing.