Dem
50
GOP
50
After a recent Kamala Harris rally in Grand Rapids, MI, a Politico reporter spoke to 20 of the Democrats who attended it. They were scared to death about what could happen if Donald Trump pulls this off again, as he did in 2016. Honest-to-God fear has replaced joy on the campaign trail for them. Some were considering voting with their feet. One 62-year-old artist said she didn't want to live in "a Trumpian hellscape. We might have to leave: Canada, if they'll take us." Many of the others noted that they were close to Canada and were making contingency plans to move there if Trump won.
This sentiment also arose in Jan. 2017 and the number of Americans applying for permanent residency in Canada did rise, but only by 4%. But this time it is worse. In early 2017, people could believe that Trump-the-deal-maker would make lots of deals with Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and get things done in a bipartisan way. Nobody believes that now. Also, in 2017, Trump didn't talk endlessly about retribution and enemies within the country and jailing his enemies without a trial. He is far more vicious now than then. Also, then, he had no idea how the government worked and stocked his administration with generals who took an oath to defend the Constitution and meant it. None of that is applicable now (well, actually, he still doesn't really understand how the government works).
Will people who want to emigrate to Canada get in? Maybe. On the whole, Canada's immigration policy mirrors JFK's famous remark. It is "Ask not what Canada can do for you, but what you can do for Canada." If you have skills that Canada needs and a job lined up where you can use them, you are pretty much welcome. If you have skills that are in short supply but no job (e.g., you are a nurse or engineer) and speak English or French, you still have a good chance. Alternatively, if you have plans and enough money to start a business that will employ a certain number of Canadians, you can usually get a temporary residence permit. After a few years, they check to see if you did what you promised and if you did, make it permanent. For others, it depends on the applicant and the details. If Trump wins, there is almost certain to be a surge in applications. (V)