Former Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Gary Doer was in Calgary Thursday offering insight and opinion to what a Donald Trump presidency will mean for Canada-U.S. relations.
Doer told the sold out Calgary Chamber of Commerce audience there are opportunities and concerns associated with the President-elect and if trade deals like NAFTA or the Trans Pacific Partnership are re-negotiated it could affect Alberta.
“If there was a risk in agriculture, for Alberta it’s a lost opportunity on TPP in terms of exports to places like Japan,” Doer said.
READ MORE: What President Donald Trump will mean for Canada
There have been suggestions that every aspect of Canada-U.S. trade is up for negotiation, however, Doer doesn’t believe the importance our country plays in the U.S. economic picture will be overlooked, “because we’re their biggest customer and Donald Trump, as a business person, knows you take care of your best customers first.”
Doer, who spent six years in Washington, believes Trump will exceed expectations although he made it clear there is going to be a much different direction when it comes to the energy sector.
“There’s no question there’s a different sheriff in town with President-elect Trump. He is going to be very pro energy development in the United States and that will mean a lot of infrastructure, a lot more jobs in those supply chains that I believe exist in Canada.”
READ MORE: What Donald Trump’s presidency could mean for Alberta
Doer did not comment on whether he believes the Keystone XL pipeline will be built but did say a pipeline in this country should be a priority.
“I would say getting a pipeline built in Canada strengthens the legitimacy of our arguments on other pipelines in North America.”
His final message was for everyone to calm down, stay strong and let things play out.
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