Will Joe Biden be good for Canada?
YES He values Canada-U.S. relations
Relationships are based on trust — trust is built through honesty and integrity, decency and empathy — these are values at the core of Joe Biden’s leadership. Canada and the U.S. are best friends and it is a testament to the strength of our friendship that it has endured these past four tumultuous years.
As the U.S. and Canada face the challenges brought on by a worsening pandemic, economic uncertainty, the hazards of climate change and ever more complicated geopolitical risks, our collaboration has never been more important. As president, Biden will view these challenges as opportunities for us to work together to find solutions that are best for our shared future.
This past year, President Donald Trump failed to accept the risks of COVID-19 and did not effectively lead the country through this pandemic. But the virus itself is not a problem unique to the United States. COVID-19 is a global problem and has impacted even our shared border with Canada.
President Biden will listen to and incorporate recommendations from scientists and medical experts, all while collaborating with Canada and other countries in developing strategies, therapies and vaccines. Opening the border again will require collaboration between Canada and the U.S. to develop shared standards and this requires leadership you can trust.
Even before the pandemic, during this administration, the gap between rich and poor was growing ever wider in America. But the pandemic brought significant pain to our less fortunate: death, illness, job loss and hunger. President Biden will build a strong sustainable U.S. economy while recognizing the importance of strengthening our valued trading relationships, especially with our key trading partner Canada.
A President Biden will recognize climate change is in fact real and its deleterious impact on our environment is by far the most important long-term issue facing our two countries and the world at large.
One of Biden’s first presidential acts will be to rejoin the Paris Climate accord. He will also implement domestic policies that accelerate the reduction of our carbon footprint. He will listen to the science and will lead with the understanding that collaboration between Canada and the U.S. on this issue will offer our two countries boundless opportunities for innovation and improvement in how we manage our shared resources.
In fact, recognition of the need for multilateral partnerships and understanding how to maintain the old and build the new will be crucial in how we tackle not just pandemics and climate change, but issues ranging from trade to human rights to cyber security to military threats. A President Biden will work with and enhance multilateral partnerships, like NATO. A President Biden will not only respect our existing partnerships, but has the values and temperament required to foster new partnerships.
AJoe Biden presidency will once again reveal some of the best qualities our countries have in common. While we are far from perfect, Canada and the U.S. have made tremendous gains over the past several decades in giving voice and support to those who are vulnerable. Canadians will once again be able to count on a U.S. administration that supports diversity of race, religion, gender and sexual orientation.
While Canada and the U.S. are best friends, it doesn’t mean we agree on everything. In any relationship, it is important to recognize differences, respect them and work together to solve the challenges that arise from them.
As we resolve differences, a Biden administration would strive to work with Canada, respecting just how crucial the health of our relationship is for our shared future.
Canadians have shown us so much kindness, friendship and patience — especially in the past four years. In that time, as Americans have peered into the abyss created by a leader we cannot trust, we understand the darkness and risk to our nation.
On Tuesday, we will step back toward the light and elect an experienced trusted friend, Joe Biden, President of the United States of America. We look forward to celebrating — and know our best friends will, too. Bruce Heyman was the U.S. ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2017. Along with his partner, Vicki Heyman, he is the co-author of the book “The Art of Diplomacy.” Together, they are championing the American Voter Abroad Effort.