Canada and the 2000 United States presidential election

As with many American elections, Canadians and people from across the western world paid much attention to the 2000 presidential election; however, Canada paid less attention than in previous years. The 2000 election in the United States was fought mainly over domestic policy; issues like Social Security and education were central to the campaign but of little interest to Canadians. Moreover, the end of the U.S. election was overshadowed by the Canadian federal election held on November 27.

Canadians polled favoured Democratic candidate Al Gore over Republican candidate George W. Bush. An Environics poll conducted in the fall of 2000 found that 48% of Canadians would have voted for Gore if they were citizens of the United States, while 29% would have backed Bush. Every region of Canada supported Gore, particularly Ontario, where 55% of the population backed Gore. Bush rated highest in Alberta, a province with a tradition of supporting conservative political parties (the Conservative Party of Canada, the Reform Party of Canada and the Social Credit Party of Canada all had their bases of support there), but he still trailed Gore 40% to 33%.[1]

Canada was mentioned twice in the first of the 2000 presidential debates. Al Gore made a reference to American seniors forced to travel to Canada to purchase prescription drugs, while George W. Bush called for a continental energy policy including both Canada and Mexico. [2]

The Canadian government, following protocol, took no side in the American election, but it was commonly perceived that the governing Liberals implicitly supported Gore. Relations between Jean Chrétien and Bill Clinton had been friendly, and the two administrations had cooperated successfully for many years. Gore's foreign policy also matched that of the Canadian government, including joining the International Criminal Court, support for the Kyoto Accord, and opposition to America's National Missile Defense.[3] During the campaign, Raymond Chrétien, Canada's ambassador to the United States and Jean Chrétien's nephew, mentioned that Al Gore had been "a friend to Canada." These remarks caused some controversy in Canada as diplomatic protocol insists on neutrality of emissaries.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Michael Adams and Derek Leebosh. "Gore rules north of the border." National Post. Nov 3, 2000. pg. A.18
  2. ↑ Debate Transcript
  3. ↑ Martin, Lawrence. "Bush bad news for Canada: Canadians would have been more comfortable with Democrat Gore." The Montreal Gazette. Dec 14, 2000. pg. B.3
  4. ↑ "Envoy denies favouring Gore." National Post. Jun 2, 2000. pg. A.4
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