Access to the U.S market will be vital for the future of Canadian business, according to Canada’s business leaders; but, which Presidential candidate will be a better trading partner is less certain. Further, according to respondents the outcome of Presidential race is will have greater impact on access to the U.S. market than the outcome of a Canadian Federal election.

Business leaders are divided as to which candidate would be the better choice form the perspective of trade, each earning average scores. Notably, those respondents who favour George W. Bush as a better trading partner tend to see access to the American market as more important than those who favour John Kerry.

These are the key findings of the weekly on-line survey of CEOs and business leaders for publication in the National Post under the sponsorship of BDO Dunwoody LLP and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.