Kamala Harris’s possible candidacy | Kamala and Canada: What to expect?

(Ottawa) Kamala Harris’ entry into the presidential race is likely to have little tangible impact on Canada and its engagement strategy ahead of the U.S. election. On the symbolic level, however, it’s another story.

“Obviously, it will be up to the Democratic Party to choose who will be the candidate for the Democratic nomination, but it is certain that in M^me Harris, we have an ally,” said Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne on Monday.

The current vice-president having completed part of her education in Montreal, she understands “the strategic nature of the relationship”, in addition to having a “special place in her heart for Canada”, he argued in a conference call from the United Kingdom.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman also mentions this aspect. In his experience, north of the border, people are often sensitive to what American leaders know and think about Canada.

The possible nomination of Kamala Harris, who was supported by President Joe Biden and a host of Democrats, is therefore “unique” in this sense, explains the former diplomat in an interview, still very influential and active in Democratic circles.

“The love she retains from her years in Canada will shine through,” he predicts.

That’s not quite the view of Louise Blais, former Canadian consul general in Atlanta and Canadian ambassador to the United Nations. Kamala Harris’ Canadian experience is exaggerated.

“She doesn’t talk about it too much. We don’t really get the impression that she has kept very strong ties, and that it could really be a card that we can play,” she argues in a telephone interview.

Trudeau and Poilievre cautious, Singh delighted

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office has not provided a response to Kamala Harris’s emergence in the race for the White House, nor has the office of Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who has said nothing about Joe Biden’s withdrawal.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh was pleased to see the outcome, but took no credit for President Biden, whose record on protecting workers’ rights he praised.

But it was his heart as a father, and his experience as a racialized politician, that he wanted to let speak on Monday. “I am a proud father of two daughters, and for them, the fact that a racialized woman can access the presidency of the most powerful country in the world is huge,” he said.

“The inspiration that it represents is incredible,” he rejoiced via videoconference.

A candidate for continuity (?)

Even though Joe Biden’s announcement had the effect of a bomb, it’s a safe bet that in Ottawa, the government “wasn’t taken by surprise,” believes Sandra Aubé, former chief of staff to Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly.

First, we guessed the situation of the 46^e untenable president of the United States. Then, in the offices of power, lessons were learned from the unpredictable Trump era. “There was really a change in the way of working, it was 24 hours a day,” she relates.

And the potential impacts of this American earthquake would also be little felt on Canadian soil, since “Kamala Harris is a candidate of continuity,” says the woman who is now vice-president at Tact Conseil.

Yes, but be careful, adds Louise Blais. “She will have to come out with a platform that looks to the future; she will not be able to spend the next few months defending Biden’s record,” argues the former Canadian diplomat.

“What can she say differently on immigration? On the economy? We’ll have to watch that closely. We have to remember that she voted against CUSMA [nouvel ALENA] in 2020^⁠1 “, says the woman who now works at the Canadian Business Council.

What is certain is that the Trudeau government will have to build or strengthen ties with Kamala Harris’ inner circle. The two have nevertheless had bilateral exchanges in recent years, the most recent dating back to last May.

“Leaders always have a small circle. We will have to see how to work more with M’s circle^me Harris. But for the rest, for the overall strategy, it is already well underway,” notes Sandra Aubé, referring to the “Team Canada” offensive, of which Minister Champagne is an important player.

^⁠1 (in English) https://thehill.com/policy/finance/478636-here-are-the-10-senators-who-voted-against-trumps-north-american-trade-deal/