EarnscliffeLive – The U.S. Midterms: What do they mean for Canada?

Originally aired November 10, 2022.

Our Earnscliffe team and special guests Dr. Laura Dawson of the Future Borders Coalition and Eric Miller of the RideauPotomac Group discussed the 2022 U.S. midterm elections and what the results mean for Canada and Canadians.  The entire House of Representatives, a third of the Senate, and 36 state governorships were on the ballot. The results of this midterm will have profound implications for the Biden administration’s political agenda and will shape the American political landscape heading toward the 2024 General election. Canadians will be affected both economically and politically by the results; our panel will address the myriad connections between the two countries and the implications for Canada of the post-election dynamic in the United States.

Panelists

Bud Locklear
Principal, Earnscliffe Strategies

With over 30 years of public policy and international relations experience  in both the United States and Canadian governments, Bud is a results-oriented team player with the proven ability to motivate and lead. His professional expertise includes climate, energy, environment, trade, and defence issues, as well as space and innovation policy. Prior to joining Earnscliffe, Bud served as Special Advisor for Energy and Environment at the United States Embassy in Ottawa. For over two decades Bud provided expert advice and analysis to decision-makers at the Embassy, U.S. Consulates General across Canada, and to officials in Washington D.C. on developments in Canadian economy, government, and society with an emphasis on climate, energy, environment, and trade issues.  During his tenure at the embassy Bud worked extensively with Canadian federal and provincial government officials to achieve mutually beneficial solutions across the border.

Laura Kurkimaki
Principal, Earnscliffe Strategies

Laura brings substantial experience in public affairs, campaigns, and advocacy. She supports clients in a wide range of industries including cannabis, financial services, agriculture, energy, environment, and health.  Prior to joining Earnscliffe, Laura served in several roles with federal and provincial Conservative parties, including at Conservative Party headquarters and as an Issues Manager in the Prime Minister’s Office. Most recently she was Principal Secretary to former Conservative Party Leader and Leader of the Official Opposition, Hon. Erin O’Toole, and served as Deputy National Campaign Manager for the Conservative Party of Canada during the 2021 federal election. Laura volunteers as an elected member of the Ontario PC Party Executive as 8th Vice President.

Dr. Laura Dawson
Executive Director, Future Borders Coalition

As Executive Director of Future Borders Coalition, Laura Dawson works with a binational coalition of government and industry leaders in order to build better borders for travel and trade. Prior to her appointment to FBC, Dr. Dawson led the North America office of the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Institute facilitating public sector digital transformation. Other posts include director of the Canada Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., founder of Dawson Strategic, and senior economic advisor at the U.S. Embassy in Canada. Dawson serves on the teaching faculty at the Master of Public Policy program at McGill University in Montreal and is board member of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. In addition, Dawson co-chaired the selection committee for the Government of Canada’s 2021 New Frontiers in Research Fund and was named 2020 Person of Distinction by the Public Affairs Association of Canada. Dr. Dawson holds a PhD in Political Science from Carleton University. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Eric Miller
President, Rideau Potomac Strategy Group

Eric Miller is President of Rideau Potomac Strategy Group, a Washington, DC-based consultancy that advises public and private sector clients on United States and Canadian business and political matters. In this role, he spends extensive time on Capitol Hill and with U.S. Executive Branch agencies advancing a variety of initiatives. From 2013-2016, Mr. Miller served as Vice President for North America and Cybersecurity at the Business Council of Canada – the national CEO association. From 2008-2013, he was the first representative of Canada’s Department of Industry in the United States. Earlier in his career he spent 8 years with the Integration and Trade Division of the Inter-American Development Bank. Mr. Miller has extensive international experience, having advised more than 30 governments in Asia, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East on trade, regulatory, technology, and economic policies. He continues to work with a variety of international clients. He is a Global Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center Canada Institute, a Fellow with the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, and a frequent media commentator.