(The Canadian Press)

By Glenn Hicks

New Presidency

Trade and no more surprise tweets: local reaction to changes in White House

Jan 21, 2021 | 8:00 AM

There has been restrained reaction from local political and business figures to the start of the new presidency in the United States. Hopes and expectations of a better and more stable cross-border relationship have been tempered by the executive order given by Joe Biden on Day one to revoke the license for the Keystone XL pipeline.

“Time will tell,” said Prince Albert MP, Conservative Randy Hoback, when asked by paNOW what he thought the new administration meant for Canada and Saskatchewan.

“If [Biden] can be reasoned with to look at the big picture and see positive trade relations that benefit our whole continent then we can move forward… but when you see the first thing he’s doing is shutting down pipelines then that’s problematic.”

However, Hoback thinks the huge $1.9 trillion stimulus package being proposed by Biden can only help on this side of the border.

Prince Albert MP, Conservative Randy Hoback is taking a wait and see approach to the new Biden administration but is looking forward to more “logical” decision-making from the White House. (Credit: Christian Diotte, House of Commons Photo Services)

A long time coming

Max Clunie Field, Harry Jerome Track re-open with ceremony following lengthy renovations

8h ago

Honouring greats

Roy Shivers, Darian Durant to be enshrined in Riders' Plaza of Honour

11h ago

International Spotlight

Rudolph, Boychuk named to Canada White at 2024 U17 World Hockey Challenge

15h ago

“Indirectly or directly there definitely will be a spin-off… whether they’re buying more lumber or more raw resources, we’re such big trading partners,” he said.

He noted the re-engagement of the U.S. on the world stage will bolster entities like NATO, NORAD, and the World Trade Organization to help what he called the need to ensure China is following fair trade rules.

But one thing Hoback said he was looking forward and expecting now there’s a new person in the White House is not worrying about what sort of illogical tweet or decision comes from the former president that did not focus trade decisions based on what’s best for the North American continent as a whole.

“When we look at things from a ‘best benefits for all practice’ rather than just ‘me, me, me’ …that I think will be the biggest change of Biden over Trump.”

Hoback added the change of presidency also puts the onus on Justin Trudeau to show improved relations with the U.S. noting the prime minister no longer has an excuse not to be able to engage with Washington on what matters to Canada.

“He [now] has a friend in the White House… so when we see things like Keystone pipeline being cancelled this prime minister should be able to step up and use that friendship… to get good results for Canada and the whole of North America,” Hoback said.

The nixing of the pipeline that was set to carry expanded Albertan oil capacity to the U.S. cannot be ignored as a big opening challenge on Day one of the new presidency according to Steve McLellan the CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce. But he added this is not a message that the very strong Canadian-U.S. trade relationship is over.

Steve McLellan, CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce(Submitted/Sask.Chamber of Commerce)

“We trade so much every single day and that will continue. With a much more reasonable person in the White House we think there’s opportunity ahead,” McLellan said.

And he added the massive stimulus package the Biden administration is lining up to help the U.S. through the crippling effects of the COVID pandemic will have a positive effect in this country.

“The more people working, the more food they buy; the more food they buy the more we can sell them [including] potash. Anything that’s good for the U.S economy is just about as good at some point for the supply chain in Canada.”

–

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow