WINNIPEG — The American electorate has spoken, selecting Donald Trump as their next president.
As the political landscape starts shifting south of the border, Canadians are also reacting to a potential bumpy ride ahead.
READ MORE: What President Donald Trump will mean for Canada
Former Canadian ambassador to the U.S. and former Manitoba premier Gary Doer spoke at the RBC Convention Centre Wednesday, about the election outcome.
“He will exceed expectations… I am an internal optimist,” Doer said.
Doer also talked with Winnipeg’s business community about the road ahead now that the Republicans hold the House Representatives and Senate. He said he believes Canada’s environmental policy and military spending will be impacted with Trump in power.
How Trump will impact Manitoba
Manitoba’s economy is very integrated with the U.S., Loren Remillard, president and CEO of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce said to 680 CJOB. He said Manitobans will be forced to work closely with Trump, regardless of what he does to the province’s trade agreements.
“What you say and do while you’re campaigning and what you say and do when you start governing are not necessarily one in the same,” Remillard said.
“Now he is responsible for putting together a federal budget and pulling together a cabinet and getting legislation ushered through.”
Remillard believes Canada will be part of Trump’s plan to “rebuild America” as good economic growth north of the border is also good for the United States.
Trump’s campaign
Trump, 70, ran a controversial campaign that focused on strict immigration control, including his plan to build a wall along the United States border with Mexico and his controversial proposal to ban Muslims from entering the U.S.
READ MORE: Mexicans question why Trump ‘wall’ debate not targeting Canada too
His triumph over Clinton will end eight years of Democratic dominance of the White House and threatens to undo major achievements of President Barack Obama. Trump has pledged to act quickly to repeal Obama’s landmark health care law and revoke the nuclear agreement with Iran. He has also called the Trans Pacific Partnership – which involves Canada – a bad deal.
Trump’s presidency could also have further repercussions for Canada and the Trudeau government as he’s promised to rewrite NAFTA, and to pull out of the Paris climate-change agreement.
There’s also the Keystone XL pipeline, which was rejected by U.S. President Barack Obama but supported by Trump and could be revived.
WATCH:What a Trump presidency will mean for Canada
*With files from the Associated and Canadian Press
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