The United States spending shut down put 800,000 Americans out of work today and closed the doors of the institutions and sites that usually welcome people from across the country and around the world.
There have been 17 spending shut downs since 1976, the last one in 1995. But these days perhaps the stakes are higher as the North American economy is undergoing a fragile recovery.
The bitterness between the Republicans and Democrats is paralysing government. The next challenge may occur on October 17th, when the U.S. Congress will face a routine vote to raise the debt ceiling that will allow the treasury to continue paying bills. In Washington today, President Obama said “Congress has to stop governing by crisis”.
The United States and Canada share one of the longest borders in the world. 70% of Canadian trade is with the U.S. most of it crossing the border in trucks. The slowdowns will not be good for both economies as the recovery is in a fragile condition.
John Manley, President of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, described it yesterday as a “grave situation”.
Professor Gil Troy is an American historian and author of several books on American history and historical figures. He teaches in the History Department of McGill University in Montreal.
Carmel Kilkenny reached Professor Troy to hear what effect this current shut down will have on Canada.
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