Vernon-area MP concerned about Trump presidency

Nov 9, 2016 | 4:21 PM

VERNON — Canadians have joined others from around the world in their surprise that Trump was victorious.

There is concern over his comments to reverse NAFTA and his view on climate change.

North Okanagan-Shuswap Conservative MP Mel Arnold isn’t sure what affect Trump may have though on Canada-U.S. relations.

“I think its early to tell on that.  Donald Trump was only one member elected last night.  He is the President, but there are a lot of other members that were elected.  It will be a little bit of time I think before we see which direction that’s going to take us.”

Arnold does worry about Trump’s campaign promise he wants NAFTA renegotiated or eliminated.

“Whether they’ll go down the path that he had sometimes stated, or as I’ve heard of late, he wants to renegotiate it.  Well, re-negotiating can be fairly minor or fairly major.  It all depends on what he and the party want to direct out of that.”

Arnold says he also worries about no softwood lumber deal being in place yet.

“The impact that could have on Canada and British Columbia in particular.  There’s thousands of jobs connected with that.  We have been pushing this government to get a deal done.  They have had a year and we’re still at a stand still on that one, so that one we are really going to push on.”

Arnold says it’s just a good thing most dealings with the U.S. will still be through the Senate and House that are both Republican now.

“It’s not a one man show, he will definitely be at the head of that team setting some of the direction, but I’m sure if there is some radical movement, hopefully it will be tempered by some of the other minds around the table.”