After U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris announced Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, former U.S. Ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman expressed his belief that the pair would be an excellent match for Canada-U.S. relations.
Harris made the announcement via social media early Tuesday, naming Walz as her vice-presidential pick for the Democratic ticket. In his own social media post, Walz described the opportunity as "the honor of a lifetime" and compared it to the excitement of the first day of school. He also noted Harris's formative years in Montreal, highlighting their shared connections to Canada.
Heyman, speaking to CTV News, emphasized the positive impact Walz's background could have on relations with Canada. "Walz lives next door and is keenly aware of the importance of trade with Canada," Heyman said. "Canada is Minnesota’s number one trading partner, with $9.6 billion in goods exchanged annually."
Walz, who has been Minnesota's governor since 2018, has a history of emphasizing the strong economic ties between his state and Canada. He previously led a trade mission to Ontario, where he engaged with Premier Doug Ford, highlighting the billions in annual trade between Ontario and Minnesota.
Canadian officials have been working to strengthen ties with their American counterparts in anticipation of a potential return of former President Donald Trump. Heyman praised the Harris-Walz team, suggesting it could be the strongest U.S.-Canada team since the Obama-Biden administration. He expressed confidence that Harris's candidacy would be beneficial for Canadian interests.
“Geography isn’t the only thing that links us,” Heyman noted. “Minnesota's friendly demeanor is akin to Canadian politeness.” He acknowledged that while Walz’s approach may contrast with the more combative style of Republicans, it should not be underestimated.
Heyman also urged Americans living in Canada to support Harris and Walz, emphasizing their potential to positively influence U.S.-Canada relations.
