Americans living in Canada are urging fellow expatriates to cast their ballots in the high-stakes U.S. midterm elections, saying the outcome could have significant implications for both sides of the border. With trade tensions and tariffs becoming major campaign issues in key states, some dual citizens said the results could have a direct impact on Canada’s economy and its relationship with its largest trading partner. Timothy Flannery, who is originally from the United States and now lives in Elora, Ont., travelled to Novi, Mich., on Tuesday to cast his ballot. “I like to tell Canadians I’m more Canadian than they are. I’m [in Canada] by choice. That is my first allegiance, Canada,” said Flannery. “This election is an important one for Canada.” Flannery chairs the Grand River chapter of Democrats Abroad, an organization focused on helping eligible Americans living outside the U.S. register and vote. He said the midterms are particularly important given the ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the United States. “There are a number of issues and clearly Ontario and Michigan share the biggest issue and that’s the auto industry,” Flannery said. The impact of the trade dispute is also being felt by businesses across southwestern Ontario. Local impact Ian McLean, president and CEO of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, said local businesses are concerned about the uncertainty surrounding the automotive sector and its cross-border supply chain. “Whether it’s Toyota as an [Original Equipment Manufacturer], but also the supply chain for all the car manufacturers runs through southwestern Ontario,” McLean said. “Everyone’s hurting because of what Donald Trump has put in place.” McLean said the damage extends beyond tariffs, with business relationships between Canadian and American companies also under strain. Many businesses in Waterloo Region rely on relationships with U.S. partners, and navigating cross-border trade has become increasingly difficult. “It’s going to take years to repair what Donald Trump has broken,” McLean said. “Relationships do matter. And we’ve got to repair the one that we have with the U.S. The old line ‘geography has made us neighbours’ is still going to be true, but there’s a lot of fence-bending to be done in that relationship.” Not all Americans living in Canada share the same concerns about the current administration. Georganne Burke, the Canadian chapter lead for Republicans Overseas, said she supports Trump’s policies and recently decided to move back to the United States. Burke said she faced hostility over her political views while living in Canada. “Unfortunately, about a year and a half ago, I had a death threat related to the fact that I was an American and a Trump supporter,” she said. Despite returning to the U.S., Burke continues to encourage Americans living in Canada to participate in elections. She said voter turnout among eligible American expatriates has historically been low from both major political parties. “In Canada, the turnout for both parties has been around eight per cent, which is very low,” Burke said. “So, this is something that we’re hoping is going to change.” Burke estimates there are roughly three Democrats for every Republican among Americans living in Canada. She hopes that balance could change, but said her priority is getting more expatriates involved in the democratic process. Although, there is something she believes won’t change, regardless of which party holds more power: “Democrats love tariffs. They complain and they say that they don’t. But it’s money coming in and they do love them. So they’re not going to change them,” Burke said. According to 2024 figures, more than 430,000 eligible U.S. voters were living in Canada. How many of those voters turn out could become another important storyline in the midterm elections.
