It seems, according to polls, that for the first time in generations, Canada will field a Conservative government to America's liberals (Democrats).

Throughout our continental partnership, it's usually been the reverse.

This will be interesting, considering we are America's major oil supplier and considering our decided trade imbalance (the biggest trade partnership in history).

Still, Canada is mouse to America's elephant, and twitches, grunts, rollovers will crush us (Trudeau).

Stay on your side of the bed, please.

DrNo:

This will be interesting, considering we are America's major oil supplier and considering our decided trade imbalance (the biggest trade partnership in history).

I'm not closely following Canadian politics. What changes in trade policy would a Conservative government be pushing for on oil?

that's how alternating current works, buddy. That's why we have three phase motors. Somebody has to be the out of phase component in current events.

The oil thing; you guys could take a big hit as the economy continues to tank if the price of crude drops off.

"What changes in trade policy would a Conservative government be pushing for on oil?"

Probably none, since America is our biggest customer, but China and oil-poor Asian tigers clamour for our product, and that could bode a dramatic shift in energy policy, especially in face of Canada/America antipathy.

Massive pipeline projects are already under review, and if a rare con/lib conflict emerges, oil may flow east rather than south.

But all this speculation may be moot in light of the current world economic melt.

"The oil thing; you guys could take a big hit as the economy continues to tank if the price of crude drops off."

Very, very big.

I'm not an expert on this stuff, but I think that sharply reducing oil exports to America might implicate the Proportionality Clause in the NAFTA treaty.

It's Canada's call, of course, and the clause might not even be enforceable, but. . . there's plenty of economic damage that can be inflicted on both sides if we get all Hatfield and McCoy with each other on NAFTA.

"...there's plenty of economic damage that can be inflicted on both sides if we get all Hatfield and McCoy with each other on NAFTA."

Won't happen. The mouse can't crush the elephant. You're safe, we're still a-quiver.

The USA and Canada would be cutting off their own genitles if they were to get in a tiff over Red and Blue politics. We have the best, or had the best border relations of any two countries for over a century, at least that I am aware of.

While we have differences, our over all cultures are very close, and between the two of us we are still un-beatable on the world stage. Like all good neighbors and good friends we might have our disagreements but so long as we stick together we will be able to insure a standard of living for the next generations at least close to what we now enjoy. If we do not then we will need to learn Russian or Chinese.